I spent almost everyday after work at home with Gram, preparing my roll for Saturday, accept Wednesday. I went to the grand hotel lounge as per my usual schedule. Dante made an appearance making it very clear he didn't want me getting any closer to his uncle. He even made sure to sandwich him between Anthony and himself, while also watching over me to make sure no other guys hit on me or touch me. As soon as Anthony left Leo claimed his spot and at the first opportunity, he put a hand on my side and slid a key card into my waist band, while pulling me down to him so he could whisper.
Leo: I got a room on the second floor doll. You come up after your shift and I'll make it worth your while.
My eyes dart to Dante who looks ready to shank his uncle on the spot. This was the perfect opportunity. It was now or never. I winked at Dante and walked away as Leo smacked my ass. I ran to the back room and text Dante right away.
Rylee: Room 207. It's now or never.
When I returned Dante was gone. Leo waved me over for another drink.
Leo: How much longer sweetheart.
Rylee: Only 30minutes.
Leo: Go ahead and fetch me another. I'll wait so we can go up together.
Another opportunity. I made his next drink a little stronger by mixing half a roofie. By the time my shift was over he was tipsy. When we got in the elevator he was slurring his words pulling me into his side kissing my neck and groping me. I pretended to enjoy it, this was nothing new, nor was it anything like what I had to endure with Micheal in the gold room. He stumbled towards the room hanging on to me like his life depended on it. He handed me the key card to open the door. As I did I suddenly felt a chill. His hand goes up the front of my throat.
Leo: I'm on to you little bird.
His hand squeezes dangerously tight around my throat as he pushes me threw the door, kicking it shut behind him. His other arm tightened around my waist keeping me against his body so I can't get enough momentum to kick my way out. My ears begin ringing from my circulation being cut off. He carries me to the bedroom and throws me on the bed. I grab my throat trying to catch my breath.
Leo: You think you're pretty clever don't you.
I scramble to get off the bed, but he back hands me so hard I fly onto my back. My heart is racing. I'm better than this. Before I could recover he was on my chest, pinning my arms under his legs as he pulls his belt from his pants.
Leo: Who sent you.
Rylee: No one
I barely whispered with my throat still recovering.
He back hands me again and slips one end of the belt around one of my wrists. With his body slightly shifted, I pull and twist out from under him while kicking my knee into his ribs. As I roll off the bed I reach for a throwing knife from my boot, when out of no where Dante tackles Leo. Leo's head slams into the wall next to me. He tries twisting in Dantes hold reaching for his gun.
Dante: Looking for this.
He flashes him his gun before handing it to me. Leo watches the exchange and sucker punches Dante.
Leo: You no good for nothing fuck.
The hit didn't even phase Dante as he started pounding his fist into Leo's face.
Dante: No body touches my woman. You fucking low life piece of shit.
I pick up the belt off the floor and put my hand on Dante's shoulder before he kills his uncle who's now knocked unconscious. Once we get him tied to a chair Dante takes a good look at me and is even more furious as he leads me to the bathroom and lifts me on the counter.
Dante: What the fuck where you thinking.
He grabs a wash cloth running it under some water before applying it to my bottom lip. His free hand cups my other cheek as he places a gentle kiss on my nose.
Dante: Are you hurt any where else.
I shake my head but then he looks down at my neck and tilts my chin up.
Dante: That fucking mother fucker.
He storms out of the room. I quickly follow as Dante punches his uncle who is now semi conscious. Leo spits out blood looking between me and Dante with his one good eye.
Leo: Turning on family over a piece of ass. You always were a fucking mammas boy.
Dante hits him again.
Leo: You know who she is. You know what she is. She's a fucking whore. She has you by the dick you stupid fuck.
Dante hits him again.
Leo: Did she tell you how she used to give lap dances and blow jobs to Carl at the Lions Den, or all the things she did with Michael in the gold room before she whacked him.
Dante looks my way. He knew almost everything but I never told him about the private gold room or gave him details.
Leo: Even Gino. I still ain't figured that one out. But I know she had something to do with all three of them being dead. And now she's been working this joint to get to me and Anthony. I just can't figure out why.
I pull off my wig and hold up the photo of my family. I know one of my contacts fell out in the scuffle. He looks at the picture and right into my blue eye and back at the photo his eye widens like all the others.
Leo: Jesus fucking Christ.
He laughs out loud as I pull my glock from my other boot, double checking the silencer.
Rylee: How did it feel when my father plunged the knife into your eye.
I shoot him in the right shoulder. Just like he had my father.
Leo: You fucking bitch.
