Page 80 of Sadistic

The sisters have some silent communication that I can't interpret.

Finally, Dalla nods. "Thank you," she says stiffly. "That's... thank you."

"You're welcome."

Revna and I leave the apartment and once we’re downstairs and exit her building, I open my car door for her.

She gets in the passenger seat and I make my way around to my side.

In the car, Revna is quiet for several blocks until she finally speaks up. "You bought my sister a car."

"Yes, I did. I’m no fool, Revna. I’m winning you over, but I don’t just have to win you, I need to win your sister’s favor as well."

"You’re smarter than I think, but you could have told me what you were doing."

"I was planning to tell you tonight. After dinner." I glance at her. "Are you upset?"

"No. Yes. I don't know." She laughs, slightly hysterical. "You bought my sister a bulletproof car."

"I bought my sister-in-law a bulletproof car," I correct. "There's a difference."

"Sister-in-law," she repeats. "God, that makes it real."

"It's been real since you were fifteen, Revna. We're just catching up to what was aligned for us."

The restaurant is perfect—dim lighting, soft music, discreet staff who seat us in a corner booth without fuss.

Revna looks around, taking in the understated elegance.

"This is nice," she admits.

"Don't sound so surprised."

"I half expected some over-the-top power play. Private dining room, ten-course meal, waiters who only speak when spoken to."

"I considered it," I admit, making her laugh. "But I thought this might be more... us."

"Us," she repeats softly. "Are we an us?"

"We're something."

The waiter brings wine—a Pinot Noir I know she likes.

She raises an eyebrow. "Let me guess, you know my wine preference from surveillance?"

"Actually, Rhiannon told me. Apparently, you bonded over wine and champagne chats during the dress fitting."

"Oh." She looks almost disappointed. "That's surprisingly normal."

"I have my moments."

We order—she gets the salmon, I get the steak, and we share an appetizer that she insists on.

The conversation flows easier than expected, helped by the wine and the growing comfort between us.

"Can I ask you something?" she says as our entrees arrive.

"Anything."

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