Page 51 of The Dark Side

Yakov smiled, cackled lightly, and nodded. He took up his small glass and moved from his desk to a sitting area beside a massive fish tank. There were beautiful fish inside, exotic and colorful.

More than likely illegal.

"Sit. Chat with me. Tell me about yourself."

Hesitantly, she stepped up to the red leather high-backed chair. As silly as it sounded, she was searching for a weapon. Would Yakov have one on his person? Would one be in the floorboards or behind the walls for easy access? Jolie sat. Yakov stared at her in wait, and finally, she focused on him, remembering his last comment, "I'm from Orlando. I moved here to help inner city kids."

"That's wonderful. I've built four schools downtown, and I pay for after-school programs for over two thousand kids. Teachers are in desperate need."

Jolie shouldn't be shocked. Mally told her they were generous. But still, she was impressed. "Wow."

"I've been lucky. I am fifth-generation wealth. I haven't had to scrimp and save. But I appreciate those who do."

"Wish you were that generous to the animals," she smiled, hoping it came across as playful, yet still wanting to get the point across that she was disgusted by his collection.

His expression tightened, and she wished she could take it back.

Yakov looked around the room, loving every trophy like they were his kids.

Jolie interrupted his reverie. "I didn't know I couldn't leave."

"You can leave, but please, make sure there is a guard with you next time. The world is dangerous, Miss Bell, and you are now part of this family. We can't have you hurt on our watch."

Jolie nodded, pretty sure he could care less about her safety. "Um, can I go?"

"How's Agent Mally?"

Jolie was drenched in terror, and her body went cold. There was no trying to save face; she could feel the look on her features, the shock, the worry, the fear. She struggled to speak and make an excuse, but what could she say? No lie was good enough.

Yakov eyed her proudly. Emotions were easy to manipulate, and now, he's got her right where he wanted her. Fearing him.

The problem with many people was the lack of self-awareness. They believed no one was watching. But eyes were everywhere. Especially now in the time of technology. It was so much easier to find a rat in the sewer. And there was no doubt in his mind Jolie was vermin sniffing for a scrap of rotted meat. Women typically were the worst of them. Men at least had pride and dignity, whereas women tended to give up such things only to get what they wanted. It made them tricky but not impossible to figure out.

"My son feels gratitude toward you. And I am thankful as well. If not for you, I would have had to plan a funeral for my granddaughter last week. So, tell me about your conversation with Agent Mally the other day, and we will be even."

Jolie clenched her teeth. 'The other day,' he said. Which meant he wasn't talking about her meetup at Starbucks. He didn't know. Jolie swallowed and relaxed in her chair. "She told me you were dangerous."

He smiled, taking a sip. "She's not always wrong."

"She told me to stay away from you."

"And why haven't you taken this wise advice?"

She could lie here, and he might see through it. Or she could tell the truth, and he'll see what she wants him to see. "I need money."

Yakov sucked on his tongue, observing her with the same intense stare as his sons'. Now she knew where they got it from. It was less intimidating. "Money," he said, chuckling. "Now I understand you. Now we can work on our friendship."

Jolie didn't like that. She nervously twittered, wishing she had the recorder. She felt suddenly unprotected and in the eyesight of a dangerous beast.

"I'll keep you in mind for jobs."

She vehemently shook her head. "I am not… I'm—I like honest work."

His big brushy brows knitted, asking, "Do you? Yet you are willing to take money from me?"

She stuttered. She unknowingly backed herself into a hole.

"We all start off honest, sweet girl."

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