Wall Street Titan (Wall Street Titan #1) - Anna Zaires Page 0,95

yet somehow elegant sip. “I have no intention of showing that video to anyone. Quite the contrary.”

I blink at him, my brain clearly overheated from the adrenaline and lack of sleep.

“I know that as a magician, you don’t like your methods known.” His smile turns oddly predatory.

“Right,” I say, wondering if he’s about to make a blackmail-style indecent proposal. If he did, I would reject it, of course—but on principle, not because doing something indecent with a guy like Darian is unthinkable.

When you haven’t gotten any for as long as I haven’t, all sorts of crazy scenarios swirl through your head on a regular basis.

Darian’s green gaze turns distant, as though he’s trying to look through the nearby wall all the way into the horizon. “I know what you’re planning on saying after the big reveal,” he says, focusing back on me. In an eerie parody of my voice, he enunciates, “‘I’m not a prophet. I use my five senses, principles of deception, and showmanship to create the illusion of being one.’”

My eyebrows rise so high my heavy makeup is in danger of chipping. He didn’t approximate what I was about to say—he nailed it word for word, even copying the intonation I’ve practiced.

“Oh, don’t look so surprised.” He places the now-empty glass back on the vanity dresser. “You said that exact thing at the restaurant.”

I nod, still in shock. Did I actually tell him this before? I don’t remember, but I must have. Otherwise, how would he know?

“I paraphrased something another mentalist says,” I blurt out. “Is this about giving him credit?”

“Not at all,” Darian says. “I simply want you to omit that nonsense.”

“Oh.” I stare at him. “Why?”

Darian leans against the vanity and crosses his legs at the ankles. “What fun is it to have a fake psychic on the show? Nobody wants to see a fake.”

“So you want me to act like a fraud? Pretend to be for real?” Between the stage fright, the video, and now this unreasonable demand, I’m just about ready to turn tail and run, even if I end up regretting it for the rest of my life.

He must sense that I’m about to lose it, because the predatory edge leaves his smile. “No, Sasha.” His tone is exaggeratedly patient, as though he’s talking to a small child. “I just want you to not say anything. Don’t claim to be a psychic, but don’t deny it either. Just avoid that topic altogether. Surely you can be comfortable with that.”

“And if I’m not, you would show people the video? Reveal my method?”

The very idea outrages me. I might not want people to think I’m a psychic, but like most magicians, I work hard on the secret methods for my illusions, and I intend to take them to my grave—or write a book for magicians only, to be published posthumously.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t come to that.” Darian takes a step toward me, and the bergamot scent of his cologne teases my flaring nostrils. “We want the same thing, you and I. We want people to be enthralled by you. Just don’t make any claims one way or another—that’s all I ask.”

I take a step back, his proximity too much for my already shaky state of mind. “Fine. You have a deal.” I swallow thickly. “You never show the video, and I don’t make any claims.”

“There’s one more thing, actually,” he says, and I wonder if the indecent proposal is about to drop.

“What?” I dampen my lips nervously, then notice him looking and realize I’m just making an inappropriate pass at me that much more likely.

“How did you know what card my escort was thinking of?” he asks.

I smile, finally back in my element. He must be talking about my signature Queen of Hearts effect—the one that blew away everyone at his table. “That will cost you something extra.”

He arches an eyebrow in silent query.

“I want the video,” I say. “Email it to me, and I’ll give you a hint.”

Darian nods and swipes a few times on his phone.

“Done,” he says. “Do you have it?”

I take out my own phone and wince. It’s Sunday night, right before the biggest opportunity of my life, yet I have four messages from my boss.

Deciding to find out what the manipulative bastard wants later, I go into my personal email and verify that I have the video from Darian.

“Got it,” I say. “Now about the Queen of Hearts thing... If you’re as observant and clever as I think you are,