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"Indeed."
"Is he here?"
A shadow crosses JJ’s features. "He’s back in LA. He seems to prefer the US to our country."
"Oh." I sense something else he’s not telling me, but I am not going to ask him to explain that.
He guides me to a chair in front of the fire. "What will you drink? Coffee? A brandy maybe?"
"A brandy sounds good."
He moves to the bar, pours out two snifters of brandy and walks over to hand one to me. He seats himself then holds up his glass, "To you,Signora."
I raise my glass and take a sip. The taste is exquisite. "To what do I owe this wining and dining?" I fix my gaze on him.
He laughs, then contemplates his drink, "My father, rest his soul, was not a very empathetic man. Well, that’s putting it mildly. He was a complete villain."
"Coming from you, I’d better believe it."
He chuckles. "There was only one piece of advice he gave me which I adore, to this day."
"Which is?"
"He told me to always keep one step ahead of the enemy. To never show him your cards, and to surprise him when he least expects it."
"So that’s why you decided to take me from the island; so you could show my husband that you’re better than him?"
"Not just better, but faster, more lethal, more dangerous, more unpredictable, more everything…"
"Never."
"Excuse me?" He frowns. "Would you mind repeating yourself?"
So polite. Fuck, this guy’s a joke. "I said that you couldn’t hold a candle to him."
"Is that right?" He stares at me, then breaks into a laugh that sends shivers down my spine. This guy...he’s certifiable. He straightens, and just like, that all mirth is wiped from his face. He leans forward, his movements careful, precise, as he places his glass on the table in front of us.
"But then, you are biased." He strokes his chin, "You would be; you are his wife."
"Why have you brought me here?"
"You are a clever girl; haven’t you figured it out by now?"
"To hold me as ransom?"
He clicks his tongue, "How pleb would that be? No, nothing like that… I am simply going to use you as a negotiating tool to get what I need from him."
"Like I said, a ransom."
"A simple give and take. He has what I want, and I have something that is very precious to him. All he has to do is give me what I want, and in return, he can take what’s his."
"Michael will never forgive you for this."
"Not doing this to win friends."
"He is going to kill you."
"Love a challenge."
