My three personal guards had waited in the hallway. When I entered, they got behind me and followed.
Romeo is dead. Now who will I talk to? Who will make me laugh on dreary days?
I pushed that out of my head and looked at Viktor. “Have you found Johnny Cupcakes yet? We’ll need to buy a shipment of guns from him. I’m sure Lei won’t give us weapons until this shit is cleared up.”
“You think we need more guns?”
“Better safe than sorry. Romeo’s death could trigger a war within the Diamond Syndicate.”
“We’re still searching for Johnny Cupcakes, boss.”
“What a way to start off a Wednesday.”
Viktor kept my pace. “Who do you think did it?”
“No idea. When Pedro arrived, I hoped it could be him. But it’s clear he’s too drunk to even be a decent husband to Chanel. There’s no way he could have pulled this off.”
“We’ll need to find out soon, Dima. The longer the murderer is unknown, the more rage will rise among Chanel and the Killer Crows.”
My guards opened the brothel’s front door for us.
The night air cooled my skin.
I headed through the door. “Chanel and her younger sister Kashmere will give me a week. Maybe two. Then, the West will take matters into their own hands. They’ll kick open doors and yank people out of bed to get answers.”
“And, Lei will gather the Four Aces and support any move Chanel wants.”
“Pandemonium.” I stuffed my mini book into my pocket.
We approached my Rolls-Royce Phantom. My chauffer held the door open for us.
I shook my head. “And Lei will be a fool for love, and not use any logic.”
“Such is the way of love.”
“That’s why I don’t subscribe to it. Women make things difficult.” Frowning, I climbed inside.
Viktor followed.
My driver closed the door.
I tapped my leg. “Knowing how life is. . .a woman probably killed Romeo.”
“I doubt that. If anyone knew how to woo women, it was him.”
“That’s the problem. Romeo had too many women.”
And men too, apparently.
I gritted my teeth. “I told Romeo to keep lovers at a distance. Fuck them. Enjoy them. That’s it.”
Viktor grinned. “Women make things difficult.”
“Exactly.”
“Speaking of women making things difficult.” Viktor gave me an uneasy look. “Vanya said the reporter is back at Lush asking questions.”
Lush was one of my highest earning brothels in the North. The rich, celebrities, and royal elite went there to escape the public eye and explore their wicked sexual fantasies. The last thing we needed was a reporter snooping around and catching someone with their pants down, literally.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “Vanya still hasn’t handled her? It’s just a stupid reporter. All she has to do is kick her out.”
“Apparently, the reporter is determined to unveil everything on the Diamond Syndicate. Vanya wanted to know if she could kill her.”
“With Romeo’s death, the police and officials we don’t have in our pocket will be studying us more closely. Plus, the woman is just being a stupid reporter. There’s no need for her to die. . .yet.”
“Vanya won’t be pleased with that answer.”
“I don’t have time for Vanya or this reporter.”
“Do you want me to personally handle it? The reporter is good looking.”
I rubbed the ache starting at my forehead. “Viktor, most women are good-looking.”
“Correct. However, the reporter is black.”
I opened my eyes. “How’s her body?”
“I would say her hips and ass is just how you like it.”
A faint smile hit my face. “Have the driver take us to Lush. Perhaps, the reporter will be a humorous distraction from a long day.”
It wouldn’t be a bad thing to end this evening with sex. My body definitely needed the release.
Viktor pulled out his phone and gave the order to the driver.
The phantom sped off.
Needing to get Romeo’s death off my mind, I lowered the window and took in my city.
I had a platinum panoramic view of Paradise. A dreamscape of brilliant power—infinite and endless. Shimmering glass buildings towered and reflected the neon rainbow lights of signs and nightclubs. Savory scents mingled with the vibrant music spilling out of high-end restaurants. Luxury cars honked and sped by the long line of vehicles waiting to get into the Paradise Pirates football stadium.
Many times, I believed Paradise City breathed on its own. It was alive. And it was a monster as well as an angel. Heaven and hell. Good and bad. The Phantom headed to the North—where the city’s heart resided and beat to my rhythm.
Where I ruled from my throne.
Who would dare kill one of the Syndicate? And why the dress and wig?
Hurt and fury blazed in my veins. The murderer would need to be found soon, and a proper example would need to be made. No other enemies could think we were weak.
On another note, my discovering the killer would show the rest how valuable I was. Soon my play to solely rule the Diamond Syndicate would come together. Surely, they would understand that I was the official boss and that it was time to get my due.