It had been six weeks since Ysabelle became The Madam. It took a week to get all the documentation in order and for her to take ownership. I spent the next few weeks traveling and letting clients know that I had stepped down and my granddaughter had taken over.
Mika was dead to me.
He had a story to tell, but I didn’t give a fuck about it.
Once I landed, I immediately went to The Cathouse. I told Hector to let Ysabelle know that I would be there in the afternoon. I could barely contain my excitement as the limo drove. I had waited for this moment for the last fifteen years. She was finally following in my footsteps.
My legacy would live on.
VIP would remain in my family.
Forever.
Everything was as it should be.
Mine.
I walked up the stairs, opening the double doors to her office. I saw the back of the leather office chair.
“Bella Rosa, you have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment. I’ve dreamt about it since I looked into your bright, vibrant green eyes. You’re finally where you belong…home,” I praised.
As the chair gradually turned around, the air from my body began to bleed from my lungs. She was sitting with her legs crossed and her arms folded over her chest, fully facing me.
“Hello, Lilith.” She smiled with devious eyes and cocked her head to the side. “Like what you see?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Brooke, where’s Ysabelle?”
She waved her manicured finger in the air. “Now, that’s Madam to you, darling.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I argued.
“Angry is really not a good look for you. You’re getting old, Lilith, wrinkles…you know…they don’t forgive,” she mocked in a condescending tone. “Ysabelle is where she is supposed to be, as am I. Although, I don’t really like the term Madam, it’s so…old, kind of like you. I may retire it. I happen to like my name Brooke; besides, I don’t need to feel like queen, I’m already one. That’s the difference between you and me. I don’t need people kissing my ass and fearing me. Oh my…VIP is in for a change, darling.”
“If you so think—”
“I don’t think.” She shook her head and looked at her watch, glancing back up at me. “I don’t have time for this and I honestly don’t care to explain myself to you. You fucked with the wrong VIP, and if you want some answers, there’s a letter on my desk for you. It’s more of a consideration than I would have given you, but Ysa is a good soul. She may have your blood but not your heart.”
She rounded the desk and stopped right behind me. “You have twenty minutes to get the fuck off my property or you’ll be escorted out. Have a nice life.” She kissed the air twice and left.
My feet moved on their own accord and I had the letter in my hands.
Lilith,
If you’re reading this letter then I don’t have to explain to you that Brooke has taken over. When you signed VIP away to me, I signed it right back to Brooke. She wants it, she always wanted it and she will do a hell of a lot better job than you ever did. You have no say in this. I know your mind is already spinning on how to take it out from under her. The contracts are iron clad, not only that…I have more than enough documented proof of the shit you have done with VIP. Something happens to her, it’s going right to the district attorney and the Chief of Police, who you know are great friends of ours. They would love nothing more than to see your ass rot in prison. Aside from that, I no longer have any reason to hear from you, speak to you, or see you.
We’re DONE. It was NEVER about me, not once. It was ALWAYS about you. This was your legacy, not mine. You have ten more minutes to get the fuck off the property, I know Brooke seems dainty but I wouldn’t fuck with her if I were you.
In the words of the late great Madam, “Go Fuck Yourself.”
Ysa
I fell to the ground, wallowing in my own misery, the misery that I created. I never imagined that I would end up alone.
Tick tock…it was NEVER for her…
It was for me.
“Angel.”
I glanced up and there he was…