The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 92 A Surprise Joy When I opened my eyes, I expected to see Xavier sleeping beside me. But to my surprise, he wasn’t there. “If you’re looking for Bo, he’s been up hours ago a familiar masculine voice said. I rolled over and saw Sebastian sitting behind my desk. I quickly sat up, my breasts peeking out through my negligee. “What time is it?” I asked, yawning. I quickly covered my mouth, realizing I had morning breath. Ew. Sebastian chuckled at my reaction. “It’s almost nine. We decided to let you sleep after last night,” he said. “When did you get in?” I asked, stretching my arms above my head to wake myself up. I pushed the blankets aside and put on my bunny slippers. “Early morning. Your, uhm, rescue operation caused quite the stir. Everyone is-” “Hold that thought,” I interrupted. I reached for my robe which was hanging behind my office door. “Let me brush my teeth first.” “Sure. I’ll prepare breakfast for you while I wait, Sebastian said. I opened the door and bumped into a muscular sweaty chest. I looked up and found Cristo shirtless, in faded blue jeans. “Oops,” I mumbled, covering my mouth with my robe. “Need to brush.” Cristos opened the bathroom door for me, moved aside and gestured for me to walk in. I stared up at him, one of my eyebrows raised, questioning why he was here so early. I was about to ask when he pushed me into the bathroom. “I can smell your morning breath. Brush.” He closed the door hurriedly without giving me a chance to speak. After using the toilet, I brushed my teeth, still trying to figure out why Cristos was here. I quickly rinsed

my mouth and walked out of the bathroom, only to find Xavier handing 1/6 M CHAPTER 92 A Surprise combos under his trusty blue apron which he usually wore when manning the shelves at Bo’s. “What’s going on?” I asked, demanding a straightforward answer. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Breakfast, Xavier answered, opening my office door. “I brought those croissants you like.” He grabbed my arm and practically dragged me into my office. “Ow,” I exclaimed, slapping his hand away. “I usually like being manhandled by the three of you, but you guys are acting weird.” I suddenly paused, my eyes widening into saucers, as a theory formed in my head. “Oh my gosh! Did they find out it was me last night? Are they going to arrest me? Is the Sheriff here? Should I run?” Xavier laughed. “Eat your breakfast, Virtue. We’ll see you later.” He winked and closed the door. I turned around to find Sebastian placing a croissant on a plate with some cheese on desk. the side. Two large red mugs of coffee were sitting on my Cappuccino. Just how you like it,” Sebastian said. “Sit.” I shrugged my shoulders and sat down behind my desk, grabbing a mug. I raised the mug to my nose, inhaling the cappuccino’s rich scent. If this was my last meal, I better make the most of it. Sebastian had already fixed my sofa bed and had tidied up while I was in the bathroom. He sat down in one of the chairs in front of my desk, grabbed his mug and sipped his coffee. “What is going on, Dom?” I asked before taking a sip of my coffee. “Marla wanted me to personally thank you for saving her mother. In exchange, she gave me. the location of Pete’s safehouse in Bismarck and has also told me some other usef information. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know the identity of Pete’s capo. She said no one knows exactly who it may be. Marla suspects it may be Cris, but he doesn’t quite fit the profile. I’m waiting for De Luca to tell me if

he’s gotten some info from his contact in the FBI,” Sebastian said. “What happens to Marla now?” I asked before taking a bite of my croissant. It was so fluffy, it practically melted in my mouth. I closed my eyes blissfully, savoring it’s buttery taste. “I’ve sent her and her mother to Vegas. She makes a good spy. I’ve employed her to get useful information from the crime bosses who happen to make their way to my club,” he said, leaning back in his chair. 2/6 M CHAPTER 92 A Surprise “Did you tell her about us?” I asked before realizing my mistake.”What I meant was this whole thing we got going on.” “About us being a rival organization? Somewhat he answered. “About Joy Taylor? No. About me being in love with you? Yes. It broke her heart, but she said she suspected. She hopes she can be you someday.” I blushed as his honey-colored eyes stared at me. I felt my heart sk ip a beat. “So, am I going to be arrested any time soon? Is this the reason why you guys are so nice to me?” I asked. Sebastian laughed. “No, but we do have some bad news,” Sebastian said. “Seems the Sheriff found bricks of meth inside Marla’s home including some high-powered weapons. She, her mother and unknown associates are now wanted for the death of nine people. They have a witness, a young man named Ray Thomas who went to school with Marla. According to the Sheriff, Ray and the nine others were assets working undercover for him. The police have been monitoring Marla and her mother for a long while now and suspect them to be part of a drug trafficking ring.” “Oh wow!” I mumbled, my mouth full with the last piece of my croissant. I couldn’t believe the Sheriff could concoct such an inconceivable story. “I have new identities for Marla and her mother waiting for them in Vegas and I have instructed Marla to change her hair color and to wear contact lenses… and maybe get a tan, Sebastian assured me. “Right

