Chapter 5 - The Devil's Bargain
Cassian tilted his head, a mixture of amusement and lethal curiosity crossing his face. "You are standing in my penthouse, bleeding on my floor, and you want to negotiate?"
"My sister, Lily," Elara said, refusing to break eye contact. "She has aggressive leukemia. Her immunotherapy costs ten thousand dollars a month. I lost my job, my purse, and my dignity last night. I will find the paper trail that hangs Silas, but you will pay for my sister's treatment. In full."
Cassian paced toward the window, looking out at the sprawling metropolis he controlled. He was a man who traded in fear and loyalty, but he rarely encountered pure, unadulterated bravery.
"You want me to finance a medical miracle in exchange for accounting services."
"In exchange for your empire," Elara corrected him. "Silas is your second-in-command. If he's stealing, he's building a war chest. He's planning a coup. I am the only one who knows how to trace the shredder logs. I am your key."
Cassian turned back to her. The absolute conviction in her bruised, pale face struck a chord deep within his chest.
"Deal," Cassian said. "But you don't leave my sight until this is done. You stay here, under my protection. If you cross me, bartender, the cold will be the least of your worries."
May you like
"It's Elara," she said.
"Welcome to the inner circle, Elara."
