Page 53 of Lady of Darkness
The guys test the microphones and cameras, and once we’re sure everything is set, Alaric throws the door open.
“Alright. Let’s kill these motherfuckers.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Sterling
The Escalade dropsus off in front of The Sage Club in Shoreditch a few minutes later. When the guys get out of the car, I stay back with Harlow. We’re making sure there are no traps near the door or anyone waiting to jump us. Luckily, it’s clear, so we head inside just as Harlow downs the drug that will cause her to vomit in about thirty minutes. The restaurant—which is a fine-dining establishment–is closed to the public for the evening. All tables except for one are empty. I feel Harlow stiffen next to me as we greet the two seated Acadian members politely. Jurgen and Kristoff are the two men here with us, though I know from Theo’s intelligence that there are several men waiting in the kitchen, the roof, and the other dining room.
We all take a seat at the round table. Harlow between me and Alaric.
“Gentlemen,” Jurgen says as a server places a bottle of red wine in the center. It appears sealed, but I don’t trust a single fucking person in his organization. “I hope you don’t mind that we ordered wine for the table.”
“Not at all,” Alaric says, watching the server as he unscrews the cork and pours all seven of us a small glass. Alaric holds his glass up. “You go first, since you ordered it. It’s a lovely bottle of wine. A 2000 Château Lafite Rothschild… very nice.”
Jurgen smiles. “Of course.” He holds the glass up to his nose and sniffs. Taking a small sip, he nods. “Perfect.” Dismissing the waiter, he sets his glass down and leans forward.
Harlow goes to take a sip of the wine, but I grab her wrist subtly, shaking my head once.
I still don’t trust them. She is not to eat or drink anything unless I say it’s safe.
“Gentlemen,” Alaric starts, sighing. “Why are we here? Let’s call a truce and move on. We do our thing, you do yours. Our territories hardly ever overlap. I’m tired of fighting.”
Kristoff slams his fist on the table, and Harlow jumps. “You killed Luka. You killed Armin. And now you ask forpeace?” he sneers, spitting.
“Kristoff,” Jurgen murmurs, placing his hand on top of Kristoff’s. He turns to face Alaric. “Kristoff is right. It’s very easy to ask for peace when you have killed so many of our men.”
Alaric leans back in his seat. Picking at a fleck of dust on his shoulder, he clasps his hands together on his chest and shrugs.
“What is it that you want, then? We’re here. We’re willing to negotiate.”
Jurgen’s eyes flash to Harlow, and I tamp down the possessive, predatory growl that wants to erupt from my chest.
She is ours.
Alaric’s nostrils flare as he leans forward. “She is a Lady of Darkness. I’m afraid she’s not for sale, just in the same way that Kristoff is not for sale,” he adds, baring his teeth at Kristoff.
“Okay, let me rephrase that,” Jurgen says slowly, grinning. “We take Harlow with us, or you all die here tonight.”
We all sit up straight and my pulse pounds angrily in my ears.
She is ours.
Theo glares at Jurgen, as does Gideon.
Harlow crosses her arms. “No.”
I let out a long sigh. “What are the terms?” I ask Jurgen, and her head whips to me with a pointed glare.
He shrugs. “We just want her. And then we will leave you alone for good.”
Yeah fucking right.We all knew Acadia was too stupid to walk away. As long as they existed, they’d try to kill us. If not today, then soon. Their idiocy knows no bounds, and they’d keep trying as long as they were alive.
She is ours.
If we’d known that weeks ago with Armin, we would’ve done something about it.
For the purposes of our plan, I nod, like I’m considering. “For good?” I ask, leaning forward.
