“Yes… their names do sound oddly familiar. Why is this important?”
“Well, Sir, I think it’s interesting that she surrounds herself with very rich, powerful men. Kayden has a strong military background and numerous redacted government reports from his tours and missions. I think we’ve already figured out that whoever is helping this woman has connections. Especially given that we’ve figured out she’s living under a new identity. Someone is protecting her—someone with money.”
I sit back in my chair and rub my chin, contemplating this news.
“I want eyes on them. I want to know everything. If they’re hiding her, I want to know where. No one moves without my say-so, is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir. I have the men on it now. We’ll find her.”
“Good, see that you do, Marco. I do not want another disappointment in my ranks.”
“May I ask why this woman is so important?” Vivian asks, her face green with envy.
I settle back in my chair and take a really good look at her. Vivian lowers her gaze immediately. She knows she crossed a line.
“You forget your place, Vivian. You do not get to questionme.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I was only curious why she matters so much,” she replies, her gaze downcast as she fidgets with her utensils.
“Not only did Derek cost me well over a hundred grand, but this cunt cost me nearly a half-million dollars. The money isn’t such a horrible thing, pennies really, but I don’t take well to losing, Vivian. You should be thankful, though.”
“Oh, I am, Sir. Always, truly,” she whispers, daring a glance up at me.
“You misunderstand me. You wouldn’t have your current position if I had gotten her when I purchased her, you know.”
Vivian looks at me blankly.
“You’re a stand-in, you densepizda.” (Cunt.)
Vivian looks devastated and scared all at the same time. I would be too if I was just told I’m dispensable.
“Vivian, put your hand on the table.”
“But, Sir?—”
“Now, Vivian. I won’t tell you again.”
Her hand shakes and she whimpers as she places it on the table. She knows she won’t escape punishment for questioning me. What did she think it would cost her? A blowjob?
My knife comes down, piercing through skin, tendons, and bone before getting stuck in the table below, and her answering scream is music to my ears.
I grab my napkin and wipe my face. For some reason, I’m no longer hungry.
“See to it that you clean this mess up, Vivian. I expect this table to be clean by tomorrow morning.”
“But, Sir, my hand,” she says as her blood spills on the tablecloth, fat tears rolling down her face. Her right hand grips her wrist, her body shaking as the pain settles over her.
I toss my napkin on the table and beckon Marco to leave with me. He hesitates a mere second but quickly looks the other way the moment I cut him with a glare.
Stopping in the doorway, I turn my head slightly over my shoulder to address her.
“Guess you’ll have to figure it out, won’t you?”
Nineteen
Dani
Three weeks later
