Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War (63 page)

“With all due respect, Mr. Salerno, I have no loyalty to my brother-in-law because he has never had any to me. When his secondary business venture was put to a stop, he all but threw me out with nothing. He fired me, and refused to pay me. I had no idea it was you that shut him down. I only came back when he needed me again out of desperation. I needed to care for my family. We were losing everything, and soon we would have had to sell our home. Had it not been for you and your wife, my family would have starved, and my son would have had no clothing, diapers, wipes, food, or a bed. I would pledge my loyalty to you a million times before I’d ever pledge it to him even once.”

Nathan just stood in silence, staring at Matthew. After multiple minutes his brows furrowed and his jaw ticked as conflict became evident on his face. Abruptly he turned to Carter and tossed his hands up in the air.

“
It’s your call,
” he said to her in Russian.

Caught off guard by his words, Carter’s mouth dropped open in confusion. “
What do you mean?”
she asked, also speaking in Russian.

And thus their conversation in Russian began. It was the only way to keep the conversation just between them. Kyle was the only other person in the room that knew the language.

Nathan raked his fingers through his hair and motioned toward Matthew. “
Carter, my judgment is compromised. I can’t trust it when it comes to this man. Every time I look at his face I see his son and daughter. Our sons and our niece have play dates with them for Christ’s sake. He brought the snacks to the park last week.
”

Carter pursed her lips.
“The fact that he brought the kids orange slices and animal crackers to the park shouldn’t be having an effect on your ability to make this decision, Nathan.
”

Nathan frowned. “
Well it is. I’m confused. I don’t trust what my gut is telling me! I think he’s telling the truth, but I can’t tell if that’s just me hoping that I don’t have to kill Melanie and Joshua’s dad.
”

“
So the decision of whether he lives or dies is better left in my hands then?
”

He gave her a quick, pleading look. “
You are better at this part then me, Carterina. You know I have a problem with
…” His words trailed off.

“
With what, Nathan?
” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Nathan gave her a hesitant look before he muttered, “
Dealing with innocent people
.”

Carter threw up her hands in frustration. “
How many times do I have to tell you, Nathan? That woman was not innocent—
”

“
I know, I know. We eventually found out that she wasn’t, but you had already killed her days before that, remember?
”

“
Well she made it easy because she was a bitch.
” She would never be able to live the killing down. It was a long story—not worth relaying—that had happened weeks ago when Carter was still having temper problems.

A smile pulled at Nathan’s lips. “
Regardless of that, you were able to recognize the woman’s guilt before we proved her to be the thief that she was.” He shrugged. “Although, I still think you should have waited to cut her throat
—”

Carter waved her hand in the air to stop him. “
Okay, I get it, dammit. I’ve already apologized for that. I was going through separation from my father, you know that.
” Carter reached out for Nathan to help her walk over the junk on the floor. “
I swear you’ll never stop using that to get me to do stuff
.”

Nathan chuckled. “You’re damn right I won’t,” he muttered, switching back to English.

Once Carter was through the junk, she straightened her clothing and stood in front of Matthew Young. “All right, Matthew, here’s the truth. Are you listening?” When Matthew fearfully nodded, Carter continued. “Now, while I like you and adore your family, I can and will kill you if I feel that you remaining alive is not in the best interest of my husband, plain and simple.”

“I promise you, Carterina—”

She lifted her hand to silence him. “I don’t need your promises, I need you to prove yourself. You say that you will pledge your loyalty to my husband? Then prove that to me.” Carter instructed the gloved soldier standing next to Clay to remove his gloves and give them to Matthew. Once Matthew had put them on his hands, Carter ordered the soldier to put his gun to Clay’s head and continued. “The five most important things my husband expects from those that work for him to be are respectful, loyal, honest, obedient, and honorable. Are you able to be this?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

Carter nodded and stepped to the side. “Then prove it to me.” Carter held out her hand to the soldier with the gun to Clay’s head, and he put it in her hand. Carter took the weapon, gave it to Matthew, and motioned for him to go to Clay. “I think you can pretty much guess what it is I want you to do, Matthew. So do it.”

They waited, and waited … and waited some more. However, Matthew seemed to be stuck to the place he stood. Carter moved to stand in front of him with her hands clasped in front of her. He was frightened to the point of shaking, and tears fell from his eyes.

“I can’t, C–Carterina, I’m sorry,” he cried. “I–I’m not a killer. I’ve never killed a man before, and no matter what’s been done to me I’d never want to. I’m just an accountant. I like numbers and I’m good at my job. B–but if living and keeping this job means I have to take the life of another then I’m sorry.” He lowered his head. “I will have to give up a job, and my life,” he whispered.

Carter silently stared at him. She could honestly say that she’d never truly respected Matthew Young until this very moment. With her index finger, she tapped his chin until he lifted his tear-filled eyes to hers. She reached forward, taking his hands and slipping off the gloves one by one.

“Reno,” she called. “My gloves.” Reno came forward and handed them to her, taking the oversized ones away. Carter slipped on her gloves, took the gun from Matthew, and gave him a soft smile. “Very well, Matthew. You don’t have kill him. Do not fear, sweetheart.”

Carter walked over to Clay and told the soldier to move to the side.

“S–so you’re not going to kill m–me?” Matthew asked.

Chuckling softly, Carter sat on the arm of the couch next to Clay with her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. “The Salerno Organization is not a dictatorship, Matthew. I have no interest in making you do anything you don’t want to do. Like you said, you are an accountant. I told you to prove yourself to me and you obediently did as I’d asked. The manner in which you speak to me shows that you have respect for me and my family. The desire to take care of your family speaks volumes about your character. You’re loyal to those who value your work. In your eyes, I saw nothing but pure and genuine truth, not even the threat of death would make you go against your beliefs. You are not a killer, and you didn’t allow me to intimidate you into becoming one whether you were afraid to die or not. That, Matthew Young, is honorable.” With her head cocked to the side, she gave him a soft smile. “You’re fine, Matthew. You’ve been subjected to enough today. Go home, be with your family. How about we discuss the details of your new job tomorrow when we see each other at the park?”

