The Belladonna Game

ah's

p between the restaurant's glass doors, prickling my skin. The expensive place looked warm enoug

omething hot to eat but peace of mind wasn't going to com

polite but her smile paper-thin. It was the fifth time she'd asked, and I c

le and nodded. "Yes.

in my chest, to quiet the r

nted. Her brittle smile didn't reach her eyes as she lingered a second too long beside

omeone dressed like me couldn't possibly afford to si

ion of not letting her believe she'd rattled me.I might have spat

" I muttered under my breath, even as my savings winced in

whispered

of expensive heels and the faint clink of jewelry. From the corner of my eye, I saw the w

shoes. A bag that probabl

Mari

understated wealth. Allegra, their perfectly groomed daughter with a viper's s

beside mine, the waitress nearly bowin

n my throat, the heat clashing with the cold in my veins. M

r cloud me, not when I'd wait

Following the trail of whispers

as I knew my own name. Michaelo wasn't their fir

of. Any incriminating word

tle in, finish their meal and start talking business

assume to be Othello's questioned. I heard so

ion, enjoying the clear reflectio

ed, wiping his lips with a handkerchie

, If I would be cajoled into that sick institution called marriage, then I have to do tha

make it fast, my retirement ti

d set she'd "simply had to have"but it was all surface noise. Nothing useful. Then chairs

the time

d of cash from my bag, raised it briefly in her line of sight, and let it fall onto the table.

contact I needed. I lifted it to my ear and began to wa

gy. Just enough contact to slip a little something into a

't make it

othering my startled gasp. My ph

ll wine racks, my spine colliding with a hard chest.

A gun, pressing j

e rasped in my ear, low enough

steady, not trembling. Whoeve

ed, the faintest edge of a smirk in his tone,