Page 45 of Dishonored

All its sleek lines, and chrome. A bright, sexy color that would turn heads. An emblem on the front that would make a woman wet at the sight alone.

“Women love pretty cars,” she said with a smirk when Nico looked to her for an answer.

“Likely. I take it he’s probably always had a driver, or like most Capos, his work is done on the streets with a crew. He’s comfortable enough in the city that the streets probably feel like a second home.”

“Interesting perspective.”

“Yeah, I try,” her friend muttered.

Aria sighed at the tension lingering in his voice. “Just get it out.”

“It doesn’t matter what I tell you, you’re going to go through with this meeting anyway. I don’t even think you’ll need it, but here you are.”

“And yet, you want to share your opinion despite knowing it won’t make a difference to what I’m going to do. Funny how that works.”

“Let’s call it force of habit.”

“You could do that,” she replied, tipping her glass at him, “or you could just say you’re worried about me.”

“I am. I am extremely worried.”

“You shouldn’t be, Nico.”

She understood why he was, sure, but it really wasn’t going to change her resolve in all of this. She had plans to follow through on, and goals she intended to meet no matter the cost. And God knew … God knew she felt it in her fucking bones with every move she made—the cost was going to be high.

Maybe the cost to her.

Of course, the cost to others.

And anyone in her way.

What was she to do?

“I just … how far are you willing to go to see this through?” he asked. “How many organizations are you willing to ruin to get what you want, or how many men are you fine with seeing die for this cause?”

She didn’t even have to think about it.

Not really.

“As many as it takes.”

How else was she to survive this?

Caesar had his phone stuck to his ear when the hotel door was opened to showcase him standing behind it with one of Aria’s trusted men—the one other she had besides Nico—close at his side. He barely passed her a second glance where she stood in the middle of the room, and her glowering man didn’t faze him a bit, either.

In fact, he ignored them both.

His phone call seemed more important.

“Kind of busy right now, actually,” he said to whoever it was.

Aria cocked a brow, but stayed quiet.

Caesar let out a harsh sigh, and glared at the ceiling. “No, I guess you can safely assume I won’t be coming to dinner, Angelo. And no, don’t bother to apologize to Martina or Daniele for it, either. They honestly don’t give a shit.”

Ouch.

She bet family dinners at his family’s home were absolutely delightful.