Page 35 of Capo

“I’ve fucked up. I need your help.”

“That’s… new.”

I shove my fingers through my hair and take a sip of the coffee. “To be candid. She was supposed to die, but circumstances made me decide to keep her. Seems I suck at taking a hostage, and I think I’m killing her anyway.”

“What’s your intention with her?”

I give her a deadpan look that she has no trouble interpreting. “My girls aren’t making you happy anymore?”

“My motives are none of your business.”

“What do you need me for?”

“I need someone to give her some clothes, babysit her, bring her back to life and make her someone I actually want to fuck.”

Elena regards me, then she nods. “I’m busy, Luciano, but I can put one of my girls on it.”

I think it over, narrowing my eyes. I did want Elena herself, but I also need her to run her business. “That’ll do. I trust you to make a good choice.”

“Of course.” She puts down the cup and stands. “When do you want this to happen?”

“Last fucking week. But today will do,” I mutter.

“Not a problem. I’ll have someone here later this morning.”

“Good.”

She sails out of the room with her usual grace. She’s the only woman I ever considered for a girlfriend, but that was a long time ago, and I know I was too cruel with her. She’s in my service, but I don’t know how she really feels about me, and I really don’t care as long as she does what she’s told. And she always does.

I head back to my personal chamber, fall on my back on my bed and bring up the feed from the camera down below. Chloe is awake, hugging her knees, staring emptily in front of her. I don’t have feelings. I don’t do pity or remorse. I don’t care about other people, but there is a twinge of something in my chest as I look at her. Conjuring up the defiant woman who stood before me, thinking about how I’ll heal her and bring some of that back makes my cock twitch. I’ve been cruel. It backfired. Time to be nice.

At least less of a bastard.