Page 3 of Merciless Heir

“I don’t think that’s a saying. And if it is…” She shrugs. “I can’t help you.”

“I’m not trying to trap you for the cops.”

“Nothing to trap me for.”

“So—”

“I know who you are.” Sadie leans in close and I’m drawn by smoke and jasmine, just the merest hint, and a ghost of spice.

“You don’t sound impressed.”

“I’m not.”

And she isn’t. It’s the truest thing about her that I’ve seen so far. A dislike shines stark from behind the smooth front of her. I’m not sure whether it’s me or whether it’s what I am, a billionaire, but while I find it intriguing, I don’t really care. All I care about is getting what I want and from my research, Midnight Raven is the best.

“I can work with that. You have a name?” I let the question hang and take a swallow of the bourbon. It’s not bad for a place like this. When Sadie doesn’t respond, I do. I’m not backing down, but time is money and games here and now aren’t my thing. And besides, I’m intrigued over whether she’s going to lie. “Midnight Raven wasn’t easy to get hold of—”

“Bullshit.”

“—in regards to the right part of the operation. I don’t need security or the glitter and sparkle of rubbing shoulders with an elite criminal. I need a job done. And for that, I need to know your name. Or I walk.”

Her eyes glitter, and her mouth turns up, very slightly. “Sadie.”

“Sadie.” I say her name like I’m tasting it.

“But you knew that.”

This time I only smile.

“Why did you pay for this meeting?”

“To fast track this. I’m trying to track a piece. The Sinclair tiara.”

“It’s missing?”

I raise a brow and she closes her hand around her glass, lifting it up. I do the same with mine. “Not going to ask if it’s real?”

“You’re a Sinclair. Why would you lie about the existence? Midnight Raven costs a pretty penny.”

The muscle in my jaw works as I control the smile that wants freedom. “I’m aware of that. This meeting cost a fuck ton. But make no mistake, I paid because I wanted this to happen on my terms. And now. I’m not a fool, and I don’t take parting with money lightly.”

“Spoken like a true rich bastard.” She stands.

For a moment, my heart picks up. She’s fairly tall and lean, I’m a lot taller, but she has a way that commands. She finishes her drink and the bartender reappears and fills up her glass, then tops mine.

Sadie slips in close to me, between my thighs and my cock hardens, every nerve ending whispering touch. I don’t.

“What have you got?”

Her soft words spoken against my ear send a bolt of electric heat through me and it takes a second to grasp she means the tiara.

“All I know is it’s missing. I’ve hired others, but no one has anything. The tricky part is I’m waiting for the official word on this from my father’s attorney.”

“So, the attorney either has it or had it or knew where it was. Ask them. I’m not sure why you need Midnight Raven.”

“Because I need the best. There’ll be lies. My father is playing games from the afterlife.” I’m pretty fucking sure it’s tangled up somehow with my mother, and she’s pulling all kind of strings, but I keep that to myself. “I need someone who has access to those who’d want such a piece and can get things done.”

She doesn’t answer, just gives me a look between cynicism and avarice, something that is more of a turn on than it ever should be. Then she leans in, her breath warm against my ear. “You want the impossible?”

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