Chapter 2 - The Crimson Dress
The red silk clung to Sadie’s body like a second skin.
She stood frozen in the grand dining room, feeling the heavy, judging stares of Roman’s top lieutenants.
Roman sat at the head of the massive table, swirling a glass of whiskey, his dark eyes never leaving her figure.
"Sit," he commanded, gesturing to the empty chair directly to his right.
Usually, that seat belonged to Vito, Roman’s hulking underboss.
Vito scowled deeply but stepped aside, his face turning an angry shade of purple as a mere maid took his place of honor.
"You look breathtaking, Sadie," Roman murmured, leaning in so close she could smell his bergamot cologne.
Before she could form a response, the heavy dining room doors swung open with a violent crash.
Two guards dragged a bruised and bloody figure into the room, throwing him roughly onto the Persian rug.
It was Toby.
The delivery boy looked up at Sadie with wide, terrified eyes, his face covered in fresh cuts.
"He was caught trying to plant a listening device under my car," Roman announced to the silent room.
Sadie gasped, gripping the edge of the mahogany table to keep her hands from shaking.
Roman reached into his tailored suit jacket and pulled out a heavy, silver handgun.
He slid the weapon across the polished table until it bumped against Sadie’s plate.
"Pick it up," Roman ordered, his voice echoing in the vast, tense room.
Sadie stared at the gun as if it were a venomous snake.
"If you truly had no idea who he was, you will prove your loyalty to this family right now," Roman said.
May you like
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
"Shoot him, Sadie, or I will kill you both."
