She softly laughs.
"What's so funny?" I question.
"You're so naive."
"Then why don't you fill me in?" I ask, glancing at her lips.
She steps back, picks up the champagne bottle, and fills a flute. She drinks most of it, then tilts her head. "You snuck into the underground fight uninvited. Sean may have vouched for you, but you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
She's right.
"Why don't you fill me in?" I order.
She walks toward the kitchen, rinses out the flute, then refills it with water. She drinks all of it, then sets the glass in the sink and spins. "First, you answer my questions."
Sweat rolls over my eyelid and stings my right eye. I blink hard.
Jesus, it's hot in here.
I peel the bottom of my T-shirt and wipe my face, but it's pointless. "Fuck it," I mutter, and tug it over my head, then reply, "And if I don't?"
Valentina's eyes drag over my torso.
My dick pushes against my zipper harder with every second her stare lingers on me. I tease, "You still didn't tell me if I'm here for pleasure or business."
Her eyes meet mine. "If you don't answer my questions honestly, there will be consequences. There are always consequences, as I'm sure you learned tonight."
"Consequences where men are beaten to death for probably no reason?" I ask.
Her stare hardens. "There's always a reason, even if you don't know it."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"You answer like no part of you questions anything," I state.
Her gaze turns cold. "I don't question the Underworld, and neither should you."
"The Underworld?" I ask.
"Yes. That is what our society is called."
I hold back what I think about that name and push, "So you blindly do what they say?"
Valentina stays quiet, but her expression gives off a warning.
I shouldn't be scared, but something about it tells me to take her threats seriously.
"Ah. Good boy. You do have some smarts in that brain of yours," she declares. Her lips curve, taunting me further.
I grin. "I'm more than muscle, little Minx."
She opens her mouth, then shuts it. She turns back to the sink, refills the glass with water, and then sits on the couch. Sweat shimmers onher bare legs, and she slowly crosses them. The red satin moves dangerously high.
Sweet Jesus.
My blood fizzles again.
