Page 56 of His Angel

I level him with a glare as he shoots back his bourbon. “I need him dead, and I need the last few weeks of his existence erased.”

“Done. Just get it signed off by King Del Rossa, and Paladino will have lead in his skull by sunset tomorrow.”

“Alexius can’t know.”

Davian balks, eyebrows drawing together in a frown. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him frown before. “You’re fucking with me, right?”

I don’t respond.

Davian’s green eyes darken, all mirth leaving them. “This is not one of our usual shenanigans, baby Del Rossa. This shit goes against the family code. Chain of command and all that shit.” There’s a hint of a warning there, but I pick up on the slight twang of intrigue.

This is Davian Stark, the best assassin our world has ever seen, a man who slits throats and disembowels without getting a single drop of blood on his always pristine three-piece suits. He’s the devil’s own artist, painting hits with a flick of steel and a smirk. It takes a lot to excite him, and I know I have his attention now.

“Alexius can’t know. No one can know, not even your rabbit.”

“Ooh,” he cringes, crossing his legs. “You almost had me hooked, but then you got greedy. I ain’t keeping shit from my wife, Isaia. I would hopscotch over every line, you know that. But that’s one line I won’t cross.”

Discomfort settles in my gut, nerves prickling, but I’m desperate. And desperation makes men do stupid fucking things.

“Fine,” I concede. “But no one else.”

“Keeping the girl from finding out? Easy.” He places his glass down, pouring a refill. “Keeping Alexius from finding out? Now that’s a different fucking story. And I’m no pussy,” he empties his glass, swallowing, “but I’m not even sure Ihave the connections, or the balls to dothat.Besides,” he settles back, “even if that were possible, it’ll cost you a spleen and a fuckton of money.”

“I can give you something far more valuable than that.”

“Well, fuck me intrigued.”

I flex my fingers against the edge of the desk, feeling the cool grain of the wood under my touch. “I’ll owe you.”

There are a few moments of silence, something that’s uncharacteristic of Davian Stark. And I know I got his wheels turning as he reclines in his seat and toys with his glass, swirling the liquid inside.

His green eyes flicker with cautious curiosity now, and I almost smile at the idea that I've managed to shake him out of his usual sarcastic indifference.

“Well, well, well,” he drawls eventually. “Who knew baby Del Rossa would end up having the biggest balls.”

I roll my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”

“So, let me get this straight.” He inches to the edge of his seat, elbows on the desk, eyes flashing with interest. “I take out the proverbial thorn in your side, erase his existence like he never survived your little flop of a massacre at that church, Everly none the wiser, and Alexius, the omnipotent God of our realm, remains as ignorant as a newborn, and in return…” he trails off, arching a brow, “I’m owed a favor, hand-delivered and sealed with the gold motherfucking Del Rossa crest?”

I nod.

“Fuck me,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s a heavy coin you’re playing with.” That sinister, sly grin appears on his face. “One I’ll accept.”

“Well,” I say, clearing my throat to hide the sudden relief washing over me. “I’m glad we have an agreement.”

He lifts his tumbler, chinking it against my empty one. “To deals made in hell,” he says with a smirk. “But just so you know, if Alexius finds out, I’ll do everything I need to do to protect my own ass…even if it means fucking yours.”

I scoff, half laugh, half snort. “I expect nothing less from you, Davian.”

“Perfect. Then we’re on the same page.” He stands, straightening his shirt. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wife to hunt, a gun to hold, and a dick to get sucked.”

“Timeframe?” I ask as he reaches the door.

He turns to face me, glancing up as he thinks. “I’ll need more time than usual. Paladino’s protected.”

“He’s got a limp. Shouldn’t be too hard to take him out.”

Davian frowns. “How the hell do you fuck up so bad, you shoot a guy and end up giving him nothing but a limp?”

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