Chapter 6

Dante’s POV

I sat in my office drumming my fingers incessantly on the mahogany tables. The polished sheen surface reflecting the frown on my face. He was late. Baron Pascal that is. The lousy bastard who thought he could do as he liked and go scot free. Not in my world. Not on my terms.

A knock came on the door and in walked Isabella. She strolled to a stop in front of my desk.

“Pascal called to say he’s on his way.”

“What does the fucker think this is? His kid’s birthday?” I couldn’t help but scoff.

“I doubt he thinks less of you Dante. But I have to say,” I met Isabella’s eyes with a raised brow. “The underlings have been moving a bit too loose lately.”

“Don’t remind me. It’s starting to make me trigger happy.”

“Admirable but undavisable.” She kept a curt smile on her face.

“You can be annoying at times Bella.”

“I try my best.” she swept her hair behind her shoulder. “We can shoot Pascal after he gives us what we need. I’ll even pick out the gun.”

“Of course you will.” I chuckled. Out of all the guys in the building, Bella was the closest thing to a friend. She kept things professional between us but still maintained a friendly undertone. We’d been like this since we were much younger. She’d been by my side longer than the other two idiots.

“He’s here.” She informed me while glancing at her phone.

“Fucking finally.” My fingers drummed against the desk some more.

“Should I go accompany him?”

“He has a brain. Let him use it for once.”

Bella hummed finding a place next to the desk to stand as we awaited Baron. No sooner than later a knock came. Baron stepped in with two of his lackeys not too far behind. I kept my lips tight. Offence on my turf? The neantherdal must have lost the brain I thought he had.

“Boss.” He greeted. His accent permeating the cool air.

I nodded to the brown leather chairs set a few metres from my desk. The small man took a seat, relaxing into it like he owned the place.

“You’re late.” I stated.

“Sorry about that Boss, the traffic in this city is fucking hell I tell ya.”

“Are you making excuses?” I met his eyes, he didn’t break eye contact.

“Nothing like that Boss. Just stating a point.”

My head pulsed. This bastard was giving me a headache. I grimaced at his audacity. I had begun to wonder why all these underlings shared the same brain cell. It was one to the next with them. And to say my patience was tested was the least of it.

I watched him settle a little more into his seat. Rubbing his stubble with his knuckles. “I didn’t expect such a call on short notice boss. It aint like you.”

“Telling me how to behave Pascal?”

“Nothing like that boss. Just that with everything going on and the feds sniffing up some people’s asses lately, it was a lil’ unexpected.”

“The feds should be the least of your worries.” My voice was low and firm.

I’m who you should be worried about, you fat pig.

“They aint. Just saying--”

“I believe in transparency when we have dealings Baron. You know that. I shouldn’t remind you.” I drummed my fingers on my desk again, already fed up of having to humour the idiot.

Baron nodded, the motion almost frantic. “I know, Boss. I don’t need no reminders.”

“So what happened with you and Diego? You took my money and I saw nothing.”

“Boss, to be honest with you.” his face twisted in a crooked grin. “I had no idea what the fuck went on.”

“Hmm?” I raised a brow.

“My guys got there when them assholes were going ballistic. We couldn’t get anything while they were in the thick of it. Safe to say, it isn’t our fault them asshats decided to go guns blazing.”

“So…” I trailed off. My eyes barely squinted on his too amused face.

“We’ve got nothing.”

I begged to differ. Diego and the serpents pull off a stunt like that and my goods go missing? Baron was a rat. A thieving rat. He adjusted himself in the seat, the same stupid grin on his face.

“I don’t want to be that guy boss. The bearer of bad news, but it’s gotta be said--”

“It isn’t a complete deal if we don’t have the drugs we paid you for.” Bella interrupted.

Baron glared up at her. “You trying to be smart mouthy? You broads should know better than to talk when men talk.”

I sat back. I knew men like Baron like the back of my palm. Conniving and clever when it came to making a quick easy buck, but when it was with women, he was one track minded and stuck in the stone age. No wonder his wife left him. That useless mindset of his would be his reckoning.

I opened my mouth to speak.

“Men, get this floosy outta here.” He ordered to his lackeys.

Isabella glanced at me and we had a second of understanding.

“My apologies sir.” She said to me.

“Take your time.” I replied.

Pacal’s men and Bella met in the middle of the room. I simply grinned to myself. They were in for it.

As the two men attempted to grab her she made her move. Quick and sufficient. Knocking one of the men over and back into the side of the bar. She grabbed the other pinning him to the floor. The other guy stumbled to his feet, pulling out a gun from under his shirt. Isabella rammed her feet into the incoming lackey’s knee, disarming him with one swift motion. She pointed the gun at that one man, removing the handgun secured in the second one’s holster.

Baron stood to protest when Isabella pointed the gun straight at his forehead stopping him in his tracks.

“One muscle out of place from either of you, and I blow your brains out.” She informed all three men. Baron settled back into his seat.

I stood from my chair, rounded the table and sat right on the edge so I could face the son of a bitch.

“Now, shall we begin?” I asked rolling up my sleeves.

I watched the poor sucker stare up at me with worried eyes.

Like I said. I should’ve been the top of his worries.