Chapter 2

I looked quietly at Declan and gave a soft, cold laugh. "What do you think?"

I waited for him to make his choice.

His eyes stayed on my face for three seconds before he looked away. He had clearly made up his mind.

"Katerina, I have to say, these numbers look bad." Declan cleared his throat and put on his boss act. "As a rising crew, we have to keep a strict eye on mob rules and our money. Rules are rules."

I saw a flash of triumph in Roxy's eyes.

"With that in mind," Declan turned to look at the scarred accountant. "Take Katerina's keys. The armory, the hidden vault, the smuggling ledgers, and the club safe codes. Take them all."

Scarface didn't even look up. He just nodded and said, "You got it, Boss."

"Also," Declan continued. "Roxy, I'm officially putting you in charge of getting this half-million back. Our crew is about to take on a big contract. Every penny counts."

"No problem, Boss." Roxy almost jumped to answer, unable to hide the excitement in her voice. "I'll take some boys to secure her spots right now."

She shot me a nasty glare, making no secret of her hostility. "This kind of betrayal has to be handled strictly. We can't give you a pass just because you two grew up together."

Declan nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Also, put the word out to all our turfs as a warning to the boys."

I finally saw through their game.

This wasn't about enforcing rules at all. It was a pre-rehearsed power grab.

Declan wanted my underworld connections. He wanted the high-roller contacts and the supply networks of the arms dealers.

And Roxy wanted my spot.

This stupid girl thought that if she kicked me down, she could naturally take over the club. She thought she would become the rightful queen of the crew next to Declan.

What a joke.

After announcing the punishment, Declan looked at me and put on an earnest face. "Don't worry, Katerina. Once you pay the money back, I'll make sure you are safe. Everything will go back to the way it was."

"By the way," Declan added, pretending to sound casual. "Since you can't run things for a while, we can't lose contact with those suppliers. You need to hand over your little black book too."

I stood up slowly, pulled a small black leather book from my purse, and placed it gently on the table.

"All the clients' contacts, codes, and meeting points are in here." I kept my voice calm.

A greedy light flashed in Declan's eyes. He could barely wait to reach out and snatch it.

"I just hope," I took a step back and gave him a small smile. "That you can actually handle them."

Thirty minutes later, I was sitting in the spacious club manager's office. I listened to the constant whistling coming from the lobby downstairs.

The word had just been sent to all our turfs. The message read: Club Manager Katerina Breaks Mob Rules and Steals Money.

The message listed my crimes in detail. Working with rivals behind the boss's back, using crew money for personal luxury, stealing smuggling profits, and setting a bad example.

I could already hear the street grunts whispering right outside the door.

"Damn, I can't believe Katerina was actually stealing right under the boss's nose."

"Half a million dollars? Her appetite is way too fucking big."

"I always knew those sports cars she drove came from dirty money."

"Roxy did a great job. Let's see how Katerina acts all high and mighty now."

The boys who used to line up in the VIP rooms to toast me were now enjoying my downfall. The dealers who used to bow and kiss up to me in the casino were thrilled.

I looked at the bouquet of lily of the valley on my desk. It was fresh from this morning, with water drops still hanging on the petals.

I was really too naive. I actually thought that on these streets, true loyalty could be bought with a real heart.

Just then, the office door was kicked open.

Roxy strutted in, followed by two thugs with holstered guns.

She walked straight up to my desk and slammed a stack of receipts down.

"Katerina," she looked at me with the attitude of a new boss. "These are the cooked books. It totals five hundred and six thousand dollars. The boss has given the order."

"You have exactly three days to pay the money back. Otherwise, we handle this the hard way. I'll personally have someone chop off your fingers."