Page 33 of Nefarious
“Well, that’s flattering.” He wasn’t amused, she could see. Perhaps insulting him had been a misstep.
The door slid open, and a waitress placed plates before them. Dane poured soy sauce in a side dish, jammed a chopstick into the wasabi paste, and stirred a green glob into the brown liquid. Val poured him a cup of sake and waited for him to pour hers before biting into her sashimi.
She exhaled sharply before giving him a rare piece of honesty. “Look. You were supposed to take care of this quickly, but you’re dragging it out. Why? I’m beginning to suspect she’s the one seducing you.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And you think me moving in faster would prove she’s not?”
“Why are you so obsessed, then? Is she really just the one you couldn’t have?” Val smiled despite the twist in her gut. She’d been the one he couldn’t have—until he’d had her. Had she blown her one chance? She raised an eyebrow. “Or is this a midlife event? Trying to prove you’re still vital?”
“You’re proof enough of that, my love.” Was his hangdog frown for real, or was he mugging for Val’s amusement?
He always did know how to appease her. “You know what I mean. As long as you’re fascinated with Noelle, I’m not about to be your side piece.”
Dane dragged a California roll through his toxic sludge, musing as if it were an afterthought, “I could forget all about her right now. Trust me.”
She didn’t. She knew him too well. But she’d prepared for his reaction. “You might not forget her so quickly when I tell you about her phone call with Geraldo, Friday.”
“What phone call?”
“I overheard her. I think he’s asking her for dirt on you or me. Probably both of us.”
Dane’s cheeks flamed crimson. “Why is he still bothering? He got everything already. What more does he want?”
“I imagine he wants to finish ruining you—or me.”
“Why would she help him?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
The napkin in his hand had crumpled to a wad. “And you expect me to do what exactly?”
She grinned. She knew he’d bite. “Hand me your phone.”
Reluctantly, he slipped it from his breast pocket and unlocked it. She faced the screen toward him so he could see her scroll through his installed apps until she found the recording device. “Use this.”
Dane visibly recoiled, paranoid by how technology was slowly invading even his most private moments.
“You go too far, Val.”
Val tsked. “Oh, I don’t want to hear you climax Dane. Unless it’s with me. I just want you to get her talking about Geraldo. Surely you can do that much?”
“And if she doesn’t want to tell either of us?”
“Maybe we can find some leverage to encourage her.”
“Blackmail? That’s so nasty.”
“But effective.”
“Look. I just want to get her in bed.”
Valerie stifled a wince. “You can do both. I can make it worth your while.”
“How?”
“Let’s revise the wager. Get me something against Geraldo. Or against Noelle. I’m not picky.”
“And you’ll be mine?”
