I see his lip curl. “First I want to hear you admit that you making this deal happen has been difficult.”
My brows lift. He doesn’t fool me. He’s all played out. The deal is about to be mine. That’s why he’s here.
“If we were working on the same side, all of your problems would disappear.”
I lean forward again, my elbows coming to the table. “My problems have already disappeared.”
He snarls, pushing up from his chair. “You haven’t begun to know the kind of problems I can create.”
I don’t stand. His threat doesn’t bear consideration. “Understand that I have been deftly deflecting your ‘problems’ without the aid of my family or friends. But if I decide you have become too annoying of a fly, I am going to turn you over to them.”
“A man who can’t be his own enforcer?” He sneers, looking pleased, like he’s finally found my weak point.
I give a soft snort. “I am but one cog in a massive wheel.” I finally rise from my chair, staring him down. “Machines don’t have egos…they only create progress.”
Angel cocks his head, his tawny gold eyes considering me as he pushes off the wall. Next to him, his brother Rock. If people question Killian’s sanity, there is no question with Rock. He screams psychopathic monster. But I turn my attention back to Vigo.
“The wheel will crush you,” I add, shoulders straight as I look him dead in the eye. “So, I’d suggest you go back to playing in your little pile of shit.”
“What the fuck did you say to me?”
“Shoo, little fly.” I know I am pushing his every button. I want him to whip back at me, I want him to give me a reason…
“I will fucking end you,” he spits across the table. But I smile, because that is exactly what I wanted to hear. “I will make you wish you were never born.”
“Yes. Of course.” And then I nod to my brothers, a sign the meeting is over.
Killian pushes off the wall, striding directly toward Vigo. “I’ll show you out.”
“Fuck you, Smith,” he bangs the table again, Rachel jumping in the corner from where she sits to take notes. She’s completely pale and she looks like she’d like to hide.
I’m going to have to give her the rest of the day off, which is unfortunate because Gigi is ill.
Gris pushes up from the table to stand in front of Rachel. I can’t hear what he says, but I know he’s comforting her by the quiet hum of his voice.
Vigo is yelling at full volume now, pushing against Killian’s chest. I give him a cold smile. I could have been nice. But he’d just be a bigger problem later if I had. Vigo understands onelanguage. Dominate or be dominated. There is no negotiation with a man like that.
Which is why he needs to learn his place. He’s a criminal. I will allow him to exist in this city, provided he doesn’t make trouble.
Killian finally manages to usher him out, his hand now tight around Vigo’s collar. Angel and Rock following behind. Angel gives me a last glance, his eyes assessing, before he walks out the door.
Gris has his hand under Rachel’s elbow, as he helps her from the chair. “Give her the rest of the day off,” I say to Gris.
Her eyes flick up to mine. “Are you sure, Mr. Smith?”
I nod, doing my best to look relaxed. “That meeting deserves combat pay.”
A ghost of a smile touches her lips. “Is Gigi all right?”
I jerk my chin, knowing that she and Gigi talk a great deal. Which is why I give Gris a subtle raise of my finger to hold up. “She was very ill just as Vigo came into the office.”
Rachel winces. “Yeah. That makes sense.”
“Does it?”
“Her ex was a real piece of work. She hasn’t said much, but I know he asked her to marry him right after her dad died and she…” Rachel stops, her eyes going wide. “Shoot. I didn’t mean to share too much.”
“You’re fine, Rachel,” I give her an easy smile. “I promise I will only use the information to do good for Gigi and Emma.”
