Page 13 of Mob Queen

Dario and Carmelo both advance toward the dead lump of shit and carry him out. Rome follows me into the office and closes the door behind him. “What the fuck was that, Frankie?”

“He had to be taught a lesson.”

“That’s not what I was talking about.”

I walk into the bathroom attached to the office, and look at my reflection in the mirror. I’m covered in blood, and there are bits of skin stuck in my wildly curly dark hair. “Fuck.” I start stripping so I can take a quick shower.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Rome appears at the door and quickly turns away when he sees I’ve shimmied out of my black dress. “Come on,” he says.

“You barged in while I’m getting ready to take a shower.”

With his back to me, he leans against the door. “What happened back there?”

“He wasn’t going to give me his respect, and they all needed to be shown that I’m not going to let them walk over me.”

“I know that part, Frank. I get why you killed him, but you’ve been working with Dad ever since you could. Why the fuck wouldn’t they respect you?”

“You heard what he said.” I turn the faucets on and reach out to get a feel for the water.

“They shouldn’t underestimate you.”

“I’ll get more of it, until they figure out that I’m not stepping down, and if they want to live, they’ll do what I say.” The water has come up to temperature and I step into the shower. Rome is still leaning against the door jamb with his back to me. “You don’t have to worry about me because, trust me when I say, I’m lethal.”

“Yeah, well...” He shakes his head. “He had balls to do that in your home, on the day of our father’s funeral.”

“He won’t be the last.”

Rome mumbles something inaudible, the leaves the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I wash all the blood off me, and once I’m done in the shower, I wrap a towel around my hair, and one around my body. Rome is sitting in the office, nursing a scotch. “What are you still doing in here?” I ask as I walk past him toward the door.

“You can’t go out there dressed in a towel. Not with a room filled with men, Frank.”

“Watch me.” I open the door and stroll out to find G near the bar and Dario cleaning the blood off the floor. I still have a house filled with men who work for me. The men see me in a towel and turn away or lower their chins, refusing to meet my eye. Rome’s steps hurry to catch up.

G straightens as he glances over my scantily clothed body. “Do you need anything, boss?”

With my shoulders pulled back, I look over the room. “What will it be gentlemen? Business or bloodshed?” I call over to all the men. “I’m fine with either.” No one moves, nor are they willing to step forward and challenge me.

I wait for a moment, and when no one takes me up on my offer, I head upstairs to dress.

I walk into my room, and into my closet, my brother hot on my heels. He sits on the bed as I peruse the racks of clothing. I pull out a pair of black pants, and a fitted black V-neck. “I suggest you leave,” I say to my brother.

He hangs his head and covers his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about something,” he says from behind his hands.

“What?” I make quick work at dressing before I walk out of the closet and flip my hair over so I can towel dry my locks.

“What would you think if I hung around for a while?”

“Don’t you have a job to get back to? Maybe even a girlfriend?”

“Are you dressed yet?” I lift my head to find my brother still hiding behind his hands. I can’t help but smirk. I remain quiet until he finally lowers his hands and slowly cracks one eye open. “A simple yes would’ve sufficed.”

“Why do you want to stay here, Rome?”

He stands and paces back and forth in front of the door that leads to my balcony. “I know you don’t need me, because the way you handled that guy downstairs was ? ” He shakes his head. “I don’t have words for that.” He points to the floor indicating the room below.

I run my fingers through my wet hair to detangle it. “What are you babbling about, brother?”

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