Page 13 of Lord of Pain
"One of The Chads dropped by Hope House today. He looked like his Gucci suit was being tainted just by standing in our front lobby."
"Did you throw him out?" I ask, handing her the wine glass and she hastily takes a fortifying gulp.
"He lured me into having lunch with him with a promise of a donation." She frowns. "I can't believe I was such a sucker."
"Did he proposition you?" I ask. "Threaten you?"
"More the latter," she says. "He initiated a very strange conversation about raising well-bred children from superior breeding stock. In this case, I believe the breeding stock he was referring to was me and my sisters."
This motherfucker,I think.
"I'm assuming he's doing this with Jack's full blessing?"
"I believe that's the plan." Standing up, she paces the office. "I think The Chads are planning to hold my sisters hostage to get me there. That's short-sighted because they've been staying with me. I can keep them hidden, but it's not a long-term solution."
She helps herself to another glass of wine at the bar. "You should have heard him. His obsession with his perfect potential wife and child. And this corporate retreat?" Violet rubs her bare arms. "The way he was talking about it, it had a very cult-like feel. You know all those dipshit frat boys and their initiations, where they wear robes and chant a bunch of Latin? This feels like the grown-up, extra creepy extension of theirhappyfraternity years."
"Come, sit down." I hold my hand out and she slowly takes it, sitting next to me. Lifting her chin, I hold her gaze, "I want you to understand what you're asking for. I will not lose sleep if I kill Jack. But you will have to face the fallout. Your mother. The realization of what you've chosen here."
She doesn't look away. "I've thought of every possible way to discourage Jack, a million scenarios to magically force him to disappear. But now, it's all so much worse, since you've told meabout…" She waves her hand, "The whole global horribleness of Jack. And it just keeps getting worse. He's not going to let go of his only way out of the hole he's dug for himself. I'm not letting him bury my sisters and mother with him."
"Violets look fragile," I say, cupping her cheek. "But they're the first to bloom in a frozen St. Petersburg spring, fighting their way through the snow. You are well-named."
The hope is her eyes is almost painful to see.
"Does this mean you'll help me?" she whispers.
"Yes. I'm going to kill Jack. You have my word. In fact, I'm going to enjoy it."
Her arms wrap around me, squeezing tightly. "Thank you," she whispers, her face buried in my neck. "Thank you so much."
I should keep my distance. This is a business transaction. But the sheer relief on her pretty face, the warmth of her body pressing against mine… I lean in, letting myself enjoy it.
Chapter Six
In which we meet the most unlikeable mother. Unfortunately for Violet, she’s hers.
Violet…
"This is going to be a good day," I tell myself in the mirror.
After our agreement last night, Roman escorted me downstairs and had one of his men drive me home.
I stayed in the shower until the hot water ran out, questioning what kind of person I've become.
Because I'm fine with it. All of it.
I'm fine with the club and the insane, erotic carnival Roman had created there. I'mcompletelycomfortable with him murdering my stepfather.
Does that make me any better than Jack, the man who I think deserves to die? I went to sleep, pondering that question and woke up feeling completely refreshed, so I guess that's my answer.
"This is going to be a good day!" I greet Rose and Iris, who are still sprawled out on my pullout couch.
"Uh-huh," Rose mumbles into her damp pillow.
Iris rolls over, opening one bleary eye. "If I Venmo you two hundred bucks could we turn on the air conditioner?" It's only June, but summer has arrived with a vengeance in Manhattan and they look as sweaty and limp as a flounder.
"You don't have to Venmo me anything." I hit the thermostat, wincing a bit as I turn it down. "You need to save your money for college, remember?"
