“Gotta go. Love you. Bye!”
The video shut off and I expelled a breath, hoping like hell that Alexis didn’t drive Nick crazy. I loved her dearly, but she was a handful, and I hoped the stoic man I’d briefly met could handle her.
Pulling up a web browser, I dove into researching online schools, unable to deny the anticipation that welled deep within at accomplishing a goal I’d thought long-dead. Could I truly get my psychology degree after all these years? The thought was overwhelming, but armed with my new husband’s encouragement, I vowed to try.
Chapter 18
Michael
Ientered the Gilded Cage, nodding to the men who were already present guarding the door. It was barely eleven a.m., but the club was half-full with nightshift workers who’d stopped by to have a few drinks and see some pretty ladies dance before heading home to sleep.
Trina was dancing on the main stage, and I gave her a wave as I walked back to the office. She winked at me, her body gyrating against the pole, and I grinned. She’d shown up at the club a year ago, strung out on heroine, with a baby glued to her hip. Katia and I had helped her find an apartment and get clean. Now, she was doing much better, and she was also a huge draw for the club.
Win-win for us both.
I entered Katia’s office and lowered into the seat in front of her desk.
“Well, hello to you too,” she said, glancing up from her laptop. “Not much of a greeting.”
“Sorry,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “My fucking head is pounding, and I just started a turf war, so I’m all out of pleasantries.”
“Eventful morning,” she muttered. She clicked the keypad, saving her progress, and closed the laptop before leaning back in her leather chair. “I’m just finishing the profit and loss sheet for the month. You know, we’d make a lot more profit if you didn’t insist on paying the dancers thirty dollars per hour. Our patronstip handsomely, and you could drop the hourly pay to minimum wage.”
“I have enough money, and the dancers and bartenders work hard,” I said, waving a dismissive hand. “They earn it.”
“My gangster with a heart of gold,” she said, playfully biting her lip.
I scowled. “Say that again when I’m murdering Rossi loyalists.” Sighing, I shook my head. “It’s going to be a rough few months. I’m here to ask you to increase security at all of the clubs. I’ll give you a list of the Rossi loyalists, and they’ll all be banned from each club. I’m sending a message that remaining loyal to Rossi’s dirty business means becoming an outcast.”
“Okay. Do you want to vet the new security hires?”
“I’d like you to do the initial interviews and background checks, and then I’ll do a final vetting on the ones you narrow down.”
“Ten-four,” she said with a salute before her eyes narrowed. Leaning forward, she studied my left hand. “Are you...wearing a wedding ring?”
I splayed my fingers. “Yes.”
“Who the fuck did you marry?”
“Bianca Rossi.”
Katia’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. You reallyarestarting a war.”
“Her loyalty will go a long way toward helping me absorb his empire.”
Her lips formed a sultry grin. “Yes, I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re obsessed with her.”
I remained silent. Katia had been the only one who’d ever noticed my feelings for Bianca. When she had accompanied me to functions where Bianca was present, Katia had always noticed how my eyes lingered a bit too long on Bianca, and the muscle that clenched in my jaw every time Victor touched her soft skin.
“Good for you,” Katia said softly. “Does she feel the same?”
“I don’t know,” I said, shrugging. “She came to me for protection, so I’ll protect her. It’s a good place to start.”
“I’m sure you gave her a big diamond. Those help too.”
My features drew together. “We just exchanged wedding rings. Shit. Should I get her an engagement ring?”
“Yes, Michael, you should get her an engagement ring. One with a big fucking diamond that says ‘I’ve been in love with you my whole damn life.’”
