Likes philosophy
Seems to be frugal
My cell phone number, a copy of my passport, my socials…
I close my eyes because the room’s spinning.
He’s the head of a mafia family.
I know this. What did I expect, that he’d offer me two million dollars blindly? Of course he wouldn’t.
He’s killed people.
He’ll do it again.
I was never meant to be with a man like Fabien Gerard. The woman in red and black? Maybe the likes of her can keep up with these men. But me?
My hands quaking, I put the papers back in the drawer.
It takes me a minute to remember why I wanted paper to begin with.
Fabien.
I wanted to tell him I loved him.
But what I just saw…I can’t tell myself that it doesn’t matter. And I definitely can’t tell myself that I do.
I get to my feet and fold my hands to try to stop them from shaking.
I’m not going to let this change what I have to do.
I’m here for the money, no more, no less.
I’ll pretend I saw nothing.
I put on a mask, and walk out to join Fabien and Thayer in the other room.
Thayer sits on a chair in the corner of the room, discussing every detail with Fabien, thrumming his knee with his fingers.
“We could call in our men,” he says thoughtfully.
“We could, but that won’t end well for us,” Fabien says, shaking his head. “There’s no way we could bring anyone but me —”
Um, excuse me? “And me!” I chime in. If I have this job to do, I’ll do it well, dammit. I didn’t come this far to be benched.
Fabien shakes his head. “No. I won’t even have Thayer there. I have to do this alone, or we lose everything.”
He never told me he wouldn’t have me with him when he brought the talisman. Why did I assume he would?
“Fabien,” I say reproachfully, ignoring the way my nose tingles with the sudden need to cry. “You didn’t tell me I wouldn’t go. I thought we would go together. I thought the whole point?—”
“Was for you to do what I say,” he snaps.
“Ah. I hear and obey, master,” I snark.
Thayer stands with a little grimace. “Annnnd, that’s my cue,” he finishes. He stands to leave when my phone rings.
Savannah
