Page 6 of Queenpin
Being a woman and in business is difficult. We are constantly looked at as if we are about to cry or something. Which is total bullshit. I can count on one hand the times that I have actually cried, I will still have some spare fingers.
I take a sip of water from a bottle I left resting on the cabinet and then bend over to reach in again. I grab a mint and pop it before walking to the bathroom to make sure I don’t have chocolate on my face.
When I look in the mirror, I am proud of what I see. I have come a long way from that “gangster girl” from the wrong side of the tracks. My auburn hair is tucked neatly in a pony and my makeup still looks fresh. The blue bags under my eyes are pissing me off though.
I’m so wound tightly that I need something to take the edge off of me. It’s been way longer than I care to admit, but I’m hoping sometime soon I can change that.
Maybe I should have Trina start looking for someone for me.
Without further delay, I walk out of my office to go to the conference room. Before I leave my office, I notice a piece of paper sticking to the window. It’s a weird month for Detroit and it’s not as warm as it normally is so I have my window open for the breeze to come in. I walk over to the piece of paper and snatch it up.
Lucian,
All of this could be taken away. Do not ignore me!
God damn it! Big Heavy is now coming to my work? Fuck!
The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up and I can’t help but shiver. I ball the note into my hand and throw it against the wall. I know who it is. It’s the same people every time. The threats aren’t empty, but they aren’t carried out in the traditional way.
I look at it on the ground, reach over and pick it up. I don’t want Trina, my secretary to come across it and start asking me questions I can’t answer.
I don’t think about it as I slip it on my desk to worry about later. They will still be wanting more money later as it is. They thought I was going to flop with running The Venetian and that’s why they gave it to me. What they didn’t put into perspective, is the fact I’m very persuasive.
Everyone wants something more than what they are getting at home and that’s what I offer in the upstairs rooms. I offer more than their little sinful hearts could handle and that’s what keeps them coming back for more.
I need to talk to Raul about this. He will want to know about the notes and I’m sure his twisted mind will have a way to take care of them.
When I get there, I can smell Mexican food and my stomach once again grumbles at me for not eating more than a granola bar. The guy from earlier is wearing a dress shirt with the first three buttons undone and he looks mighty proud of himself.
I let myself take him in. I like black on blond guys and I like that his hair is long and tucked into one of those man buns. His blue eyes are shining behind some thick framed glasses and his full lips are puckered slightly. What I don’t like is his presumptuous behavior.
“And you are back because?” I question standing tall.
He takes a deep breath and picks up a plate off the table. I see that the plate is already full, and I snicker at this. He thinks he can play a game with me. All right. Game on.
I watch as he extends the plate towards me and when I don’t take it, I notice the hurt look on his face. “I really don’t have the time to be playing these games. Why are you here? It’s a simple question. If you can’t answer it, then get the fuck out.” I speak clear and concise so there is no way that he could have misheard me.
The guy clears his throat and then says, “Ms. McGrace, you don’t know what you are missing out on. Taste what only I could give you.”
Not going to lie, I didn’t expect him to be so blunt. “And what is it that you can give me? A headache? Because you are doing that pretty well.”
And making my pussy wet.
Just sayin’.
With us still standing with the table between us, I take a seat at the front of the table and cross my legs. I swear, he better spit it out. He places the plate of food in front of me with a fork and knife.
“You expect me to eat this?” I question even though I want to. It smells delicious and it’s been a long time since I had Mexican food.
“How else are you supposed to taste what only I can give you, Ms. McGrace.”
With the lion strength, I don’t correct him and make him call me by my proper title. I don’t eat the food. Instead, I look at him and then tilt my head as if considering his offer. “There might be a chance that you assure me. Meet me tonight in the lobby at ten.”
With that, I get out of my seat and walk back to the door. “Trina will be waiting for you at the door with an NDA. Please have that signed before you come back tonight as I won’t let you in without it.”
