I tuck my things into a small black clutch and slip my heels on before opening the door.
Ivan, as usual, shows no expression as he leads me down the stairs to the black car.
But instead of opening the door for me, Ransome gets out.
And my fucking God, does he look good.
Dressed in a sleek and slim fitted black suit, he has a dark purple button-down underneath. It’s not that different from what heusually wears, and yet, there is something about the way it looks tonight. Something extra that I can’t quite pinpoint.
Until I do.
He doesn’t look like he’s dressed for a meeting.
He looks like he’s dressed for a date.
“You look nice,” he says. It’s such a half-assed compliment, and yet I almost blush.
Truth is, I don’t just look “nice.” I look fucking stunning. Especially in this dress. It’s satin and form-fitted and has a slit on one side that goes almost all the way up my thigh. It says “class” while also tempting anyone who turns their head with a little bit more.
In other words: Jenica can go suck a dick.
But not his.
“Thank you.”
He opens the door for me. I slide into the black Escalade.
Ransome rounds to the other side and gets in next to me. It isn’t until we are driving in silence, the scent of leather and polish and a hint of something spicy hanging in the air, that I ask, “So. Where are we going?”
“Firebay,” he tells me.
“That steakhouse on the water?”
“Yes.”
I swallow. It’s only the most elite, expensive steakhouse in all of Manhattan.
“My dad is going to be there, along with my mom and most likely Baron.”
“I see.”
“Amara.” Ransome’s voice is soft but stern and he turns to look at me as he says my name. “I need you to be sweet tonight. No salt. No sarcasm.”
ThatI need youhas me by the throat, but I don’t show it. “So no fun allowed,” I tease. “Got it.”
“That right there. Don’t do that. But also, don’t act stupid.”
“Do I normally act stupid?” I ask, sounding stupid.
Ransome ignores my sass. “This dinner has to do with our Bratva and the El Paso deal. I need Anton to see that you are trustworthy of being a part of it.”
“Does that mean you trust me?”
Ransome studies me. “I trust that you won’t make any mistakes.”
I’m suddenly wondering if Iwantany part of this. But at the same time, I know there’s no backing out now. Even if my siblings weren’t involved, it has become glaringly obvious just how dangerous all of this is.
We pull up to the restaurant. Ivan looks around. “There’s a lot of eyes,” he says.
