Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny (23 page)

“No Jenna, you don’t have to cook. You’re our guest, just order something anywhere and charge it to my credit card. It’s in the night stand next to my bed,” Carter said as she made her way through the large luxury hotel lobby with Mickey and three other men following close behind her. She smoothed down her knee length pencil skirt, and adjusted her fitted purple top, making sure it was tightly tucked in. Her black pumps clicked on the marble floor as she made her way to the last meeting she had for the day.

“Carter, I don’t need you to buy me anything. I have plenty of money. Don’t start getting a big head just because you live in this incredible penthouse, and are practically married to a trillionaire Zeus-like businessman,” she said in a teasing tone.

Carter smiled. “I’m not getting a big head you goof,” she said while she switched her cell to her other ear. “You shouldn’t have to spend your money here Jenna, you’re our guest, that’s all I meant.”

“Carter, I’ve been here a thousand times since you first moved here four months ago. I have personal items that I leave in the guest room which I now consider my room. I’m hardly a guest,” she said dryly and Carter chuckled. “Ben’s mad at you for constantly stealing me away. Remember I’ll be staying at a hotel with him tonight. He says he should open another bar here and we should move to Manhattan. I don’t know, I think I agree with him Carter. You and I seem to be closer than we thought we were when we lived in the same house,” Jenna said as if lost in thought.

She was right. The first week Carter was in New York she started getting ‘Jenna-sick’. She could care less about Hope Beach, she just needed her Jenna. She was almost to the point of tears when she called Jenna and told her she needed her to visit because she missed her.

And that’s when it began. Nearly every Friday Jenna would hop on a plane, come to Manhattan, and stay until Sunday. Carter loved her visits and Nathan always made sure Jenna felt welcome in their home, like she was a part of the little family Carter and Nathan had built since she moved to Manhattan.

“Do it, Jen. There’s a penthouse open in the building,” Carter said nearing her destination, and getting excited at the thought of Jenna living so much closer to her. “Talk about it with Ben and tell me what he says. I have to go,” Carter said quickly as they reached their intended destination.

A man stood in front of her dressed in an all-black Italian suit. He stood about 6’ tall and had four big men standing with him. He looked at Carter straight in her eyes. Good, he had heard about her, these things went so much faster when they knew what to expect.

“What do you mean you have to go? You just got on the phone with me literally two seconds ago, and when are you coming home. I’m lonely. I need company until Ben gets here,” Jenna said with a pout.

“Jay, I’ll be home soon, I have a few things to pick up before the guys come over tonight,” she said staring into the black eyes of the over tanned man in front of her. He opened his mouth to say something and Carter rolled her eyes and raised her hand silencing him. “Jay, I need to go now. I’ll see you soon.” Jenna was saying something but Carter hung up the phone before she finished.

“May I speak now Ms. Stone or is it Mrs. Salerno yet?” He asked, his tone a bit too derisive, and Carter smirked.

“You may speak, but not here. We need to have this discussion in private,” she replied to the asshole.

He nodded and led her, Mickey, and the rest of the men present to a conference room.

Carter took a seat and Mickey took the seat next to her. Mickey leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his big chest. Carter crossed her legs and the light tap of her index finger against the wooden meeting table filled the room.

“Do you know why we are here Mr. Clay?” Carter asked.

“I actually do not. I was surprised when I got the call,” Clay said feigning surprise. “I have to say, I’ve heard many things about you, Ms. Carterina, but I am having a hard time believing the stories are about a beautiful little thing like you,” Clay said with a chuckle and a smug smile on his face.

Carter knew he was mocking her. She knew about the buzz going around about the work she does for the Salerno family. When Angelo told her that he would find her an outlet for her anger it was like he knew exactly what she needed. Let’s just say that Carter has never been more relaxed in her entire life. She loved her job. It didn’t take her long to make a name for herself. She and her partner in crime have been raising hell all over New York City. Mickey and Carter have become thick as thieves these past four months, and Carter loved it. She didn’t realize how much they had in common until they started working together. She had no idea how talented he was with weapons. They both have spent these last four months helping each other learn new skills as well as sharpening existing ones. So
Mr. Chuckles
better chill with the mocking shit.

