She saw everything.

The world had two types of people. The first were the takers. They only noticed those who could help them, offering friendship for false reasons—their egos preventing improvement of their superficial interest.

The second were the givers. Those who knew they were being taken advantage of but couldn’t stop it. They’d give and give until they had nothing left. But by giving, they saw things, watching silently in the shadows.

This girl was a giver.

She was soundless judgement, taking everything in while her master and his acquaintances pretended she didn’t exist. She was strong inside, but she hadn’t found her freedom despite begging for it, which made her lacking.

And I didn’t do lacking.

So fucking forget her, finish this, and leave.

Leaning forward, I deposited the crystal glass on the coffee table, lacing my fingers between my legs. “Do you have the funds?”

Alrik smirked. “Seriously? You’re gonna ask me that? Even after your invasive background checks?”

Huh.

He’d found out about that. That was interesting and earned a sliver of my respect. My hacking skills weren’t as good as some, but normally, I could infiltrate, extract, and patch up my entry without notice.

He huffed. “Look, are we gonna do business or what?”

“Perhaps.”

He threw himself onto the soft leather of the couch. “Fuck, I was told you were exhausting. I should’ve believed them.” Tossing back his drink, he clicked his fingers for Pimlico to refill it.

She did so without a peep or eye flicker.

I’d been around others who refused to talk. Taking a vow of silence wasn’t all that unusual in my profession (or rather, ex profession) but it didn’t ease my mind at all.

Mainly because I wasn’t a fucking idiot like Alrik.

His slave girl obeyed him, but she hated him with the death of a thousand shadows. And where I came from…that was not a good death. If my nickname were Kaitou for Phantom Thief, hers would be Mokusatsu. Kill with Silence.

She absorbed everything, just waiting for her opportunity to end his life.

Good luck to her.

In the brief interaction I’d had with them, she deserved to win over this overly pampered rich dick. She just had to notice her power and commit.

“It’s not exhausting to be thorough.” I fisted my fingers, holding back my wrath. “It’s exhausting to enter into business with untrustworthy people.”

Alrik frowned. “Look, you knew the deal when you got here. You were highly recommended. Don’t make me regret inviting you into my home.”

I laughed. This asshole thought he was better than me. That he could win.

Wrong.

Ignoring him, I once again looked at the slave on the floor. I hated the way she kept drawing me to her. She wasn’t acting. She truly was fighting to survive. But the humming vibration of her determined strength was a drug to me.

Patting the couch, I murmured, “Sit here, girl.”

Her shoulders rolled as she bowed deeper into the carpet. Her tattered hair shivered as she glanced at her master.

Alrik tried to slaughter me with his eyes.

If I were any other person, from any other background, I might’ve second-guessed my decision to play with his possessions.

But he did say I could share.

And I wasn’t afraid of him. I was never afraid of pretenders.

Silence fell, clashing with temper from Alrik, terror from Pimlico, and authority from me.

Guess who fucking won?

Alrik threw back his third bourbon. “Go to him, Pim.”

Instantly, the girl levered herself from her knees and scurried to my side.

My heart pounded as she perched like a frail bird on the stark white leather, her thighs bunched—ready to fly away if Alrik changed his mind.

Judging by the way she kept her body facing him, I guessed he changed his mind a lot—either to spite or hurt her.

Peering at my ruined jacket with its dripping wet cuffs and slouchy way it hung off her shoulders, I ordered, “Give her permission to obey me without having to go through you.” I glanced up, catching Alrik’s eye with the command.

Do it.

What the fuck was I doing?

This girl didn’t matter. I ran the risk of destroying this business deal. Then again…did I care?

I paused, taking stock of what it would mean if I deliberately sabotaged this transaction. Sure, I’d be out of pocket by millions. But I had more than I could count and it wasn’t about the money. Yes, I’d lose the notoriety I’d done my best to earn. Finally cracking open the realm where, up till now, I’d been denied. But I didn’t need fucking Alrik to open doors for me. I could kick them down on my own damn accord.

No, this girl interested me more than Alrik ever could. She was worth the price tag if it all fell to shit.

Alrik glowered at his slave before giving me a curt nod. He’d disliked me before. Now, he hated me.

I smiled coldly. “You did say I could share.”

The girl shivered, her body sending minor ripples along the couch. I hadn’t touched her yet but every nerve ending shot to intensity.

“Pimlico.” Alrik sat forward, his hand clutched white-tight around his glass. “Obey Mr. Prest as you obey me. Got it? Do whatever he wants without question.”

I fought the thrill running down my spine.

Pimlico glanced at me, before dropping her gaze to the floor. She didn’t nod or give any indication of agreement.

But I knew she’d heard, evaluated, and accepted the new terms.