A Kingpin Love Affair by J.L. Beck

left the barrel, flying toward the target on the other side of the room. My arms were shaking like a leaf in the wind as I watched the bullet penetrate the paper.
    We continued to stay standing as we were, and for what reasons, I didn’t understand. All I knew was when the bullet came out of the barrel I had felt something take over. I felt like the control was in my hands, as if I controlled my life.
    “Thank you,” I whispered unto him and it was true, I was more than thankful.
    For the first time in my life, I was grateful for a gun, for protection, but most of all, for Jared.

Chapter Twelve
    “Sir,” Antonio’s annoying voice sounded in my ears. I lifted my eyes to his face. I clenched my fists together telling myself it would do me no good to beat his head against the side of the car. Antonio was my nephew. I took him in as a child, teaching him everything he needed to know about the family business.
    “What?” I simply stated my tone snide. It had been days since we had any contact with the sellers. I was furious they hadn’t fought harder against the FBI. Instead, they allowed her to get away, knowing I had paid a quarter of a million to get her. Not knowing where she was at was driving me insane. She could be anywhere, with anyone. She didn’t belong to them. She belonged to me.
    “Adam thinks he may have confirmation of a location.” I wanted to growl, punch something, even spill blood if need be. He thinks? He better hope it’s not just an assumption. Adam was my undercover spy, the man who could slip under the radar without being noticed by anyone.
    “Does he now? Tell him to call me. I need to talk to him about said confirmation and be sure to warn him for me. If he is wrong, I will be forced to remove another finger from his hand.” I kept my voice cool. I refused to let the men that worked for me know the waiting game was getting the best of me.
    But she is yours.
    Those words ran through my mind daily, over and over again reminding me once again something promised to me had slipped right through my fingers.
    “Will do, sir,” was Antonio’s response.
    I shifted my attention to the men around me. They were getting ready to go out and do another manhunt for the girl. They all knew better than to question me about anything, let alone what the girl’s worth was to me . I had all my best men on this, looking for what was mine, and they wouldn’t sleep until I knew where she laid her head at night.
    “It’s been weeks since I had a taste of good pussy. Monroe County ain’t got shit for women.” Oliver spoke to Stephen as if he were annoyed that he had to be here as if it was my fault he hadn’t found any prime pussy. I should’ve known when I took these two men on they would be nothing but trouble. Back home in Russia they were notorious bad boys.
    “Excuse me…” My voice caused all conversations to heed as I turned and made my way over to Oliver. I could feel him quivering beneath me, and I hadn’t even spoken his name. As he should be quivering because I was more than his boss. I was his reason for breathing, his reason for living. Without me, he would be nothing. He owed me for everything he had, and he would worship the fucking ground I walked on until he died.
    “Sir, I didn’t mean it in a disrespectful way…” I cut him off with a slap to the face. My eyes drifted over the red mark on his face. I loved Oliver like one would love their own child, but I refused to allow him to speak in such a manner in front of me.
    “Remember why you’re here, son. What it is that you’re doing for me. That’s what’s important, yeah? Not a good taste of pussy. Remember without a reason, without a placement you’re good as dead. Do you understand me?” I commanded him to answer me, my voice stern.
    He murmured a yes into the air as I turned to face the rest of my men. “All of you remember that unless you dare go up against me.” I was losing my cool, all over this girl that I would