The Billionaire's Secret Deal

ina lay in bed, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Sleep had eluded her for

as now part of it all swirled in her thoughts, refusing to settle. She had wanted answer

rom her thoughts. Jesse's deep v

a hand through her h

slept much either. His usual composed demeanor was strained, the weig

d, crossing the room to s

hat? More secrets you

gaze. "No more secrets. I've told you everything. B

an eyebrow.

sting on his knees. "Nathani

rything, the mere thought of him sent a surge of anger and hur

out my family, about the Petrov Mafia. He's using that knowledge to m

was right, but the idea of confronting Nathaniel, of playing his

d. "We make him an o

d. "You want to ne

t leverage. Nathaniel is playing a dangerous game, and he thinks he'

what exactly are we

of determination and something dar

artnership? With Nathaniel?

influence. We give him that, but on our terms. We make him th

elief washing over her. "

haniel's greedy. He'll take whatever gives him more

around the idea. "And what if he doesn't fa

s smile. "Then we'll have a backup

her. Jesse's confidence was unnerving, but it was also what made him s

with Nathaniel, and she knew just how cunni

g her hand in his. "Tina, I know this is a lot to ask. But

wanted to believe him, to trust that they could come out of this unscathed. But dee

ent, she nodded.

r of relief crossing his feature

about to do hanging in the air between them. Tina could feel th

im. "We'll meet with him tomorrow.

of what could happen. As they moved through the motions of g

it right with her. She couldn't shake the feeling that they wer

as no turni

ng over the details of their plan. The air between

again?" Tina asked, pacing the length of th

e won't. We'll control the narrative. We'll give him just enough to sa

o face him. "And if he

ened. "Then we'll deal

by "the other way," and the thought of it made her uneasy. Violence ha

is the only way?"

ders, his gaze steady. "I don't want to hurt him, Tina. But if it

do whatever it took to protect them, to protect her. But

of the city. The atmosphere was tense from the moment they arrived. Nathaniel

swirling his glass of wine. "I wa

m, his expression unread

row, clearly enjoying th

chest. She could feel Nathaniel's eyes on her, hi

do," Jesse said calmly. "But

're already playing, Jesse. And fr

able, fighting the urge to lash out

oice low and dangerous. "We can giv

r a second. He leaned forward, his

A partnership. You work with us, not against us. You get

ick enough to cut with a knife. Then, slowly, he leaned b

is tone dripping with amusement

d with questions. Had Nathaniel taken the bai

walked to the car, his expressio

mach only grew. The game had begun, an