Page 37 of Stolen Empire

She sets her fork down, her eyes narrowing.

"How?"

"You're going to get close to them. You're going to infiltrate the Radich crew, find out who's calling the shots, and report back to me. Once I have that information, I can retaliate and end this feud for good."

She stares at me for a long moment, and then she leans back in her chair, crossing her arms.

"What's in it for me?" she asks, and the attitude on her face makes me want to smack it off her.

"You get to live," I say without inflection, and I see the anger flash in her eyes.

"That's it? I risk my life for you, and all I get is to keep breathing?"

"That's more than most people in your position would get."

I push off the counter and move closer, stopping at the edge of the table.

"But if you want more, I can arrange other rewards."

The way I look at her leaves no room for confusion.

I let my gaze travel over her body, lingering on the curve of her shoulder, the way my shirt clings to her chest, the bare skin of her thighs.

I want her to know exactly what I mean, and when I see the flush creep up her neck, I know she does.

She pushes her plate away, her hands trembling slightly.

"You're insane."

"Maybe."

"Why me? Why not one of your own men?"

"Because you're good at this. You're a con artist. You know how to blend in, how to lie, how to make people trust you. You walked into my card room and convinced Rodion to sell you information within minutes. Plus, the Radich crew doesn't know you. They have no reason to suspect you're working for me. My men would draw attention."

She shakes her head, and I can see her mind working, trying to find a way out.

But there isn't one.

She knows it as well as I do.

"You know how to play a role," I continue.

"You know how to manipulate people, how to get them to give you what you need. That's what I'm asking you to do. Get close to them. Find out who's running the operation. And when you do, you come back to me."

"And if I can't?"

"Then you die. Either they'll kill you when they figure out what you're doing, or I'll kill you for failing. Either way, your odds are better if you succeed."

She's quiet for a long moment, staring down at her plate, and I can see her mind working through the options.

There aren't many, but she's a smart woman.

She'll figure it out.

I move closer, rounding the table until I'm standing beside her chair.

She doesn't look up, but I see the way her body tenses, the way her breathing changes.