Page 36 of Lord of Pain
I burst into laughter.
"It would be best for the future of Summit Ventures if you terminate Jack's employment," I say.
"Pinnacle. It's Pinnacle Ventures," Colin corrects me. This fucker is seconds away from getting his throat sliced open and he's concerned that I'm not getting the company name right.
Priorities.
"I think you'll find that at this point," I say, "that Jack's more of a liability than an asset. And venture capital firms are all about liability and assets, correct?"
"I'd have to take it before the board." Colin says. My knife goes to his throat again and he raises his hands. "You've been clear. I don't wish to know anything about your dealings with him. It's between the two of you."
"Remember what I said. When Jack attempts to return to work, you hand him a small severance package. Nothing fancy. You kick his fucking ass out of the city. If I have to come back, I will make both of you regret it. Very deeply. Am I clear?"
Colin hesitates for a moment as his natural entitlement rises back to the surface. This time I punch him in the stomach, hard enough to hear his ribs creak. It's almost musical.
"Do. You. Understand?" I speak slowly, precisely.
"Yes! Yes," he chokes out. "I understand. We're a reputable business. We don't want to be involved in anything illegal."
"Illegal? Are you fucking kidding me?" I laugh, "A venture capital firm? Remember what I've said. You don't want me coming back."
Colin doesn't have an emergency button on his security system, which is a sloppy oversight for a multi-millionaire. I don't think he'll be calling the police after my visit, but I'm spiteful enough to pull his phone from its charger and crush it under my boot.
Grabbing his head, I knock it briskly against his expensive walnut headboard. He's unconscious before he hits the mattress. Strolling out of his ostentatious apartment, I pause, knocking over a sculpture, some modern piece of shit that I'm pretty sure is worth a million or two.
It's the little things that make my job so enjoyable.
Chapter Sixteen
In which Violet gets an up close and personal introduction to Roman’s world.
Violet…
"Hey Rose, Iris? I'm about to head out with Roman. He's assigning five men to your security detail so you can go out. Have a good time at lunch, but please don't give them any trouble."
I pause in their doorway. There are two big boxes piled up by the dresser. "What is this?" I call out.
Iris strolls out of the bathroom, brushing her teeth. "Those boxes? Oh, just some books and dorm room stuff for college," she says, thickly, putting up a finger as she heads back into the bathroom to spit.
"How much stuff?" I ask, circling the boxes. "And from who?"
"One of the girls we know from school, you remember Mary Katherine. I guess her sister just graduated and she thought we could use some things for our room. We're trying to bethrifty,"she says.
"That was nice of her. I could ask Roman to store those for you downstairs, if you want."
No!" Rose hurries in, sweaty from a workout. "They're just fine here, we need to go through them anyway."
Vova, one of Roman's lieutenants, passes by the room, looking exhausted. "Were you torturing that poor man?" I ask sternly.
Rose looks deeply wounded. "Well, that's hurtful. I just asked him to teach me some Krav Maga moves. He's really good."
"I appreciate your interest in self-defense, but no more using your charms on Roman's men." I point my finger at them both. "That is not the behavior of a good guest."
"If we break 'em, we buy them?" Iris says hopefully.
"I'm going to see if Roman has a female guard who could teach you." The two of them are staring at me with identical expressions of attempted innocence.
It's a weak effort.
