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I find Nicola sitting at the bar with a glass in hand. Looking tired as can be, I know I’m not going to make his day any easier withthe request I’ve thought up while hunting the man down.
He swallows down the burning liquid, looking lost in his head before noticing my arrival. He looks me up and down, reading my thoughts using nothing but the state of my body. I must look rough.
He’s the one who technically sent the twins out. Expecting everything to go flawlessly as I had, I know his frown is growing because I’m here instead of dirtying my hands.
“What happened?”
There’s no use beating around the bush when it comes to this man. I clear my throat.
“We need to keep V alive.” As soon as the words leave my lips, he scoffs. “I’m serious. She’s good, we both know that much. She can help fill the holes in our security.”
Nicola beckons one of the women behind the bar to refill his glass. He’s in a bad mood from the looks of it. I can ask as a form of distraction, but if it only upsets him more, I don’t want his sour mood to affect the outcome of V’s survival.
“Here I heard how eager you were for this hacker’s arrival.” Murmuring against his now full glass, he takes in a swallow. “What changed?”
I can’t tell him the truth, but I can’t possibly lie to him either. Not unless I want to lose my tongue and the safety of my position in our family.
“She’s…not what I expected.” Fidgeting with my tie, I force myself to maintain eye contact with the man. “I don’t want to waste an opportunity to get back at those around us. If we monitor her well enough, she can help us. Rather than exposing us, she can return the favor to any bastard who tries to get in our way.”
His nose scrunches at my request. Turning away, he doesn’t reply. I take this as a good thing. He’sthinking.That’s more than I expected to get out of him. Finally, he sets his glass down.
“V can help us.” I press a finger against the bar to cement the idea. “She can track too, we know that well. If anyone tries to cross us again, you know we can use her.”
His eyes flick over in my direction.Thatcatches his attention. “You think she’s that good enough to find someone?”
I nod. Sure, I don’t actually know. Still, it’s the answer he needs to be satisfied.
“She’s your responsibility.” His frown doesn’t lessen. “If she fucks us over, you’ll both receive equal punishment.”
Meaning, that if he wants her dead, I’m facing the same fate. Once I accept, there’s no escaping.
It’s a lot to take on from someone I’ve just met in person.A stranger. I’m risking a lot by making this request.
I want her alive and for whatever reason, I’m willing to use my life as the cost.
“I’ll keep a close eye on her.” Thanking him softly, our conversation ends there. Ordering a much-needed drink, I prepare myself to share the good news.
Veronica
Dante Lombardi. He’s more intimidating than I originally expected. Through the lenses of cameras, nothing captured his true essence. He’s the kind of man who steps on pests, that’s for sure.
Seeing him hover over me, I got to experience such a fearful feeling up close.
With his surprising height, it won’t even take much effort to get me beneath his heel. One step is all it’ll take to crush this gal. That is if my heart doesn’t do the final blow first.
Am I going to experience a heart attack at my age? If so, it’ll be from fear or something far more insane.
Ever since he took that bag off my head and stared down at me, there’s been a constant throb. I can’t describe the pounding like the way it reacted to being captured. This is new.
I don’t need to think too deeply about it, the answer has always been right in front of me.
I felt a watered-down version of this when I began watching him through the feeds. There’s an emptiness in my chest, one that slowly fills each time I get into their systems.
Now that I’m here, I’m flooded with these awful sensations all at once. Ones that leave my hairs on the back of my neck standing on edge and my skin warm. At least I’m as alone as I can be. The camera in the corner is present, but I don’t feel like I’m being watched.
I’m too focused on what is going on in my head to care who could be spectating.
