I can’t help but blink at this despite my more pressing concern to fill my lungs with clean air again.
How does Valentine owe anyone, let alone this seemingly obtuse man, anything?
Valentine’s eyes flicker down to me before returning to the man.
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
“Good, then it appears we have a deal,” Julius says before shifting forward, the leather of his chair groaning, to stamp out the cigar somewhere on the desk above. “Honestly, I was beginning to think it would take a great deal more to convince you. Horacio was going to have my head, if I didn’t find a way to get you to agree to opening night.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Valentine scoffs, “I may still take it before the end.”
“I’d expect nothing less from you,” Julius says with a cold laugh, grunting as he pushes himself up onto his feet. “I swear it’ll be worth your time. Horacio has pulled out all the stops. Just wait until you try the new stuff. You’ll be raking in the dough in no time at all.”
“Does it look like I care about the money?” Valentine snorts.
“Of course not, but you know, it never hurts to have a bit more.” Valentine’s lip slightly curls up over his teeth in disgust. “Besides, I’m sure the trip will be more than worth the while for you, if you catch my drift.”
“I’ll be the judge of whether or not my time and money have been wasted on the two of you. Now, get out before I change my mind about coming.”
“Yes, of course. Oh, and you’re welcome to bringing your new little plaything along, too. She could probably learn a thing or two—”
“Out!”
The man laughs darkly at this, as if he knows he’s just caught Valentine out.
“See youbothin two weeks,” Julius says before I hear his heavy footsteps turn and exit the room.
Valentine releases his hold on me, and I crumple to the floor, coughing and gasping for air. The lingering smoke forcing me to cough again and again as it claws its way out of my throat.
“Who was that?” I gasp, blinking away the tears.
Valentine ignores me, exhaling deeply as he pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.
For a split second, I can’t help but be reminded of Dante by this. I shake my head, mannerisms aside, they’re very different men.
At least that’s what I have to keep telling myself. I have to hope that Dante is alive and that he and Seven mean to save me from this man.
“Come,” Valentine finally says, getting to his feet, “if you’re going to be known as my plaything, you might as well play the part.”
2
Dante
Istare out over the city, my hands held behind my back, as I try not to imagine what Evi might be going through at this very moment.
“She’s not here,” Seven growls, storming into my office, “and neither is Luci, the shithead.”
I drop my head as I turn to look at Seven, who’s now pacing back and forth in front of my desk, his face twisting with rage.
Of course, I’d known this the moment we stepped into the elevator. We’d both known this.
There was no trace of either Evi or Luci, lingering or otherwise, but Seven had insisted on searching the penthouse nonetheless.
“I think we both know where she is,” I say. “Assuming she’s still alive, that is.”
“Luci brought her to him, didn’t he? I was right about him using, wasn’t I?”
“I don’t know, but your guess is as good as mine.”