Page 19 of Sacrifice

“Fair enough,” Nero agrees, but the tease lingers in his voice. “Let’s talk, then. But let’s keep it interesting, shall we?”

Gunnar’s grip on my thigh tightens slightly—a silent signal of support. In this dark world, where trust is both weapon and shield, we’re walking a razor’s edge.

And Nero, with his enigmatic allure, might just be the one to tip the balance.

Chapter nine

Nero

“Your first course: seared scallops with compressed watermelon, toasted coconut, and black sesame.”

Aisling’s knee is pressed against mine as the waiter leaves us behind with our next course, hands reaching for the food. I could feed her all fucking night—and I’d like to feed her more than just this delicious food—but I suppose that would break the rules eventually.

I’m about ready to push those rules to their limit.

I can smell her sugary scent intensifying as we get into the first course, and I hear her moan softly at the flavor. I pick it up too—wishing I could taste it on her lips, that we were alone.

The scallops are delicious, but I can barely even focus on the flavor when the thing I really want to devour is the woman sitting beside me. I can tell Gunnar isn’t opposed, too—which makes it all the more enticing. Since I brought him into the fold, I’ve offered to share women with him numerous times, but he was always too wrapped up in Aisling Faye.

The two of us with her, though…?

Fuck me.

We really should have had this meeting in private.

“So,” I start as I finish the next course. “You have a proposal—an indecent one, I hope.”

I hear Gunnar choke on his food and I can’t help but laugh. “Are you sure it’s secure?” Gunnar asks quietly. “I don’t…I know you said this place is safe, but it seems like an awfully good spot for spying.”

“Or an assassination,” Aisling chimes in.

“Each table has its own private room—otherwise the foot traffic would be a disaster,” I tell them. “Trust me…I’ve survived enough assassination attempts from dear old Caius that I know how to keep myself safe.”

“Fair enough,” Gunnar grunts.

“Tell me what this is about, though,” I say. “Gunnar gave me the gist of it, but is there anything else I should be aware of?”

“Well…the proposal was actually Inari’s idea,” Aisling says. “And if we do this, we’re going to be in major hot water with your brother…”

“…so you would need to make it worth our while,” Gunnar says. “Once you’re pack, we protect you and you protect us—it’s that simple. What we need to know is if packing up with you will be to our benefit.”

“Other than my great personality and even better sex?”

I can practically hear Aisling roll her eyes, but Gunnar’s all business. “More like—can you pull enough of Caius’ men to your side that we can take on the Eclipse.”

“Wow…are you two generals now? Color me surprised,” I say, trying to fend off the fear threatening to fill my chest. Packing up with them for money, for a taste of power…that’s one thing.

But taking on Caius? That’s another entirely.

The scent of Aisling’s frustration swirls in the pitch-black room, a tangy note under the rich aroma of gourmet food. I can almost see her, sitting across from me, the Stargazer herself, her signature mix of defiance and allure filling the space between us.

“Surprised you didn’t guess that’s what the plan was,” Aisling’s voice cuts through the darkness, a velvet caress against my ears. “Figured you and Gunnar joined forces to get rid of your brothers.”

I lean back, stretching my legs under the table, amused by her candor. “And here I thought we were just bonding over our mutual distaste for family politics.”

She laughs shortly—but the moment breaks as the second course arrives, carried by the silent footsteps of the waiter, the red light of his goggles glowing in the void like an anglerfish. He sets down the plates with practiced ease, and I catch the subtle clink of fine china in the dark. The fragrance of Duck Confit wafts toward me, followed by the sweet allure of Spiced Fig Jam and the earthiness of Roasted Brussel Sprouts. My mouth waters at the combination.

“Tonight’s second course,” the waiter begins, his voice practiced and smooth, “features a succulent Duck Confit complemented by a Spiced Fig Jam, accompanied by Roasted Brussels Sprouts and topped with a Parmesan Crisp.”

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