KANE
The question took him off guard, but he refused to back down from this woman.
Kane smiled at her. "I would have made you mine for a short while, and like a new toy, the novelty of sex would have eventually worn off."
He watched and enjoyed the flash of annoyance on her face. He noticed a mean-faced man doing his best to hide his gaze from us. He was likely one of her soldados.
Fiona cleared her throat. "I'm going to offer you a deal, Kane, because I feel you're just following orders from your daddy."
A frown slit across his lips.
"Sign over the harbor to my…father," Fiona ordered in a calm tone. "Willingly. You will legally admit to the world that the harbor rightfully belongs to the Spinellis, and all will be forgiven."
Kane snorted and told her and her family to go to hell.
A few days later, Kane had invited a potential investor to a party, Adam Cullen of Cullen Truck Industries. It was a multibillion-dollar enterprise that would skyrocket McGregor Industries off the charts.
Kane stood on his family's yacht sipping champagne while discussing things with Adam. Music filled the night air as the guests mingled in groups holding drinks.
"I have to admit, Kane, this is quite the spread." Adam drawled in a thick southern accent. He was highly conservative, and Kane hoped hanging with Boston's elite would win him over.
"Thanks, The Siren's been in my family for two generations, and I intend to keep it that way." Kane replied. He noticed a red curtain by the corner, wondering what they were for, but he shrugged it off and focused on the conversation.
Adam lifted his glass. "You must be pretty famous to have the mayor here."
Kane glanced at the mayor laughing and chatting with a couple of people surrounding him.
"The McGregors were one of the first families to set foot in this city, Mr. Cullen; politicians like to mix with us. It's great for connections." Kane explained. "Now, for the matter at hand, the steel industry is on the cutting edge, and with your investment, we could be number one in the entire continent. Your truck company will be on every Southerner's lips."
The best way to get a man like Cullen was to feed his ego and give him a lot of money.
"It's a competitive world, McGregor." Adam pondered. "How's the return on investment looking?"
"We're projecting thirty percent a year." Kane answered and sipped his champagne; Cullen's eyes widened.
"That's impressive." Adam laughed. "I think we might just have a deal."
Kane exhaled smoothly and shook hands with Adam. Another win, perhaps that would get his father off his back for a while.
A mic went off, and everyone turned to the DJ at the booth.
"And now for a special performance tonight…" The DJ said.
"Performance?" Adam asked Kane.
What performance? Kane thought.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for The Midnight Vixens!" The DJ announced.
Kane's jaw dropped in shock. He looked at Adam and prayed to God it wasn't who he was thinking.
Slow and sensual music played as the red curtains slid open. Four ladies dressed in silver dresses stood atop the pole stage and began to twist and dance by the poles.
Gasps and murmurs arose as the ladies began to strip off, revealing their luscious boobs in tiny lingerie, keeping most of the men hypnotized.
Kane marched across the deck to the DJ booth; the man was bobbing his head in approval.
"Mr. Kane, I have to say, you throw the best parties." The DJ grinned.
"Manny, who the fuck hired the Midnight Vixens?" Kane growled.
Manny shrugged. "Dude, they showed up claiming they were a gift or something."
"A gift? From whom?" Kane demanded.
"Dunno." Manny replied. "They're an expensive group and don't just perform for the little guys."
Kane went pale, and Adam stood watching the girls with a blank stare. Some of the guests were applauding and hooting.
"That's it, turn off the fucking music. This is a classy event, not a cheap nightclub!" Kane ordered.
Manny frowned and switched off the music. "Ladies and Gentlemen, that was The Midnight Vixens; you can catch them exclusively, only at Club Seven!"
Amid the applause, Kane trailed after Adam, who was leaving the yacht.
"Cullen!" Kane called.
Adam turned to Kane and squeezed his face in disgust. "I think I've seen enough of this. This isn't what I want to be associated with."
"Adam, wait," Kane said and grabbed his arm. "This wasn't my idea."
Adam shook him off. "I don't care whose idea it was. The fact is, you are willing to stoop to any level to get what you want."
"I'm a pimp!" Kane protested. "Adam, I know you're religious and, in fact, a married man."
Adam turned to face him. "Exactly, and besides religion, how dare you mock my intelligence? Trying to distract me with shameless whores!"
Kane rubbed his neck. "I'm telling you, I didn't do this. I hope it doesn't affect our ongoing agreement. We're talking millions, big bucks."
Adam turned red and snapped. "The deal's off, you son of a bitch!"
Kane swore as Adam disappeared down the corner. "Damn it to hell!" Kane exclaimed.
He heard chuckles and banter behind him; the Midnight Vixens climbed down the yacht.
He spoke to the youngest of them.
"Serena, wait up." He called.
The early twenties pretty woman turned to face him. He suspected it wasn't her real name.
"Kane McGregor, we barely see you at the club. Don't you like us anymore?" She teased as the other ladies giggled.
He rolled his eyes. "Can I know who was generous enough to bring you ladies in?" And make me lose money?
Serena shrugged. "Some girl said you were a huge fan. Like we didn't already know that, you're our biggest tipper."
Some girl?
Kane watched the ladies walk down the road Adam Cullen took.
Fiona.
She would pay for this.
His cell phone buzzed a text. He took it out of his pocket and discovered it was from Fiona.
Did you enjoy my gift?
Her words echoed in his ears: Turn over the harbor to my father willingly…
He threw his head up and shouted in outrage and threw his cellphone into the ocean, watching where it splashed into the water.