“Yes,” he replied, appearing relieved. “Yes, that would be a–amazing.”

“Excellent,” Carter said, looking over to Nathan. “Honey, can you …”

Nathan nodded and instructed one of his men to grab a few stacks of the cash from the open safe, which the soldier handed to Matthew. “Consider it a welcome bonus.”

“Thank you so much,” Matthew exclaimed as he took the money. “Thank you.”

“No thanks needed,” Carter said. “Just do your job as well as you promised.”

He gave her a nod as he started for the door. “I will.”

“Bye, Matthew,” Nathan said. “Uhh … Remember, tomorrow it’s our turn to bring the snacks.”

Carter bit her lip to contain her laughter until Matthew had left. When he was finally gone, she let it burst free. “Jesus Christ, Nathan.”

“Shut up, Carter, it’s not that damn funny.” He pointed to Mickey, who was laughing softly. “And don’t you say a fucking word.”

Mickey raised his hands in surrender.

It never failed. Nathan could never stomach looking like a monster in the eyes of innocent individuals. Mickey had told Carter that it was something Nathan had been doing for years, but Carter still could never not laugh at how awkward and cute he got when he was uncomfortable.

After her laughter had subsided, she looked at her amazing, angry husband and poked out her lips in a pout. “Oh come on, bubby, don’t be mad at me. I only laugh because I love you so much.”

Nathan smirked. “I’m not mad at all. You’ll pay for laughing at your husband, I guarantee it.”

Carter wiggled her brows suggestively and gave him a wink.

Nathan’s smile was full of mischief and Carter bit her bottom lip to hide a smile. She looked away from him and over at Clay, who she gave a gentle nudge with her arm. “You doing all right?”

He frowned. “Well, that depends. What are you going to do to me?”

“What do you think I should do to you?” she asked. “You disrespected me, you yelled at me downstairs, you made me come back here a second time for the same shit I took care of last time. What should your punishment be for that?”

“You’re already taking my hotel and sending me to jail—”

Carter shook her head and frowned. “The city is taking your hotel, not me. I’m still upset about this, Clay.” She crossed her legs, letting the split of her skirt fall to the side, revealing her favorite knives holstered safely around her thigh.

“Well … do you want an apology?” When Carter shook her head no, with panic in his voice he asked, “Money?”

Carter chuckled. “I have money, silly.”

“Well, what do you—” A gut-wrenching scream tore loose from his throat when Carter quickly removed one of her trusty knives and jammed it in his thigh.

A chill rushed down Carter’s spine and a sadistic smile spread across her lips. Clay reached for the knife, but was thwarted when she elbowed him in his face. His hand shot to his face as he fell back with another shout. She took the opportunity to wrap her hand around the knife in his thigh, and biting her bottom lip she pushed it in deeper, giving it a little wiggle along the way. Clay cried out in agony.

“Please,” he begged. “God, please stop!”

He tried to grab for the knife that Carter’s hand was still wrapped around and she pushed it in deeper.

“Ah!” Sweat beaded on his forehead, then slowly slid down his crimson red face.

“Be quiet,” Carter whispered. “The sooner you quiet down the sooner the pain will stop.”

He did as she’d instructed, even as his soft cries fell from his lips.

“Good. Now put your hand on each side of you.”

He nodded and obeyed.

“If you scream, I’ll stab you again.” Without another word she yanked her knife free. Clay kept his lips tight, but his body shook with silent sobs. Carter nodded, deciding that he was quiet enough, and not to punish him any further.

“Very good, Clay.” She brought the blood covered knife to his face, and wiped it on his tear covered cheek while she whispered, “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Salerno, please forgive me … I beg of you.”

“I–I’m so s–sorry, Mrs. Salerno . . . p–please forgive me, I beg of you,” he repeated with a shaky voice.

Carter looked into his eyes. “Obedience, Clay. Do you understand now?” she asked, staring in to his eyes. When Clay nodded,
Carter stood and handed off her dirty knife and gloves to Reno. “Good boy.” With a smile, Carter walked to her husband. “All done,” she said brightly.

Nathan shook his head. “You’re killing me, Carter. My day is full, with no time for
quality time
with you, and you put on a display like that?”

Carter gave him a naughty smile and gripped the front of his shirt. “I’m leaving now, Russian. I have a few more meetings, then I’m going home early.”

Nathan arched his brow. “You’re just going home early? You had no intention of asking first?”

Carter laughed and poked his chest playfully. “Ask? Honey, I’m Carterina Salerno. The boss’s beloved daughter, the underboss’s wife, and the mother of the futures of this organization. I’ll go home when I damn well please, mister.” She stood on her toes and gave him a kiss that was supposed to be quick, but Nathan snaked his arm around her waist and captured her mouth in a deep—
insanely
possessive—kiss that stole her breath. When he broke the kiss Carter bit back a moan and hit his arm. Of course Nathan would get her all hot and bothered before she had to go to another meeting. They were both too busy for one of their famous
mid-work day quickies,
so unfortunately she’d just have to deal with it. “Why the hell would you kiss me like that, in a place like this, Nathan?”

He laughed as she pushed out of his embrace and turned to leave with her men.

“All righty,” she said, straightening her clothing. “Now that Nathan and I have given you all a show … I shall take my men and go.” She chuckled. She loved it when she rhymed unintentionally.