Viktor’s full attention is on me.
“How come I haven’t heard of you before? A chemist of your caliber... you should’ve been working for me a long time.”
I clear my throat and keep my voice steady.
“I’ve just become available for work recently. I was... gone for a while.”
Viktor’s eyebrow rises.
“Gone? As in... you took a vacation?”
Roman laughs. “Yeah, Dad. Behind bars.”
“How unfortunate. Well, I am glad you’re with us now.” He snaps his fingers at Garrett. “Pay the girl.”
Garrett nods and leaves the terrace. Once he’s gone and I’m left alone with the Kyzer boss and his three sons, I make a split-second decision and lean forward before I can second-guess myself. I lower my voice to a whisper, mindful of the guards by the entrance.
“I would like to talk to you in private.”
Viktor’s eyebrows furrow. My stomach drops, and I think I’ve made a terrible mistake.
“Crimson Haze is a profitable drug,” I go on. “One of the best on the market. But I have better for you.”
“What do you mean better?”
“I know how to improve the formula. No. Better than that. I know how to change it into something you’ve never seen before.”
There’s a long silence. Roman shifts beside me, his smile faltering, as if he isn’t sure what’s happening. Lucien and Cesar lean forward.
Viktor’s face is unreadable. Then he snaps his fingers at the guards.
“Leave!”
The guards hesitate for a fraction of a second.
He snaps again, louder.
“I said leave!”
The guards exit through the dragon’s maw. That’s when Viktor leans forward, his elbows on his knees.
“Go on. I’m listening.”
Chapter Twenty
Wren
I force my hands to stay steady as I reach for the vial of Crimson Haze.
“All I need is the feather of a phoenix. Not a whole feather, just a barb. So, a single feather can go a long way. I know phoenix feathers are rare, but trust me, this is worth it.”
Viktor’s eyes are fixed on me with the kind of intensity that probably makes most people squirm.
“You want to add it to the Crimson Haze? And what will happen if you do that?”
I place the vial back on the table and lean back against the couch, crossing my arms. The grin that spreads across my face is genuine because I know I have him hooked.
“Bring me a phoenix feather, and I’ll show you.”
