we could execute them.”
“Killing them is too easy. Putting them to work is more practical.”
“But we’ve got to kill them anyway.”
Everyone knew that was a risk once they borrowed money from me. I had the cash to make their investments come true, but they were bartering with their lives. If they failed to make good on their promises, they would face torture and death. There were no exceptions. “Yes. I’ll do it myself.” I’d killed so many people it didn’t faze me. I didn’t lose a moment of sleep over it. Most of my business associates were criminals anyway, so it wasn’t like I murdered innocent people. I did business with the rest of the world, families that needed a loan to buy their first home, but that was a completely separate side of my business. That was the public version, the one that was written about in the newspapers. The underworld was where I made my real money. I was a glorified gangster in a pretty suit.
“I’ll do some more digging and let you know.”
“Alright.” The phone call seemed finished, so I was about to hang up.
“Were you with the art buyer?”
My finger hovered over the button. “I’m not sharing her, so stop asking.”
He chuckled. “I’m not interested in sharing. I’m interested in getting rid of her. If she turns out to be the worm I think she is—”
“I’ll put a bullet in her brain myself.”
I sat in the conference room alone and took my time enjoying my cigar. The smoke filled my lungs with pleasurable electricity before it slowly filtered out of my nose. I’d finished paperwork, emails, and phone calls, but I was in no rush to leave. Time passed slowly, and I sat there, thinking about nothing.
I wasn’t just the richest man in this country, but I was also the youngest to accomplish the feat. My mother never had to worry about money ever again, and my brother and I would never have to struggle for the rest of our lives. Sitting at the top of the world should give me a beautiful view, a climax that never faded.
But it felt bland, boring, and artificial.
Was this depression? Was this hopelessness? I didn’t have a single complaint to make, but yet, I felt empty inside.
Why?
Giovanni knocked before he opened the door. “Miss Siena is here to see you, sir.”
I kept smoking my cigar. “Send her in.” I’d forgotten she was stopping by that afternoon. Decorating my home was a large task that would take her at least a month, and every time she moved on from one room to the next, she needed my approval.
She stepped inside a moment later, dressed in black with white pearls. Her elegance was respectable, but anytime I looked at her, I pictured that hourglass shape, those luscious tits, and that wet pussy that could service my dick like a pro. Her folder was under her arm, and she helped herself to the seat on my left, remaining as professional as ever.
I didn’t put out my cigar like a gentleman. I continued to draw the smoke into my lungs as I stared at her, admired the woman who was so indifferent to me it was a miracle she remembered my name.
She crossed her legs then opened the folder on the table.
I waited for her to tell me to put out the cigar.
“You seem moody today.” She flipped to the correct page then clicked the top of her pen.
“I’m always moody.”
Today, her hair wasn’t pulled back in the rigid librarian look. It was curled and thick, framing her face and reaching past her shoulders. Pearl earrings were in her lobes, and her bright red lipstick was the perfect shade for her skin tone. She was a gorgeous woman whether her hair was up or down. She could be dressed in a potato sack with no makeup, and I would still find her fascinating. Something about this woman drove me wild, but I hadn’t figured out what that quality was.
She watched me bring the cigar to my lips and puff the smoke into the air.
I waited for her to tell me to put it out.
“You’re being awfully rude.”
“Am I?” I set it in the ashtray, letting the smoke rise to the ceiling.
“You don’t offer me a cigar?”
I did my best to hide the surprise from my face, but I couldn’t. Instead of nagging me to be healthier, she wanted to join in on the fun. I grabbed another cigar and placed it in my