23

Clinton
There were several requirements of the people I did business with, much like I demanded from my employees.
Loyalty without question.
Making appointments on time.
Respect.
Following the hierarchy.
No abuse of women and children under any circumstances.
They were aspects my father had drilled into me over the years. While I had no morals or conscience per say, after what had happened to Ava , I’d doubled down on standing behind the rules that been a part of our family for generations.
A single breach meant punishment, no matter who the person was.
As I headed to my private business suite located on the top floor of the entertainment wing, I buttoned my jacket. It had been a few weeks since I’d thought of Ava , a welcome relief after the years I’d spent privately grieving. I should have celebrated her death given that’s what I’d originally wanted, but as soon as I’m heard she’d been taken off the machines keeping her alive, I’d gone on a violent rampage.
She’d belonged to the three Kings of the City of Hope. We’d claimed her. The fact that someone had dared touch her in an inappropriate manner had allowed the savage killer in me to see the light of day.
Now, with the detective breathing down my neck and the fact both my old buddies had arrived or would shortly, I had a feeling I’d have several sleepless nights.
I moved through the crowded lobby, remembering the press conference that had been approved through my office. Fortunately, the reporters were headed out. I doubted my illustrious guests appreciated the interruption or the possible inclusion in a rag paper or internet site. For my clientele consisting of dignitaries, politicians, actors, musicians, and corporate moguls, their loyalty in selecting my resort was rewarded with very unique perks, including entrance in what people frequently called my world of debauchery.
On one side, a kink club catered to and allowed kinky activities without reprehension. On the other, the private casino hosted games of blackjack and poker where the stakes were limitless and creative, including the use of beautiful women as a decadent surprise for select winners. I had three more hotels modeled after this one, all four alone making me a very rich man, the facilities laundering almost one hundred percent of the money my corporation was worth.
I considered reporters the scourge of the earth, every one of them out for their fifteen minutes of fame, no matter the damage to the person they were interviewing.
I watched the exit of the cockroaches and sighed, something catching my eye. I’d yet to meet the entertainer of the hour, a woman who had come with her own entourage and the reason for the onslaught of reporters. But I’d been curious enough to download several of her songs to Spotify. Her voice was that of an angel, melodic and limitless.
After noticing she was having a terse discussion with someone, I pushed my way through the crowd to get closer. By the time I’d passed through the large group, the man she was with had his hand around her arm, jerking her towards a corridor. It was obvious to see she was furious with him, her face contorted with anger.
I pushed through the rest of the people in my way, snarling at his treatment of her. Where the hell was her security detail?
When she yanked her arm away and he acted as if he was going to slap her face, I intervened without question. He didn’t see me coming and when I snapped my fingers around his wrist, pitching him against the wall, he almost crumbled to the floor. Then the bastard was stupid enough to launch himself off the wall, lunging towards me.
With a crack to his gut, then another to his jaw, he was flipped up and backward, crashing against the door to one of the men’s rooms, where he stayed, which was in his best interest. I took a deep breath, the ache in my fist barely providing what I needed to calm the desire for bloodshed. It came and went, but tonight I was in the mood to break bones.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
The demanding tone in her voice instantly caused a reaction, my cock stiffening. I did so love a woman with spunk, unafraid of opening her mouth. I turned slightly, inhaling Maria’s perfume as I studied her attire, the look entirely different than the many changes of clothing she’d worn while on stage.
“Removing a leach.”
“That’s my manager you just beat the shit out of. I’ll have you know I can take care of myself.”
While the aggravation regarding my actions remained in her voice, I couldn’t help but notice she wasn’t attempting to discover his condition. There was a fire in her eyes that drew me in, as if there was no one else in close proximity.
I certainly didn’t want there to be. “You have no idea what men are capable of.”
She laughed, her tone haughty. “Oh, I think I do. Men are conceited pieces of shit who truly believe they can lord that fact they have a dick between their legs over women.” Huffing, she raked her fingers through her tussled hair, the look adding to her sexy kitty-kat exterior. I’d seen the faces of several of the male reporters. They were just as aroused as I’d become.
“So jaded at such a young age.” Her words amused me.
“I have my reasons. What in the hell am I supposed to do about Brett?”
“Fire him,” I told her casually as I headed in her direction.
Her eyes flashed with venom and ice, a dangerously sensual combination. “I would if my record company hadn’t hired him.”
“Ah, yes. You sold your soul when you were young and for nothing but a chance at stardom.”
“I’m sorry. Is there a reason I should bother talking to you other than your arrogance and determination to ruin my evening?”
The fire buried deep within her core was explosive. Visions of stripping off her clothes, fucking her against the wall powered into my mind. I couldn’t remember the last time a single woman had challenged me so openly. Most were terrified of what I would do. It was also obvious she had no clue who I was.
I backed her against the wall, planting my hands on either side of her. I was several inches taller, outweighed her by well over a hundred pounds, yet she wasn’t intimidated. She was aroused, her nipples clearly accentuated through the thin material of her silk blouse.
“The only reason that’s necessary. Hunger.”
“I beg your pardon?” She pushed herself as tightly against the wall as possible, but the way her breath hitched meant she remained completely aroused.
“You heard me, little pet.”
She narrowed her eyes, glancing away. I couldn’t tell if she was offended by my words of endearment or furious. Not that I cared. She wasn’t a delicate flower by any means, which excited me, more so at the thought of taming her.
Breaking her.
I exhaled, allowing the heated breath to cascade across her jaw. Her lips quivered, her eyelids half open. I lowered my head while she tilted hers, our lips almost touching. There was a sense of longing that awakened the man inside, allowing me to feel something for the first time in years. However, even a single taste was dangerous.
I backed away, doing what I could to curtail my hunger. The last thing I needed was to get involved with the princess of rock. There were far too many stragglers of business that needed my constant attention. That included having additional guards stationed at both the resort and my estate given the assassination attempt Weston had dealt with.
I refused to be caught with my pants down the way my buddy had. If The Iceman wanted to make another attempt, it would be the last one he made.
“I do hope you can regroup a part of your evening, beautiful Maria. Until we meet again.” As I walked away, a woman was rushing towards Maria, concern on her aging face. I’d sensed she’d stiffened when she realized who I’d been talking with.
Now I had the lust for violence. If I couldn’t satisfy my body’s hungers, I would satiate my mind’s.
The poor asshole who’d dared put his pregnant wife in the hospital would beg to die tonight.