Though he’s polite, I get the sudden feeling I’m talking to a domesticated wolf.
“We need to chat. Do you have time?” He swirls me around in time to the music. I feel light on my feet, a fairy in flight.
“Of course. I always have time for you.”
Fabien dances me closer.
“The Carnival de Sartène approaches. I’m sure you’ve gone into great detail preparing security at The Underground.”
It seems outrageous that one of the made men of the Gerard family’s the head of security, but I suppose it’s also quite convenient if it involvesmasters and slaves.
“We have.” His cousin’s wolfish grin spreads across his face, his eyes zoning in on me. “And what might that have to do with you?”
His knowing look tells me he knows what Fabien’s interested in.
“You want to bring her to The Underground.”
“I do.”
Milo frowns. Someone hoots with laughter behind us, and a woman screams with glee. “And what does that have to do with the Lyon family obtaining the talisman?”
“I don’t need money, Fabien, you know that.” Milo looks bored. “And we’re talking about something worth two hundred million euros.”
“Two hundred andfifty,” I supply, then realize that was maybe not super helpful. Fabien only snorts. Idopay attention to detail.
“You’ve wanted a part of our business for a long time,” Fabien says, clearly saving this bargaining chip. “I’ll give you ten shares.”
I swear his cousin’s eyes look almost green with greed. Still, he shakes his head.
“I don’t want that, either.”
He can’t tell him Lyam’s in danger. He has to pretend he wants the talisman for the sake of it.
Fabien exhales. “What do you want, then? Name your price. You know how important this is to me.”
“I do. So does most of your family. You’d have to shut your brothers up.”
“Let me handle that.”
“They’re bringing the talisman in the Tuesday before the parade. It’s highly secured with six armed guards and will be locked in a secure location I can’t reveal.”
“Without the right price,” Fabien presses.
Milo’s eyes meet mine. I know what he’s going to ask for before he says it. Sudden nausea clenches my belly.
“One night with Nicolette.”
Fabien’s entire body goes rigid. We stop dancing. “You son of a bitch.”
“Uh, Fabien, that might not be the best response to someone we really need,” I whisper in his ear.
“One night,” Milo insists. “One night and you’ll have it all. Location. Security name. I’ll even tell you what time and the number to get in.”
Fabien spins me around and heads back to the dance floor.
“Fabien!” I protest. “You want this. It means so much to you!” He can’t back down now.
“It’s not worth his price.”
