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“You’re not the only one with skills. Jac thinks I’m a boring, joyless fucker. He sees surface and he projects his prejudice. It muddies waters. This isn’t his style. I spend my time doing what you do. I observe. I take notes. I read a room and take my time. For instance…”
He leans forward and says, without looking up. “She’ll have the Kobe beef, rare with the wasabi pea broth and pea shoots. I’ll have the sashimi ribbons and poached wild mushrooms. And…another round.”
The waiter, who I didn’t notice, nods, takes the menus, and disappears.
“Where was I? Oh, for instance…you’re aware of the toys in and on you, but you’re also relieved I’m not turning up the butterfly. You can handle this.” Hendrick smiles once more, and this time it takes on a wicked hue. “But what you’re failing to ask is just how long you can take it before it reaches a crescendo.”
“So you’re going to turn it up?”
“No. Not yet. It’s going to stay like that. All through dinner. All through dessert, while we dance. Drinks. And it’s going to start building, and you’re going to want it to stop, want it to increase and then…”
I shift, annoyed, because he’s right. There’s an edge to it, not much, but more than there was, and I flick my glance away to find that same man looking. I don’t linger, I look back atHendrick and note another man, older, curly hair, ugly, trying not to watch. “You’re an ass, Hendrick.”
“No, I’m a punishing ass, Magdalena.” He pauses. “And who have you noticed.”
“The same man, as well as someone behind you with curly hair.”
“Ugly?”
“Yes.”
“A Gimboni.”
There’s a longer pause and the edge starts to grow. His dark eyes are on me, and I swear the way he looks at me does more than the fucking toy because a throb starts deep in me and my clit seems to push with each beat against the butterfly’s body.
I gulp my drink just as the next one arrives with our dinner.
“Magdalena, I’m just going to say this once. If you know where my necklace is, tell me now.”
I open my mouth to tell him to go fuck himself but I don’t. He told me earlier they’re not going to just let me go, even if I do all this right. And he’s not wrong.
Deep inside, the knell of betrayal rings alongside the knell of truth. My plan with Harry’s a good one, with a dangerous edge. I might be planning to take the jewels and pass off fakes. But…
Betraying Hendrick and Jac’s one thing, doing things that cause them harm’s another.
I can separate things, and I need their help. They need mine. I’m going to be gone at the end of this, but I’m going to have to work with them. Shit, I just might, if I find the Heart of Dark Desires, leave Hendrick and Jac to fight over the real one.
“I was too drugged up. I know I did something but…” I frown. “They probably think I never got it in the first place if I handed over something else. Do you still have the fake?”
He spreads his hands. “In my safe, Cat.”
“They don’t know. That’s why they sent the note to Jac. And to Harry.”
“Why not me?” He picks up his Hibiki and takes a sip, motioning with the glass for me to eat more.
I do. I didn’t think I was hungry, but I am.
“Because they know you might have it?” I consider my words. “Or they think you do.”
“Conquer and divide?”
“I don’t know.” I suck in a breath. “Can I have my burner and phone?”
The buzzing is still at the same level. I know it, but I move, trying to get in a more comfortable position, something that doesn’t seem to push it further against my clit. Because it seems more intense, the sensations shimmering outwards, and the almost smile on his face says he knows exactly what’s happening to me.
Knows his prediction is coming true.
Kinky fucking bastard.
