Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
"I can't do this."
"Sure, you can. It's easy."
"No."
"Yes."
"I'll leave. I'll jump out of the car."
"You wouldn't do that. You're too afraid."
"Fuck you."
"That's more like it. Keep swearing at me, baby. You're getting me hot and bothered."
"I'll scream."
"I hope so. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be screaming for mercy."
"Fine." She settles into her seat, rolling her eyes. "Play whatever you want. I don't care."
"Great." I turn on the radio, and a Christmas song starts playing.
"Really?"
"What's the matter, Iris? You don't like Christmas?"
"Not really. I've never really had a good one."
"What about that first year, before you ran away? The year you met Lyon?"
"No, it wasn't good."
"Why not?"
"We didn't celebrate. We didn't even decorate. The whole house was a mess, and everyone was angry all the time."
"You've never had a good Christmas, have you?"
"No. Not really."
"Well, then. We're going to change that," I mutter as I press a kiss against her forehead. "Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."
I climb out of the car and walk inside.
Rosa is behind the bar, and she eyes me as I enter. "You're an asshole, you know that?"
"What? For taking what's mine?"
"For making her feel like a whore."
"Fuck you. She enjoyed every goddamn second of it. Don't pretend otherwise."
"That's not the point, Viper. It was her last performance. Her final show."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"She's done. She quit. She said she couldn't do this shit anymore."
"Like hell she's quitting."
"It's true. She's leaving."
"Where the fuck is she going?"
"She wants to open her own parlor." Rosa’s gaze challenges me. "Did you even know she's a tattoo artist? She saved up enough cash to lease one and get new equipment. She seems really passionate about it."
"Of course, I knew that. But it's no reason for her to quit." Sure, she's managing the Desire House, but I thought she could handle performing for the customers too.
Maybe it's too much.
"Did you know she was thinking of opening a place?"
"No."
"She's leaving, Viper. And now, she's not sure if she even wants to manage the girls' house."
"Bullshit. This is all bullshit, Rosa," I growl in a warning tone.
"No. You know it's true. You and Lyon. It was always too much."
"Lyon and I are done. We're not part of the same crew anymore. You know that."
"But the two of you will never be done. You'll always have a rivalry, a competition. She can't take it anymore. She's tired of being treated like a prize."
"Is that what she told you?"
"It's what I've seen. And tonight, you just confirmed it."
I shake my head, not wanting to believe a word coming out of Rosa's mouth. "I'm taking her home."
"Yeah. You do that."
"Thanks for the chat, Rosa."
"Anytime." She rolls her eyes.
"Don't act like a bitch," I warn. "We both know it doesn't suit you."
"Fuck you, Viper."
"Love you too, Rosa."
"She's not a prize, you know. She's a living, human being."
"I know, but we sell sex here. You know that as well as I do. Your jobs are to sell desire, want, need. What's so bad about what I'm doing?"
"You’re leading her on,” she mutters. “She deserves better than you."
"Rosa," I groan.
"And if you don't, she'll find someone who will."
"Fuck that."
"If you keep doing what you're doing, then she will."
"Rosa," I say, a warning in my voice.
"If you want her, you're going to have to show her. You can't just fuck her and leave her and ignore her."
"What the fuck makes you think I'm going to do that?" I hiss, my voice low.
"You've already done it," Rosa says, shrugging. "Time and time again. That's not going to work. If you want her, if you want a future with her, then you're going to have to treat her like a person. Like a woman. Like your woman. You can't just say she's yours whenever you wanna get your dick wet. That's what it takes. Or she'll find someone else. Someone better. She'll be a damn good wife. And she'll find a guy who's not a piece of shit. And she'll leave this place behind."
"Is your little speech over?" I ask, leaning against the bar.
"It's the truth, Viper. You know it."
"Maybe," I admit.
"Then don't fuck this up. Don't push her away. Not this time."
"You're a good friend, Rosa."
"Don't patronize me."
"I'm not. I mean it. You're a good friend. Thank you for looking out for her."
"Always. Even when she's an idiot. Especially when she's an idiot. And right now she's being one, because of your sinfully gorgeous ass. If you were ugly, I doubt she'd put herself through this shit."
"Well, then. I guess I'd better change my tune." I chuckle, and Rosa laughs.
"Hey. Don't forget what I said," she warns as I walk away, but I'm done fucking listening. I nod to Jaxon sitting in the VIP booth, and he motions for me to come over.
"What's up, Jaxon?"