My eyebrows raised. Waitstaff? I’d almost expected him to ask me tore-organize his counterfeit money division, or handle a political assassination. But instead he wanted me to act as a waitress at a house party?
“Don’t,” Sebastian whispered into my ear.
I couldn’t figure out what his angle could be. Yes, I’d be at Luca’s house and at his mercy. But he just agreed not to kill me as long as Ronan gave him information. I felt like I was missing something.
“What are the details?” I asked.
“Be at my house tonightat 6 pm.”Lucaglanced down at the attire I was wearing and a grin came across his face.“I’ll have clothes there for you to wear.”
It clicked into place.Luca wanted tohumiliateme. To show his men that he now had total control over the daughter of his rival.I clenched my teeth. I could handle it, and it’d be even more satisfying when I used the money earned against Luca.
Because I’d realized something: only one of us was getting out of this alive. And I’d do everything in my power to make sure it was me.
“Fine.”
Chapter 41
“You shouldn’t have taken his offer,” Sebastian said, when we were finally back at the house.
“Well, you should’ve warned me aboutthat.” I made sure not to mention Ronan’s name. From the lack of people inside the room when we met up with Ronan, it was obvious that they were doing everything in their power to keep awareness of his betrayal contained.
“I couldn’t let it get out. And what does it matter? Now you’re safe.” Sebastian shook his head. “Or at least you were until you agreed to Luc’s offer.”
Safe? I almost snorted. Now, not only did I have to worry about keeping myself alive, but Ronan as well.
“What’s so bad about being a waitress? My ego isn’tthatfragile,” I said.
“You know that isn’t the problem. This is a trap,” Sebastian said.
I had my own reservations, but I’d keep my guard up while I was there. But right now I had bigger problems: I couldn’t let Ronan be swept into this spiderweb. I flopped down on the couch with a sigh. Through everything he’d been like a brother to me. Although lately a disappointing one.
“Can you gethimout of the agreement?” I asked.
“I won’t.”
“Why not?” I growled, leaning up on my elbows.
“Because I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“Why? Why the fuck do you even care?”
His face went hard as slate, and I couldn’t discern what he was thinking. He stood behind the couch, looking down at me.
“You shouldn’t care,” I warned.
Before he could respond I sprang up from the couch. I could feel his eyes on my back as I headed back to the safety of my room.
???
At five thirty, I was in the vestibule waiting for Sebastian to take me to his brother’s event. I hadn’t bothered with putting any makeup on my face, or wearing anything fancier than a sweatsuit. Sebastian strode towards me, a custom black suit accentuating his long muscular form. His eyes revealed nothing as we headed towards the garage.
Twenty minutes later wepulledinto the garageof theAmato family’sbrownstone. When I stepped out of the car,thesimilarities between this time and last time struck me.Just like last time,Sebastian leaned against a nearby car and watched me getting searched for weapons byhismen.
And just like last time,Iwasentering thismarbled hallway needing money, and depending on the Amato family to give it to me.Would they try to screw me over this time, too?
Sebastian and I stepped into the elevator, and I wondered if this time when I leftthatI wouldbe holdinga gun againstSebastian’s head. Unlikely, considering the death bracelet.
We stepped out of the elevator on the 2nd floor and headed to the room the butler had instructed me to enter.Sebastian’sexpression was tightas we moved down the wainscoted hallway.
