My cheeks heat at the suggestive tone.
Jesus. Okay. So Viper, or rather, Vince, is flirty.
My eyes drift to his thick thighs stretching the black fabric of his slacks. When I realize I’m staring, I slap his hand away the way I would, had I not desperately wanted to be in his lap, nibbling at his powerful jaw, and return my attention to Zane. I never thought looking at Zane would be preferable, but a seductive Viper is messing with my equilibrium.
Clearing my throat, I keep my focus on Zane. “What are we buying? Rune isn’t one for collecting swords and”—I gesture to the long knives lining the table—“whatever this is.”
Viper leans over me and picks up a large curved sword, holding in both hands to show me. “A genuine Japanese Katana. Tamahagane steel.” The slick sound as he unsheathes it sends a strange heat sparking low in my belly. His thumb runs along the carvings in the handle, and he tilts the sword slightly, displaying the etches along the blade, then slides it back in its sheath and picks up another smaller knife. “A drop-point hunter crafted by Warenski.”
Zane points to a simple knife resting closer to him. “How sharp is that one?”
Viper’s thigh hits my shoulder as he leans over and picks up the knife, and another electric jolt travels through me. He keeps the knife in its case, pointing out the intricate oriental patterns that wrap along the simple wooden sheath. Out of everything on the table, it’s the least assuming, least decorated knife.
“Made from Yasugi steel,” Viper says. “The highest-quality traditional-style Japanese knives.”
“It looks like a kitchen knife,” I say as he slides it from the sheath and shows me the blade.
“It is.” He sets it down. “Some of the finest Japanese cutlery. It’s used for slicing meat.”
I frown, remembering they are selling weapons for Rune’s game hunts.
“Shall we discuss terms?” Zane asks. The way he eyes the kitchen knife makes my stomach twist grossly.
“I have the terms here.” Clyde says, crossing the room. He hands Viper a small gold envelope with a red wax seal. The one I know that holds my fate. Funny how one piece of paper can alter an entire life. If handed to the wrong person, that single note could ruin me. It almost did when Rune tried to marry me off to Zane.
Now that Zane’s called things off, I’m being offered to Viper in good faith. Rune handing me over to them shows a level of trust, not just in business, but with my life. I’m his adopted daughter, and on the outside, I’m a valuable asset.
Like Zane said, I’m here to sweeten the deal.
Sitting in the chair beside me, Viper pops the seal, removes the letter from the envelope, and slowly unfolds it, an uncaring, callous look on his stunning face. A flicker of something passes behind his eyes as he skims the letter. He rubsthe thick paper between his fingers like he’s debating the words on the page, then hands it to Breaker.
When Breaker reads what Rune wrote, he tilts his head to the side, gaze dragging over me, then hands the paper back to Viper. Like they do this every day. Bargain in women and sex and weapons.
Hell, for all I know, they do.
The thought sticks uncomfortably in the back of my mind.
Viper sets the letter down on the table, then taps a finger to the center of the page as he eyes, first Clyde, then Zane. “Does Rune often use his daughter as a bargaining chip?”
Zane gives a nonchalant shrug that makes my fingers itch to slap him. “What Rune does with his property is of no concern to me.”
Property.God, I hate this man.
“Why would he want to take the offer?” Breaker asks. “Isn’t she the one with a loose cunt?”
Red heat travels from my neck to my cheeks. “Excuse me?” I say, glaring at Zane. “You saidwhatabout me?”
“Cora,” Clyde warns, placing a hand on my shoulder. To Viper he says, “Either you accept or you don’t.”
Viper drags his eyes over me in a way that makes my cheeks burn hotter than they already were. “I accept.”
“Good,” Zane says. “When can we finalize the deal?”
“After full payment is received,” Viper says.
“She’s payment enough for now,” Zane says. “Rush it. Rune wants all the weapons in place before the members arrive. He has a special event planned.”
Viper leans back in his seat, propping an elbow on the back of the chair, leveling him with a cool gaze. “You will receive the rest of the weapons once I confirm the wire transfer.”
