Giovanni’s dry laugh is the only warning before his hand is snapping out and wrapping around Cressida’s throat. Her eyes widen almost the same as mine and I instinctively take a step back, my jaw dropping.
There’s no fucking way Giovnani is choking out a federal agent in public.
But his hand is still wrapped around her throat, even as she brings her hands up to try to disconnect him. She claws and scratches, but Giovanni doesn’t budge an itch. His eyes are completely emotionless as he stares at the woman.
“Cressida, I’ve been patient, but if you’re going to push your fucking luck, I can easily kill you here and dump your body right in the water,” he tells her. “It’d be easy enough to find someone else in your agency to replace you. Everyone’s looking for a little extra pay dirt these days, Uncle Sam isn’t paying as much as he used to.”
Cressida’s face turns red and I almost feel bad for her. But mostly, I don’t care. She’s the one who decided to get wrapped up with Giovanni and the family. If she didn’t expect that he’d turn on her this easily, then I have no idea how she ended up becoming federal agent anyway.
And that’s very jaded of you to think, Winter.
But the reality is, Cressida had more of a choice in all of this than I did, so no, I won’t feel bad for her.
But I do start to feel a little unnerved the longer Giovanni holds onto her throat. My eyes move around the docks. There’s no one else out this early but the sun is out, casting light right onto what Giovanni is doing.
Anyone could see if they happen to walk into the docks.
I look at Giovanni, my hands wringing together but finally, he releases Cressdia.
She gasps, falling to the dock. She heaves in for a breath, leaning over and using her hands to support her.
Giovanni only looks at her in disgust and annoyance.
When Cressida finally rises to her feet, it’s clear that her ego is more than little bruised and that haughty look she sends Giovanni promises vengeance.
He should probably go ahead and kill her now.
The thought comes completely unbidden and my heart beats quicker in my chest.
Where in the hell did that come from?
“Cressida,” Giovanni drawls. “Are you ready to talk like you possess common sense?” he questions.
She doesn’t offer him a response, only tilting her head back.
Giovanni shakes his head but otherwise he’s unbothered.
“I won’t give you the address because the last thing I need to give you is time to get to him first, but if reports start coming in about a mass shooting tomorrow at let’s say seven o’clock, you need to field them.”
“You want me to field a whole agency?” she asks, her mouth opening in shock.
“Like I said, Uncle Sam is a little cheap these days. Let me know the payout it takes to get the rest of your people on board.”
“Giovanni-”
“Is that an argument I hear coming out of your mouth, Cressida?” he asks, cutting her off as he raises a brow.
Her lips slip close before she shakes her head. “No.”
“Good, because if you don’t do as you’re told I’ll make sure there’s a new bird sitting in the bottom of the harbor.”