Page 37 of Shadow Waltz

“Enlighten me.”

“Testing someone's loyalty by offering them to another buyer? It's either brilliant psychology or a spectacular way to lose a valuable asset.” Her smile was sharp enough to cut glass. “Though I suppose that depends on whether you believe he'll choose you over freedom.”

“Freedom is an illusion,” I said. “Security, protection, purpose—those are tangible benefits. The question is whether Ash understands that distinction.”

Mehta's eyes glittered with something that made my skin crawl, but I kept my expression neutral. “And if he chooses... poorly?”

“Then he was never truly mine to begin with.”

Von Stein studied me for a long moment. “You know, Luka, I came here tonight expecting to negotiate. To discuss terms for acquiring what you so foolishly refused to sell me weeks ago. Instead, you're offering him up like party entertainment.”

“I'm offering clarity. For all of us.”

“Clarity.” She tasted the word like wine gone sour. “How perfectly American of you. Everything reduced to simplebinaries—loyalty or betrayal, mine or not mine. You're missing the subtlety that makes these arrangements truly profitable.”

“Subtlety is a luxury I can't afford when federal surveillance teams are watching my building.”

“Ah.” Von Stein's expression shifted, understanding flickering behind her pale eyes. “So this isn't about loyalty at all. This is about eliminating variables you can't control.”

She stood abruptly, smoothing down her skirt with movements that spoke to barely contained fury. “How disappointing. I had hoped for a genuine negotiation, not this crude psychological manipulation disguised as business acumen.”

“Helena—”

“No.” Her voice cut through the air like a blade. “I won't be party to your juvenile power games, Luka. When you decide you're ready for adult conversation about genuine partnerships, call me. Until then, enjoy your little test. I'm sure it will be very... revealing.”

She moved toward the door, then paused. “One piece of advice, darling? Sometimes the thing you're trying so hard to keep will slip through your fingers precisely because you gripped it too tightly.”

The door closed behind her with a soft click that somehow managed to sound like a gunshot.

Mehta chuckled, apparently unbothered by Von Stein's departure. “Dramatic woman. Though I suppose one doesn't reach her position without a flair for the theatrical.”

“She has strong opinions about asset management,” I said neutrally.

“As do I. Though mine tend toward the more... hands-on approach.” Mehta's smile made my skin crawl, but it was exactly the reaction I'd been counting on. “When might I expect to evaluate the merchandise?”

“Soon. But first, I need to prepare him for the encounter. Set proper expectations.”

“Of course. Though I hope you won't object if I'm... thorough in my assessment?”

“I expect nothing less than complete evaluation. After all, if he's going to be representing my organization, I need to know he can handle pressure.”

Mehta's eyes gleamed with anticipation that made my stomach turn, but I kept my expression carefully neutral. This was necessary. Ash needed to understand exactly what our world looked like, what it demanded from people like us.

“Excellent. I do so appreciate... comprehensive testing.”

I stood, signaling the end of our dinner conversation. “I'll have him prepared and ready within the hour. The blue suite on the third floor will provide appropriate privacy for your evaluation.”

After Mehta left to “prepare himself,” I made my way to Ash's quarters, my mind already shifting into the tactical mindset required for what came next. This wasn't cruelty—it was education. Ash needed to understand that in my world, choices had consequences, and loyalty was the only currency that mattered.

I found him in the library, reading financial reports with the same focused attention he brought to everything I asked of him. When he looked up, I saw trust in his ice-blue eyes that made something twist uncomfortably in my chest.

“Luka? Is everything alright?”

“We need to talk,” I said, closing the door behind me and engaging the privacy locks. “About loyalty, about choices, and about what it really means to belong to someone like me.”

Ash set down his tablet, giving me his complete attention. “What's happened?”

I reached into my jacket and withdrew a knife—not large, but sharp enough to be lethal in skilled hands. “Tonight, you're going to meet a potential business partner. Someone who has expressed... specific interest in your capabilities.”