Keep(Romanian Mob Chronicles 1)(2)

“Leave,” I said, again looking at the woman.

She reacted then, inhaling and then lifting her eyes at me quickly. But she didn’t move.

“I told you, it’s cool, man,” Ashmore said, again flashing a slick smile that only emphasized how sleazy he was.

I met the woman’s gaze. “Leave.”

Her breasts rose and fell with her rapid breaths, and I could see the calculation in her mind. She regarded me indirectly, not making eye contact, but her gaze taking in every part of me, snagging momentarily on my arms, or more likely, the tattoos that covered every inch of them.

She backed away slowly, tentatively, seeming to have decided to leave but not quite sure how Ashmore would react. And I was again impressed with how she moved on those silly shoes, the sharp clack of her heels against the marble floor the only sound in the room.

Ashmore, whose face was now bright red, tilted so he faced her and then barked, “Move your ass, bitch, or do you need some incentive? My guest is busy, no time to fucking wait on you.”

The woman heaved a sigh, and to me, it seemed one of relief. Then she turned and practically ran out of the room, moving so fast that I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. And it made me wonder how unpleasant Ashmore’s “incentives” were that they could inspire such stealth. Made me want to give Ashmore a few of my own.

Ashmore looked back toward me, his eyes narrowing briefly before his features softened into that slimy expression that seemed his default.

“It wouldn’t have been a problem,” he said, seeming to feel compelled to not let the point go.

I stayed silent, not interested in explaining that being here was a concession I’d only given out of respect to his father and mine, but that discussing my business in front of an outsider, a woman no less, would never happen.

“One hundred per week, correct?” I said, turning back to the matter at hand.

He nodded rapidly, head bobbing like one of those dolls. “Same for you as the other clans. Drop it off Friday, and I’ll have the clean cash to you by Monday, minus my cut of course.”

“Of course,” I said and then went silent, waiting. It didn’t take long for Ashmore to continue his pitch.

“And that doesn’t have to be the only element of our relationship. I can clean as much cash as you need, and if the volume increases, I’d be happy to give you a discount.”

He paused, expression expectant like I should be excited about the opportunity to let him get his tentacles further into my affairs. Unlikely. I didn’t want to work with him at all, but for peace and for honor, I would.

He nodded again, his brown hair flopping against his forehead with the vehemence of the motion. “Like I said, whatever you need. I like to think of myself as full-service, a lifestyle provider if you will, and I’ll go that extra mile for important clients like you. Drugs. Women. Men. Problems you need taken care of. I can handle any of that for you. I know a man of your…status is in the spotlight, but if you need some discreet personal attention, I’m one call away.”

He smiled again and the anger that had been simmering in my gut rose into my throat. I wouldn’t entrust one cent more of my money than was necessary to keep peace on the streets. And his offer? The very suggestion that there was something he could give me that I couldn’t get myself was laughable.

“So whatever you need,” he repeated.

Then a devious gleam lit his eye, and he smiled bright.

“Get your ass back in here,” he called over his shoulder.

The woman materialized in a split second, which stoked my anger even higher. The purpose of sending her away was so that she wouldn’t be privy to our conversation, yet she’d shown up in an instant, proof she’d heard every word. She walked to Ashmore, stood meekly at his side.

“You like her?” he asked, resting his hand on the woman’s wide hip and then stroking her lewdly. “She’s not much to look at, but she does okay when she’s dressed up. Lots of padding, especially on that ass”—he punctuated his words with a slap on said ass—“but she can take a pounding. And her pussy stays tight.”

He stood then, and the woman lowered her eyes, but she didn’t shrink away or otherwise show the disgust I knew she must have felt. She even remained still when Ashmore roughly grabbed her chin and put his thumb between her full, pillowy lips.

“And she sucks cock better than anyone I’ve ever had.”

He regarded the woman with a glare that was both dismissive and possessive, one even I found somewhat unnerving. But she stayed stock-still. I did too, but only barely. I tried to remind myself I was here for peace, that this woman wasn’t mine or one of my clan’s, wasn’t worth the trouble that interfering would cause.