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So, I won’t look too long.
“Are you listening to me?” he demanded suddenly. Kozien rapped his knuckles on the table as if he knew damn well she had not been listening.
“Of course,” she responded, smiling. “Wouldn’t miss a single word.” Gianna was still trying to hold in the sigh, but by now it might have even become a yawn.
“What was I saying?”
Really?
“You were telling me that you are a much better seeker than your brothers.” Gianna looked him right in the face so she didn’t roll her eyes. She wasn’t exactly sure he’d been talking about his brothers, but it had been a common theme so far and most likely a safe bet.
“I was,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes as if he didn’t believe her. “They are fools, really. Compared to me, they have no skill. I truly am the best man for this job.”
Gianna stared at him and nodded, a little unnerved by the way his big, purple eyes were fixed on her. She was feeling an intense draw toward him, especially when he met her gaze like that.
I’m not on a fucking date. I’m here to hire a private investigator!
She was seriously beginning to wonder if Kozien could stop talking about himself long enough to see anything except his own superiority.
Or me. He seems to like looking at me.
Gianna shut those thoughts down. She wasn’t here for romance. It was pretty clear Kozien was in a very serious relationship with himself anyway.
“I’m not saying it will be easy.” Kozien made careful gestures with those lovely hands. “I’m actually saying quite the opposite. This is precisely why you need me. Given the types of creatures that hang out on Noxxa, it could take me a while.”
“That’s definitely not what I want to hear,” she muttered.
Kozien nodded, his expression serious. “I’m afraid anyone else you might think of hiring will tell you the same, but I can guarantee you, I will find him. Others won’t be able to give you such a guarantee.”
Gianna narrowed her eyes. “How can you be so sure you will succeed where no one else can?”
Kozien straightened, practically puffing out his chest. She noticed the way he angled his head as he raised his chin, as if he was going to butt something with his curved horns.
“Because I am not like any of the others. I thrive in such dangerous conditions. I’m worth every single credit youdon’thave.”
He was starting to grow rather cocky the longer they talked, and Gianna found she kind of liked it.Wait. No. No romance, Gianna!
“Normally, I’d charge a significant amount up front,” he said, leaning forward and looking into her eyes. “I’m just that good at what I do. I know I can demand a high price. But, as you mentioned on the phone, I’m considering a little pro bono work. Just to help out the little guy and beef up business.”
She knew he had seemed a little sympathetic at first, but the more he questioned her—and talked about himself—the more he was starting to sound like everyone else. She had already told him how she didn’t want to fork her body over, yet he seemed to be implying something now.
“Thank you for seeing me.” Gianna attempted to sound firm but polite. “I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my case. I’m not sure this is what I’m looking for, though.”
Kozien narrowed his eyes, an expression of confusion dancing across his features. She didn’t want to hang around and find out what was behind that look. She was already sick of hearing him talk.
Gianna was wary of him, and the more she thought about it, the more she disliked the fact that he was a Lorr warrior. Those guys were known for getting things their own way, no matter what, and she didn’t think anyone so arrogant could actually find her brother.
I have to get out of here without offending this big-headed, short-sighted fool!
Even with all his talk about loving the charity side of his work, Kozien was starting to get worried. As Gianna tried to back out of the deal, he knew she wouldn’t be able to offer him anything. He had talked up the pro bono work, but he was starting to doubt himself, wondering how this would ever help business.
He struggled with himself, just a little. He should just let her walk away and find a well-paying job that his brothers would respect. The thing was, she was just too enticing. No way could he let her go.
“So,” Gianna was saying. “As much as I appreciate the meeting, I think I should go now.”
“No,” Kozien snapped. “Wait. You need me. I will find him. I promise you that. Even though I’m doing this pro bono, I’ll still find him.”
Gianna stared at him, her wide, dark-brown eyes regarding him with quiet stillness. Her expression was carefully controlled. He knew he hadn’t convinced her, not yet.
