Elise goes as still as a statue.
“I’ve heard stories about what they do to traitors in your family. I might even make it a point to swing by to see for myself.”
“You son of a bitch. I can’t believe you were having me looked into this whole time. I thought we had an understanding.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I make it a point to have the people I do business with looked into. It’s common practice in our world. It’s not my fault your father didn’t bother to teach you.”
Elise says something under her breath and clenches her hands together.
“For now, you’re going to make sure your father’s allies don’t retaliate,” I reply, before reaching for my drink again. “If you don’t, I might start sending body parts. I’d say he doesn’t need all his fingers.”
Elise pales further. “How far do you think you’re going to take this? My father’s allies won’t stay quiet for long.”
I tilt the glass in her direction and smile. “That’s where you come in. I think a little hands on experience will be good for you.”
Elise mutters something under her breath.
I finish my drink and straighten my back again. “Perhaps a little demonstration is in order for you to—”
“No,” Elise says, a little louder than intended. She swallows and blows out a breath. “I’ll do what I can, but you know this isn’t how things work in our world.”
I set the empty glass down and pick up the phone on my desk. “It is a pity we couldn’t keep being on the same side. I have a feeling you’re going to grow into quite the leader.”
Elise shoots me a withering look and says nothing.
Moments later, one of Carlisle’s men comes in, dragging a sweaty looking Thatcher in tow. He blinks, and as soon as he sees Elise, his shoulders heave, and a sob falls from his lips. Elise steps forward and catches him before he falls to the floor. She holds him to her and says something into his ear. A moment later, my man steps forward and yanks Thatcher backward.
Elise’s expression is tight when she twists to face me. “How do I know you’re not going to throw him in a basement somewhere to starve? And don’t tell me to take your word for it. We both know it won’t work this time.”
My smile grows wider. “Fair enough. What kind of proof do you want?”
“Three phone calls a day.”
“Once a day, and he’ll be monitored the whole time. If I find out either of you are trying to fuck with me, you’ll never find his body.”
Elise looks back at her father and hangs her head.
Slowly, she nods and looks back at me. “Fine.”
I offer my man a nod, and he begins to drag Thatcher away. The man snivels and whimpers as he calls out for his daughter while disgust and frustration build within me.
Pathetic coward.
I have no idea how he wound up being the head of his family, nor do I care.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s one less problem to deal with.
“When I’m satisfied your father has played no part in the attack, he’ll be released,” I tell Elise, after a lengthy pause. “As for the information I have….well, as long as your family doesn’t ally itself with our enemies, I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”
Elise licks her lips and takes a step in the direction of the door. “What about our arrangement?”
“Your men will continue to do our bidding. As for the engagement, I’ll leave you to deal with the press. I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Make yourself into the victim for all I care.”
Elise stares at me for a while longer.
I sit down. “I trust you can see yourself out.”
She straightens her back, and a moment later throws the door open and storms out of the study.
