I wore the finest clothes, I drank the finest wine, and I smoked the finest cigars. I was successful because I was cut-throat. I was alive because I killed. If a single enemy found out I had a heart it'd be ripped to shreds within a second. And so, when my bodyguard brought a burglar to me I couldn't afford mercy.
She was perfect. She was curvy. Her sleek black hair was tied back in a bun. Her black cat eyes were framed with round cheekbones and thin brows. She had a sharp chin and round lips.
"I found this one in the treasury, sir."
"Leave her."
He guided her to sit at my desk before me. I smiled at how transparent her glower was, forcing a pout to appear on her lips.
"Did you know who you were attempting to rob?"
"No," Her musical voice was but a whisper.
"What's your name?"
"Amy."
"Your real name."
"Sasha."
"Last name?"
"Montgomery."
"Any relation to Steven Montgomery?"
"He's my father."
"Did he send you here?"
"No."
"Do not lie to me."
She shrunk in her chair. My gut was telling me she wasn't lying but I knew I couldn't just send her home. Acknowledging that, I couldn't kill her.
"You are completely unaware of who I am?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what your father does for a living?"
She opened her mouth and shut it again, "I have a vague idea."
"You know you're not walking out of here."
Her eyes widened and her lips parted. Her body froze and she gawked at me, her fear written across her face.
"Please, I won't ever-"
I raised my hand to silence her and again she sank back into her chair, "I won't hurt you. You'll stay here and you'll do what I say, when I say. Do you understand?"
When she nodded I stood. She mirrored me, her hands clasped behind her back. I maintained a poker face when her lip quivered. I pressed a button on the intercom to page Maxine.
"My office."
After a moment of silence Maxine entered the room. She stood straight as a pencil.
"Sasha's going to be staying here. Find her a bedroom and secure it."
"Yes, sir."
I watched as she took Sasha by the hand and lead her to one of the guest bedrooms.
I exited the study, passed the living room, and went downstairs to where some of my men were playing poker. The room smelled strongly of smoke.
"What happened, boss?"
"Had a thief, the daughter of Steven Montgomery."
Mercer looked at me with murder in his eyes, "He sent his daughter?"
"Apparently it was a coincidence. She just felt like robbing someone."
"You believe that?"
"Don't be an idiot."
Mercer laughed. He set down his cards and leaned back, "How do we deal with this?"
"She's staying here. Steven will figure it out and when we hear from him we'll be honest, but prepare for war."
"How was she caught?"
"Apparently she got in through the attic and snuck into the treasury. She'd knocked out a guard, little pistol. She was on her way out with a ton of goods waiting to be fenced when she tripped a motion sensor."
"Not bad, honestly," Said Bruce, "We could use her."
"She's nineteen."
"Sorry."
"Say that again and you will be."
We finished the poker game and I walked upstairs into the living room. I walked up the wide staircase and went into my room where I laid down on the bed.
In the morning I went to Sasha's room and unlocked her door. Walking inside I heard her shower running. I leaned against the wall. I listened to her sing, her melodic voice sending chills through my body and spotting my skin with goosebumps. When she walked out of the bathroom a cloud of smoke followed her. She screamed and jumped when she saw me. She clutched her chest. She was still wearing her black shirt and pants, except now her hair was a thick waterfall leading to a pool on her shoulders.
"Come with me."
"You changed your mind?"
"No."
"Where are we going?"
I narrowed my eyes and glowered at her. She crossed her arms over her chest, that little pout showing up again. I tried to hide the amusement but the longer we waited for the other to break the harder it became. She wavered when I walked forward. I towered over her and vulnerability shone through in her eyes.
"You will come with me."
"Fine."
"Say 'yes, sir.'"
"No."
Again we did that same routine. We stared each other down for ages until her shoulders sagged.
"Yes, sir."
Placing my hand on the small of her back I lead her outside and into the car. She sat beside me and I drove through the front gate. When we came to the club I lead her into my office. The heavy music could still be felt vibrating through the room.
I fell into my office chair and motioned to the couch where Sasha sat. She crossed her legs and kept her head down.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Whatever I say. Get me a glass of wine."
She left and I switched my monitor to watch as she made her way to the bar. She ordered the drink and stood swaying her foot as she waited. I watched a man approach her. I could feel heat in my head. She took the glass and walked back to me without another word to him. When she came through the door I took the glass from her and she sat back on the couch.
"You could thank me."
"I could," I agreed, sipping my wine as I looked through my records.
A long bout of silence was dragged out as I worked. I could feel her boredom waging war within her as her fidgeting intensified.
"Why didn't you just call the police?" She asked eventually.
I scoffed but she kept watching me, clearly expecting an answer, "That's not how we do things."
" 'We?' "
"People in my line of work," I answered, "We're almost done. Why don't you get us some food?"
"What would you like?"
"Anything."
She left again and I turned on the cameras while I worked. I watched her from the corner of my eye. She spent around twenty minutes chatting with my employees while she waited. When she returned with two plates of sandwiches she wore a content smile. I turned off my computer and leaned back as I ate. The BLTs were fresh and wet with barbeque sauce.
"So, is it assistant stuff I'll be doing?"
"Enough questions."
She swallowed the last half of her sandwich and began to eat the other. I finished my meal and pushed my plate aside, watching her as I waited, taking in the natural arch of her back and the curve of her thighs.
"I can't do much if I don't understand what I'm doing."
"You'll figure it out," I said, knowing I'd be met with her adorable glower.
The rest of the day was filled with boring tasks that revolved around my businesses. On the ride home she kept glancing at me. I could feel that she had another question she was waiting to annoy me with.
"What is it?"
"Did I do good today?"
"You did."
"You know, they may think something's wrong if I wear the same thing everyday. Especially if I can't wash my clothes, they may think I was kidnapped."
I looked to her. She was suppressing a grin and shooting me those faux innocent eyes. I sighed and shook my head before turning around and heading toward a boutique.
"Thank you."
"I'm not doing it for you."
"Awe."
I knew I was going to regret this.