Page 171 of Niccolo

“I think I can swing a million,” I finally said.

“Youthink.”

“I’d have to run it past Dario first.”

“So…‘no,’then.”

I frowned. “No to my offer, or – ?”

“‘No,’ you won’t be able to pay me. Even if youdohave enough to cover it, you need the funds to wage war. You can’t afford it, and your brother will say no.”

I sighed.

She knew I was between a rock and a hard place –

And she seemed to beenjoyingit.

“What else would you take in payment?” I asked.

“So we’re continuing the negotiation, are we?”

“As long as you’ll take something other than money. For instance, we have dozens of old paintings worth alot.”

“Why don’t you sell those to fund the war?”

“It might come to that, unfortunately.”

She acted like she was considering my offer, then said, “I’ll take a Michelangelo.”

“That would be worth considerably more than 15 million euros.”

“You’rethe one who offered me a painting.”

“Besides the Sistine Chapel, he only did a handful of paintings. He was primarily a sculptor.”

“I’ll take a statue, then.”

“No Michelangelos, unfortunately.”

She smiled playfully. “No deal, then, unfortunately.”

“You know, you made itveryinconvenient when you made me swear to not kill you,” I said with mock irritation.

She smirked. “You should’ve kept playing poker, then.”

“We couldkeep playingnow.We could order up a pack of cards from room service.”

“Why?” Then she realized. “Ohhhh – you want to ask aquestion.”

I gave her a half smile. “…maybe.”

“Ask away.”

“But you’re not obligated to answer,” I pointed out.

“You can ask anyway. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”

I grinned. “I’ve gotten lucky quite a bit tonight.”

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