Page 23 of Revenge & Truth

“Yes, Mistress,” the guys answered in unison.

Looking them over once more, I gave a sharp nod, and we exited the vehicle. All the extra men I’d brought with me stood in a semicircle, ensuring I was fully guarded the second my foot hit the ground. Boykov fell in right behind me with Ryker making it clear to anyone watching I was the important person out of the group. Shoulders back and head held high, I walked right up to the front door, the sound of my heeled boots echoing off the building.

The bouncer had ditched his cigarette in favor of keeping a hand on his gun, body tense and ready for action. Good to see he wasn’t a total failure at his role. I came to a stop just after I passed under the awning and smiled at the man.

“Hello,” I greeted with a smile. “How’s your day going?”

Caught off guard by my question, the man’s brows furrowed. “Fine.”

“Glad to hear it. Now if you would like to continue having a fine day, I suggest you step aside and allow me and my men to enter your establishment,” I suggested. “Should you decide that you’d rather have a shitty day instead, feel free to draw your gun or warn your boss. Whichever you choose, I’m going to walk through that door even if I have to step over your dead body.”

The bouncer blinked, clearly not used to a woman speaking to him in such a manner. “Who are you?”

“My apologies.” I reached out a hand to him, which he took on reflex. “Astin Caprioni, Boss of the Caprioni Family.”

Hearing my name, he tried to pull his hand away, but he’d made a stupid choice allowing me to have it in the first place. Using my other hand, I grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm, forcing him to his knees, facing away from me.

“Would someone kindly remove the gun from this man and tie him up somewhere?” I requested.

Two grunts approached and did just that, hauling the man away as he started yelling a warning. Boykov, moving faster than a man his size should be able to, slammed his fist into the bouncer’s face, knocking him unconscious.

I met my bodyguard’s gaze as he shook out his hand. “Ten out of ten, Ralph. Keep up the good work.” He grunted, walking past me to open the door.

Moving to follow, I was pulled back as Ryker stepped in front of me. “We go last when we know the room is under our control.” With a whistle, Ryker signaled for his men.

“When did that become a rule?” I enquired, crossing my arms and glaring at the man.

Ryker gave me an exasperated look. “Astin, you are the leader of the Caprioni Family. You never walk into a situation without ensuring you’re in control of it. My job as your head of security is to keep you safe and alive above all else, no matter how you feel about it. It’s stupid to waltz into a building owned by a man who’s made it clear he has no respect for you or the Family.”

That reasoning made it pretty impossible to argue with, so I waited for the all-clear. It only took a few minutes before Ryker absently touched his ear and motioned me forward. “You can enter now.”

Putting my game face back on, I entered the dim, dank club that smelled of sex, stale beer, and cigarette smoke. Everything looked grimy, worn out, and outdated, removing any hope I had that only the outside was a disaster. Four men on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs were in the center of the space near a stripper pole. I looked around the room and realized there was no stage.

“Wow, this place is so fucked. I’m pretty sure not even a cockroach would bother to spend time here,” I said as I took a stroll around the main room. “Seriously, how has the health department or fire marshal not shut you down?”

Spinning on my heel, I snapped my finger and pointed at the four men. “Oh, that’s right. Harvey must be paying them off since he’s your new buddy. Tell me, how’s that working out for you guys? Sorry, better question, how are you managing to pay him when you owe me a hefty sum of money?”

The four men merely glowered at me, not at all interested in answering my questions. I grabbed a chair and pulled it so I sat in front of the men, crossing one leg over the other and resting my elbow on it as I leaned forward. Glancing over each man carefully, I took note of their clothes, posture, and if they could hold my gaze or not, trying to get a sense of who I was dealing with. Having made my decision, I whipped out my gun and shot two of them right between the eyes. The third man flinched, jerking away from the now-dead coworker falling in his lap. I took him out next, leaving only one remaining.

“I know you’re not the owner, but you’re someone with authority who can answer my questions. Oh, and to be clear, you’re not getting out of this as easily as they did. They weren’t worth my time. You, however, get my undivided attention, which is not great for you,” I explained.

“Wow, you have me shaking in my boots, princess,” the man said in a dry tone. “Anyone can learn to shoot someone, but I don’t think you have the balls to do anything more than that. Spit out all the threats you want, but when the other person isn’t scared of you, they’re just fucking words.”

Tapping my chin, I hemmed and hawed like I was taking what he said to heart. Then I flipped my gun so I was holding the muzzle and slammed the butt into his cheek. He fell over with the impact, and the sound of shattering bone told me I broke his fucking face. Standing, I kicked him in the gut until he flopped on his back, allowing me to kneel on his ball sack. He screamed, trying to roll away from me, but I settled my hand over his throat, putting the rest of my body weight into the hold.

“That was some really great advice, thank you,” I praised. “Just so I know if I’m doing this right, do you still think my threats are still just words?”

He gurgled as he tried to answer, so I let up on my hand just enough for him to talk. “Fucking bitch.”

“Excellent,” I said as I ground my knee into his groin. “Glad to see it’s working. I should have mentioned I’m a quick study, but you probably wouldn’t have believed that either.”

His bellows worked exactly how I planned as a hatch in the floor was pushed open, and a head popped up. Without even having to say a word, Jace grabbed the newcomer by the throat and yanked him up out of the hole. Hound quickly stripped the man of weapons and tied him up before Jace tossed him to the floor.

“Whoever you are, you don’t know who you’re messing with,” the newbie yelled.

No longer entertained by the groaning man under my control, I stood and headed over to find out just who I should be afraid of. Squatting before the scrawny cave dweller, I gave him a friendly smile before asking my question, “You’re exactly right. I don’t have any idea who I’m messing with. Care to share with the class?” I inquired.

He frowned then looked around at the others as if confused about why I was talking to him. “Why are you here if you don’t know who owns this place?”