Page 21 of The Sins That Bleed
My patience is waning with his short answers, which is a deadly combination with the hunger storming through my body. I need to hurry this up. I turn to face them so my back is to the flames. Only Rai is looking at me while Sunny has heart eyes for Nico. It’s so fucking cute that I can’t be mad about it.
“Very well, I can supply you with the right leads to get up the food chain. The difficulty is you will spook him eventually. At first, he’ll think it’s a coincidence, then he will feel like he is untouchable because you haven’t caught him yet. It’ll shift though; it will piss him off that his business is being interfered with until he hits the most dangerous point when you’re nipping at his heels.”
“And what will that be, Valeska?” Rai challenges. He’s still sceptical.
“Scared.”
He scoffs, and it snaps Nico and Sunny out of their bubble as their gazes swivel between the two of us. I didn’t expect him to fully trust me, but to continue to show outright disrespect when I’m doing him a massive favour is making me want to snap his neck.
This is why I hunt men down; they’re infuriating and insufferable.
“She’s right.” Sunny speaks up for the first time since we entered the office.
I’m too deep into a staring match with Rai to throw her a grateful glance for having my back. I know how hard this conversation is for her, how personal, and it’s exactly why I got myself into this situation in the first place. For her.
And because I enjoy being a bit stabby, but mostly for her.
“People are the most dangerous when they’re scared, when they have so much to lose, and the Flesh Dealer is no different. He will retreat to a secure location and use any force necessary to defend himself. People will die, and he’ll kill anyone he doesn’t trust if he thinks they are the leak.”
“That makes total sense, butterfly.”
It takes me a second to realise Nico is calling Sunny the nickname rather than changing the subject. I watch the blush spread over her cheeks, along with a shy smile. Seeing her happy is all I ever strive for; I’d do anything for my best friend. Including risking everything I’ve built to give her the peace she deserves.
“Thank you, Sunny. So, now we need to go through the how. I’ll be dropping leads to you through different methods and will keep them above board where possible. I know your courts are sticklers for the rules.”
Rai nods at me to confirm he’s listening, though everything about his body language is telling me he wants to get as far away from me as possible. He doesn’t want to trust me, but the part of him that craves me and the attention I give him is raging a war within him. I can’t wait to see which one wins.
I’d quite enjoy chasing him if he runs.
“There will be others that are less than clean, but I can make them look good enough to pass scrutiny, or keep them abstract enough to stop any digging into what happened.”
“Absolutely not,” Rai barks and stands at the same time Nico says, “Sounds illegal, I’m in.”
The two face each other as Nico stands to meet Rai at eye level. It’s comical how different they are from each other. Based on the silent conversation they’re having right now, it’s only a matter of time before Rai gives in, I can sense it. My offer is too good to pass up, and he wants this.
“Come on, Rai, this is what we’ve been working so hard for. You’re practically killing yourself to find these fuckers, and I can’t stand to watch you waste away. You’re not sleeping and barely eating just to try and find a tiny crumb. It’s not healthy and we need the help.”
I tuck that snippet of information away for later. I hadn’t realised he was putting himself through so much. I shouldn’t care, but knowing he’s been hurting is doing something to me. Nobody should have to go through all that for trying to do the right thing.
Besides, I’ve decided only I’m allowed to be the reason he’s miserable.
Rai’s hands run over his face. Nico’s words have won him over and his sigh confirms it. “We’re in.”
I smile, glad we didn’t have to fight too hard to agree. I glance at Sunny and see the relief on her face. This will be worth it.
It has to be.
“Well then, this is a cause for celebration. The details will come later, for now, I have a VIP area reserved for you at Screamers, and champagne on ice.” I plaster a smile on my face but I’m not naïve enough to think this will be easy.
“You expect us to celebrate when all of you’ve done is promise us a dream?” Rai challenges.
I roll my eyes; he brings out the worst in me. “Not a dream, a delectable nightmare where I slowly weave a web around you, drawing you in…” I pause for dramatic effect, Nico’s and Rai’s eyes growing wide as my voice grows more sinister, “before I EAT YOU!”
I lunge and take great delight in them scrambling backwards. Sunny dissolves into a fit of giggles at the squeaks of fear that spill out of them. Rai grumbles about it not being funny and Nico says something about not being a final girl.
I cackle, relishing in taking the power back and reminding them that they’re in my building.
I move to the door and open it, waiting for them to pull themselves together and signalling for them to join me. I can see Rai wanting to say he’s leaving, but one look at Nico holding out an arm for Sunny has him clamping his mouth shut. Silently, he meets me at the door, and we wait for the others to join us before heading back towards the elevator.
