"And while I'm here, I'm also going to remind you that if you attempt to push me any further, I will have your little set-up shut down in a heartbeat. You are here because I allow it - because it benefits us, but as soon as it stops being beneficial for the Bratva, we will have no further need of you."
Her eyes watered as her gaze met mine.
"Am I understood?"
Her lips formed the words, but no sound came out, and so I pushed against her windpipe further before releasing her entirely, willing her to understand exactly how serious I was.
"Am I understood?" I repeated myself and sat back in satisfaction when I heard her croaked yes.
I stood up and left Elise to her club, reeking of her perfume. I hated the smell of whore.
By the time I got home, Corinne was already tucked in bed, a candle blazing from our bathroom, casting flickers of light in its wake.
She was so goddamn beautiful it hurt to look at her.
"Where were you?" Her voice was filled with sleep as she turned towards me, her eyes still closed as I slipped beneath the covers, making the bed dip.
"Threatening Madame Elise."
I didn't want to lie to her - didn't want to cover up everything I did, at least not here.
"Okay." Her answer was a sigh against her pillow, the fluttering of her eyelashes highlighting exactly how exhausted she was, and just as quickly as she had woken, sleep pulled her under once more.
I allowed my body to fold around hers as I flung myself into that same blissful darkness, my hand pressed against her hip.