Eclipse is quiet during the day. The staff is setting up for tonight. No music. No crowd. Just harsh lights and the smell of cleaning products.
The same man from before stops me. Igor.
"Mrs. Marini." He looks surprised to see me. "You're expected."
Expected. Like I'm predictable.
Maybe I am.
He leads me to the back office. Knocks once. Opens the door.
Alexei is behind his desk. He stands when I enter. Smiles.
"Gemma. Thank you for coming." He gestures to the chair. "Sit. Please."
I sit because my legs won't hold me much longer.
He studies me. I can see him taking inventory. The weight I've lost. The hollowness in my face. The deadness in my eyes.
"You look terrible," he says. Not unkindly. "Has Saint been taking care of you?"
"Saint is busy."
"Busy being Don. Yes, I heard. Congratulations on his coronation." The words are mocking. "Though I notice he didn't invite me."
"He beat you nearly to death, so I don't really think he considers you a friend."
Alexei laughs, but there's something in his eyes. Annoyance. He doesn't like that I brought that up. His weakness. He's all psychopathy and bluster. But he's weak. And I know it.
"So." He steeples his fingers. "What do you want, Gemma? Really want. If you could have anything."
"Does it matter?"
He gives me a small smile, like we are friends. "It does to me."
"I don't want anything."
He shakes his head. "I think you do. I think you want power. Real power. The kind your mother had. The kind Saint will never give you." His eyes are sharp. "The kind I can help you get."
"Why would you help me?"
"Because you're useful. And because watching Saint Marini suffer brings me joy." He smiles. "We could help each other, you and I."
"How?"
"You give me information. Not about the Neros, that ship has sailed. About Saint. The Marinis. Their operations. Their weaknesses." He leans forward. "And in exchange, I give you protection. Resources. Power of your own."
It's a trap. Obviously, a trap.
"You're asking me to betray Saint."
"I'm asking you to save yourself." His voice is soft. Hypnotic. "Saint betrayed you first. Gave you away like trash. Let your brother hurt you. Took everything that made you who you are."
"Yes."
"So why protect him?" Alexei spreads his hands. "Why be loyal to the man who destroyed you?"
It's a good question.
