Perversion (Perversion Trilogy #1)(40)

I should have told him before he figured out who I was. Then, he could have killed me, sparing me from the surge of pain that hits me like a runaway train.

Because now I know he’d fight for me, and that somehow makes it all so much worse.

I run as fast as I can, stumbling through the mud. In the process, I lose my shoes. I stop for only a second to retrieve them from the muck. When they’re finally free, I cradle them in one arm, running barefoot the entire way back to my prison. All the while telling myself the biggest lie I’ve ever told. I try and try, but can’t even begin to make myself believe this one. The one that’s crushing me, from the inside out.

You don’t really love him.





Eighteen





"Tell us, Grim. Why do you have us all gathered here today?" Marco asks, leaning back in his chair placing his feet up on the table. His elbows in the air with his hands folded behind his head.

The guy makes my skin crawl. Always has. I know Marco was too young at the time to be personally responsible for my mother’s death, but I’m almost positive he was behind Digger’s. I brush off the thoughts of revenge and try to focus on the business at hand while also trying not to think of the way Emma Jean moved on my lap, pushing herself against me, her tits rubbing my chest. The heat from her… I make myself focus.

"As you know, our truce has terms,” I start. “One of those terms is that any new ventures have to be fully disclosed to both the Immortals and Los Muertos.”

Margaret nods from across the table, leaning to the side like the elegant gangster she is.

Marco sits up straight and takes interest. He moves the toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other.

“Bedlam will be opening up a strip club-slash-brothel on the reservation. We ain't gonna be running girls on the street. It's going to be a somewhat legitimate business venture that won’t interfere with operations from either of your organizations."

“Where you getting the girls?” Margaret asks.

“We're putting out feelers for those interested who live in the area and want to earn. Marci will be interviewing and running the day-to-day operations. We will only take on girls who don't have affiliations with either gang or affiliations exclusively with Bedlam.”

Margaret folds her hands on the table. "You know that the Immortals don't run girls. Not officially, anyway. We like to keep our business to the highways and imports/exports. I got no problem with you opening your place on the res. But I do have a favor to ask in return for The Immortals signing off on this.”

“What do you have in mind?"

Margaret's gaze meets mine. "I ask that you allow girls with Immortals affiliation to apply for positions. It's hard for a woman or a single mother in this town to find a job that earns enough to hold down their households and feed their kids these days. If they want to come to you so they can earn to support their families, and they are of age and willing, I'd like you to consider them.”

Margaret's a fair woman. Having access to girls associated with the Immortals greatly expands our talent pool. Margaret's offer will mean that we can fill positions quicker and open faster than we thought.

“Done,” I say. “Plus, I'll give you 10% of whatever your girls make.”

Margaret shakes her head and wags her finger at me. “I’ll take 15% and ask that you do right by them. Any of my girls step out of line, you come to me first.”

“That's fair,” I say. I look to Marco. "And you?"

Marco leans forward with his elbows on the table. "I don't give a shit what happens in your territory. Do whatever tickles your dicks.” He glares at me. “But you ain’t taking girls from Los Muertos.”

A vein in his neck pulses, and there's nothing I'd like more than to reach into my jacket, grab my blade, and slice it the fuck open. But in this situation, I have to remind myself of what Belly would do.

“That's fair.” I stand to leave. I glance between Margaret and Marco. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," Marco sneers. "I don’t want my bitches tainted by Bedlam bullshit. Do you understand me? Steer clear, or you’ll end up with more bullets in your body.”

“Noted,” I say when all I really want to reply with is a knife in his fucking skull.

“My girls are special to me. They’re all off limits to you, but understand I got one that you don’t fuck with. Ever. You don’t talk to. You don’t look in her fucking direction. It’s that fucking simple,” he threatens with a sneer.

I slap the table. “Marco, you sly dog. Did you go out and get yourself an old lady?” I ask sarcastically. "You can threaten me all you want. Your jealousy for someone I’ve never met is fucking adorable.”

“Blanquita, get in here!” Marco shouts without taking his eyes off mine. “I want you to meet her so you know who to stay clear of.”

Margaret’s eyes grow wide, and she cringes like she knows what’s coming.

The door slowly creaks open. My legs grow weak, and my blood runs cold as a girl steps into the room with her eyes down to the floor. I immediately feel the need to sit or lie the fuck down, or better yet, shoot bullets into Marco’s head one after the other until there’s nothing left of it.