Page 23 of The Lieutenant

“That’s a very sad way of looking at your life.”

“Yes, but realistic, and that’s something you should already accept since it’s clear to you we all die at an early age.”

I’d embarrassed her. Although she tried to hide her emotions from me, the blush floating across her porcelain skin was a dead giveaway. “You’ve read my articles.”

“Two of them. They’re quite entertaining.”

“And accurate.”

“To a point. Please come in. I hope you’re prepared for a very enjoyable evening with the devil.”

CHAPTER 8

Kara

Havros was the devil reincarnated. But then they all were. All the men and even women included in the illustrious work of an entirely different kind of darkness.

What I’d learned could make the ordinary person’s skin crawl. Not this girl. I was fascinated by everything I’d learned and read over the years, including some outlines of cases my father had worked on.

“I guess that remains to be seen,” I told him.

He was even more debonaire than the two other times I’d been in his company. Tonight, he’d chosen to wear dark slacks and a flowing white shirt halfway open on his chest. With his sleeves rolled up, the ink on one of his muscular arms caught my eye. The dagger appeared lifelike, the rose with a pool of blood cathartic. His arms were tanned, his fingers long and just as muscular as the rest of him. There was no tie, no hundred-thousand-dollar watch on his wrist; instead he was wearing adiver’s watch. I could recognize one easily since I owned one myself.

One of my few hobbies was enjoying the silence of the deep blue seas.

What struck me was how relaxed he seemed and not just because he was inside his own apartment. As if he didn’t have a care in the world. The other men I’d spoken with in similar positions inside the US had been tense, so much on edge that after every sound they’d reached for their weapon.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked, his politeness catching me off guard.

“Whatever you’re having.”

“Alright. Stoli it is.”

“Russian vodka?” I asked as he led me further inside. I was honestly shocked at the interior.

“Believe it or not, I do enjoy the fruits and labors from other countries. Please, make yourself comfortable. Look around.”

“Does that mean you have nothing to hide?”

The look he gave me was extremely commanding. “Try and remember, Kara. I’m not your enemy and you requested this meeting.”

“Yes, you’re right.” I watched as he headed for a bar in the corner of a massive room. The apartment was gorgeous, the attention to detail similar to the apartment my parents had rented in Italy when I was a little girl. A pang hit me, the ache of missing my mother tough. She would love Greece. “This is the Palazzo style, right?”

“Very good. Yes, the apartment was built in the nineteen thirties, this apartment painfully restored to most original details. It was a labor of love.”

As I walked further into the room, I was floored with how beautiful everything was. With plaster ceiling reliefs, carved wood coffered doors, a marble fireplace, and arches over every window with exposed Tinos columns, the gothic feel reminded me of the years I’d lived in Milan. “Exquisite.”

“I’m curious how you know the style.” He pulled a bottle of vodka from a small fridge, pouring two glasses.

“If I had to guess, I’d say you already have a full and highly detailed background on me and my entire family. If so, you’re well aware I lived in Italy for a few years of my life.”

His chuckle was easy and sultry at the same time. “As you managed to do when you left my office today and yes, I’m aware. Just like you, I do my homework on anyone I meet with. It’s vital for my existence.”

“Touché.” As he headed toward me, I allowed myself to truly take a look at the man. In his office, he’d been unapproachable, a man on a mission to break my nerve. He’d seemed ultra powerful behind his desk, basking in the glory of being in charge. But tonight, he was entirely different. “You were educated in England.”

“For several years, yes. I’ve also spent time in Italy as well.Il cuore di Milano è la squisita arte fornita da artigiani altamente qualificati.”

The way he spoke Italian was absolutely beautiful. “The heart of Milan is the artistry provided by highly skilled craftsman. Yes,I would completely agree. Although I must admit the food was also a favorite of mine.”

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