Traded To The Don

Chapter 2

Ruscco PV

I stepped out of the elevator, my nerves pressed unsettling—endless demands. My heels clicked against the cold, polished floorings of the building, each step heavier than the last one. A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in my head, all of them screaming louder than the other. Bills, employees, accounts—all this dumped on me after my father’s death. Not just any father, mind you. The one who barely deserved the title.

I sighed, rubbing my temples as the memory of the last time I saw him crept in. My 25th birthday, and what did he want? Money. I could still hear his voice in that smug, tempered way of his.

“You know, I’m still your father. Ruscco. i spoof what your mother left behind.”

The audacity. He missed my mother’s funeral, but he never missed an opportunity to chase after what he thought was rightfully his. “Funny how you remembered the money but forgot the funeral,” I had shot back to have him realize his faults then. I hadn’t seen him since, and part od I didn't.

Now, here I was, standing in front of a building at 750 Las Quatra Boulevard, staring at the fortress-like structure. It loomed in front of me, dark comfortably.That looks more like a fortress endowed than Mikhail iselse. I cursed under my bhisairritation,ucceels stuck to the hot asphalt.

“Great,” I muttered, flailing my foot free. "Just what I needed today."

As I approached the entrance, Garland, my father’s advocate, appeared out of nowhere, rushing towards me with that awkward, goofy energy he always seemed to have.

How flawed…

“Ms. Saconversation a t have to be long. Just a few formalities with the will.” His voice sounds rushed, Bourbonouldn’t blame him. No one wanted to be here longer than necessary, especially me.

Leaving as soon as I am done!

“Fine. Whatever. Let’s just get this over with,” I snapped, barely concealing my irritation.

Garland nodded and led me inside. The place smelled of bleach and lemons—an oddly clean scent for what I knew this place was. A Mihailb. Of all the things my father could’ve left me, it had to be this one. A group of employees stood around the bar, watching me with curious eyes. I felt their stares like needles against my skin.prickling them even cutting them off.

“Why would anyone want to own a place like this?” I muttered under my breath.

And by anyone that includes me.

We headed to a small office at the back of the building. I grimaced at the indiscreet image of a couple in some bizarre, suggestive pose plastered on the door. Just when I thought this couldn’t get any worse.

“How lovely,” I said sarcastically as we walked in. “Let’s hurry with this and get along and get going. I don’t want to spend another minute in this place.”

Garland handed me the will, his hands shaking a little as he adjusted his glasses to match his vision. I scanned the pages, my eyes moving quickly until they froze on one particular line. My stomacit.twisted.

“Can you please tell me this doesn’t say what I think it does?” I asked, my voice sharp with disbelief.As I stared with obvious surprise

Garland cleared his throat set to convince, avoiding my gaze even. “I’m afraid you read it correctly. You cannot sell this establishment for ten years.”

My heart dropped. “And I can’t even give it away? This can’t be real.”

Garland sighed, “That’s correct. His Requirements set was in hopes that you would keep the business running and not have it scrapped off.”

I laughed biowned , the sound went hollow in the small office. “He trapped me. Even from the grave, he’s still controlling everything.”

I needed air. “I need a moment,by myself” I said, waving Garland off. As soon as he left, I slumped over the desk, my mind spinning . I pulled out my phone and dialed Rochelle, my behitriend.

“It’s worse than I thought,” I said the moment she picked up the call. “Let me read you my favorite part.” I skimmed through the will again, reading the horrible requirements out loud.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Rochelle said, her voice surprised. “Can’t you talk to Carlstern. a lawyer. He could help you get this thing sold.”

“Why in the hell would I call my ex-husband?” I shot back, annoyed at the mere mention of him.

“Girl, you have a fashion show coming up with your name as the or toader! Just think of how far that extra cash could push your brand by.”

I sighed. She was right, as always, but the thought of asking Carl for help made my skin crawl and crease. “I don’t want anything to do with this nasty place. I’m not doing it.”

Rochelle laughed, “Boy, he really messed this up, huh? Let me know if you need anything. Love ya, chicka.”

I hung up and took a deep breath. My hands trembled as I opened the office door and marched across the foyer toward Garland. This had to end,and Now.

“Bring me the checkbook,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “I’ll give everyone their severance pay, starting immediately.”

Garland hesitated. “Ms. Ruscco, I don’t think that’s—”

“Please,” I cut him off, my voice shaking. “This is what I’m going to do. I don’t see any other option that doesn’t go against everything I believe in.”

He nodded, reluctantly handing me the ledger.

The next two hours went like a blur. I signed paychecks, handed them out to the employees without a stamp of a word to affirm, and barely made eye contact with any of them. I felt their confusion, their disappointment, but I couldn’t care further. I just needed to be free of this place.

Can't bear the atmosphere, not one bit!

Finally, Garland turned to me, his voice cautious. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do before we go?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice cold. “Put up a closed sign. Good day.”

I walked out of the club into the scorching Vegas evening, the heat hitting me like a slap. But somehow, it felt cleansing. I took a deep breath, the smell of hot asphalt oddly soothing after the suffocating air inside.

I looked back at the building, feeling a strange mix of relief and resentment. Even deep down, I knew I might be jealous—jealous of the freedom some people had to be so openly... whatever this was. But that wasn’t me, and it never would be.

I turned on my heels, my decision made known to me alone. Whatever came next, I’d handle it

Just like always.

No Stress