Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,101

looked over each profile. I'd had enough shit to research as it had been, but I'd made a note to go back and intently study them all later. If I could kick myself right now, I totally would. What have I gotten myself into?

“What about Samuel? He’s the one in charge, is he not?” Nicoli pushed, clearly unhappy. His alluring honey eyes met mine again. I wouldn’t have said they were intimidating. Hypnotizing, definitely. They sucked you in, making it difficult to break the compulsion of getting lost in them. I forced a sultry smile and stood again to get back into reverse cowgirl position. As the other dancer and I faced each other, I did my best to mimic her moves.

“Samuel handed the reins over to Dylan. He stepped back into an advisory role.” That was a big fucking lie. There was no way in hell Samuel would step down and allow Dylan to run things unless forced. He was too power hungry.

“What time tonight?” Nicoli asked, seeming placated.

Mark outwardly relaxed. Why the hell would Dylan send him to negotiate with Nicoli? He reeked of unease. It was clear as day he was intimidated by Nicoli and the don knew it, too. “Ten tonight. Same spot.”

“Same amount?”

Mark’s hands fisted. “That’s another reason why I’m here. Our shipment is double this time. We were wondering if you’d like to take another fifty kilos off our hands? For the same price, of course.”

“That’s another two million,” Nicoli said.

I quickly did the math in my head. Damnit. They were selling it to the De Lucas at forty thousand a kilo. Which meant they’d been selling it at our standard price all along. Stefan had been right. If they’d been pocketing half of the profit all this time, where the hell were they hiding all that money?

Nicoli was quiet as he mulled it over. Music from the showroom filled the silence as us girls continued to dance. “I’m going to need time to get the cash. Two days.”

Mark smiled, triumphantly. “We’ll deliver your regular order tonight. In two days, we’ll bring you the rest.” That seemed to conclude their meeting. “Thanks for the dance.” Mark slapped his dancer’s ass. She yelped, jumping from his lap. Without having to be told to leave, she scooped up her bra and scurried from the private room. Mark followed her out.

Taking that as my cue to get the hell out of here as well, I stopped dancing and went to stand. The don’s arm quickly snaked around the front of my waist like a seat belt, holding me firmly in his lap. I glanced in the direction of his guard, who had been standing by the entrance during the entire meeting, and saw another had joined him. Both of whom were blocking the way out.

I was caught. I could feel it in my bones. What was worse, I was practically naked. Hell, I was naked! There was a saying, never get caught with your pants down. Yeah, I was learning that lesson the hard way.

“You must be new?” He phrased it as a question, as if wanting to draw up an innocent conversation. I knew better.

“First night. Was it obvious?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

“Only to someone paying attention.” His voice was an alluring mixture of low, smoky, and pure sin. Just listening to it, my ears warmed and an exciting rush pulsed through my veins. He’d make a killing as a sex phone operator.

“I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but you know there’s a no touching the dancers policy, right?” I did my best to make my tone seem light and humorous.

“The rules don’t really apply to me.” He shifted beneath me, his free hand reaching for something. “Besides, you don’t work here.” Cold metal pushed through my fake hair, kissing my skin just below my left ear. I didn’t have to see to know it was a gun. How did I not feel that when I was rubbing all over him?

Steeling myself, I drew forth my darkness. I’d never needed it as much as I did right now. As the strongest part of my soul took over, my empathy and my moral sensibility slept, allowing my ruthless side to do what needed to be done without anything holding it back.

A cocksure smirk pulled at my lips as my eyes peered into the mirror-covered wall directly across from us. “I’d love to know what gave me away.” I took in our reflection of