"Because I'm good at reading people, Danika," I continue.
"Are you now?" she says, crossing her arms. The movement pushes her breasts together, the neckline of her dress shifting lower.
Focus, Victor.
"Sure," I say. "Like how you enjoyed our little dance. I could feel it on your skin."
She gives me a dismissive laugh. "Maybe it was all in your head. If I recall correctly, I remember feeling a little something…" Shestops and points down toward my crotch. "Down there back in Romania."
I smile and nod. "It's not little."
"Oh, poor Victor. Did I hurt your pride? Wound your ego?"
I laugh. "You're good. If you keep it up, maybe I'll prove it to you."
She rolls her eyes and scoffs. "I'd love to stay and continue this little chat with you, but I need to go. So give me back my knife and stop following me."
I sigh. "You know I can't do that."
"Fine." She uncrosses her arms, her hands dropping to her sides. "Fuck it. I don't need it. You can keep it. Just stay out of my way. I'm serious."
She walks past me, heading for the stairs to the third floor.
"That tablet," I say.
She stops. Doesn't turn around.
"I know you're here for it."
Finally, she turns, and I step forward. "Those blue eyes of yours gave it away."
"You need to leave, now, Victor. Forget whatever it is you're doing here or after and go."
She turns and starts up the stairs.
"You won't get past the security system," I say. "It's too intricate. Too advanced. I saw it."
"What do you mean you saw it?"
I climb a few steps toward her. "Look. I don't know why you're here. Who you're really working for, clearly not the Bratva Don. But if we both want the tablet," I smile, "then we're going to have to work together."
"Excuse me?" she asks, whipping around.
"I'm serious. If we don't, neither of us will get it. I was going to take it off him, but I've been thinking. You're right. There's just too much security. Which, I can tell, you're trying to avoid too."
She crosses her arms, and I hate that I notice her breasts shift again.
I force my gaze back up to her face, and I know she's going to say yes because she doesn't have a choice. And of course I'm going to have to double-cross her, because that's what she's planning. And with all that, here I am trying not to stare at her chest.
"You'll just fuck me over," she says.
I walk up to her and extend her knife, handle first. "Danika, I would never do that. We'll have to trust each other now, or we're both as good as dead."
She hesitates, then takes the blade. "Fine."
She turns and starts up the stairs.
"Uhh, where are you going?" I ask.
