She swallows and the knife moves against her skin. I nod once. “This is how things are going to go. You’re going to stop flirting with and eyeing my boyfriends and tell me everything I want to know. If you don’t, I might follow that childhood dream of being a doctor.”
“What?”
“But you’d need an injury for me to treat.” I press the sharp blade tighter against her skin, giving her a shallow cut. “One that requires more than band-aids to fix.”
She keeps watching me. “Money talks more than threats, honey.”
“You’re not the only one that loves a challenge.” I press harder until she gasps and whimpers. When she shakes her head, I stop. “I’m not fucking around, Jane. Answers or dealing with me.”
“Bitch.” She hisses.
“Pot calling the kettle black.” I wave it away.
“What do you want to know?”
“Are there any backups in place?”
“Only John. I work alone. I told the asshole I wouldn’t take the contract if he didn’t trust me.” She gets that sassy look in her eyes again. “I have a perfect record.”
“Had,” I correct her. “the pay agreement?”
“A million dollars. Half up front.”
“I’m almost flattered that my life is worth at least that.” I muse. “But I have more than that in my closet, so ...” I dig my knee into her thigh until she grunts.
“By the way, you should check what your employer is capable of,” Gio chimes in. He shows her something on the phone and Sharon gapes. Gio nods. “let that influence you however you wish.”
“This seems rather simple then. Get the homicidal barbie off me and I’m gone.”
I arch an eyebrow. “How canIbe sure. I’m so paranoid after all.”
“I don’t kill people for less than I’m quoted. If he can’t pay, he doesn’t get what he wants. Let me go, attack the fall guy, live your privileged life to the fullest and we all get what we want.”
“Or?” I ask.
16
GIO
Juliana’s out for blood. I know that. A blow to her ego she can take, a threat on her life, she won’t tolerate. She’s broken skin already.
“Or kill me and go to jail for murder. Up to you.” Jane hisses.
Nolan growls and almost bites Jane as she starts to move. Apparently the threat of little teeth on an ankle does plenty. Jane glances at the dogs. “Call them off.”
“Convinceme,” Juliana repeats.
“You’ll never see me again and trust me, I don’t want to see you. I’ll pull name from the Volkov list.”
“Already done,” Konstantin reports. “we don’t work with traitors.”
“I wasn’t a traitor when I was hired,” Jane spits out. “and if you have me labelled like that-”
“What will you do?” Juliana traces Jane’s collarbone with the tip of the knife, reminding her of her position. “Hurt my boyfriend? Go after him?”
“I thought you were with Gio.” She distracts.
“I have a whole lot of love to give.” Juliana brushes off. “Answer or bleed, bitch.”