Chapter 5 - THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN
The tension between them was electric. It was the crackle of a thunderstorm just before the lightning strikes. Dominic analyzed the woman sitting across from him. She was stripped of her apron now, the illusion of a submissive waitress entirely gone. In her eyes, he saw something he rarely encountered: an equal.
"If I do this," Dominic said, his voice dropping to a low rumble, "you understand you are crossing a line you can never walk back over. You’re an accessory. You belong to this side of the law now."
Elara took her first sip of the Barolo. It was rich, heavy, and tasted like earth and blood.
"The law hasn't kept this city safe in a decade, Mr. Salvatore. I'm interested in results."
"Dominic. Call me Dominic."
He stood up, buttoning his tailored jacket. The entire room collectively exhaled, realizing the immediate bloodshed had been averted.
May you like
"Vincent," Dominic called over his shoulder. "Clear my schedule for tomorrow. And get Ms. Vance a change of clothes. She’s coming with us."
Elara stood, her chin high. She had walked into L'Oasis a ghost, and she was walking out arm-in-arm with the devil.
