“This may surprise you, Miss Mendoza, but I’m capable of being angry with multiple people at once.” Kane interlaced both hands on the desk. His left thumb sported a band she hadn’t seen before: a signet ring of hammered black metal on silver. Noting her interest, he traced it with his opposite index finger but gave no explanation. “You’re quite right, though—I am very, very angry at you.”
It was the opening she’d been waiting for. The reason she’d come here. “So take me instead.”
“I beg your finest pardon?”
“You heard me.” Still, embarrassingly, her voice hitched. “I’m the one you want to suffer. Let Jules go, and I’ll work for you instead.”
Kane rose, rounding the desk to lean against the side nearest her. Zaria stiffened, and he noticed, lip curling as he hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his trousers. She hated that the scent of him was so familiar. Hated that she was here, doing this, when logic urged her to turn tail and get the hell away from Kane Durante. But what other choice did she have? If Kane accepted her proposition, she could solve two problems at once. Jules would be free, and she would be able to track down the ledger that Vaughan wanted. In theory.
“Miss Mendoza.” Kane drew her name out long, hazel eyes dangerously bemused. “Are you truly asking to join my crew?”
No turning back now.“Yes.”
“You realize women don’t typically join a kingpin’s crew.”
Be that as it may, Zaria knew it wasn’t unheard of. After all, Vaughan had Maisie working for him. “Since when do you care about things like that?”
“I don’t have time to waste making sure you don’t get killed.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve spent eighteen years managing to stay alive on my own.”
Kane gave a dry chuckle. “I take it you’re excluding all the times I saved your life over the past few weeks, then.”
Her cheeks heated. “I was only in danger becauseyouput a target on my back.”
“Unknowingly.”
“What difference does it make?”
He shrugged, the slant of his collarbone shifting beneath his partially undone shirt. “At this point, very little. Your offer is an intriguing one, but I chose Julian for a reason.”
“Jules isn’t an alchemologist, though. And a kingpin can always make use of an alchemologist.”
It was, simply put, the last card she had to play. Anticipation thrummed within her as Kane mulled that over, withdrawing his hands from his pockets to brace them against the desk. Zaria wondered what he was thinking. His reply, when it finally came, caught her off guard.
“Fine. But I need the necklace back.”
She furrowed her brow, not comprehending. If he’d given her a fake source, as she suspected, then why would he want it returned? “I don’t understand.”
“And here I thought my request quite simple,” Kane drawled. “The necklace. Give it to me.”
Zaria searched his face, looking for some indication that he was playing her. Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe, despite all she’d accomplished, she just couldn’t figure out how to use the damned thing. She wouldn’t tell Kane that, though. Let him think the necklace was powerful. Let him see her willingness to relinquish it as a sign that she was serious about this partnership, and that she could be trusted.
Carefully, she removed the necklace and handed it over, trying to appear more tentative than confused. “Why?” she couldn’t help blurting out. “Why did you give it to me in the first place if you were only going to take it back?”
Kane’s expression didn’t change as he pocketed the source. “I do many things for many different reasons.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Sure it is. You just didn’t like it.”
They stared at each other, locked in an impasse. Eventually, Zaria lifted her chin, stepping closer until they were all but an arm’s length apart. His proximity prickled her skin. “Don’t explain yourself to me, then,” she said through clenched teeth. “But let me replace Jules. Let him go.”
“I saidfine.” Kane straightened beside the desk, smiling down at her. Not his real smile, but the one more akin to a baring of teeth. “You’re quite right that you could be useful to me, so I’ll accept your proposition. Julian goes free, and you become mine. But when I saymine, understand that I mean it. You’ll do whatever I ask. No arguing, no exceptions.” He tilted his head. “And if you betray me again, Miss Mendoza, then God help you. I will find every person you’ve ever cared about and kill them while you watch. I’ll make sure Iwring every last bit of happiness from your life.” Kane’s voice was barely audible, a whisper that scraped over Zaria’s skin like nails. “Do I make myself clear?”
She fought back a shiver, heart beating frantically, and nodded.
“Excellent. Then once again, I believe we have a deal.”
