Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,9
wrapped his huge hands around his glass of ale. “Spend an evening with me.”
Every cell in her body rebelled. The nourishment bar she’d eaten earlier churned in her gut. They were expensive to buy here, but she wasn’t about to risk the local fare unless absolutely necessary. You never knew who might have tampered with it. “You already have plenty of company.” The blonde and brunette were both glaring at her. They could keep him.
“A man can never have too much company, Phi.” He shoved the brunette aside. “Move.” The woman exited the chair without hesitation or question, fear flashing in her eyes. The fury in them when she passed Delphi was hot enough to burn.
I just made an enemy.
He patted the chair.
Knowing there was no choice, she went, but she yanked the chair away and turned it around before she straddled it. Balthazar chuckled. His table was on a raised platform just off to one side of the bar. It gave him a perfect vantage point to see everything that went on in the place, with the added bonus of allowing him to be seen. There was a door right behind him, cleverly built into the wall so you wouldn’t see it if you didn’t know what to look for. An easy escape route for him if needed.
“You’re not the friendly sort, are you?” He grabbed her chin, his fingers squeezing not tight enough to bruise but not gently either.
“Let’s just say I’m selective.” She kept her tone even, showing no fear. Raising an eyebrow, she angled her gaze down to his hand.
He sat back and took another swig of ale. “You’re a rare one, Phi. And I’m not talking about your beauty.”
It was startling to hear him call her beautiful. Worrisome, too. She hadn’t thought she’d catch his interest at all. It was never good when a man like this took an interest.
The room was quiet. Everyone had paused to listen, even the waitresses.
“The price remains the same. Dinner with me tomorrow night.”
That meant she had to move quickly on her plans or do some fancy evasion. “Where?”
He spread his arms wide. “Why here, of course. Best dining establishing around.”
She barely held back the snort as she stood. “Make it two nights from now.”
His green eyes narrowed. “You got big plans?”
She shook her head and gave a soft laugh. “Anticipation is good for the soul.” And it gave her some breathing space to figure a way out of this. “And it’s not like I can go anywhere, is it? I’m stuck here until you decide I can leave.”
“You wouldn’t be playing a game with me, would you, little girl?” His tone suggested she’d pay dearly if she was.
She shook her head. “I don’t play games.”
“For your sake, let’s hope you don’t.” He caught her hand. “I like a low-cut top and skirt.”
“Really?” She tilted her head to one side and studied his broad chest. “I can’t see it.” It was a huge gamble. He’d either laugh or beat her. She shot him a flirty grin and prayed, even as her heart raced and she cataloged every possible escape route.
He threw back his head, his booming laughter filling the room. “Damned if I don’t like you, Phi. You’ve got a clever wit and a smart mouth. But it doesn’t change my preference. I like a woman in a low-cut top and a skirt.” It wasn’t a suggestion but an order.
“I’m sure you do, but a man like you needs variety, needs a challenge.” Best to play to his vanity.
He chuckled again. “I can see the night after tomorrow will be interesting. I like a feisty woman.”
As long as she gave him what he wanted in the end, and since that wasn’t going to happen, her time here was about to get a lot more precarious.
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a coin. It looked to be silver. He flipped it to her and she caught it easily. It had Balthazar’s name stamped on one side and his image on the other. Not narcissistic, not at all.
“Give that to the man at the gate and you can access your ship. It’s a one-shot deal.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, it’s not free. I always get my due.”
Ignoring the innuendo, she left the bar. Voices raised in conversation as soon as she’d cleared the front door. So much for going unnoticed. She’d be the talk of the entire settlement by nightfall.
Picking up her pace, she headed to the docking station on the outskirts of town.