Страница 22 из 76
Across the table, I see Ricardo's nostrils flair and I know he's a
And honestly, I don't even know why he's asking my opinion in the first place.
However, I know my role and I play it well. “If you think it's a good idea then so do I, mio amore.”
“You sure that's not just the sauce talking, sweetheart?” Ricardo interjects, his Bronx accent much thicker than I noticed earlier.
I ignore him and run a hand along Bruno's jaw. “You're the most brilliant man I've ever met. You know what's best for the club.”
I tilt my head and give Ricardo a big 'fuck you' smile. “Because it's yours and only yours.”
I know Ricardo wants DeLuca's club—but I also know that DeLuca isn't willing to just hand it over to him, at least not for another seven years.
Maybe now Ricardo will stop with his snide comments and judgmental glances.
Bruno always told me that you need to cut people down to size first before they do it to you. It's the only way to get the upper hand.
Bruno kisses my jaw and runs a hand along my i
I nod, the movement sending a brief rush of dizziness through me.
“It seems you're outnumbered, Ricardo. Both Lucia
He throws his napkin down and flicks a hand in my direction. “Her opinion doesn't even count!” he yells. “The fight club is no place for a woman. It's dangerous.”
“We'll hire additional security,” Bruno argues.
“It's still not enough.”
“So make sure you protect the girl I hire.”
Bruno latches on to my waist and sits up in his seat. “You know it's a good business move. Our major demographic at the fight club is male. And we have more bet's coming in and more people watching the fights than ever before. We need some kind of eye candy.”
Ricardo appears to think about this for a moment. “Fine,” he says. “I don't like it, but I suppose you have a point. But the second someone attacks one of those girls, it's done and I don't want to hear another word about it.”
“Girl,” Bruno says.
Ricardo cocks an eyebrow. “What?”
“We only need one girl.”
“Okay,” Ricardo says before taking a sip of his water.
“And my bambina here is just the right girl for the job.”
My jaw drops and Ricardo chokes on his water. “You can't be serious. We need a professional.”
“She is a professional,” Bruno declares.
Ricardo flashes a smile in my direction, showcasing his bright white teeth. I'm willing to bet he paid good money for them considering how perfect they are. “Oh, I'm sure she's a professional, alright. Just not the kind we need down at the club.”
My cheeks flush and I narrow my eyes at him. I can't believe this douchebag just insinuated that I was some kind of call girl.
“How dare you!” I scream while Bruno smirks.
“It's a done deal, she's hired,” Bruno says.
Ricardo pushes his chair back. “Look, no offense to your girlfriend here...and I use that term loosely. But the last thing we need is some jail bait Lindsay Lohan holding cue cards up in all her drunken glory at the club.” His expression turns serious. “She'll get eaten alive. Someone will take advantage of her in her inebriated state and I won't have that on my conscience.”
“She's clean,” Bruno says. “It won't be a problem.”
Ricardo snorts. “She just downed almost two bottles of wine by herself in one sitting. She's barely over 100lbs.”
He stands up and points at me. “Not to mention, she's got more tracks ru
Bruno nudges me off his lap. “She's been clean for over two months. She hasn't gone near the stuff.” His eyes darken. “Now, she's hired and that's the end of it. You will take her back to the city with you, tonight.”
“What?” I screech at the same time Ricardo yells, “Fuck, no.”
Bruno looks at me. “I've already had Marlene pack your things. And your car has been transported to the parking lot of the apartment complex where I've rented an apartment for you. It's in the same complex as Ricardo's.”
I step back, the impact of what he's doing smacking me in the chest. He never discussed any of this with me, not once. Which can only mean one thing.
“You—” I pause and try to gather my bearings. “You're kicking me out?”
Marlene returns to the dining room and smiles from ear to ear.
My hands fly to my face and I force the tears to stay back. I always thought I'd feel relieved if he ever decided this was a done deal, but all I feel is rejected by the only man who's ever claimed to love me. Even if his love is the kind that hurts.
“You don't want me anymore?” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I thought you love—” I don't finish that statement because I remember what happened the last time I uttered it.
Ricardo opens his mouth but snaps it shut. His eyes soften and for a moment, I see compassion swirling in them. “I'll take her with me. It won't be a problem.”
“Thank you, son,” Bruno says, purposely ignoring me and I swear my heart cracks.
Marlene takes a step closer to him in all her french maid wet dream glory, but I bare my teeth and growl, “Don't even try it, bitch. Or I'll tear you limb from surgery enhanced limb.”
Ricardo looks taken back and Marlene takes a few steps closer to me. I don't hesitate to let her finally have it.
She screams when I pull my hand back and send a punch straight into her ugly face. “That's for sucking his dick!” I scream.
She reaches for a napkin to stop the blood, which means she isn't prepared when I issue my next punch, which is even harder than the first. “And that's for trying to take my man!”
She yelps but I don't care. I'm not done with her yet. I snatch her hair and bash her head into the table. “And that's for not giving me any more goddamn wine!”
I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist. “Jesus Christ, you go
Bruno glares at me. “Marlene, go upstairs and get cleaned up.”
“You're not firing her!” I scream.
“You just assaulted her,” he snaps.
“Since when have you ever given a fuck about the law before?”
“She has you there,” Ricardo whispers.
“Go upstairs and get the rest of your things,” Bruno orders.
“Wait,” Ricardo says while releasing me from his hold. “You sure you're okay to make it up all those stairs by yourself, Mike Tyson?”
“I'll be fine,” I say before I run out of the dining room—but not before screaming, “Fuck you, you prick,” while giving Bruno the finger.
When I get up to my bedroom, I throw whatever things that bitch Marlene didn't pack, which was pretty much everything, into a few suitcases.
It's fu
That's when it occurs to me, maybe this is a fresh start for me after all.
I can't believe all the years I've wasted on him. I can't believe what I let him do to me.