XXXIX

It's been a few days now since mine and Marco's last interaction... well to be more exact, since he fucked the shit out of me in his car.

Life is strangely quiet now. Obviously we still have enemies on our backs, but none quite like Luca. He was a fascinating man, for all the wrong reasons.

Marco's been managing his club down in Philadelphia - I know this because I put a tracker in his car the last time I was in it. I'm not really sure why though... I guess it's the trust issues he gave me after stabbing me in the back all those months ago.

My sister gives me the 'amazing' idea to pay him a visit.

"Just go to his club, Lana. You never know, maybe you could work one of the poles." She giggles. I roll my eyes and take a seat next to her on the velvet armchair.

"Give me one good reason why I should." I demand, my patience wearing down. She stops and thinks to herself for a moment, making an obvious 'hmmm' sound. I laugh as her smile fades and is replaced with a frown.

"See! So you know why I won't go." I exclaim.

She spreads out on the sofa and sighs. "Come on Milana! You too have business down in Philly, so you may as well go now and have some company."

I think to myself for a minute, actually beginning to consider it, before a knock on the door brings me back to reality.

"Who is it?" I call out, watching as the handle turns and the door flies open to reveal James. He stands, bag in hand, and a smirk plastered on his face.

I look at him in confusion before he opens it to reveal a small metal contraption.

"What's that?" I ask suspiciously.

He contemplates confessing for a moment.

"The demi bomb we ordered to be made last week." He explains.

I jump up, knowing how destructive it is.

"Oh my god. And you brought it here? I swear to God get out or I'll use it on you." I say kicking him away and smiling sternly.

"Chill out. I just thought it was cool." He looks down at the bomb. "You sure are powerful for a little thing."

I watch as he pats it like a pet, his fingers tracing over each and every subtle detail. Fran looks at me to see if we are witnessing the same thing and I try to keep a straight face.

I eventually throw my hands down onto my knees and stand up, "You know what, I think I will go to Philly."

Fran leers, knowing how easily convinced I am, and kicks her legs out on the couch.

After seeing Fran almost doze off on the spot, and convincing James to lock the bomb away, I call Elliot to chaffer me to Philly.

It's going to be one long trip.

***

The drive was long and tiring, but anything's above getting on a train. The last time I was on one I almost got stabbed by some Mexican goons who were desperately trying to overthrow me.

After a little while, I part ways with Elliot and grab my pre-packed bag from him. To say I'm under packed is an understatement - but I'm relying on the clothing stores here to supply me with everything I need. Besides, if I decide to pay Marco's club a visit, I need to dress appropriately.

I decide to camp out at a hotel, specifically one in a chain of hotels owned by the one and only Marco. He's rich as fuck, and owns practically half of the US. Pretty impressive for such a conceited man.

The club has an event on tonight, as it just so happens to be halloween. This only calls for a hot costume, and costumes are my specialty.



A tight, hot corset wont be too distracting for him right?

I set off on my walk to the club, which just so happens to be only a few streets away. It's dark, and cold, but all I care about is the look that will be on Marco's face when he sees me walk in.

The pathway twist and turns down the main road, immersing me in adventure, when suddenly I am grabbed from behind.

"Hello sweetheart." Is all I hear before I am thrown into an alleyway. My feet don't give way and I stand valorous, preparing to give this fucker a good fight.

"What the fu-" Is all I can squeeze out, before I am subdued into the bricks behind me. The assailant reaches for my corset, stabbing holes into it with his serrated ring. I race against his every move, attempting to smack his hand away, but he's too overpowering against me.

He rips my corset almost completely open, the leftover material barely securing my tits, as wrath boils inside of me.

Just as he thinks he's won and begins pulling my costume down, I snap.

Firstly, I lunge at him, completely losing my patience, and strike him in the temple. I can tell I've completely caught him off guard when he stumbles back wide-eyed.

"Oh, clearly this is your first time assaulting a women then, right? Or are you just not used to one fighting back?" I ask, forcing my corset back up.

He shakes his head and looks down at his ring, now covered in blood.

"Nice ring. But a millimetre blade is nothing against a gun." I taunt, as I pull mine out.

"Please- no... fuck." He yells, both anger and fear mixing in his tone. I don't even give him the time of day before I pull the trigger.

His corpulent body descends to the floor and I stand over it, reaching for his ring. "Don't want to leave my blood at a crime scene now do I?" I whisper at his corpse. I pluck the ring from his finger and discard it down a nearby drain.

I pull out my phone to check the damage he has done, to both my body and my costume. My corset is now ripped but the blood adds a nice touch - if only people knew it was real.

For a little blade, it sure did carve its way into my neck. The cut isn't deep, but stretches across a sizeable portion off my skin.

I almost backtrack back to the hotel, before my thoughts turn on each other and lead me back on route to the club. It is now 11pm and the event has already been on for an hour.

The automatic doors greet me by flying open and revealing the purple and blue hues of the club. I've been here once before, for an event much like this, so I have an idea of how things work.

Directly in front of the doors, strippers work the poles, dancing and twisting so elegantly.

But then I look up.

On the second floor is an almost throne-like chair, seating Marco. But not any old Marco, this Marco is in skull face paint.

Even he is dressed for halloween, and looks fucking hot.

I walk in almost distressed and exhausted, after the attack I experienced earlier on. Marco looks down at me as I brush my hands along my chest, attempting to hold my boobs in place after my corset had been destroyed.

He stands up and stretches his arm out on the railing to get a better look. He can tell somethings wrong, just by the state my outfits in, and by the obvious injury to my neck.

His black suit fits him well - almost too well. His eyes speak deadly grace, and pierce my entire body as he scans it up and down.

I shake my head, realising that coming here was a bad idea, and advance out of his sight to the bathroom.

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