Henny spoke up, "We don't keep that much cash available for things of this nature. Dario can set up a wire fund if you have an offshore account.”
“Dario?” I questioned, hating the way the man's name sounded upon Henny's lips.
“My CFO,” Pharrell said. “He's also family. He handles all the money for me in the sense that he knows where it goes and makes sure that I don't get fucked over during tax season. Henri is my paperwork person and right hand, essentially, right after my wife, Stasia. I'm sure you know about her considering you knew my name without me having to tell you.”
I smirked. "Well, of course. It's best to know the company you keep. Just because you couldn't find my name doesn't mean I couldn't find yours, Mr. Pharrell Lyon of Lyon Enterprises, head of the West Coast’sLa Famiglia. Loyal to a fault.”
He hummed. “Some might agree. Successful nonetheless. Do we have a deal?”
I clapped my hands together, and the echo boomed in the quiet. "We have a deal. If things go well, this might be the start of a wonderful partnership. That is only, of course, if you need my services again.”
I didn't typically offer such a thing before completing a job, but I wanted to give them a sense of grace. Mostly because I wanted more of Henny. I wanted to watch him closer and be in his orbit. I needed to know everything about this man because I knew that he wasmine.
I didn't believe in fate or romance or love. All that bullshit was for losers who wanted to experience the thrill that I got when my knife cut through flesh. I didn't need it. But Henny made me want it. He made me question if I'd been wrong all along.
The only way to get answers was to get more intel. To do that I needed to allow myself to be available to Pharrell Lyon.
Pharrell raised a brow. "I see. Well, this has gone differently than I thought it would. Can't say I’m upset at the development. We'll be in touch."
At that final word, he did an about face and marched towards the door. Henny waited a moment before doing the same. As he walked away I had to bite my lip. His ass was perfect, round, and plump, and the way his body was molded into his suit was sinful. Sex had been just a thing I used occasionally as release before this, but the way my cock hardened while watching Henny walk away was ridiculous.
I wanted to fuck him, wanted to rut into him like I was a beast and I had laid claim.Not yet, I reminded myself.I wasn't one to force myself on any partner, and I had a feeling Henri, my Henny, would be a tough one to crack. Good thing I had patience whenever I needed something badly.
"Oh, sweet Henny, you will be mine one day."
CHAPTER 2
Pip
A few years later
I kicked my feet as I sat on the crossbeam at the top of the warehouse. My rifle was in hand, ready to jump into action, should I need it. There was still some time before people showed up.
While this place wasn’t as special to me as the old warehouse we’d originally met in, the one I lost in a fire after a fun night with a torch and several dead bodies, it still held a familiarity for me. I’d been here enough times to know all the best hiding spots.
Rel had mentioned things might get dicey today. He wanted to have me here to watch his back.
It was an offer I couldn't turn down.
Not because I needed the money. More because I was bored out of my goddamn mind.
Everything in life had become monotonous. It was the same over and over again.
Where had the fun in killing gone?
Where had my bloodlust taken off to?
I could take my time, and it would feel as quick as if I just put a bullet in someone. Whereas I used to enjoy every minute I got to hurt someone else, now all I wanted to do was get it over with to see if I could find the next high.
Drugs were never my thing. I'd seen what they did to people. I didn't want to let myself go down that path. Same with drinking, though I did indulge every now and then with a sip or two.
But my focus had always been on the physical. The sweat that would come after a great workout. The physical exertion that fighting brought.
And then there was the peace that settled over my mind any time I got to take a life.
The bloodier the death, the better I felt.
For years, I had built a reputation around it. Everyone knew to call me if they needed a job done and they wanted to leave a mess behind. All I needed to know was who, when, where, and how dirty I could make it.