now, I’m waiting for Sheriff Combs or Undersheriff Emery to come knocking on my door. The perks for buying Marla a car and opening a bank account for her.” He grimaced, annoyed at finding himself in the middle of an investigation. “If they want their story to stick, they’ll conduct a search at Dom’s.” “Do you need me to help you with anything?” I asked, standing up and grabbing my overnight bag. “I’ll get dressed and-” “I don’t need help from you, Virtue. Link is already here to represent me and I have CCTV cameras all around my store and warehouse. If they plant evidence, we’ll catch them on camera,” he said. “Chip is helping Bo hide what needs hiding. Right now, they’re installing a wall panel to hide Bo’s hidden office, just in case they have a warrant to search his warehouse too.” No wonder Cristos is here. “What about Old Man Eugene’s house?” I asked, wondering if Xavier’s men were still there. “After Chip heard the news from Dan last night, the place is now clean and empty. The men are in Mandan awaiting orders,” Sebastian answered. He coughed, clearing his throat. “Thoro’s another bit of news Chin got from Dan last night.” 3/6 Mo CHAPTER 92 A Surprise “Yeah?” I asked absent-mindedly as I placed a pair of folded jeans and a bra on my desk. I opened the small built-in closet and found the silk one shoulder scarlet floral blouse I was looking for. I had forgotten I hung it there yesterday. “Last night, Dan asked Chip if he could get your ring size and help him pick out a diamond ring for you,” Sebastian said, amused. “Why in the world would Dan want to buy a diamond ring for me?” I exclaimed, exasperated. Has the world gone completely insane? “Dan isn’t the one who’ll be paying for the ring, Virtue,” Sebastian pointed out. I quickly spun around and stared at him with my mouth wide open. Even in my nightmares, I have never dreamt of being engaged to that monster. “No way…”

“Yes way…” “No!” I yelled. “I am NOT going to accept his proposal!” I took off my robe and my lace gown. and began to dress. “Joy,” he said, reverting to my name. “If you get married without a pre-nup and Theodore Cohen dies, you become the sole beneficiary of the Cohen estate once Liam is dead. As you know, Theodore Cohen is in the hospital. I only need to make a call to instruct the nurse administer some insulin into his IV line.” “I don’t need his money, Dom,” I said, putting on some rust colored sandals. “But wouldn’t it feel good to burn his house down?” Dom asked. I rolled my y eyes at him. “I have a deadline. I want this done as soon as possible, so I can go back to California,” I argued. “Then, get married as soon as possible and kill him once you go off on your honeymoon,” Sebastian suggested casually like it was the easiest thing. “Why are you pushing this, Sebastian?” I asked, using his real name. “What are you after?” I bent down to look him in the eye. “Well after much thought the three of us have decided we want the Blood Disciples to take/6 MD CHAPTER 92 A Surprise I stomped my foot on the floor. Ugh! They have fallen in love with New Salem. A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. “The four of us need to talk before you finalize your decisions,” I said angrily. I fluffed my hair before opening the door. Xavier and Cristos took one look at my red face and instantly knew my conversation with Sebastian didn’t go so well. “Dom, they’re looking for you next door,” Cristos said. “And, ah, Virtue, we have a surprise for you.” “I hope this surprise isn’t a wedding dress, a groom and a priest!” I hissed. Xavier tried to reach for my

hand to console me, but I pointed an accusing finger at him. “You were ere meant to be? supposed to be on my side. What happened to we “W-we are m-meant to be, it’s j-just- “It’s just expanding your territory is more important to you than me!” I inhaled deeply and. let out an angry breath. “So where’s this surprise?”. “Take a look.” Cristos pointed to the inside of my shop. All the items that were packed in the boxes were either hanging on the racks or placed neatly on the shelves. Even the mannequins in the storefront windows were dressed in gowns that I had personally designed. My anger evaporated into air. I walked into the middle of my shop happily. It was ready to open. On the glass door, I read the name of my shop printed with bright colored vinyl lettering. I suddenly felt a tug in my heart. I silently wished it read Joy’s. 5/6 The Joy of Revenge