Page 33 of Traitor
A smart woman, keeping herself alive like that.
“Sweetheart?” she asked.
Lorenzo slowly looked up at her. “Yes?”
“Would you care for another drink? I see yours and Mr. Emiliano’s is almost out.”
He grinned. “Good girl. You’ve got a good eye on you.”
Even I saw the anger flash behind her eyes. I knew she hated that nickname more than anything, which was probably why Lorenzo had taken to calling her that. Yet another reason for me to pluck his teeth out one by one.
“Mr. Emiliano? Would you care for a refill?” she asked.
My eyes met hers. “I’d love one, yes.”
She slid off his lap. “Wonderful. I will be back in a jiff.”
Lorenzo smacked her ass and she squealed, but I knew damn good and well it wasn’t a good squeal. She rubbed her butt cheek as she walked out of the room and I had half a mind to fly over the fucking table and strangle him with my own two hands. I could only imagine how pissed off and embarrassed Char felt, dressing that way only to be paraded around like some lowly servant.
Lorenzo continued talking, but I stayed focused on the hallway Char had just walked down. I heard her heels clicking against the fake marble floors as she came back. And when she emerged, I let out a soft sigh of relief. I turned my attention back to him as he rattled on about nonsense I didn’t give a shit about, but I noticed a tremble in Char’s hand as she poured his wine.
Then, she came over to me and refilled my glass.
That is, until her shaky hands spilled it into my lap.
“Oh, my god,” she whispered.
Lorenzo stood to his feet. “What did you just do?”
Char whipped her head up. “I-i-it was an accident. I didn’t mean to.”
I picked up a napkin. “Just a bit of a drizzle on a black suit. It’s nothing.”
But, Lorenzo rushed over to her and wrapped his hand around her neck. “What the fuck did I tell you about being the clumsy little bitch you are.”
I shot to my feet. “Lorenzo, that’s enough.”
He shot me a glare. “You sit down and shut up and let me tend to my people the way I tend to them. Got it?”
I looked over at Char and saw the fear in her eyes.
“Please,” she choked out.
His hand squeezed harder. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you in front of him for ruining his suit.”
I shook my head. “It’s not ruined, it’s only a damn dribble. Will you tuck that dick of yours back in and quit measuring? I didn’t come for a fucking pissing contest. I came here on business.”
I kept my breathing level, even as I heard Char wheezing for the very air I freely breathed. I heard the drawing of weapons as his bodyguards pointed them at me and I braced myself for the end. Even if Char only got to take one last deep breath before both of us were killed, at least she wouldn’t die with his hands on her.
She’d die with my body shrouding hers from the bullets.
“Lorenzo, I didn’t come to help you dispose of a body. I will walk right out of here and take my deal with me if you needlessly kill someone over something that doesn’t even upset me. Got it?”
His wild eyes peeked over at me. “Fine.”
He threw her to the ground and I heard something crunch. I had no idea what the fuck just dislocated, but I could tell by Char’s groan that she was in an immense amount of pain. Lorenzo snapped his fingers before one of the bodyguard scooped her off the floor.
And when he tossed her over his shoulder like a ragdoll, all bets were off.
