“That wasn’t your call to make.”
She starts to argue but then thinks better of it. Shutting her mouth, she glares at me.
“He came back a week later and whipped Scarlett so badly, she’s still recovering.”
“She should have used her safe word.”
I lean forward, and with a menacing voice, I say, “She did.”
I hit play, and the security footage from the playroomstarts to roll. Scarlett is tied to the cross, her face in view as Deluca whips her, and her face is a mask of horror, pain and terror.
Loveland swallows hard, but doesn’t cave.
I make her watch every strike of the whip. By the time number fourteen is delivered, Loveland is sweating.
“Does that look consensual, Sarah?”
“I don’t?—”
I hit another key, and the next photo to pop up is what happened to Deluca when we were finished with him, and Loveland’s eyes fall away.
“This is what happens when fuckers don’t follow my rules.”
I slam the laptop shut and stand, and she closes her eyes.
“What makes you think for evenonesecond that you can run things your way, Sarah?”
“I made a bad judgment call,” she says, her hands twisting in her lap. “Like I said, we’re all human, and I made a mistake.”
“Yes,” I agree. “And according to Scarlett, who is still in enormous pain, thanks to you, when she requested you lower the music in the playroom so it’s easier for members to hear each other talk, you laughed in her face and ignored her completely.”
“Rome, the members haven’t complained?—”
“A member ofyourstaff suggested something to change for the benefit of both staff and members alike, and you fucking ignored her.”
“Rome—”
“You’re done.” Taking her by the hair, I pull her out of the chair. “You have six hours to pack your shit and get the fuck out of my building.”
She spins, her mouth agape. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck. You’re fired.” I shove a stack of bills into her hands. “That’s the last of your pay. I’ll send two of my men up to make sure you’re out in six hours.”
“I can’t find a new apartment in six hours, Rome.”
I get in her face, my nose almost touching hers. “I DON’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK!”
She jumps, and then she backs up to my office doorway.
“Can I have twenty-four hours?”
“No. Get the fuck out.”
I pick up my phone and call Luke.
“Don’t you ever sleep?” he asks, his voice drowsy.
“Send two men to Loveland’s apartment to make sure she packs her shit and is out by six. Not a minute more.”
