Pretty Sinner (The Oligarchs)

I flushed. I thought I was dressed up because he enjoyed seeing me squirm. When I woke up this morning in the absurdly expensive hotel room, I found all my bags were gone, and only a single sleek, gold dress was left behind with a pair of strappy high heels. I had to squeeze into it or else I knew he’d drag me around in my underwear all day.

“What the hell was that back there?” I asked as he began walking again.

Three of his men fell into step with us. I barely noticed them—they moved like panthers. All of them trained killers. His personal bodyguards.

“Negotiations.”

“But what are you negotiating?”

He shook his head. “It’s none of your concern.”

“You dragged me into that dank basement—”

He sighed and grabbed my wrist, pulling me off balance. I had to lean on his arm to keep from toppling over into a fountain.

“Did your family tell you anything?” His voice dripped with condescension. “Sometimes I think you’re willfully ignorant.”

“I didn’t ask to be here,” I said, yanking away and composing myself. I knew he was just trying to rile me up. Kaspar had a sick sense of humor and seemed to revel in making me flustered. “I’m only trying to decide if I’m going to get murdered in a freaking basement on this trip.”

His smile was tight and distant as his eyes gazed down at my throat then up to my lips. “Don’t worry, baby girl. I own these men.”

“Didn’t sound like it.”

“Santo is true mafia. He’s Sicilian and doesn’t enjoy taking orders from a man like me, but he accepts his position in the world.”

“Then who are you having him kill?”

Kaspar was quiet for a moment. “Would you be upset if I said it was your brother?”

“Of course I would, but I don’t think you’re that stupid.”

“It would be more convenient for me if he were out of the way and your sister ran the house.”

“A couple of thugs wouldn’t be enough to take my brother down.”

“You’d be surprised. But no, baby girl, it’s not him I want. Things are complicated with the Oligarchs right now, and killing Darren would only plunge the world into chaos at this point.” He looked down at me fondly. “Though I do love a challenge.”

“Then why are we here? Why the hell did you drag me along with you?”

He stopped outside of a quiet cafe. The inside was lit with oranges and blues and finished with natural wood, and normal people milled about, talking quietly, laughing over wine and bread. Kaspar gazed at me lazily as he leaned against a small outdoor table, moonlight spilling over his shoulder.

“Your brother and Roman have plans,” he said, speaking slowly like he was explaining physics to a little child. I bristled at his tone but kept my mouth shut. I figured it was better to put up with him being an asshole if it meant getting some information. “They want to change the way the Oligarchs do their business, and I’ll be honest with you, my little pet. I don’t necessarily disagree with them. Only, I will not be left behind when the hierarchy shifts.”

“So you do plan on attacking my brother.”

He shook his head, still smiling. “I plan on attacking another Oligarch. Roman and Darren are going to start a war, and I intend on coming out on top in the end. But first, I have to get the killing started.”

I threw up my hands, exasperated. “What does all of this mean?”

He stepped closer and leaned down. His breath was warm on my lips and I tensed my jaw, ready to bite his tongue off if he tried to shove it in my mouth again.

“It means that the sides are not as clear-cut as you might think, and I have a way to strengthen my position. Darren and Roman have their alliance, and I plan on building my own.”

“By killing someone?”

“Exactly. You think Oligarchs are so hard to murder? I think you’d be surprised.” He touched my hip gently, almost lovingly. I shuddered, revolted. “Now, let’s go back to the hotel and eat. It’s been a long day.”

“I’d rather eat alone.” I glanced sideways toward where Kaspar’s men lingered nearby, keeping careful watch at the street.

“And I’d rather strip you naked and slide my tongue between your legs. We don’t always get what we want.” He began to walk and I had to force myself to follow, my head trying to digest what he’d told me.

He wanted to start a war, and planned on building an alliance in the process. That meant killing one of the Oligarchs—but I didn’t see how that could possibly work.

My brother was in danger. I knew Darren was strong, and if he could find a way to work with Roman, they might be unstoppable.

But if any of the Oligarchs could match them, it was Kaspar. He was a hungry snake, and he’d swallow me whole if I wasn’t careful.