Music and cheers fill the club as a drunk Julienne throws bill after bill over the VIP railing onto the dance floor. In the past 3 hours she’s become the most popular woman in the bar. Buying peoples drinks, throwing money, dancing on the bar, the woman is a damn handful.
However, as annoying as babysitting this drunk woman in the bar, her inebriated state is beneficial. Julienne cheers, taking another shot and throwing the glass along with her handful of cash.
“She’s going to be bankrupt by the time she leaves here.” Noé laughs at Julienne, sitting next to me on the couch.
“If she doesn’t kill her damn self first.” Harley scoffs as we watch Julienne try to climb on the railing. I sigh, finishing my drink before going over and grabbing Julienne’s waist, pulling her back against me.
“Trying to leave me already?” She laughs, shaking her head, turning in my arms with a wide smile.
“I haven’t had fun like this in forever. We’re not going anywhere yet, except to dance again. You’re a really good dancer, sexy.” I snicker as I let Julienne drag me to the dance floor.
I inwardly roll my eyes at the idea of dancing for another hour, but I swallow my disinterest as we move together on the floor. Thirty minutes into our dance, her moves become risque and sensual. Coaxing her to go back to her vacation home shouldn’t be difficult given her inebriated state.
Julienne turns in my arms so we’re chest-to-chest, looping her arms around my neck. The smile dotting her face is carefree and relaxed, a small spark of envy fills my blood at her mindless freedom.
There’s never been a moment in my life when I could be free and buoyant like Julienne. Even as the crowd cheers and sings in French around me, I can’t allow myself to be as blithe and untroubled as these people. This is the beginning of my budding empire.
I still have a lot of work to do and will be facing a lot of hurdles and sleepless nights. However, to become the person I know I can be, the strong, independent, powerful woman that will never be bought, sold, or trampled upon again.
My thoughts are interrupted as Julienne stares at me with a mischievous smile, making me quirk my brow. That’s the same stare she gave me when she asked if I was paying for her drinks. This woman has gotten close to $3,000 out of me today. Her damn clothes alone are expensive, and this bitch can drink.
“You’ve been so good to me today, how should I repay you?” Julienne’s words are a drunken seductive slur as her hips whine and grind against me.
“What are you thinking?” My question is answered by a chuckle as Juliennes trails her lips across my jaw and down my neck. Licking her way up to my neck, I resist the urge to push her ass off, gripping her waist instead.
“Take me home?” Julienne whispers into my ear and I smirk as she moves back, drunken, unsteady heat in her eyes as she sways on her feet.
“Does your home have great views? I’ve always wanted to have sex on a balcony.” I drop the bait about her vacation home, moving my hands down to squeeze her ass, earning a moan and excited nod.
“My vacation home has the best views and an amazing balcony. Let’s go.” I allow Julienne to pull me through the crowd and out of the club. I text Dante and soon him and Sonny are parked in front of us. The first half of the drive, Julienne drinks the bottle I keep in the car. Her drunken state makes her clingy, touchy, and practically in my lap as we makeout in the backseat.
The second half, she’s cheering, throwing up in a bag, and passed out, laid out on the seat. Rolling down the window, I throw the stench and reeking bag out of the window, shifting into work mode.
“Do you have the burner phone?” Dante hands it to me without a word and I call Reuben. It rings until the last moment when he finally answers, only the sound of breathing.
“Get ready, I’m on my way.” Hanging up, I give the phone back to Dante, before calling Milo. We had to keep our distance earlier because of Julienne, but I’m sure he saw me leaving.
“It looks like your plan is succeeding.” Milo’s impressed tone floods my ears and the surge of pride swells in my chest, pulling a smirk from my lips.
“Get the paperwork ready. Are you heading to the jet?”
“Yes, I’ll be ready and waiting. Are you sure Reuben doesn’t suspect anything?”
“Not entirely, but he doesn’t have many other options now that his safe haven has been compromised.”
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“That’s true. I’ve sent the plans of the community center to you and your team, let me know if there’s any issues. It’s just a rough draft to start with.” I check my email and smile at the plans for the center Milo wants to open. A gym, basketball courts, track, resource centers for underprivileged youth and families, domestic abuse, and after school care for single moms, and even more.
It’s a venture Arthur would never agree to because there’s no profit for it, but as soon as Milo told me about it, I wanted to help. I could’ve used a place like this growing up, so I’ll do all I can to make sure the place thrives.
“This is really incredible, Milo.”
“Thank you. I’ve had this vision since I was 10 years old, during my training and the beatings from my father, I just wanted a place to escape. Somewhere I felt safe. I put it off for a while, too consumed by work to fulfill my dream. Then I met you and you told me your story, I knew that there were thousands if not millions of other kids like you and it reignited my passion to develop a community center. This will be the first on this side of Paris, if I find enough land in the United States then I’ll build one there too, in as many places as possible.” The passion drips from his words as he talks about his dreams and aspirations.