“Whether you believe it or not is of no concern to me. You know why we’re here, so cut the shit, and stop what you are doing,” Carter said coolly.

Clay laughed and clapped his hands. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, dear Carterina. What exactly is it that you want me to stop?” he said through a laugh.

Carter’s jaw clenched, she really didn’t like this motherfucker.

“Carterina, we could always just kill him and give this hotel to Angelo to destroy as a gift,” Mickey said. He kept his eyes narrowed on Clay. “I’m sure Angelo can build something nice on the property. A parking lot perhaps?” he threatened with a sly smile.

“I’m sorry, did you just threaten to kill me?” Clay said raising an eyebrow.

“No, that wasn’t a threat, it was a suggestion, that I believe my partner here is considering,” Mickey replied then pointed to the four men standing behind Clay. “And what did you bring these idiots for? They can’t do shit if we decide to kill you.”

Clay frowned. “These men are here for security purposes because associates of mine have shared horror stories of you two with me.” Clay sat up straight in his seat and adjusted his suit. “There will be no killing here. You two are here because your boss thinks he’s the king of New York, and he is not. So if you would, wrap this up,” Clay said as he began to stand from his seat.

Carter stood up abruptly and hit her fist against the table. “Sit your ass down, Clay! We aren’t going anywhere until we discuss what Angelo wants.” Clay looked up at Carter as if deciding whether or not he should comply with her command. “Sit. Down. That’s the last time I’ll say it. This is not a game, and I’ll only warn you once. I don’t like to be mocked. You’re about to find out why your associates tried to warn your ass before we got here,” she said giving him a warning glare. Clay sat in his seat slowly and Carter turned her glare to the men behind him. “Neither one of you are to move a muscle throughout this meeting. He may pay you, but it’s not worth your life. You move, I’ll kill you, and you won’t be able to spend the money anyway,” she said with a shrug. Then a mischievous smile appeared on her face. “Actually, all four of you have a choice right now. You can continue to stand behind him, and protect him, or you can come over here with me, and I’ll reward you,” she said.

Mickey laughed.

The four men looked at each other, and then they looked back at Carter. She smirked and raised an eyebrow, waiting for them to make a decision. When two of the men walked over to her and stood behind her, she smiled.

Clay’s eyes went wide and he shot up from his seat. “What the hell are you doing? Get your asses back over here now!”

“No, they are not your men anymore, they are mine, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Carter said leaning forward with her palms flat on the table, never taking her eyes from Clay’s. “That all? You two don’t want to be over here with me?” She asked looking at the two men who hadn’t moved…yet. “If you think that I or my friends will harm you, you are wrong. The only way you will be safe from us is if you are with us, not against us.
But
, if you choose not to come over here, well…”she shrugged and took a deep exaggerated breath.

The two remaining men walked over to her and stood behind her and she laughed. “Damn, Clay looks like you’re all by your lonesome self over there. I bet your feeling pretty cold right now,” she said through a laugh.

“What the hell do you want from me?” Clay shouted. Carter saw that she pissed him off and she smiled.

“You rent out women and young men as sex slaves in your hotel,” Carter stated.

“That’s none of Angelo’s damn business. This is my hotel!” Clay yelled his tan face turning crimson.

“Wrong! It is his business,
especially
since the police think he has some involvement in
your
fucking business. Angelo Salerno doesn’t sell humans. That’s sick,” Carter spat.

“So what the fuck am I supposed to do about that? The cops can’t prove shit and they never will.”

“Angelo doesn’t give a shit about what the cops can prove. He doesn’t want his good name tarnished. He is a very important man, and he will be backing the senator in this upcoming election. He doesn’t need this shit going on in his city.”

“This is not his—”

“This is his city,” Carter shouted, and Clay flinched. “And it would do you a world of good to remember that.” She looked behind her at his men then turned back to him. “Do you see how quickly I took what was yours? Your protection, your safety, your money, because I’m sure you pay them good money to protect you. Look at them and imagine this… It will be easier than that for Angelo to take
everything
you have, and do what he pleases with it.” She stood up straight and walked over to the side of the table where Clay stood. She walked in front of him and sat on the table. She smoothed his suit and tightened his tie.

