Boss ignored her.
The men left, one by one until she was alone with Boss once again.
“You should know by now I always have a plan to get what I want. I’m meticulous when it comes to details. I don’t make mistakes.”
“I don’t have to listen to any of this crap.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Those drugs are killing innocent people. I had no idea you were the one responsible. You need to tell me what you know.”
She’d been heading for the door but she whirled around to scream at him. “You know everything I know. I haven’t got some secret I’m hiding from you.”
“Really, what about the fact you were the one responsible for bringing the drugs into this in the first place?”
“It was a big fucking mistake. I know that now. You think I want innocent people to die? I don’t. I mean, they can’t be so innocent if they’re taking drugs.” She needed to be cold, to not think and feel. “I don’t have to justify my actions to you.”
“You’re right, you don’t, but this is going to be a shitstorm. Cases are increasing, Graciella. People are dying.”
“I’m handling it.”
“By going to men like Viko?”
“He’s not as bad as he seems,” she cried out. “Why am I even justifying these actions to you? I don’t need
to explain any of this. I made a decision years ago and it has come to bite me in the ass. I don’t need you or your men, I’ll handle it.”
“Like you handled your mark last night?”
She took a step toward him. “Be careful. That was the only time you get to fool me, Boss. Do not mistake me for some kind of damsel. You crossed the line. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
He grabbed her arm as she made to leave, capturing her close.
“If you come and work for me, you wouldn’t ever need to use your body. You would be safe.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong, Boss. This is the worst kind of business to be in. I know that, you know it. I’m going to end up dead like all of my other marks. My days are numbered and after everything I’ve done, a quick death would be a mercy to me.”
“You’re not dying.”
“Look at my record. I’ve killed so many people. The drugs, you think that is the worst thing I’ve done? It’s not. From the moment I was taken, I was lost. I’m not a good person.”
“If you’re not a good person, why are you trying to locate the source of the drugs? That was why you broke into the police department, wasn’t it? You wanted to determine if the drugs were back? Is that why you’re still here? Or is there another reason?” he asked.
He was so close.
His lips—all it would take was her to lean in and she’d kiss him.
She’d always hated kisses. They were normally wet and disgusting, giving way to a man’s need. Boss’s kiss hadn’t been gentle or fumbling. He knew what he was doing and he’d taken complete control. It was the first and only kiss in her life she’d really enjoyed.
Viko had once made her kiss him. That had been one of the payments he’d required. A single kiss. It was many years ago, but the one she’d given him made her feel nothing. Boss made her feel and she couldn’t have that.
“What’s the matter, Boss? Do you think I’ve come to stick with you? That you can hold all of my attention?” She pouted. “I’m here to do a job and when it’s done, I’m out of here.”
“I could kill you,” Boss said. “If that’s what you’re hoping for.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to die.”
“You’re not really living.”
“Look around you, I can do whatever I want.”