“If these jewels of yours start to tighten when you answer those questions…” He shrugs. “Well, that’s what the knife is for.”
“Fair,” I mutter.
“I’msoglad we agree,” he smiles darkly. “Do you drink?”
“Sometimes, socially, if it’s worth drinking.”
He cocks a brow. “Huh. Good answer.”
My teeth clench as he pushes the tip against me just a little more.
“Are you a mean drunk, Achilles?”
“No. I rarely drink enough to be more than buzzed.”
Which is true.
What can I say? I like control.
Duh.
“Do you cheat?”
“I’d—”
I bite back a groan of pain when he pushes the knife against me with enough pressure that I’m concerned it’s piercing my pants.
“That should be arealsimple yes or no answer, friend,” Nero growls tightly.
“I was going to say,” I grunt, “that I’d cut offmy ownballs before ever cheating on your daughter. And when it comes to anything else,” I shrug. “The only unfair fight is the one you don’t win.”
Okay, I got that line fromhim, from an interview he did a while back forCigar Aficionado’s “Kings of New York” issue—also as part of “Operation: Stalk Yelena”.
Nero grins. “You stole that.”
“It was a good line.”
His grin widens. “Not fucking bad at all, kid.” His smile drops again. “Do you have enemies?”
“Several.”
He smirks. “Do theyknowthey're your enemies?”
“Not all of them.Yet.”
He nods, then draws in a slow breath. “My daughter is not an asset, or a pawn, or a strategic bridge connecting our families. If I find out she’s being treated asanyof those, I will burn down everything you have and everything you are, and I will warm my fuckingasson the flames. Got it?”
I nod. “Abundantly, Mr. De Luca.”
“If she criesoncebecause of you, I’ll fuckin’ know about it,” he growls.
“Understood.”
“If she cries twice?—“
“She won't.”
His green eyes pierce mine, like he’s peering into my very soul. “Well, here we are, Drakos,” he growls. “Near the end, and balls still attached.” He blinks once. “Last question. Would you kill for my daughter?”