Chapter 180: Lunch With The Serpent

The rain beat against the windows, and I could barely see anything with this downpour. The car pulled up at an entrance.

"We’re here, Mrs. Salvero." The driver said.

I clenched my purse and waited for the door to open. I stepped out of the car with an umbrella held up for me.

The valet led me to the entrance, and when I got in, my coat was taken. I stepped closer to the decorative mirror to take in my appearance.

My hair was a little damp, but it gave it a kind of fashionable look. My attire was a deep burgundy satin mini dress with a luxurious, glossy feel. It featured an elegant high halter neckline leaving my shoulders bare.

It was paired with matching pointed-toe stiletto heels and an ivory handbag.

"This way, Mrs. Salvero." The hostess said with a pleasant smile as she led the way.

I followed after her, letting my eyes take in the beautiful aesthetics. There wasn’t a single customer in here, which meant the whole place must have been rented out for the day.

I eyed the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the higher I climbed the stairs, the more view I could see of the city.

The downpour might be annoying from outside, but it was beautiful from here. The skies were gray, and the building lights were up, adding color to the gloom.

It was noon, yet it looked as though the city was stuck in the morning. I could stare at this all day because it brought about a nostalgic sensation.

I ceased climbing when I made my way to the floor, and I set my gaze on a table where Zade was.

He took a bite out of the steak and chewed before leaning back on the chair. When I got close, his eyes pinned on me, and suddenly I got lost in those mesmerizing green eyes.

One of the men on guard came forward to help me with my chair and walked back to his position.

"Wine?"

The waiter asked, and I raised my glass in response, the soft spill of wine filtering through the air.

"Shall I bring in the course?"

"Yes, please."

When he left, I darted my eyes to Zade, just watching me. We stayed like that for what seemed like minutes, and this staring game of ours wasn’t awkward in any way. But it did create a tension that I’d anticipated upon coming here.

"This is the point where you ask me how it went with Julius," I broke the silence.

The thunder boomed, and the lightning flickered, the hush sound of the downpour created a steady rhythm.

Without breaking eye contact, he cut his steak with his silverware and took another bite. From then on, he began eating.

Okay... maybe this is indeed getting awkward. I knew why he was like this, and I came here prepared. I think.

I clutched my wine glass and sipped, stirring the silence further.

The waiter was back with my meal, and I gave him a polite smile in return before he left.

I picked up the silverware, but I didn’t get digging just yet, and Zade was done with his meal.

"That’s not fair, sweetie. I thought we were gonna finish together."

He wiped the corner of his mouth, dropped the napkin onto the table, and leaned back in his seat, finally relaxing.

Slowly, he tilted his head, that ridiculous subtle smile played on his lips. "Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"

I snorted. "You gain points for trying to smolder at me."

"I don’t need points. Just give me one hour with your legs spread apart. All you have to do is keep them wide enough for me until I’m done."

Sweet Jesus!

"O-One hour?" I stuttered.

"I always take my time, baby."

Focus, Anastasia, focus!

"Back to our discussion."

"We’re discussing."

"Zade, you know what I mean."

He exhaled, resting a hand on the table. "Do I?"

"Look, I know you weren’t on board with me meeting with Julius. I needed him to think that I was meeting him without your knowledge, and to make him let his guard down."

"What exactly do you know about manipulation, Anastasia?"

I narrowed my eyes at his words. "Manipulation?"

"That’s exactly what you’re trying to do with Julius. Giving him the impression that you do seek him out for answers. Secretly. And if done right, we can use him to our advantage. Am I missing anything?"

That explained what I had in mind, but I never thought about it in that direction. I just simply wanted to get answers and take advantage of the fact that he wanted to be on my side.

"I-I didn’t know that. Manipulation is a bit of a strong word, don’t you think?"

"Yet you wanna play this game. Having no idea what lengths it holds." He rubbed his jawline. "What if this backfires?"

I knew he was gonna bring this up again. He never liked my plan when I pitched it to him. And that was the reason why I met with Julius without telling him.

I simply told Zade I wanted to meet with Dr. Keller. I never planned to keep it secret for long, which is why I told the twins, knowing they would give Zade an update.

So here we are now.

"It won’t backfire. I had him where I wanted, and now we have something to work with on finding the hitman."

There was pride in Zade’s eyes, and at the mere glimpse of it, I tilted my chin, waiting for his praise.

"Is this supposed to spike my interest?"

Snake!

I’d have preferred him being angry at me than that fucking tease of his.

"He told me something..." I continued. "He said there’s a secret group called the Syndicate. Apparently, they have sunk their claws in the undercity without you knowing. They are also responsible for my father’s death and the hitman after me."

"And Julius told you all this in good faith? Asking nothing in return?"

"He mentioned one too many times that he’s on my side. He’s trying to prove that."

"Do you believe him?"

"All I believe is what he said. It makes sense because the Syndicate wants the docks and I know how important that is. They killed my father to get him out of the way, and now they are after me, and maybe you too."

Zade released a sharp exhale, and I could see that frustration again. "How true is it that this Syndicate exists? I have never heard a thing about this."

"Because they didn’t wanna be known."

"And now? Because of the docks? They so suddenly wanna be revealed, and did Julius mention how he knew about them in the first place?"

My mouth hung for a while. "He didn’t mention. But now we know what we’re dealing with. We have an advantage. I had to—"

"Go behind my back and meet with Julius?" he cut me off.

My nostril flared. "I knew the twins were gonna tell you."

"You think you’re so smart, aren’t you, kitten?" he murmured as his lips stretched wider.

Was he mocking me?

"Do you expect me to just sit and wait while you handle everything yourself? When I clearly know you had no luck finding the hitman or who hired them?"

"What I expect, kitten, is for you to be in the manor, in my room, and in my bed, where I know you’re safe."

I shook my head. "I can’t do that, Zade. Just sit and watch everything unfold when I know I have the chance to do something."

"If you wanna take matters into your hands, Anastasia, just know I’m more than pleased to devour that sight of you over and over again."

A heat rushed through my body, but I set the feeling aside. "Then what’s the problem?"

"The problem’s Julius. I have nothing on him. Nothing. And the idea of my wife playing smart with him doesn’t sound like a good idea. I don’t know how he works, and I don’t know him." His jaw clenched tightly. "That is one thing I despise the most. An unknown enemy."

I gulped, understanding his words. "The Syndicate is an unknown enemy too. And we couldn’t have known about them if I hadn’t acted. I’m the only one that can get close to Julius and find out what he knows."

"And you did an excellent job, kitten. Despite me not knowing."

I smiled.

"Don’t ever do that again. If you wanna jump right into hell, then let me be your guide. You’re not burning alone."

"Okay."

"Good girl."

"And for the record..." I teased. "My plan worked."

"Brat."

My eyes shot toward his men guarding the entrance.

Not exactly what I want them to hear.

Zade pushed to his feet. The chair legs screeched sharply against the floor, and the mere sound made my heart race.

His footsteps echoed across the polished floor as he approached, and I gripped the arms of the chair for balance.