“I promise you, princess. You will never regret letting me in. Letting me show you what I will do for you.”
I open my eyes and he smiles gently. “I have plans tonight but I’ll talk to you tomorrow and we’ll set things up. You’ll get the fantasy you’ve been dreaming of and so much more.”
With a last lingering kiss, he stalks out and I lean against the door, watching him go.
Did I make the right choice? I don’t know. This could all go horribly sideways and if it does, I’ve just signed away my best friend.
CHAPTER6
Kane
I openthe door and let Judas and another man into the restaurant. I eye the unknown man curiously. He’s dressed in a suit that fits him so well it has to be custom-tailored. His arrogant, high-nosed face turns to me, his dark eyes studying me shrewdly.
I head to the bar and get my bottle out again. “Well, Judas? Who’s your friend?” I pour us all glasses and wait for them to take a sip.
“Good scotch,” the stranger says.
I tip my head to him. “Only the best for Judas and his friend.”
They both sit down at the bar across from me. Judas nods at the man. “This is my…friend, Micah. He’s got a proposition for you.”
Micah holds up a hand. “Hang on. I need some information from you first. This is a…delicate situation. I need to be sure that I can trust you.”
Spinning the drink in my fingers, I watch the deep amber color sparkle in the overhead lights. “I don’t know how I would convince you that you can trust me. You don’t know me.”
“Answer my questions honestly. That’s all I ask. No matter how impertinent or crazy they seem.”
I nod my head and take another sip, enjoying the way the smooth liquor burns going down. Not like a nuclear explosion. More like a candle flame burning. Steady and bright. Warm.
“So…who are you?”
I nod at Judas. “He hasn’t told you anything about me?”
“No. He hasn’t. He wanted you to be able to speak for yourself.”
I nod at Judas. “I’m not sure if I should thank you or punch you, friend.”
He chuckles. “Up to you. Just know that if you pick the second option I’ll punch back, asshole.”
“Got it. What do you want to know?”
“Where are you from?”
“Detroit.”
“Is that where your family is from?”
“Yes. But I don’t have anything to do with them anymore.”
Micah cocks his head and his dark eyes sharpen. “Why?”
I sigh and lean on the bar. “My family is the Cardoba family.”
“The mob?” There’s a crack as the glass is slammed down on the bar. He eyes me and Judas angrily. “Are you crazy? There’s no way in hell I want a member of the mob meeting Dev. Let alone touching her.”
He stands up and storms to the door, flinching and growling when Judas yanks at his arm. “Give him a minute to explain. He’s not involved with them. He’s a good guy.”
Micah shoots him a skeptical look. “Have you ever heard that saying about you never leave the mob? That’s because you’re either in the mob or you’re dead.” His head tilts towards me. “That man over there just doesn’t know that he’s dead yet.”