“I’m afraid so, yes,” she replies, inclining her head a little.
I stretch out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She smiles and shakes it. “Likewise, Mr. Ledger.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Do I wanna know how you know who I am?”
She lets go of my hand and takes a small sip of her water. “I didn’t take you for the type to underestimate yourself.”
“I assure you, I’m not. But not every guest here tonight knows me, orofme, for that matter.”
“A shame, if you ask me.” She waves a hand dismissively at the crowd below. “But then again, I don’t consider myself one of them, so you shouldn’t misconstrue my skills.”
I don’t sense defensiveness or annoyance in her tone, and her body language shows signs of ease instead of alarm.
“I wouldn’t dare to,” I tell her, then gesture around us. “So, one killer to another: what do you think of the gala?”
Safiya’s face contorts. “I’d rather spend my time at a zoo.”
“Oof, theaccuracy.”
She scoffs. “You’re here on business, then?”
I grin. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you wouldn’t have been here otherwise.”
I arch a brow. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re a killer, Mr. Ledger, and a magnificent one at that. I don’t see you attending galas in your spare time when you could be spending it with those you care for the most.” She lifts a shoulder. “At least that’s how it is for me. You can tell me if I’m wrong.”
I don’t wanna say I’m impressed, butdamn, I’m impressed.
“You’d be correct,” I say. “And please, call me Dorran. Mr. Ledger makes me sound like an upper class, and that isnotsomething I would wish upon myself, or even my worst enemy.” I point a thumb downward. “May they rest in hell.”
Safiya laughs – the sound gentle, airy. But she stops suddenly and glances sideways, towards the stairway behind her, then looks up at me with an expression I can’t quite put a finger on. “Well, as unfortunate as it is, our time has come to an end. For now.” She offers me a hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Dorran. Let’s have a sit-down sometime. I would love to meet Cignette and the rest of your crew.”
I smile as I shake her hand. “Of course. It was nice meeting you as well.”
She nods and pulls back her hand, and then, glancing sideways one more time, she smirks before saying, “Do tell your client that the next time he decides to invite a Gaddafi to one of his shindigs, the least he can do is offer a better collection ofwines at the open bar. Becausekahretsin, the ones I’ve had to taste tonight are sure to give me lifelong nightmares.” And with that, she walks away from me and down the stairs on the other side.
“I see you’ve mether.”
I look up, and find Aras making his way to me, with a glass full of scotch in one hand.
“She asked me to tell you that your wine collection is shitty,” I say, then click my tongue. “I mean, she didn’t exactly phrase it like that, but the sentiment was the same, I assure you.”
Aras smirks patronizingly. “She’d turn into a frog if she didn’t affront me in some way or another, so I’m not surprised she said that.”
“I sense something here,” I remark, then pull out a box of cigarettes from my jacket pocket. “Mind if I…” I wave a cigarette at him.
“Please, go ahead.” He grabs a thick glass ashtray from a small table behind him and places it between us on the railing.
“Thanks, man.” I put the cigarette between my lips and light it up, then take a long, satisfying puff before pulling it out. “So, what’s the issue here?”
“For someone who has a reputation of minding his own business, you sure are being very nosy right now.”
I laugh and take another drag from my cigarette. “I’m allowed to evolve as a human being, alright?” I tell him, and when he snorts, I add, “Also, having spoken to her right now, I thought she was pretty fucking cool.”
