C90 Soon Enough

The music thumped through the walls of the nightclub.

The heavy bass seemed to pulse in rhythm with the flashing neon lights outside.

Antonia pushed through the crowded entrance, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

She was dressed to command attention in an emerald-green dress that hugged her curves provocatively, the neckline plunging just enough to leave nothing to the imagination.

Her glossy black hair cascaded over one shoulder, and her lips were painted a deep crimson.

She looked like she had been partying hard that night and her face was flushed under its perfect makeup.

The slight sway in her walk betrayed her tipsy state, yet she looked confident as ever.

She ignored the curious glances thrown her way and headed straight for the door leading to the back rooms.

Her manicured nails drummed impatiently on her clutch as two of Dante’s men stepped forward to block her path.

“You can’t go back there,” one of them said, his tone firm but respectful.

Antonia’s eyes narrowed. “Move. I need to see Dante.”

“He’s in a meeting,” the other man added, folding his arms. “No interruptions, miss.”

Her frustration bubbled to the surface, fueled by the alcohol in her veins. “Do you know who I am?” she snapped, her voice cutting through the music like a blade.

“We do, Miss Vale,” the first man replied evenly. “And we’ve been given strict orders…”

Antonia didn’t let him finish.

With a swift motion, she pulled a sleek pistol from her clutch and aimed it at her own temple.

The men stiffened, their eyes darting to the weapon.

“If you don’t let me through,” she hissed, “I’ll pull the trigger right here. And you’ll have to explain to my father and Dante why I’m dead.” Her lips curled into a smirk. “How do you think that will end for you?”

The men exchanged uneasy glances.

One of them discreetly tried to call Angelo, but the phone rang unanswered.

“Tick. Tock,” Antonia taunted, her finger brushing the trigger.

Before the men could decide what to do, the door to the back room swung open.

And a woman stepped out.

Antonia’s eyes narrowed on the intruder.

“So, this bitch is allowed in there, and I am not,” She thought as she sized her up with a venomous look.

She was striking.

Her fiery red hair styled in loose waves that fell just below her shoulders.

She wore a fitted leather skirt that stopped mid-thigh, paired with a vibrant red top that clung to her toned figure.

Black stiletto heels clicked against the floor as she approached, her movements graceful yet deliberate.

Her green eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto Antonia with a look that was equal parts irritation and amusement.

“Put the gun away,” the redhead said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of steel.

Antonia’s head tilted slightly, her lips curling into a sneer. “And who the hell are you?”

The redhead didn’t flinch.

“The person telling you to leave before you make this harder for everyone.” She turned to the men. “You two…stand down. I’ll handle this.”

Antonia let out a disbelieving laugh. “Do you even know who I am?”

“I don’t give a damn who you are,” the redhead replied smoothly. “My loyalty is to Dante, and right now, you’re nothing more than a nuisance.”

The words hit Antonia like a slap.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she let her scorn show on her face.

“You must be his new toy,” she said, her tone dripping with venom. “I suppose you think that gives you some kind of authority.”

The redhead smirked, a flicker of amusement crossing her face.

“What I am to Dante is none of your business,” she said lightly. “But I do know what you are…a two-faced bitch who doesn’t know when to quit.”

“What was that supposed to mean?” Antonia thought uneasily.

Antonia’s face flushed with anger. “Watch your mouth,” she spat.

The redhead stepped closer, her heels clicking ominously against the floor.

She reached into the waistband of her skirt and casually pulled out a compact handgun, its polished surface glinting under the dim lights.

“You’re not the only one with a gun,” the redhead said, her voice cool and unbothered. “Difference is, I don’t hesitate to use mine. So unless you want to find out firsthand, I suggest you walk away.”

The threat hung in the air like a storm cloud.

For the first time, Antonia’s confidence faltered.

There was something unsettling about the redhead’s calm demeanor, the way she spoke with absolute certainty.

Where the fuck did Dante get her from?

Antonia doubted she had ever seen the bitch before.

“You think you’re so tough,” Antonia muttered, her voice lacking its usual bite. “I have better things to do than waste my time on the likes of you.”

“Good. Then leave,” the redhead said, making a dismissive shooing motion with her hand.

Antonia’s jaw tightened.

But she forced herself to turn away.

Her heels clicked sharply as she walked back down the hallway.

By the time she reached her car, the cool night air had sobered her up slightly.

Her hands trembled against her purse as she watched her driver open her door before she slid in.

Her mind replayed the bitch’s words.

That woman had looked at her like she was nothing. Like she didn’t matter.

Antonia’s jaw clenched as a wave of humiliation washed over her.

No one spoke to her like that.

No one.

Pulling her phone from her clutch, she scrolled through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for.

She pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear.

“Hello?” a gruff voice answered.

“It’s me,” Antonia said, her voice cold and sharp. “I need you to take care of something for me.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone as her eyes flicked back to the nightclub.

That cocksucking bitch would pay for this.

No one disrespected Antonia and got away with it.

And why was Dante shacking up with this bitch anyway?

Wasn’t he taken with that ninny Annabelle?

“Men can be such disgusting pricks,” she thought as she watched the glittering lights beyond the window as the driver drove away.

“This is my city. And I will get what I want no matter how many bitches stand in my path,” she thought with satisfaction.

Her mood lightened a bit as she started fantasising about something else.

Something close to ecstasy showed on her face as imagery flitted through her mind.

“Oh, yes. You will learn soon enough.” she muttered to herself.