Victor chuckled. "You always had nerves. I liked that about you." He leaned forward and the smoke from his cigarette curled around his face like a serpent. "But sweetheart, you've gotten yourself tangled up with some dangerous people this time. And if you think I'm going to stick my neck out for you, after what you did to the boss, you're sorely mistaken."
"How do you know I'm involved with anyone? Or that they're dangerous?"
Victor's composure slipped, just for a second. "I was only guessing," he said too quickly. "Why else would you seek me out?"
Richard's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Then why are you nervous?"
Victor's gaze darted to Richard, who had silently stepped to Shantel's side. The shift in his demeanor was subtle but noticeable and for the first time since they arrived, Shantel saw a crack in the smug demeanor he's been putting up.
