"I should have let you die all those years ago," Malice replied in a cool, calculated tone.
"Would have made everyone’s life a hell of a lot easier," William agreed. "But I’m here. What will you have Juliet do?" William asked.
Their back-and-forth had me swiveling my head to watch the verbal pissing match. There was so much anger and pain shared between them that I could barely keep up. I didn’t want to be stuck between two rival brothers who I honestly barely knew. I wanted to make my own decisions.
"I'm more than capable of handling our own arrangements," I said before confidently shifting out of his grasp. My heart was racing in my chest, and I worried about the consequences of defying him. But I couldn’t continue to let this man walk all over me. I needed to show at least a semblance of strength if I wanted to survive. I didn't want to be a pawn in his game. I wanted to be a business associate.
The truth was, Malice had something of value to me. Grams needed this medicine, and I needed more cash flow. I was already elbow deep in this world. The only way out was through it. I killed a man. I was in charge of my own destiny.
"That you are," Malice replied with a sly grin. William shuffled from one foot to the other, as if taken aback by my confidence. "Eden's Place is the club I own. It's just a place for my business associates to wind down after a hard day. A few local officials like to use it as well, as a home for their business dealings. We offer pretty women, a fun time, and every illicit fantasy you could ever imagine."
My stomach sank. Maybe I was out of my depth. William huffed. "So what, you're gonna have her dance on stage? Or do you want to have her book private rooms with your men?" he snarled.
"No," Malice replied quickly with more force than I was expecting. I was glad that he wasn't going to make me do that, but still confused about the nature of this. "I need a new hostess. Someone to coordinate our girls and make sure my clients are happy. She’ll greet people at the door and set them up where they need to be. Miss Cross can be the face of the place. I want her to get close to my clients but also seem unavailable. Men are quick to open up to women they want but can't have. She's going to help me find my rat."
I couldn't tell if this job was worse or better. At least he wasn't making me kill any more people. "So you just want me to spy?" I asked.
William stroked his chin, thinking over everything Malice had said. "It's pretty smart. Juliet is good with people. I've seen her at the diner, and it's like she can connect with just about anyone. But there are some shady people that walk through our doors. I don't want her to be unprotected."
My heart softened at his concern for me. Was it because he felt some sort of connection? Or was it out of duty to Vicky? "Yes. I know how much you care about everyone's safety," Malice replied with teeth clenched. "I'll put Hale on guard duty."
William nodded as if that were enough. But something in my chest bloomed with anxiety. Hale still made me nervous, and I didn’t want to spend more time with him than necessary. This conversation was tense enough as it was, and I wanted to talk to Malice about money. Maybe I was unfairly judging Hale because of his gruff exterior. I could try to give him a chance.
"And how much are you paying me?" I asked. I tipped my chin up and stared Malice down. My not-so-subtle confidence brought a grin to his stoic face.
"Juliet," he began, "I truly think you've found your calling here." He picked up his glass of whiskey and took a slow drink. I got the sense that he was doing that to draw out the time and make me squirm. I kept my spine straight and proud. I wouldn't be backed into a corner by this man. It sounded like he needed me. Even if I only would play a small role in his organization, I’d use every drop of this opportunity to my advantage. We might've been locked together by fate, but I wasn't going to be his pet. I was capable and strong, and even though I felt a lot of apprehension about this job and what exactly it entailed, I was determined.
"Are you avoiding my question, Malice?" I asked. His games were not going to work on me. I wasn’t sure where my confidence was coming from, but I held on to it with two hands.
"How much do you want?" he asked.
This was the hard part. I was determined to be clear in my needs. "Well, obviously I want my grandmother to keep seeing Dr. Hoffstead." I didn't mention that I would somehow have to convince my grandmother that I could afford her visits, but that was an issue for another day. "I think fifty thousand a year with full benefits is reasonable." I barely made twenty thousand a year at the diner—and that was including tips. With this, I could afford a few online classes at the local community college and get my degree.
William shook his head. Malice bit the inside of his cheek and looked me up and down. Was it too much?
"I'm open to negotiation," I quickly added. I knew that my grandmother's doctors’ appointments were ridiculously expensive, but I was hoping since I was doing some spy work on top of the hostess job, he would—
"I'm going to teach you a lesson today, Juliet," Malice said. William pulled out his phone to read a text message, seemingly distracted.
"Oh?" I asked, eyebrows raised in speculation. I could handle this. I could barter with a badass Mafia boss.
"Always know your worth, then double it. My employees at the club easily make six figures. You're dealing with very powerful, very private men. They pay a premium for good service and sealed lips."
Shit. So I lowballed myself?
"Okay," I replied. "Then I want—"
Malice interrupted me. "No. You'll get your fifty thousand a year. And I’ll pay for your grandmother to go to the doctor and get her medicine. We can revisit your salary if you prove to be useful. But in the future, Juliet, if I give you an option to name your price, I suggest you aim high."
I flushed with embarrassment.
This world felt like a giant game board. I feigned confidence even though I was embarrassed. "Fair enough," I growled. "When do I start?" I had a shift tomorrow at the diner, and I would need to give them my two weeks’ notice. I also had to figure out how I was going to keep this a secret from Grams.
"You start tonight. William is going to take you to get some outfits. Something tells me you don't have anything hanging in your closet that's on-brand for Eden's Place," Malice said while looking me up and down. I wasn't sure whether or not I should be insulted.
I wasn't exactly sure that I needed a shopping buddy, but I was willing to do just about everything and anything to get out of Malice's office. I nodded and started to walk out when he reached out and wrapped his hand around my wrist. "One more thing," he said in a gravelly voice.
I swallowed and looked up at him. William was on alert. "Yes?" I asked.
"Nobody touches you. They can look all they want, but you are not one of their toys. You’re my toy." His teeth sunk into his bottom lip, and I felt a sickening wave of arousal wash over me. There was something about the possessiveness in his tone that made every single one of my muscles curl up like a cat. I was preening and desperate. Why was I so determined to be claimed by this man? Did I have Stockholm syndrome?