But I hate pretty much everything else about him.
“I’m not here for anything else, and you know it.”
He shrugs slightly as if that’s not a concern. “We can talk business if that’s what you really want.”
“What do you want to talk about instead?”
“Whatever normal people say on dates. Movies they watch, television shows they like.”
“I can’t really picture you firing up Netflix.”
“That’s not my thing. I prefer novels.”
My eyebrows raise. “You’re literate? Go figure.”
“Spy novels, thrillers, that sort of thing.”
“Ah, makes sense. Anything with a bunch of guns and violence, right?”
“Exactly.” More excited twinkle in his eyes, like he’s amused. “What about you?”
I finish my glass. He quickly refills it from the bottle the waitress left. “This isn’t a real date.”
“No?”
“It’s just business. That’s all.”
He grunts, almost like he’s disappointed. But once the salads arrive, he finally relents. “Your rent will go back to normal. Actually, I’ll drop it down to be on par with everyone else in the building. No matter what happens from here on out, you’ll be fine.”
Relief hits me so hard I could almost cry. I have to take another drink to cover the sudden rush of emotions. This fucker’s been blackmailing me, but now I’m almost grateful he’s easing off the pressure. It’s a little bit insane.
“Thank you,” I manage to say.
He nods once. “But there’s more. I have an offer for you. Something that could help change your life.”
I start eating the salad. Arugula, balsamic, beets, walnuts, and crumbly cheese. I try to focus on the food instead of on him.Because whatever he’s about to say, I have no doubt that it’s going to be bad.
“I don’t understand what you see in me,” I murmur, not meeting his gaze.
That seems to surprise him. “I need you, Kira.”
I sit back. He’s looking at me intently. His jaw’s tight, and I don’t know what the hell he means. “But why me?”
“I have a problem. It’s a problem I can’t solve on my own. We can help each other.”
“How? I don’t understand.”
“You need money. You need stability. You need someone to take care of Gem so you can have a life again.”
“That’s not?—”
“You’re killing yourself for your sister. You think I don’t see it? Everyone within a ten-mile radius can tell. You’re committing suicide by diner food to make sure Gem gets a good education. I know your sister is smart. She’s a very bright young woman with a future ahead of her. And you think that if you burn yourself like a candle to the very nub, that’ll somehow guarantee good things will happen to her. Tell me I’m wrong.”
I swallow more wine. What the hell is happening right now? I know I’m not exactly subtle, but it’s like he’s cutting straight to my core with a scalpel. I don’t like it at all. I feel exposed.
“Gem’s the smart one.” I don’t meet his gaze, too mortified to look anywhere but my plate. “Mom ran off. Left us alone. What other choice did I have? Gem needs stability in her life whileshe graduates high school. Once she’s going to college with a full scholarship, things will be different. But until then?—”
“How much do you have left, Kira?” He talks softly. I finally look up, blinking away tears. “I can give you more.”
