A Woman's Empire

LXVI

CHAPTER SIXTY SIX:

Vegas was bustling with artificial light and seemed even crazier than Miami. The people that flocked the streets had no cares at all. And most of them wouldn't remember the night the following morning. Some of them would wake up with drug addictions. Others would wake up in a stranger's bed. Most would wake up with hangovers and the rest would wake up with no money had they not gambled it all away the previous night.

Audrielle woke up to an empty bed and to the sound of distant chatter behind the bedroom doors. She pushed herself out of bed and reached for the robe that was draped over the chair in the corner of the luxury room. When she pushed open the bedroom doors, her eyes caught on to the several men that sat around the dining table. There were about twenty or so of them along with Leo and Antonio. Leo was leaning over the table, his arms flexed out as his attention snapped to the intruder and Audrielle clinged to the bedroom door for support.

"What's going on here?" Audrielle asked curiously as she stepped further into the room. She smiled smelly at Antonio while the rest of the men seem to have their eyes glued to her, causing her to shift uncomfortably on her feet.

"Business meeting. We'll be finished in a few minutes."

"What's it about?" Audrielle pushed.

Leo shrugged his shoulders. "You know. Business things, sweetheart."

Audrielle rolled her eyes, taking a seat at the other end of the table and she leaned forward, reaching for an apple from the fruit bowl in the center of the table. "Business things. Elaborate for me please."

"I mean, it's pretty boring, numbers and stuff and-" Audrielle frowned, taking a bite of the red apple as she stared at Leo. The men in her life always did this. They never explained business plans. It was like they thought women were either too dumb to understand or maybe they were even ashamed of their business.

"Cut the bullshit Leo. Tell me what exactly is happening. Need I remind you that it's not just me involved anymore. We have a son and as a parent, I would like to be aware of certain business things that can affect him."

Leo sighed, rubbing his hands through his hair. He'd give Audrielle that point, she had won but he didn't know how to tell her what the business was about.

"You really wanna know huh?"

"Yeah. Tell me."

"We have leads on Tanner. He's located in Las Vegas and he's been hiding throughout the country for the past six years." At the mention of Tanner, Audrielle's heart dropped and fear rattled her bones. The risk of running into Tanner on the streets lingered in her mind and she clenched her hand, balling it into a fist.

"Oh."

Leo watched Audrielle with concern. Her face was etched with worry and her skin had paled. "Don't worry, okay? We have people tracking him and by the end of the week the fucker will be dead."

Audrielle didn't know how to feel. She was worried, not only for Orlando's life, but hers too. On several occasions, Tanner had threatened to kill her and deep down she knew that if given another chance, he would actually do it. "I need a coffee." Audrielle muttered, walking to the kitchen island and began to prepare a cup of coffee.

"Meet back here tomorrow morning and we'll discuss it further. Dismissed." Leo ordered his men and they all stood up quietly, collecting their things and leaving the penthouse promptly. Leo sighed and ran his hands through his hair as he made his way to Audrielle. "Coffee? You never drink coffee."

Audrielle shrugged her shoulders, stirring the spoon around in circles as she watched the two liquids mix. "I don't know. Today just feels like a coffee day."

Leo chuckled, standing up from the table and making his way into the kitchen. A thick and heavy silence flooded the room and Leo could feel Audrielle's fear. Gently, he stood behind her and rested his hands on her waist, hugging her from behind as she stirred her coffee.

"Audrielle, are you okay?" He whispered and her head dropped down as she let out a heavy sigh.

"Honestly, Leo. I don't know. What happens if Tanner knows I'm here? What happens if he has someone watching Orlando? I'm terrified of him, Leo. He will not only hurt me but our son too." She mumbled, her voice pitching at the end. Leo was quiet. He understood her fear of Tanner, how if something went wrong it would not only affect them but their son.

"I promised you safety, Audrielle. For you and Orlando. And I will keep that promise until the day I die, okay? I get it. You don't fully trust me anymore and I completely understand. But please trust me on this, yeah? I've been tracking Tanner down for years just so you can finally sleep at night and not have to worry about him ever again."

Audrielle spun around, facing Leo as she gazed up at him with worry glistening in her glossed eyes. She tightly gripped Leo's shirt and her fear flashed into anger. "You know how dangerous Tanner is, Leo. And if something bad happens to me or Orlando while we're here, I will do everything in my power so that you will never see your son ever again." Audrielle growled through gritted teeth.

Leo tensed at her threat. "Come on, Audrielle, you can't be serious right?"

"I don't want our son to have to suffer the consequences of your dangerous lifestyle. And if him being around you becomes a threat to his safety, then I won't hesitate to remove him from the situation. You preach about your promise of safety so better damn well live up to it, Leo."