Page 91 of Burning Your Lies

I pull the folder out of my bag and slide it over to him. “Why don’t you decide?”

A soft laugh hangs between us as he grabs the papers and flicks through them. He looks up at me. “Dare I ask what this man has done to you?”

My finger runs along the edge of the desk and I study the dust that now covers it. Blowing it away, I sigh. “You know, in poker, you have the burn card? It’s not relevant to the game, but you need to discard it in order to prevent cheating? This is that.”

“And who is the cheater in this game? You or Xavier?”

“Well, did he not hire you to do the same to me?” I dare him to deny it.

He laughs. “But I didn’t.”

“And you never explained why.”

Rowan winks at me. “Some mystery keeps the romance alive.” He’s back to looking at the picture again. “Who is he?”

A human life.

“Collateral.”

Rowan leans his elbows on the desk and watches me. His fingers thrum against the wood as he thinks. “What game are you playing?”

I lean forward too. “One that I plan to win. So, is this a conversation or a business transaction? I have half the money now, and the rest once you’ve met my demand.”

His smile is intoxicating. Perhaps it’s because his eyes lock on yours and pull you under their spell. Whatever it is, makes it impossible to look away. “I’ll do it for you. But not for money. You have something I want.”

“And that would be…”

“Your husband.”

On instinct, I shake my head. “I am not trading lives.”

Something amuses him. “I am not asking for his life. Just some information he is holding hostage.”

My gut is telling me I am missing something and I should talk to Huxley first. But the end is imminent, and I desperately need this.And it’s just information.“What is it?”

Satisfied with my agreement, he waves me off. “I’ll be in touch.”

“I’ll need my job done in a few days. I can’t wait until you’ve got what you needed.”

He shakes my hand. “Don’t worry about it, darling. I’ll get your job done.”

“Even without me offering my end of the deal?” I ask, confused.

“Yes. Because if you try to back out, I’ll do this,” he points at the folder, “to your sweet child.”

For the first time, I regret walking into this building. The look on his face makes it clear it’s not an empty threat. I shake his hand. “You have a deal.”

“Do you have a preferred method?”

“He likes to strangle.”

And at that, it clicks for Rowan, and he laughs. “How do you know it’s going to work?”

“Because I already planted the seed.”

The door opens and the devil himself walks in. Xavier looks between us and rage fills him at the sight of the two of us grinning at him. “What’s going on here?”

Rowan shrugs. “I was just offering Savannah a job. Is there a reason you barged into my club as if you own it?”

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