Page 3 of Unbreakable Vow

I twist my neck to glance back at it.

“Oh.” I swallow. “I recognized the other two, but not that one.”

He’s gazing at me with a dark stare. I can’t say it’s frightening, but it has potential.

“It’s pretty.” I gesture at the painting behind me, nearly spinning around on my heel again from the momentum.

Why am I talking about a damn painting? I wish he’d say something and fill the area with more than just his presence.

“My mother had it commissioned.” His expression softens at the mention of his mother, but it doesn’t last. A breath goes by, and his eyes darken again.

“Oh.” I have no idea what to say to that. How much of what I know do I let him in on?

His eyes narrow for a second.

“You told Dimitri downstairs you had something to discuss.” He moves to the large leather chair behind his desk and sits, gesturing for me to take a seat in one of the others.

I quickly take a seat, pulling my purse into my lap. You’d think I’d feel less small with us both sitting, but somehow, he’s gotten bigger.

I thought it would have been harder to get in to see him, but all I had to do was tell the guy at the front of the building I wanted to speak to Sergei. After he had a short conversation in Russian on his phone, I was brought up to the office.

“Yes.” I nod and take a breath. “I have a proposition.” I try to smile, but then I hear what I said and quickly sputter out more words. “A proposal. I mean a deal to offer. Not a proposition like I’m propositioning you. Not that.” I snap my mouth closed.

Real smooth.

I practiced my speech five times on the way over here. I should have done it a few more times.

“A deal?” His eyebrows peak. “What sort of deal can you offer me?”

“Well.” I clear my throat. “If someone had information about your family. That would be worth something, right?”

He frowns.

Okay, not a great start.

Information is currency. I have to keep it to that.

“What do you know about my family?” His voice dips with the question.

“I know you and your cousins own this club.” Good. Start off with public information. “And I know that you guys also have some… well… you have other business dealings as well.” I haven’t the slightest idea what those are, but maybe if I stick to generalities, he’ll stay with me in the gray area.

My finger gets pinched, and I jolt. I’ve been fiddling with the zipper of my purse and have managed to pinch myself with the damn thing. I try to casually pull it out without him noticing, but he’s noticed.

“Are you alright?” He leans forward to make an obvious inspection.

I yank the zipper open and move my fingers well out of the way before closing my purse again.

“Yes. I’m fine.” I rub the spot on my middle finger that’s tender now with my thumb. I’m making a complete mess of this.

“Anyway. I think I have information that you would find interesting, or at least helpful.” Finding a traitor among his ranks would help him not get arrested; that has to be worth something.

“What is it?” He leans back again; his business face returns.

“Well, I’m not just going to give it to you.” I laugh. “I mean, information has a price. Right?” I probably didn’t need the question at the end there, but this is my first time trying to sell intel to someone in the mafia.

“Are you trying to extort me?” His brows pull down and his expression intensifies. I have to swallow back a little sound that’s trying to escape.

It’s probably my psyche telling me to get up and run out of this office. I’m not the kind of person to do this. I don’t make deals with the mob.

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