Page 48 of Retaliation

“Now I’m just putting my foot in my mouth, Don.”

“Won’t you reconsider my offer to join my allegiance?” His voice was serious, yet the laughter still lingered in his eyes.

“I prefer things the way they are, Don. No offense, but your men aren’t the brightest,” she teased.

Fuck, how strong was that whiskey? She looked at her glass, swirling the content. She had no idea where the audacity to challenge the Don came from.

“That’s exactly why I could use someone like you to set them straight,” he said, raising his glass to her.

“Don,” She shook her head, laughing. “You’re forgetting one thing.”

“And what may that be?” he inquired.

“The Mafia doesn’t allow women in their brotherhood.”

His laughter echoed through the space—folding over his knees. It was fucking weird seeing such a powerful and dangerous man laughing so joyfully.

“Come now, dear Poison,” he breathed between fits of laughter. “We didn’t even allow anyone from outside the bloodline to join. Now look at us. It’s a progressive world out there. Just take your time and think about it.”

Raising her glass in a silent toast, she forced a tight smile, masking the storm of emotions swirling within her. The amber liquid burned as it slid down her throat.

As she emptied her glass, Poison stood and placed it on the table.

“Until next time, Don,” she said.

The Don offered a slight nod in return, a glimmer in his eyes.

“Take care, Miss Sloan.”

With that, she turned to leave, her footsteps echoing faintly in the grand foyer as she made her way toward the imposing doors. As she crossed the threshold, she couldn’t help but glance back over her shoulder, meeting the Don’s gaze one last time.

At that moment, she saw something hinting at respect in his eyes.

With a final nod of farewell, she stepped out into the cool morning air, the weight of the Don’s scrutiny lingering on her shoulders as she straddled her bike. .

SIXTEEN

As Poison went down in the elevator of her apartment building, nerves coiled in her chest like a live wire. She smoothed down the fabric of her sleek black dress, the soft material clinging to her curves in all the right places.

The dimly lit lobby of the building greeted her as she reached the ground floor, the soft glow of the overhead lights gleaming across the polished marble floors. It was a familiar sight, yet tonight, it seemed instilled with a sense of possibility, something new and exciting on the horizon.

As she stepped out into the cool night air, her pulse

quickened with every passing moment. She scanned the street, searching for any sign of Scorpion.

And then she saw him, leaning casually against the sleek lines of his motorcycle, with his hands in his pockets, a figure cloaked in darkness yet somehow illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights above. He looked every bit the dangerous, alluring man she’d come to know, his dark eyes smoldering with an intensity that sent heat pooling in her core.

She approached him with measured steps, her heart pounding in her chest as she drew closer to him. She couldn’t deny the thrill that coursed through her veins at the sight of him, the magnetic pull that seemed to draw her inexorably closer with each passing moment.

“Hey,” she said, as she reached his side, her gaze locking with his in a silent exchange.

“Hey yourself, Little Viper,” he replied, his voice low and gravelly, the sound sending an electric shock down her spine.

There was something about the way he looked at her, something that made her feel vulnerable and empowered at the same time in his presence.

“Have you been to the Lotus Lounge?”

Her heart sank. She had heard of it, but it was Japanese territory, and she tended to stay clear of them. They were ruthless and petty and killed for sport. It was not that the Italians in her territory were any better, but she had an understanding with them, and they left her alone for it.

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