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We head into the room, where Eva sits with her Consortium members ranged behind her like vengeful shades.

And then there’s Nik.

She stands off to the side in a surprisingly neutral position. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, and I feel a strange flutter in my chest. I push the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand.

I choose a seat close to Eva, my movements deliberate and unhurried. As I settle in, Nik moves to stand closer behind me. Her presence at my back is oddly comforting.

“Get lost,” Frank snaps at Nik. “We won’t be intimidated by?—”

“Now, now, Frank,” I cut in sweetly. “Nik was a gift from our honored guests, here. It would be very rude to send her away, don’t you think?”

Frank’s face flushes an ugly shade of crimson, but he bites back whatever retort was on the tip of his tongue.

Good boy. Even old dogs like him can be trained with the right methods.

Eva slides a folder across the table, her manicured nails tapping once, twice on the glossy surface. “The new agreement, as discussed.”

Frank practically shoves a pen into my hand. I take my time, flipping through the pages, skimming the contents. It’s practically the same bullshit deal as before, just dressed up in prettier language and with a lower price on one or two things.

I hesitate, the pen hovering over the dotted line. Frank leans in, his breath hot on my ear. “Sign the damn thing,” he hisses.

Eva’s smile turns brittle. “Mrs. Colombo—Brie—I thought we had reached an understanding.”

I set the pen down with a soft click. “I’m sorry, but my husband’s funeralwasjust yesterday, after all. Perhaps we could revisit this when I’m feeling more myself?”

“Revisit?” Eva stands abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.

Nik steps forward, her presence suddenly filling the room. “Mrs. Colombo has been under a great deal of stress,” she says, her voice low and soothing. “Surely we can all understand that.”

Eva’s gaze snaps to Nik, then back to me. “May I have a word with my employee?”

I nod, rising from my chair. “Of course. I’ll be in my suite when you’re finished, Nik.”

As soon as we’re out of the room, Frank’s hand clamps down on my elbow. He practically drags me into a nearby office, slamming the door behind us.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he snarls, spittle flying from his lips. “You were supposed to sign that agreement, not play games!”

I look up at him, letting my eyes fill with tears. Men never know what to do with a crying woman. “I’m doing the best I can,” I choke out. “Can’t you see that? I just buried my husband, for God’s sake!”

Frank’s anger deflates like a punctured balloon. He runs a hand through his thinning hair, suddenly looking every one of his sixty-plus years. “Christ, Breezy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

I sniffle, dabbing at my eyes with a tissue. “I know you didn’t. It’s just—it’s all sooverwhelming.”

He pats my shoulder awkwardly. “Look, forget about it, the Consortium can wait. Okay? In the meantime, I’ll push harder for a resolution on the succession issue. We’ll get this sorted out.”

I nod, giving him a watery smile. “Thank you, Frank. I knew I could count on you.”

As soon as he’s gone, I drop the act. My eyes are dry, my posture straight. I make my way back to my suite, settling onto the sofa to wait for Nik.

She enters a few minutes later, her face unreadable. I look up from my phone, arching an eyebrow. “Well?”

“Eva doesn’t find your little game as amusing as you do,” Nik says, her voice flat.

I toss my phone aside, stretching like a cat. “Eva can sit and spin. That deal was bullshit, and you both know it.”

Something flickers in Nik’s eyes. Respect, maybe? Or just surprise that I’m not the airhead widow everyone seems to think I am.

“Besides,” I continue, “the agreement isn’t important anyway. It’s just a useful tool to keep you around for a while. Because I’ve decided I need your help with something.”