“No.” I stepped around Omar and leaned down over her, my face drawn tight. “Because you want something only I can get you.”
She shrugged a shoulder, trying for nonchalance, but I didn’t miss the way she swallowed or glanced at my scar.
“I can’t risk my cover being blown. Not even for you, Mr. Stavros. But if you don’t want my money?—”
Quick as a lightning bolt—and just as deadly—I snatched the torch from her hand and grabbed her wrist with the other, yanking her in close. I held it up by the side of her beautiful face, and as the shadows of the flames flickered over the sharp angles of her smooth skin, I said, “Then what? I don’t usually like to start my meetings off with threats, but if that’s the tone you’d like to set, I’m happy to play.”
I shifted the torch a little closer and she reared back, clenching her teeth.
“Nothing to add?” I asked.
When she shook her head, I released her with a gentle shove and handed the torch to Omar.
Straightening her shoulders, she led us into the small, circular room that was barely big enough for the five of us—which included both male and female guards standing behind a table for two. Josefina gestured for me to take a seat before doing the same, and I could feel Omar’s tensed form beside me. It was a dangerous situation to put ourselves in without knowingever-changing motivations and loyalty. Trust wasn’t something you could give in this line of work, not even to those around you.
“What can I do for you?” I said, keeping my gaze steady on her, giving her all my attention and ignoring her backup. I didn’t give a shit about the guards. Omar would be trained on them, and giving even a glance in their direction would make me look like I was worried.Fuck that.
“You are aware that I don’t know you.”
It was a bold way for her to start the conversation, especially when we’d met before. I wasn’t going to bring that up, though, not when I’d been an inconsequential second-in-command.
“You’ve had a long working relationship with my mentor, Giorgos. There’s no reason we can’t continue to be of service to each other.”
She scoffed. “You say that and yet you have my building surrounded.”
I glanced pointedly up at her guards. “Safety precautions are necessary, don’t you agree?” When she didn’t answer, just continued to stare at me, I added,“So again I’ll ask, what can I do for you?”
I hadn’t come all this way not to make a deal, but if she wanted to sit here and have a staring contest before putting in an order, I wouldn’t blink.
“Guns,” she finally said, drumming her long red fingernails on the table. “I want the latest and greatest. Combat knives. Chemical and explosive grenades.”
I nodded, took the tablet Omar offered, and flicked through until a selection of grenades came up, then handed it over. “Take a look at the inventory, make a selection, and I’ll get it for you.”
Josefina took the tablet. “Just like that?”
“Yes. After you transfer the funds, of course.”
“Of course. You have something of everything in stock, then?”
“I have ways ofgettingsomething of everything.” I slipped my hands into my pockets. “You want to test me? Go ahead. I’m not going to stop you from buying one of everything.”
She grunted but then shifted her attention to the tablet, punching in the quantities she wanted before flipping through to the next section—semiautomatic rifles and pistols. It was your one-stop online shop for black market weapons. Click and add to cart—it was that easy.
“There, you get those to me within the month and you can consider my business yours.”
“You get me your money by the end of theweekand I might consider keeping you on the books.”
Josefina gave a clipped nod. “Fair enough. But you fuck with me, I won’t take it lying down.”
I scoffed and gave her a slow once-over. “Don’t worry, Miss Nováková, you’re not my type.”
She bristled under my intense gaze, probably used to seducing men into doing whatever she wanted. But unfortunately for her, my interests lay warm and naked back in my bed.
A place I was ready to return to—now.
“If we’re done here, I have some other pressing matters I must attend to tonight.”
She gestured to the stairs. “I trust you won’t be offended if I don’t see you out?”
