Page 57 of Tony

Sherrie reached her hand out and placed it on Vivian’s arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said sincerely. Vivian’s watery eyes lifted and found hers. “I recently lost my sister and while my grief is not like yours, I still sympathize.”

“Oh, I am sorry about your sister,” Vivian admitted.

It appeared that she wanted to say more, but the words never came. Ted wrapped his arm around his wife as they quickly said their goodbyes, leaving a frustrated Tony looking over the dwindling candlelight at a very reserved Sherrie.Shit,he thought ruefully. He scraped his chair back, rising as he held out his hand. She placed hers in his gently and moved toward him.

Tucking her into his side, he escorted her to his truck. Neither speaking out of fear of what the other was thinking. By the time they entered her house, he could stand the silence no more.

“Baby, we gotta talk,” he growled, frustration pouring out in his words.

Her gaze shot up toward his, fearful of his tone. “Oh…okay.”

“I am so sorry about that. I haven’t seen them in a long time and well…that was awkward.

Her lips trembling, she approached him, placing her hands on his strong chest, feeling his heartbeat pounding against her fingertips. “Tony, it’s okay, really. You’ve shown me that I’m not a replacement for Marla, and you’ve been able to open yourself up to love again. Viv…has nothing to be open for.” Giving a little shrug, she admitted, “Grief, in some form or another, lasts forever.”

Looking down at the woman who taught him to love again, he cupped her face in his large hands, running his thumbs over her petal-soft cheeks. “I love you, baby.”

Smiling up at his warm eyes, she said, “I love you, too.”

“You’re being really understanding about tonight, but you gotta know that I was frustrated as hell. I wanted tonight to be just about us.”

Pulling him down, she touched her lips to his. Just as he was taking the kiss deeper, she moved away, a teasing grin on her face. Growling, he swatted her ass before scooping her up in his arms. Climbing the stairs, she pulled him back in for a kiss, this time letting him take it as deep as he wanted. And he wanted it deep.

Later, their breaths came in gasps as their erratic heartbeats pounded in an ancient rhythm from their lovemaking. Slowly as their bodies cooled, their breathing evened out and their hearts began to beat as one.

Tony lay with her in his arms, marveling at the strength of this woman. Strong and independent, but willing to give it all to him in the bedroom. She could have been pissy about Vivian but instead was kind and understanding.I wanted to ask her to marry me. But she deserves wine and roses. She deserves to have the ring right there.

Looking down, he saw her face relaxed in slumber. He snagged the covers and pulled them over their cooling bodies, keeping her tucked closely to his side. Smiling, he drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

* * *

Hernando peered out of his second-floor office window overlooking the laundry that was in full swing despite the late hour. With the extra teen labor, he had been able to increase his business and now added two more hotels as his clients. Quentin indicated that he was very pleased with Hernando’s work.

His sharp eyes scanned the operation, checking to see that everyone was working. The two new girls were still learning and it showed—their actions were clumsy. The woman in charge of their training was not paying enough attention.

Opening the small window, he whistled and saw her stiffen before turning his way.Yes, she knows what will happen.Without another word, he shut the window and waited for her to appear at his door. She hurried in and started to shut the door.

“Leave it open,” he ordered. “It may serve as a deterrent for the others.” With a jerk of his head, he ordered, “Go out by the railing. You know what to do.”

Eyes wide with fright, she hesitantly made her way back to the railing that overlooked the facility. The two young teens looked up in fear, their gazes joined by the others. Placing her hands on the rail, she bent over as tears welled in the anxiety of the coming punishment.

Hernando looked at her ass, his crotch growing tighter as his dick swelled in anticipation. He loved the cruel dominance. The control. The power. The rush of adrenaline fed his cock as he pulled his belt out of his pants.

The woman’s trembling legs barely held her up but she knew not to move. With a swift downward swing, his belt slapped against her bottom. Four more in quick succession finished her punishment.

Ordering her inside of his office, he followed her, a cruel smile on his face as he unzipped his pants. Pulling out his erection, he placed his cock at her entrance and slammed into her from behind, palming her blistered cheeks. As horny as he was, it did not take long to finish and tuck himself back into his trousers.

“Now get back to work and get those girls up to speed,” he growled at the crying woman. She pulled her pants back on hurrying to get out, trying to avert her eyes to those below. The ones she did glance at looked at her in sympathy, except for a few of the men who palmed their crotches. She knew what that meant. They would wait until after work and then demand her services.

She wanted out but knew there was no way. Hernando gave them a place to stay rent free, but the four dollars an hour she made only went so far. To get away meant she would have to live on the streets. Her chest heaving with frustration, she moved back over to the two teenage girls, showing them once again how to quickly bleach the towels before putting them in the large laundry equipment. Their fear had them speeding up the process.

Hernando watched with satisfaction as all of the workers processed the laundry quicker.Nothing like fear to keep the workers in line.Chuckling to himself, he moved back to his desk, turned out the light and headed to Quentin’s place.

* * *

Tony walked into work the next morning, greeted by Doug.

“Sir, I’ve been watching the tunnel cameras. Not much happens other than there are some people that enter through one of the back buildings and go to Salazar’s office. We don’t have bugs in his office, so all I got is visual. You wanted to know if anyone seemed to make multiple trips and I’ve seen about six or seven. I gave those photos to Lily to process.”

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