It’s my turn to study her now, considering these demands of hers. Just to get under her skin, I let the moment drag, even though my mind is already made up.
Finally, I give her a conceding nod. “Done.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. I’m more accommodating than you might think,” I murmur, finding myself enjoying sitting across from her more than I thought I would, able to take her in.
Elena searches my face, as if looking for some kind of hidden deceit, obviously hesitant to believe me. “And in return?”
“In return,” I begin, words coming out simple and to the point. “You don’t try to run. You cooperate.”
She gives me a hollowed-out version of amusement. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“Besides, you wouldn’t make it far anyway. It would just complicate things.”
“For you?”
“For both of us,” I correct, not sugar-coating things.
Elena considers it for a moment, then she reluctantly nods once. “Fine.”
I don’t expect her to be so willing to comply, and it certainly throws me for a loop, but I school my expression. Then, I start to crack at the edges, and I huff out a quiet laugh before I can stop it.
Elena notices, expression dropping slightly before frowning. “What?”
“You’re negotiating terms with a man you assume is a monster,” I say, not so quick to push away the humor in it. “It’s impressive and bold.”
“I’m used to men like you,” she replies coolly, acting unfazed by it. “You’re not special.”
That should sting, but I find it amusing instead.
Even if I should be more serious and cautious given all the heat on me, I know this isn’t forever. It can’t be.
I’ll get Lily back, dismantle Vito and the Grimaldis, then I’ll disappear again, leaving Elena free, furious, and alive.
That’s the plan.
And yet, a part of me is already dreading that ending.
Chapter 10 - Elena
All of this is temporary.
I know I’m just waiting him out, regardless of how long it might take. I’m just a piece of whatever plan Wyatt has cooked up, and until he reaches that endgame, or until my brothers tear the city apart looking for me, it’s easier to just breathe and look at it that way.
Really, I should be freaking out, but I have enough faith in them. One way or another, they usually get the job done.
So I stay calm.
I resolve to not scream or fight every instruction. I don’t waste energy or try to bring us attention with the hope of a bystander noticing something’s wrong. I know it won’t change anything, so I just watch, listen, and I learn as much about him as I can.
More importantly, I wait.
But as easy as that seems, there’s a small snag. Annoyingly, the whole thing is starting to feel oddly normal.
I expected to be more on edge, but if anything, Wyatt’s the one who’s always watching and double-checking anyone who comes even remotely close to us. He’s paranoid, and he absolutely should be.
After the bill is easily paid, I catch how he glances out the wall of windows, scanning the front parking lot like he’s prepared for anyone to jump out at us.