He’s so much more than just a scary, deadly, dangerous mafia man. He’s complex and compassionate and uses his power and money to make a difference. It’s inspirational.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make your dream come true, Milo.”
“Thank you, Winter.” We spend our car rides discussing the plans for the community center until Sonny stop in front of Julienne’s vacation home.
“I’m here. Reuben and I will be heading your way soon.”
“Stay safe.” Milo’s strict command has me smiling, telling him the same before hanging up. I make sure my gun is loaded and ready, concealing it behind my back before getting out of the car. Dante carries Julienne to the door and I look around, waiting for Reuben. Brigette is the one to open the door eyes red and swollen from crying and she looks damn near as miserable as Delilah.
I’ll never understand what these women see in an asshole like Reuben.
“Julienne! What did you do to my sister?!” I roll my eyes, pushing past the woman, Dante following close behind going to lay Julienne on the couch before returning to stand by the door.
“Stop fucking yelling!” Reuben’s booming voice comes out, contradicting his statement as he walks into the foyer with a duffle bag, Brigette wimpers and submits to his rude tone and I just roll my eyes. Reuben eyes Dante before giving me a firm nod.
She’s a lot more pathetic than her sister.
“She’s just drunk.”
“I’ll be out in a second, I just need to deal with her first.” He regards her like she’s a damn pet he has to take care of but that’s not my problem. Ignoring Brigett’s sniffling and Reuben’s grumbling, I head back outside.
“Hurry up, we don’t have a lot of time.” Because I’m ready to take my ass to bed already, it’s been a long ass day.
Dante and I get in the car and soon enough, Reuben is coming out, throwing his bag in the trunk, before we’re taking off to the private airport. The car ride is quiet and tense, neither of us saying a word to each other until Sonny stops in front of the jet. Reuben gets out of the car without so much as a thank you, leaving me to again roll my eyes.
The little lingering guilt I had about taking my step-brother’s father and Delilah’s husband away, disappears as I step out of the car. Reuben grabs his duffle bag and heads to the jet, not looking back. I take out my gun, not thinking twice, firing 2 shots to the back of his thighs, sending him falling to the ground in pain.
“Ahh! Damn it, what the fuck?!” Reuben’s anger and cries of pain are the alarm for Milo as he and his men step off the jet, forcing Reuben to his feet. Reuben grits his teeth, looking up at me as I stand next to Milo.
“Fucking traitor bitch!” His pained and angry insult earns him a hard punch to the face from Milo, that has blood seeping from his mouth. Reuben spits his bloody saliva in our direction, earning another punch from Milo.
“I don’t work for you” is the last words he hears me say as Milo’s men drag a cursing Reuben away. I stretch and smile. It’s been a long night and now with a million dollar deal from Milo closed I can finally relax for the rest of my weekend in Paris. Milo holds out his hand for me to shake, making me snicker, but I take his hand regardless.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you, Ms. Snow.”
“Likewise, Mr. Malone.” Amusement, desire, and admiration shines in Milo’s eyes further urging that pride in me to grow. When I attempt to pull back my hand, Milo tightens his grip, tugging me closer until we’re almost chest-to-chest. His eyes have the same glint I recognize when he gave me Prince, letting me know he has something incredibly sweet planned.
“Come with me?” His question is spoken softer than I’ve ever heard from him, a silent plea filling his eyes that I can’t say no to. Despite me being tired, I allow Milo to lead me to his car, saying a goodnight to Sonny and Dante. Milo opens my door and I settle in and soon we’re taking off to some unknown location. Hopefully it’s somewhere to sleep because I can feel the exhaustion slowly creeping into my bones and limbs.
“Where are we going?” My question fades with a yawn that has Milo smiling, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles.
“I know you’ve been working hard and have had little rest these few weeks. So I want to make sure you relax and get rest. Also, I want to take advantage of our proximity and sleep with you.” Milo’s consideration and attentiveness has me smiling as I look at the man next to me.
“Sleep with me? You mean…?”
“I mean I’m going to hold you in my arms and make sure you get the rest you need.” So fucking sweet, who would possibly refuse that suggestion?
“What about Prince?”
“I had Harley and Noé drop him off, they’re all waiting at my house. Everything is taken care of, all you need to do is close your eyes and sleep.” Milo kisses my hand again, before leaving it to rest on my thigh, driving with one hand and holding my hand with the other. The lull and comfort of his thumb rubbing my hand has me relaxing against the luxurious seats. His cologne fills the entire car, further pulling me into the depths of safety.
“Close your eyes.” The command is softly spoken, barely above a whisper and I stare at his side a minute longer before obeying his words.
’Just sleep, Snow. I’ll take care of you.” With his reassurance, my body has no choice but to listen and I fall into the darkness with a small content smile on my face.