Clay didn’t move a muscle.

“Clay, you’re a good business man,” she said looking in his eyes. “I’m sure you only became this successful because you made good decisions, made the right moves, at the right time. Am I right?” she asked him. And she waited for him to nod his answer, and when he did she continued. “Then tell me, business man,” she said as she wrapped his tie around her hand, pulling him closer to her and putting her lips close to his ear, “what’s your next move?” she whispered then she pushed him back hard and he fell back in his seat hard. He gasped loud and moved to stand again, but couldn’t when Carter’s leg shot up and she pressed her black stilettos against his chest. “Don’t move,” she commanded her voice as smooth as silk.

Clay sat down in his seat slowly, and stared at her with wide eyes. She kept her stilettos against his chest as she began to lift her skirt up her thigh. Clay’s eyes shot directly to her legs as the skirt rose higher and higher until a holster holding four small knives came into view. The holster wrapped around her upper thigh, and was held in place by a garter. Clay was trying his best not to drool.

Carter gripped one of her knives and pulled it loose from the holster. “Tell me Clay, have you heard a lot about me?” she asked while looking at her knife, as if examining it.

“M-My An-Um-associates said ma-many things,” Clay said now looking at the sharp knife in her hand.

Carter’s eyes locked with his. “Did they mention how much I hate repeating myself? And don’t speak when you answer, just nod.” Clay nodded yes and Carter leaned forward, her stiletto still against his chest. “You’re no longer selling sex in this hotel. If you want to keep it, clean it. Run it completely legit. It’s nice, you’ll still get plenty of business if you know what you’re doing. If you choose not to listen now, Mickey and I will have to come back… I do not like making two visits. It makes me look bad with my boss. The second visit won’t be like this Clay, I’m warning you. I’ve come to you today peacefully, but if I have to come back I…I…” Carter let out an exaggerated sigh. “I just don’t know if I can let you live, Clay.” She smiled warmly at him. “Will I have to come back here, Clay?” she asked. “You may speak now I want to hear your answer.”

“No,” Clay said quickly. He just wanted this to be over, and for Angelo Salerno to leave him alone.

Carter smiled and nodded. She placed the knife back in the holster, stood up, and smoothed down her skirt. “Good businessman, indeed,” she said and she reached over and smoothed his hair back.

Clay leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.

“And now for you boys,” she said looking over to the men that abandoned their boss. “I suppose you want your reward for your betrayal?” Each of them looked at each other after Carter mentioned the word betrayal. “Yes, betrayal is the correct word to describe what you just did. This man is your boss, and you betrayed him. So now for your reward. You get a career change. I’m sure Clay doesn’t want you anymore, and I sure don’t want men with me who will betray me at the first sign of danger,” Carter shook her head feigning disappointment. “You all should be ashamed of yourselves, and I wish I could stay and see how Clay deals with you but…” she signaled for her men and Mickey. The men moved quickly while Mickey gave all four of Clay’s shocked men a pat on the back.

“She does this often, and it never fucking fails,” Mickey said through a chuckle.

One of Carter and Mickey’s men held the door open while the other two stood and waited for them to exit.

“I hope I don’t have to speak to you again, Clay,” Carter said as she exited the conference room and began to walk toward the lobby to exit the hotel.

Mickey joined her at her side. “You are a very naughty girl, Carterina Stone,” Mickey said.

“What do you mean?” Carter asked.

“I mean showing off your sexy legs, and that damn garter. Are you trying to take me off my game?” he asked, he put his arm around her as they continued walking out. “How am I supposed to watch your back if I’m too busy watching you to see how high you lift that skirt?” he said with a sly smile.

Carter chuckled. “Mickey, honey, you’re just going to have to learn to control yourself. I mean, I learned how to control myself around you. Do you think it was easy for me to learn how to watch your back instead of stare at your ass?” Carter said with a playful smile on her face.