AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As expected, I take my seat across from him. There’s a plate of overflowing meat, potatoes, and gravy. My stomach turns because I’ve never had an appetite when sitting across this man.
“Eat,” he instructs. It immediately reminds me of Dmitri. The way he speaks and assumes absolute command. The two are uncanny at times. But the difference is too obvious. This man is black as night, with a dark depth that would swallow you whole. Dmitri was my light and my only ray of hope.
And even though I’d only just eaten, with years of a small stomach and diet, I pick up my fork and do as he orders.
“The city is uglier than I last remember,” he says, starting his one-way conversations. “The pollution is foul and manners needing to be touched upon.” His gaze lands on the frightful waiter, who notices his glass is now half empty. He hurries over and pours it to the top again.
“Home is beautiful, sir,” I agree. That place never felt like home, only a prison.
“It’s come to my attention that some things have been going amiss as of late here, so much so that I’ve had to come here personally to clean up the mess of my incompetent men,” he says pointedly at Lyle, standing behind me. A tension ripples through the room, and I suddenly can’t breathe. Is he going to kill him? But then Lion’s gaze falls back to me. “And I wonder if you have anything to do with that?”
Two of his men circle the room, blocking off the staircase to stand behind Lyle and me.
I continue putting the food into my mouth and chew. Swallow. “With all due respect, my Lion. I only go to the places you permit me to. I don’t know any details about the inner workings of your—” I look at the waiter. “Businesses.” Although I doubt this waiter was going to see and hear worse today.
He’s stopped eating now. Peering over his white, intertwined knuckles, he studies me. “It would appear, girl, that I think you’re a liar.” I stare at him, knowing better than to look away. He enjoys watching the subtly of change, the responses, and fear one gives him. “However, you’re not the only cunning one standing in this room, it would seem.”
I feel the color drain from my face as I fist my hands under the table. I know that tone. It’s when he’s about to kill someone.
I flinch as the two men behind me grapple with Lyle. Lyle goes to pull out his gun, but it’s knocked out of his hands within seconds. I can only see so much in my peripheral, but I try to focus on my hands to stop shaking.
“This one was found leaking information about the club you frequent,” The Lion announces as he stands with his steak knife. He leans down and sneers, and I shut my eyes as he continues speaking. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” I hate that I so easily retract into myself. That fear consumes me, and I shake from the terrorism I’d suffered all these years. “I can’t hear you, girl.”
I stutter. “N-No, my Lion.”
When I open my eyes, he smirks, and his breath smells of fresh meat. Anything I just ate threatens to come back up.
“Ah ah, you stay there.” The Lion points his knife at the waiter, who is shrinking against the wall silently. His face marred with horror.
The Lion casually takes two steps to Lyle, who can’t speak because his mouth is covered. His arms are being pulled back, leaving his chest exposed. The Lion shakes his head. “After all I did for you. This is how you repay me. But I suppose everyone has a price they’re willing to be bought out for. Because of that, you will pay the price with your life.”
In an instant, he plunges his steak knife into Lyle’s chest. I gasp, closing my eyes and wrangling my fingers together under the table. Please go away.
Go away.
Go away.
I must make myself small.
Silent.
Survive.
My hearing fades in and out of waves as I try to take control of the panic attack that’s about to take over.
“From now on, Sergey will be with you every waking hour and even when you sleep. If you feel as if you’ve acquired any form of freedom here, you are sorely mistaken,” The Lion says as he rounds the table again and wipes the knife with the edge of the tablecloth. He then casually takes his seat as if nothing had just happened. My bottom lip trembles as I watch him use the same knife to continue cutting his steak. “While I’m in town, you’ll be mine. Although much of that life and beauty has sapped from you but at least your cunt is as good as any.”
A cold shudder runs over my body, and my throat constricts. I try my hardest not to show any signs, but I know I’m doing a horrible job.
“I’m honored,” I say carefully.
The Lion still stares at me. I’ve displeased him. I hang my head, knowing the chance of a gun being placed against it is likely. Not necessarily to kill me. But to taunt and play. Or maybe this time, he really will pull the trigger. Or maybe use the same knife he’d just turned on one of his own men.
“I’ve sent you a dress and jewels. You’re expected to hang off my arm tonight. Try your hardest to make yourself worthy of my attention,” he sneers. It’s all a game.
He’s here in New York.
And I have no way of telling Dmitri.
