Page 35 of His Kingdom

“Double the last order,” I reply, watching his reaction.

He leans back in his chair, swirling the whiskey in his glass thoughtfully. “You know the risks involved, Louie. Doubling the shipment means doubling the heat. You really think you can move double?”

I nod, my expression resolute. “I’ve got everything under control. My network here is solid, and I’ve taken extra precautions. This is a calculated decision.”

Emmanuel’s eyes narrow as he considers my request. “All right. I’ll make the arrangements. But know this: If anything goes south, it’s your head.”

“Understood,” I assure him. “You'll get your payment upfront, just like always.”

He raises his whiskey, a glint of approval in his eyes. “I know I will.”

We clink glasses, sealing the deal.

As we finish our drinks, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease. The stakes are high, but the rewards are even higher. I have my eye on a fourth casino, and I need more cash to get it. This is my way of gettingitquicker.

“Let’s get back to the party,” Emmanuel says as he stands. “We’ve got a lot to celebrate tonight.”

We walk outside the office, where Carlo and Sammie are waiting alongside Emmanuel’s men. “I’ll meet you guys over at Aces. I’ve got a few things to tie up here,” I tell them.

Emmanuel gives me that questioning look again, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he slaps Sammie on the shoulder and they start chatting like long-lost friends.

I breathe a sigh of relief.I get it.Why am I doing business with these assholes if I don’t want them anywhere near the woman I’m fond of?Because they’ve got the best product on the market, and as vile as their cartel can be, others are much worse.

ChapterEighteen

The sound of the door opening has me pausing mid-swipe of the hairbrush. Sammie only left a few minutes ago. There’s no way he’s back already. Before he left, he said:Under no circumstances are you to leave this room. I gave him my sweetest smile when I replied with:Bless your heart.

I have a feeling he knew exactly what I meant too.

I walk out of the bathroom and pause, watching as Louie enters the bedroom. His eyes rake up and down my body. I’m wearing a shimmery black dress that hugs every single one of my curves. I picked it up today and I love it. Judging by the bulge forming in his pants—one he’s doing nothing to hide—Louie likes it too.

Although the fire in his eyes when he finally looks up at me isn’t just lust. There’s something else there. I just can’t put a pin in it.

“Charlotte.” He stalks towards me. “You look fucking gorgeous. But don’t you think you’re a little overdressed for lounging in bed all night?”

“Oh, I have no plans of lounging in bed all night. I want to go out. I want to see what this city has to offer me.” I smile at him.

“All this city has to offer is corruption, drugs, human trafficking, and a one-way ticket to hell. You don’t need any of that,” he tells me.

“That’s not true. It has you and you’re not bad.” I shrug.

A look of uncertainty passes over his face. It’s gone within seconds, but I’m sure it was there. “I’m a lot of things. But you are more. And I can’t go out with you tonight. I have a meeting with an important client. Which means I really need you to stay put. Better yet, stay put at my place.”

“Louie, I need to go out. I’ve been held back my entire life. I’m finally free. I need to feel alive, to dance, to be around people that have no idea who I am. Who aren’t judging me for the whole runaway-bride thing,” I try to explain.

Louie steps closer, his expression softening as he reaches for my hand. “I understand that, but it’s dangerous out there, especially for a beautiful woman alone. I just want to keep you safe.”

He sounds sincere, like he really is worried about me. That’s… odd. But also sweet. I still want to go out, though. I appreciate his concern. I just think he’s overreacting.

“What if I go and get this meeting done, and when I get back, I’ll take you out? We’ll dance. We’ll get lost in the crowd. Whatever you want,” he offers.

I look up at him. “Okay, but you promise you’ll come back and go out with me?”

“Promise. Just wait for me. At my place, though. Come on.”

I let Louie take my hand as he guides me out of the room and next door to his apartment. “Can I get room service to bring wine up?” I ask him. “Also, just so we’re clear on something, this is a onetime thing. I’m not going to just give up my freedom because you have some kind of hangup about me going out alone.”

“You can have room service bring up whatever you want,” he says, leaning in and kissing my forehead before he adds, “Thank you. I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can. Keep the dress on. I can’t wait to tear it off you later.”

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