“I already knew who you were. See that ring you're wearing? It’s one of my custom designs your husband Jameson had made for you.” She smirks. Looking down at my ring, I twirl it around my finger and smile.
“It’s fucking gorgeous. You do amazing work. Which means you’re Vasilisa, the largest diamond dealer on the West Coast, but really in the whole world,” I say, and she nods.
“Yes, that would be me. I’m also the head of my family in Southern California. Your late husband also designed your guns.” She winks but continues. “My deepest condolences to you and your family. Dario was an amazing and loyal man. He will truly be missed,” she says, wiping a tear from her eye.
“Thank you. I miss him everyday, but he gave me the greatest gift before he was taken from us, so I’m thankful to have a piece of him even if he’s gone.” I frown, and she nods.
“I may not have experienced the same loss you’ve felt, but I know what it feels like to lose a child, but not the same way you have. My daughter Lilyanna was kidnapped almost three years ago and we’ve never been able to find her. With all the connections surrounding my family, no one knows where she is.” She sighs as I get up and round the table, sitting next to her. I grab her hand and give it a squeeze.
“Send me pictures of her and I’ll have my guys keep a lookout. My husband Spade’s family is heavily into trafficking which we try to intercept any time a shipment comes in, so if you don’t think she’s gone from this earth then send me pictures of her so when we steal the shipments I can keep an eye open for her. This is how I found my nephew, who is now my son,” I say, and she nods, pulling me into a hug.
“Thank you. You are a kind soul, and I’m thankful to have met you, Jade. I’ll have my men get in touch with you and give you a file on her,” she whispers, and I hug her tighter.
“I can at least try,” I whisper back. She lets me go and cups my face.
“I look forward to working with you. Give them hell out there. I’ll send the next idiot in,” she says as she picks up her mask, placing it over her gorgeous face, taking her pistol and shoving it into the back of her pants before rising from her seat and exiting the room. I get up and go back to my seat, wiping the tears that I didn’t know had fallen down my face.
A few seconds later, the door opens, and a man walks in, coming to sit to my right. He takes his mask off, placing his hand out for me to shake.
“Hey there, ma’am. I’m Harley Cyprus. It’s nice to meet you.” He grins, and my jaw drops.God damnit Jade.I school my features quickly and shake his hand.
“I’m guessing you are Axel and Caspian’s oldest brother?” I ask, and he smiles.I gotta say he looks nothing like his brothers with his long hair tied in a bun and rugged features.
“That would be correct. I’ve been in contract with your husband Spade for a while now.” He grins, and I laugh.
“Yes, I know. You’re our growers along with distro for pills,” I say, and he smirks.
“So, you’ve done your research I see,” he replies, not letting go of my hand as his thumb rubs circles over my knuckles.
“Maybe,” I say, leaning forward. “Or maybe I’m smart and I know everything there is to know about who I do business with.” I grin, and he laughs, releasing my hand. I sit back and fold my arms.
“So, you're the famous Jade Rivers I’ve heard so much about. It really is so nice to finally meet the queen of all queens,” he says, leaning on his elbow, resting his face in his palm as he stares at me.
“Yes, I am.” I laugh, shaking my head. “Your brothers really came in clutch last year. I owe you one,” I say, raising my brow.
“I’ll collect when the time is right.” He smiles then stands, sticking his hand out again for me to shake. “I won’t keep you. I know the others are waiting,” he says, kissing the top of my hand, then putting his mask back on and exiting the room.No wonder Jameson respects those brothers. Harley seems genuine and I like that.Once again, the door opens and a large man in a grey suit enters and sits in the same seat as Harley did, taking off his mask, and I roll my eyes.
“Where’s Flynn?” he asks in his thick accent as I fold my arms over my chest, ready to take this fucker out.
“Not here, obviously.” I spit, and he snickers, looking at me with disgust.
“Don’t look so disgusted.” I grin, subtly wrapping my fingers around the handle of my pistol.
“If I would’ve known you were involved, I wouldn’t have come. I will not be taking orders from you,” he states, and I laugh, leaning forward.
“Guess what? You don’t have much of a choice now, do you?” I smirk as he tries to stand, but I get up quickly, stepping into his space and pressing the barrel of my gun to his temple. He growls, thrashing away and I release the safety, cocking the gun, digging the tip deeper into his head.
Wrapping my hand around his throat roughly, I squeeze, forcing his face up to look at me.
“You’re lucky you’re a council member because if you weren’t, I would’ve put a bullet in your head the moment you took your mask off,” I spit as he grips my thighs tightly.
“I don’t fucking like you. You’re trash and the trash will be taken out,” he threatens, and I laugh.
“You wish you could, but I advise against it, scumbag. So fall in fucking line or I will make your life hell,” I taunt as I drag the tip of the gun down the side of his face to his lips.
“Open,” I order, squeezing his throat tighter. He slides his hands down between my thighs, cupping my pussy, squeezing it roughly. I wince but shove the barrel between his lips as the metal grazes his teeth. “You think by touching me where only my husbands bring me great pleasure is going to make me stand down. Guess again. I fucking said open.” I growl, pressing the tip against his teeth, ready to break them all.
My grip tightens around his throat as he does the same, not backing down even if what he is doing makes me want to scream. “Fall in line, Abran, or I will blow a hole in your face and suffer the consequences for it. Fuck it. One less Albanian scum to deal with. You can be replaced,” I shrug, laughing. “It’s not like I really have anyone to answer to anymore. I’m the queen. Do you know what happens when you disrespect the queen, Abran?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer. He opens his mouth like the bitch he is and I shove the barrel inside, making him gag, only to slowly take it out, then shove it back in. His eyes widen as his face starts to turn a deep red.
