“Chief, that journalist is here to see you… again.” Rose, my secretary, peeks her head through my door with a mocking smirk.
She knows how much I hate reporters and gains pleasure in my misery. Rose doesn’t know who exactly I am, but I’m almost positive she suspects I’m corrupt, like most of the detectives in the precinct. My crimes don’t stop with just me, I’ve blackmailed some powerful people to do my bidding but evil spreads far and wide. I didn’t even have to put in any effort to get people to see my point of view. The way I use my status for handling the drugs coming in and out of my city, it’s become too easy. I’m the man, set out to be the villain in my city behind closed doors, but yet here I sit, in this chair meant for someone who cares about his citizens. I should be the man behind the bars, instead, but here I am. I’ll always protect my family, but I’ll place myself first before anyone else. I’m too invested in this lifestyle to go down.
“Tell her I’m busy.” I wave my hand as my phone rings, dismissing her.
She rolls her eyes and disappears, giving me the privacy to take this call without being overheard. Turning in my office chair, I look out the window with my feet propped up on the windowsill.
“Jin. You know better than to call me while I’m at work,” I remind him, rubbing the bridge of my nose because I know what’s coming.
“No one would dare think to cross you, Franco. I’m calling to let you know I’ve met the girl. She would work perfectly for the next shipment, selling for a pretty penny. I could do it, you know, take her away and she won’t be a problem anymore. I’m moving the girls out tonight,” Jin says in a mellow tone of voice, knowing he’s serious.
He’s been trying to get me into human trafficking for years now, and I think I’ll finally agree. With the missing shipments of cocaine and my counterfeit money being stolen, it wouldn’t hurt to dip my hands into selling whores.
“Why sell the girl when you can just hand her back over to the Demon Jokers? I heard they are looking for her, she’s a special prize to the motorcycle club and I wouldn’t mind negotiating terms for a trade. Her for money,” I suggest, liking the idea because I need her out of my house, away from me before I give in to her.
The temptation is too strong, wanting to touch her smooth, tan, young skin. To have her big innocent-looking eyes locked on mine with adoration, just like Helen used to. Tillie needs someone like me, to guide her in this world, where evil lurks at every corner. I could teach her the ways of the world while having her youthful body by my side every night, under me. Begging for more as her perky breasts bounce when I thrust into her, showing her how a real man fucks. Diana won’t utter a word, she knows better. Tillie may be her daughter, but she hasn’t been in her life since she was born. There isn’t love there. I will keep giving Diana my credit card, be the husband she wants in public, but if I use her daughter, she’ll turn a blind eye. My wife is a good actress, the crocodile tears almost fooled me, but she loves money more. She needs this lifestyle that she feels safe in.
“It seems the boys have become interested in her. I thought my son would know by now to never let a cunt lead him around but he never learns. Get rid of her while you can, she’s a weakness,” Jin says in a sinister voice, thinking all women are beneath him.
I picture her in a cage, one big enough to fit a dog, her innocent eyes dulling as hope washes away. Her gaze fading while she lays in her own blood and vomit, slowly dying from being passed around, man to man, using her body for their pleasure. Jin doesn’t know that Tillie is the Demon Jokers president’s daughter, and I’m keeping that little bit of information to myself for now. Jin helped me in a time of need but that doesn’t mean I trust him. I trust no one.
“I’ll think about it. Tillie may have run from the Demon Jokers, but the girl can be under my care for now. I think I’ll use her then discard her when the time is right.” My brows furrow as I hear something drop behind me and I spin in my chair to see Elle, the annoying journalist from Los Angeles Times, bending down by the doorway to pick up the pen she dropped.
“I’ll call you later. I might have a package for you, sooner than later.” I eye up Elle, as I hang up on Jin without waiting for a reply, wondering how much she overheard.
“Mr. Russo, I’m glad we can finally have an interview.” Elle forces a smile and steps forward, extending her hand across my desk.
“I’m quite busy as I had my secretary inform you.” Standing up, I button my jacket and stride towards her.
She backs up a step as I lean close to her, almost tripping on her high heels, but scowls as I reach around her to open the door with a hand gesture for her to go first.
“Mr. Russo, I would just like to ask a few questions about the rumors of corruption going on in your department.” She starts to grab a recorder out of her purse but I stop her by grabbing her wrist.
“Set up an interview first with my secretary.” I grip her wrist tighter then let her go as I walk away, before turning to look over my shoulder. “No recorder though.”
She throws her hands in the air in frustration and stomps over to Rose, to no doubt set up an interview that I’ll never allow. Maybe it’s time to take care of the fucking journalist, she’s been pestering Logan for years.
I’ll have her swimming with the fish in no time, or maybe I’ll just sell her to Jin.
Decisions, decisions.
