“What thefuck!” he roared.
I’d hoped that little kick would take him down, but it hadn’t, so I needed to skedaddle. I hauled ass through the next room, where several men were sitting on sofas that had seen better days.
“Nero?”
One of them gestured toward the door on my left.
“Don’t tell her a fucking thing!” Bulldog roared.
I launched myself at the door before they could jump up off the sofa. My hands fumbled with the handle. On my third try, the door opened, and my gaze met amused black.
I’d never been particularly religious. But I liked to think we all had a soul, and after we died, that soul wentsomewhere. Nero was the only person I’d ever met who made me question that theory. His eyes were dead, and I just knew by looking at them that there was a huge vacancy where his soul should be.
“Meredith.” He smiled. I didn’t shiver, but it was close.
He held up his hand as Bulldog appeared in the doorway. “Leave.”
He didn’t have to say it twice. His men left the door open, but that was fine. The more people who saw this little demonstration, the better.
As long as my magic cooperated.
Nero waved his hand and gestured to the seat in front of his desk. A laptop sat on that desk, along with a folder of files. He’d always fancied himself a businessman.
“What can I do for you?”
I swallowed. His smile broadened.
Nero was young, given how much power he had in the city. He was the kind of guy you’d struggle to pick out of a lineup. No tattoos or piercings. Nothing to make it easy to identify him. But once you looked into those soulless black eyes, you never forgot them.
I took a deep breath. Yeah, I’d been terrified coming here all those years ago. I’d been close to losing the bar, and I’d just made the decision to open it up to paranormals. I was young and inexperienced, and I’d assumed my father’s debts died with him. Nero’s messenger had made it clear that wasn’t the case.
My entire body had trembled as I’d walked through the front door and into his office. But now? After everything I’d seen over the past year? Nero was no longer someone who made me shake in my boots. That didn’t mean I was dumb enough not to consider him a serious threat.
I gave Nero a placid smile. Sure, he was powerful among humans. But I’d fought in the underworld. I’d seen blood and death and battle. I counted some of the most powerful creatures in any of the realms as my friends, and the way they casually used their powers had made me realize just how little of it Nero truly had.
Of course, he still had plenty of guns.
“You graffitied my bar, you son of a bitch.” It popped out of my mouth before I was aware I’d spoken. I rolled my shoulders. No worries. Start out the way you mean to go on.
Surprise flickered over Nero’s face. He was used to people kissing his ass as they begged for extensions on their loans.
“When you signed your agreement, you accepted that there would be consequences for nonpayment.”
“I’m paying the agreed amount.”
“The interest has increased. The economy is turning to shit.”
“A 35% increase is bullshit. I’ve always paid you on time, Nero.”
“I’m a businessman. I have expenses. Interest is going up for everyone.” Something feral flickered in his gaze, and I angled my head.
“But not by 35%. Why did you increase the interest so much for my loan?”
“I like your bar.”
“And?”
“I want to own it.”
