Midnight Vigilante, Leonor Bass [top business books of all time .TXT] 📗

The uniform Julius had given her last time was still on the bed, but he had probably taken the time to alter it so it would fit her. And much to her disgrace, it fit like a glove, eliminating any hiding spots for her gun, too, which she had to leave in her purse.

When she was ready she walked downstairs, almost tripping as she went thanks to the high heels. Even so, the whole outfit had Julius nearly drooling when he laid eyes on her.

“You look stunning,” Julius finally said.

“Thank you,” Riley replied, looking down at her attire. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially that of men. Santino was the only one who looked at her, but not like she was a piece of meat, more like a painting that ought to be admired. She felt loved, cherished. He never permitted anyone to say a word about her, and his men respected his rules more than anything; they knew what their fate would be if they dared to disobey him.

Julius took her hand to help her walk the remaining steps. “The reunion starts in an hour. You know what you have to do,” he explained.

An hour later, Julius’s house had once more transformed itself into something that resembled a crowded bar more than a glamorous house, one filled with men in designer suits.

The party was in full momentum, half the men already losing money and drunk, until two guys Riley had never seen approached Julius’s table. One of them whispered something in his ear, and then Julius excused himself to walk toward a room far away from the gathering.

Riley eyed them as they disappeared behind a door and waited a few minutes until everyone was too distracted to pay attention to her. After making sure that no one was watching, she followed Julius into the same empty hallway with many doors that she had seen on her first visit.

She heard shouted curses and followed the sound, hoping she wasn’t about to be caught eavesdropping. Suddenly a door swung open, and Riley was caught between Julius and the hallway.

“Good, I was about to call for you. Come on in, we need some drinks,” Julius said. “What’s the important thing you privately had to tell me?” Julius asked a group of men in suits, lighting a cigarette as he spoke.

“Nolan and Mason are dead. They were shot, three days ago.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Owen? Caleb? What the hell do you mean three days ago?” Julius snapped.

“We just heard, from Tyler and the others. They hadn’t showed up all day, so we spoke with our contact at the police department, and he confirmed it,” Owen replied. His boss slapped his hands against the wooden desk, making Owen and the other men jump.

“All right. All right, then, let’s think about this for a moment. Do you even know who did it?” Julius asked.

“No. Not even the police know. They’re working on it,” Caleb responded.

“Working on it? Working on it? And what the fuck are you still doing here? Why aren’t you out there working on it, like I pay you to do?”

It looked like Owen wanted to say something, but he refrained from doing so by taking a sip of his drink.

“Or what? Do you think because those two fuckers are dead, you’re gonna stay in?”

“He’s killing us, boss” Caleb argued.

Julius walked past his desk, directly toward both of his men, and grabbed Caleb by his collar, lifting him from the ground.

“Listen to me, motherfucker, I don’t give a shit how scared you are. You will go out there and fuck shit up because I fucking pay you to do so. Do you get me, or do I have to beat the shit outta you again?” Julius hissed.

Caleb didn’t have voice to reply, barely finding the courage to nod.

“Get the fuck out of here, both of you,” Julius commanded.

Both men practically ran out of the room and Riley was left alone with Julius. She didn’t know whether to excuse herself or wait for him to speak. After a minute or so, Julius exhaled and combed his short blonde hair with his hand.

“My apologies, Riley. I didn’t want you to witness something as awful as that,” Julius said softly. His attitude so readily shifted that it scared her; it was as though he was an entirely different person.

“Don’t worry, I barely even heard anything so . . .” Riley lied.

“Well, you must understand that business is business, and I have to keep my men straight so they don’t screw things up.”

“Of course, I understand,” Riley replied.

“Now, I do suppose you won’t tell anyone about what you heard. I wouldn’t like hurting that beautiful face of yours,” Julius told her. Riley stared at him, thinking he might be joking, but he didn’t smile or smirk and she realized he had flat-out threatened her.

“My lips are sealed, sir.”

“Perfect. Now, if you’ll excuse me, some guests await.” Julius walked past her, leaving her alone in his office to process what she’d just witnessed, and the threat she’d received as a result.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Julius Martinson walked into the station with confidence, very aware he was being stared at by every single cop, and also very conscious he didn’t give a damn. He walked as if he owned the place, as if every step he took was worth being stared at.

He waltzed into Adrian’s office, unannounced and most certainly unwelcomed.

“What are you doing here?” Adrian asked.

“I’m here for an investigation into my employees’ deaths,” Julius said.

“Yeah, well, you’re gonna have to wait, just like anyone else. As you know, we’re swamped, thanks to you.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault you’re all incompetent.”

“But it is your fault crime has increased at an unprecedented rate.”

Julius shrugged. “I’m just protecting what’s mine.”

“This town isn’t yours. It belongs to the people, to its citizens. Not some gang boss who only wants power, and–”

“I’m not a patient man, Adrian,” Julius interrupted. “You know what happens when I get impatient?