Aaron’s eyes flicker with interest as he takes the folder, but he doesn’t open it right away. Instead, he looks back at me, the tension between us growing by the second.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he says quietly.
“So are you,” I reply, my voice steady. “But that's why we're here, isn’t it? High stakes, high rewards.”
Aaron opens the folder, scanning through the documents. I watch him closely, reading the subtle shifts in his expression. He’s good at hiding his thoughts, but I can see the wheels turning. I’ve been doing this long enough to know how to read people in seconds.
Give me a computer and a few hours, and I’ll know everything about you—and how to easily ruin you.
The thought sends a rush through me.
I pour myself another drink, sitting back as Aaron closes the folder, his eyes narrowing as they meet mine.
“This is risky,” he says.
I lean in, smirking. “Everything worth doing is.”
He takes a deep breath, and I know he's contemplating an exit. I don’t need another phone call tonight, so I have to choose my next words carefully.
“And I’ll tell you something else, because you seem like someone I could actually respect. There’s no walking away from this. Once you sign and commit to these people, you’re in for life. Make sure you have what it takes.”
Aaron watches me, deliberate, then glances down, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’ve considered it. Every angle, even the ones that will likely never happen. I’ve made my decision.”
I get it—the hunger for success is in his blood, just like mine. Aaron and I are more alike than he realizes, only I know a lot more than he does.
If he could peek behind the door, he would run.
“And this place… it’s more than just entertainment, isn’t it?” He looks around the nearly empty room. “There’s a lot more business behind these walls.”
“Yes,” I answer, waiting for him to show any sign of panic or second-guessing. But he doesn’t and won’t, because I believe he’s already exhausted every other option before walking through my door.
“We mostly have fun here. One of the perks, if you will,” I say, trying to ease the tension.
He doesn’t crack a smile. “But this new venture—it’s tied to you and me.”
“Yes, as you know, I’m leading this project and need someone who’s well-versed in real estate.” Someone with a sharp eye, plenty of experience, but not so well-known that they attract unwanted attention should things go south.
“And you’ve chosen the best.” His voice is confident, but there's an edge to it. Is that fear I smell?
Not a good start.
“But if either of us screws up, they're coming for both of us.”
I nod, leaning forward, elbows pressing into my thighs. “They will. The Mortelle family doesn’t care who you are, who you know, or how much money you’ve got. There’s no buying your way out. Nexus will erase us, our families—everyone we’ve ever touched—if we break one of their rules. So, it’s simple: you and I are in this together. No lies, no mistakes, no loose ends.”
Aaron gives nothing away, hiding any fear or regret that might be lurking beneath the surface.
“Total honesty,” he says, his voice cutting through the silence.
“Yes.”
He hesitates. “I need more than words and a legal contract to trust you. I need something real. Something that shows you’re as committed as I am.”
He’s right—words won’t be enough. I knew he’d ask for something more. That’s exactly what I’d do. Which is why I’ve got something prepared.
I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out a small silver flash drive. “This contains everything Nexus knows about you—and everything they don’t. Things I’ve kept hidden from them. It’s a risk just holding it, but it’s proof that I’m all in. One slip-up, and we’re both finished. But if we play it right, if we keep this between us, I can protect us from the Mortelle family. You’ll finally control your own fate.”
Aaron takes the flash drive, turning it over in his hands. There's a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. I’ll know when he decides to look at the drive.