He looks over at Dante but before he can say another word Dante takes my gun and puts a bullet in his forehead. Before we walk out the door Dante calls to one of his guys telling him to jam the cameras. After the clear we make our way to the stairs.
Rylee: I gotta run back into the lounge to grab my stuff.
Dante: I'll meet you around back.
I nod as he grabs me and kisses the corner of my mouth avoiding my split lip and helps adjust my wig back in place. I keep my head down making my way quickly through the Lounge to grab my things and slip out the back. I hop in Dante's Ferrari. His jaws clinch tight as he drives. I touch his cheek hoping to soften his mood.
Rylee: Are you ok Dante.
I ask sincerely. He just killed his uncle. It couldn't have been easy, even if the asshole deserved it. He doesn't answer. He just grips his steering wheel till his knuckles turn white and we pull into the private garage. We sit there in silence for a bit.
Rylee: Dante?
He finally gets out and comes around to open my door. The whole way up to the apartment he remains silent. But his hand remains firmly wrapped around mine. He leads us to the kitchen grabbing a wash cloth and some ice before heading into the bathroom. He sets the wash cloth on my lip and places my hand over it while he draws a bath. He gets another wash cloth running it under cold water from the sink before ringing it out and pressing it gently to the side of my throat where Leo's finger prints are bruised into my flesh.
Rylee: Dante please talk to me.
He looks me in the eyes cupping both my cheeks in the palms of his hands and kisses me. I hiss slightly at the sting from my cut. I drop both wash clothes and begin undressing him and myself. He helps me in as we both sink down into the hot water. I run one of the cool clothes over his bruised knuckles before kissing each one. He wraps his arms around me pulling me into his chest as he buries his nose in my hair against the side of my neck.
Dante: I'm so sorry baby.
Rylee: For What?
Dante: For letting him hurt you.
Rylee: Don't do that. Don't you dare blame your self. You warned me and I didn't listen. There was nothing you could have done.
Dante: I was right there Rye. I was right there in the next room. I didn't get to you quick enough.
I turn my head tilting up to look in his eyes placing my hand around his neck and kissing his wet lips.
Rylee: That's why you where giving me the silent treatment. You where mad at your self. Dante I'm fine, besides I had everything under control.
He growls at my last comment.
Dante: The thought of losing you Rye is too fucking much for me to bare. No more solo missions. No more lounge.
Rylee: Ok.
Dante: And you're living here from now on. I don't know how Leo connected you but we can't trust anyone.
Rylee: Ok
Dante: Ok?
Rylee: Ok
He kissed my cheek and my chin and down to my collar bone. We sat there a while in silence. After the bath, I text Gram letting him know I wouldn't be home while Dante crossed the hall to talk to James. Leo hadn't discovered who I was but some how he connected my Stripper Emma and Lounge Jewel. Either he was better than we thought or I wasn't as good of a ghost as I thought.
Dante had a clean up crew take care of Leo. It wouldn't be unusual that he disappear for a few days. It won't be a surprise when or if his body is found in Hells Kitchen. Now that I was free of the lounge I no longer had to sneak around. Dante Santino and Emma Landry were official and most everyone knew. So naturally when I arrived at work the next day the questions and rumors began about Dante living up to the Santino name and being an abusive boyfriend. I played it off as a mugging which some of the people in the office believed. Others where still skeptical.
Gram was absolutely furious. He knew something was off and snuck into my office using his tech guy cover.
Gram: What the hell where you thinking.
He says between gritted teeth as he grips my chin turning my head side to side looking at my lip and cheek and lifting up to see my throat. He was more than furious. He was hurt. Maybe even disappointed that I allowed Leo to trick me. I hadn't noticed Leo not actually drink that last drink I served him. It's like he knew I had put something in it. He had pretended to be drunk and doped up.
Gram: Had Dante not been there I don't know that I would have gotten to you in time. It was a careless move on your part. I thought I trained you better.
Show no emotion. I tell my self. But this was the first time Gram was truly angry with me. All the training, every hit we ever did everything was always planned so meticulous.
But I could see the fear in Grams eyes. He was simply scared. I wrapped my arms around his tense broad body hiding the tears swelling in my eye in his chest. His body relaxes as his arms swallow my small frame. After a few minutes I broke away from him.
Rylee: Dante has no idea what I'm capable of but have you really lost your faith in me Gram.
I gave a smart ass smirk. He furrowed his brow. I know Leo had gotten the upper hand, but he hadn't beaten me. Gram had trained me well enough. Leo was a split second away from having one of my knives in his heart. By my look of confidence Gram finally relaxed knowing with out my telling him I would have been fine. No ones ever gotten that close to getting me. But he was the largest threat and now it was time to put the rest of our plans into motion starting with the races.