Page 34 of Dishonored

She was a woman.

Delicate looking, all things considered.

Distractingly beautiful.

Entirely unassuming.

Nothing that this man expected when it came to a boss, and it put her at every possible advantage over him because of it.

“I did not mean to make you wait, Angelo,” Aria said, smiling sweetly.

“I …”

The man was speechless.

Unsure.

Wary.

Hesitant.

Everything she wanted.

Aria didn’t fidget or move at all as Angelo’s gaze drifted over her and took every bit of her in with a slow, confused expression drifting over his old features. “Do you prefer to sit when you do business, or stand? I don’t mind either.”

That question broke the man from his daze.

“Neither,” he snapped. “Not when it comes to a woman.”

She could feel the change in the room.

The way Angelo’s men became uncomfortable.

“You did agree to a meeting,” she pointed out, “and with the boss. Until my father is released from his sentence, or my husband returns from business in Italy, that is me.”

“I was led to believe—”

“That you would be meeting with the boss.”

“I talked to a man!” Angelo snapped.

Aria tipped her head in Nico’s direction. “I find men are more amicable to other men when details need to be hammered out for these things. I am sure you understand.”

“No, actually, I don’t.”

“Shame, then.”

“Yes,” Angelo barked, snapping a finger at one of his men, and making a motion with his hand. She knew right then that this meeting was over. “It is a shame. I had hoped to finish this.”

“We still can.”

He scoffed. “No.”

“Then you should know, Angelo, it will only get worse. The streets, and the issues. Your people dying. And oh, sure, mine are too. The difference? Mine are a dime a dozen, and can be easily replaced. It’s how Camorra works, and why we are so resilient. Your Cosa Nostra cannot say the same, can it? There will be more blood in the streets, Angelo, until you give me what I want. It’s a shame you won’t even stay long enough to hear what it is.”

And he didn’t stay.

He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.