Free I'm Nothing (The Family Book 2) by Sam Crescent Page A

kept a secret, do
you understand?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Good.”
    “What am I going to see?”
    “Hopefully, something crazy that is going to make you
run. You don’t strike me as the bad girl.”
    She giggled. “It looks like today is going to be about
proving you wrong.”
    “We shall see.”
    The elevator doors opened up, and Tonio pulled her
inside. The music was loud, thumping off the walls. The dance-floor was full of
people thrusting to the music. Some were naked while others were still fully
clothed. The utter abandonment called to her. Glancing around the party scene,
she saw the white glow of drugs on the table.
    “Well, what do you think?”
    “What is this place?”
    “It’s a private VIP place that allows anyone who can
afford it to come and get fucked.”
    There were people fucking in the corner.
    “Wow,” she said.
    “Let’s get you that drink.”
    She followed him toward the bar, where he ordered her
a drink.
    “You’re not having one?”
    “I’ve got to drive.”
    Zara blew a raspberry. “Come on, have a drink. If
we’re going to get fucked up, I’m sure we can find a room.”
    “Can you even afford a room?”
    She laughed. “Ha, I can’t afford to rent, let alone a
room.”
    The bartender handed her a pink looking cocktail.
    “It’s strong,” Tonio said, warning her.
    She knocked the cocktail back and almost threw up.
“You mixed orange and tomato juice?”
    Tonio chuckled. “Get her the real thing.”
    “Why would you do that?” she asked.
    “It was just a bit of fun.”
    Grabbing the bartender’s attention, she ordered Tonio
a drink. “I don’t want you to not have
fun.”
    “Seriously, I’ve got to drive.”
    “You own this place.” She stepped up close to him.
“Have a little fun. We may even get you laid.” The bartender put a cocktail
down for her and a scotch for Tonio. “Come on, Tonio. One day of going crazy,
and I promise I won’t bug you anymore.”
    “You’re going to be living with me.”
    “I won’t ask again.” She pressed her hand together,
begging. “Please, pretty please.”
    “Fine. One entire day, and that is it.”
    She clapped her hands. “Yay.”

Chapter Six
     
    Tonio was fucked.
    Well and truly fucked.
    Zara knocked back her cocktail as if she was a pro.
    Tonio: Don, I
won’t be coming back today.
    Donnie: Stay
safe. Enemies are all around.
    Pocketing his cell phone, he took a swig of his
scotch, and then made sure the bartender knew to give him soda afterward. This
wasn’t about him getting fucked up. This was about her having a good time. He
could get fucked up in the security of his own home, nursing a bottle of
scotch, and holding his gun.
    “This is so much fun,” Zara said, turning toward the
dance-floor. “I want to go and dance. Are you coming to dance?”
    “Yes. Let’s dance.”
    He grabbed her hand, tugging her onto the dance-floor.
The beat was hard, heavy, and the moment they hit the floor, Zara started
swinging her hips. Tonio couldn’t help but watch her. She was totally free in
that moment even as her life was fucked beyond reason. Anthony Martinez and
Lucien West had a business outside of the family fold, something Donnie didn’t
have a clue about.
    Tonio had to wonder if Jake’s father would have known
something. The Family was supposed to keep its business close to home. There
was not supposed to be any dealings with outsiders. Lucien West was an
outsider, a bookie who dealt with gambling and loan sharking. He was worse than
a soldier in their world. The deal The Family usually made was a percentage of
all earnings given to The Family. It was a tax of sorts to allow them to work
within their territory.
    What Lucien was doing was more than paying his taxes. He
was bargaining with the devil, and now there was a select group of people
prepared to take over. They couldn’t let that happen. It would risk their lives
if it did happen, and he wouldn’t let it.
    The music changed just like it always did,