Page 68 of Bloody Business

“Thank you.It was painful,” she said politely.She'd gotten in the habit of keeping her emotions to herself.The old Lily had been more open, easily flustered.

“Today was his funeral, and you’re here.How did that come about?I assume your uncle had you watched?”Tashi inquired, feigning idle curiosity.

Her eyes sparked with evil mischief.“I had the largest, loudest funeral hat you could imagine, with huge purple feathers and stuffed songbirds.My maid and I wore similar dresses.We switched hats, I escaped, and then she ditched the hat and also took off.She's fine, by the way.”

He smiled.“An elegant solution.And what brings you to my house?”

She gestured to the pen.“I now have one loyalty: myself.”

There was a lot left unsaid there.Now wasn't the time to unpack it.

He set the pen down.He needed to be careful now.“And what would you like from me?”

“Short-term, I’d like to avoid the husband Zul Kan picked out for me.”

“Makes sense.You could do better.”Zul Kan had chosen a thug to run his empire.Hegah was a pure gang boss who'd educated himself and acquired a thin shell of sophistication.Underneath, he was all violent criminal.

“Long-term, I would like to marry you.”She said it confidently, her tone practical.

His brows rose.“You're direct.”

“Life is full of unpleasant surprises.I found it's best to avoid as many as possible.”

He pondered that, trying to decide if he preferred her direct approach.“Your uncle will try to kill you for this.You know that, of course.”

“My uncle isn't going to live much longer.His successor will be the bigger problem.”

“True.Do you think you'll be safe if you ally with us?”

“My chances of living will definitely go up,” she said firmly.She'd always been a practical girl.

“I see.Why should we trust you?”Because the old Lily had been a gentle girl, but this one had been under Zul Kan's thumb for years.

Even though Zul Kan was dying, he'd been a crafty monster.

“You shouldn't, of course.You'll need time to evaluate me.It's the reasonable thing to do,” she said frankly.She wasn't upset by his suspicion, or worried about what he would find.

“Meanwhile, I don't come empty-handed.I have assets, and I'm worth the risk.”

It was depressing, that she viewed her assets as the most valuable thing she had, but he had a role to play.He remained business-like.“And in exchange, you want to take down your uncle?What happens then?Do you want to take his place?”

“No.I want toeliminatehis place.I want it to cease to exist.”Her tone was vicious.There was a lot of rage there.

It looked like she wanted to say more.Instead, she visibly stomped the urge to spill her guts.It must have taken a lot of willpower, because she had just come from her guardian's funeral, and she had to be boiling with grief and fury.

It would have been a perfect time to push, if it had been a hostile negotiation, but that's not how he wanted this to go.He remained quiet to see what she would do.

She used the moment to calm herself.“I aspire to a quiet life.”

He laughed.He couldn't help it.She'd built up all this tension, stomped down all that emotion, and then she said primly that she wanted a quiet life.Ha!

She ignored him.“As you know, my foster father was very different from his brother.We had a quiet life before he started listening to Zul Kan.”The thought of the long road she traveled as a result was depressing...and enraging.It kept wanting to break through.

She closed her eyes briefly.Not now.Notnow.

He contemplated her, tapping the pen.He didn't remember picking it up.“Are you aware you were followed?”

Her instant alarm was answer enough.

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