Honest

thirty-two

Desiree

I get a call from Salone an hour after I left the Vitale Manor.

"Desiree!"

I say nothing.

"Giuseppe, he's attacking! He's-Levi! No!"

The line clicks. I rub my head. s**t! That f*****g son of b***h!

I hop up, grabbing my gun, loading it. I whip back to the Vitale Manor. What the hell is he doing anyway?

I walk in, ignoring the posted guards. What the f**k is he doing anyway?

I clench my jaw, storming into his office.

"What the hell are you doing, Vitale?"

He stands, smirking. He leans against the desk. Silently, he unbuttons his shirt, flashing his tattoo as if I'd...

As if I'd never seen it.

"You can read can't you, Doctor Brown?"

I clench my jaw. "There are exceptions to every rule," I state.

He bites his lip with a smile. "What a guilty mind you have. Did you come here for your subordinate?"

"You are not within your rights to discipline my subordinate. Hand her over."

He shrugs. "Oh I tried. But she won't leave him. So..."

I narrow my eyes. "Why are you doing this? What's your angle?"

"Angle?" He rolls his sleeves up to his forearm. "There is no angle, Doctor Brown-"

"You can call me Jefa."

He raises his lips disdainfully. "Mh, I'd rather not."

"You will release them. Now."

He smiles, chuckling deeply. "Oh, I will? Why? Because you use an authoritave voice? The f**k am I, a newbie?"

I nod. "You're right, for once. You will release them," I take out my gun, "Or I will shoot you."

He shrugs. "Amd how do you think you're getting out of here if you do that?"

I smirk. "I'll figure it out."

He shakes his head, his dark hair flopping into his eyes. "Reckless, as always. Your so smart, but you don't think."

I sneer, c*****g the gun. "The more you talk, the more I want to you, simple enough equation, even in arrogant airhead loek you could understand."

"Come on, little one. I know you remember, I'm no airhead."

And it hits me. "You were never gonna hurt them. You just wanted to get me here."

He smiles. "Still as maddeningly intelligent as ever, aren't you."

"You're so f*****g cunning about everything. So underhanded. For someone who claims to be honest, you're the exact opposite."

He makes a pensive face. "Honesty and truth can be different. A person's honesty can fly in the direct face of truth. But let's not debate. We'll bring out our little friends, and we can discuss from there."

Licking my lips I nod. He'll pay for this.

"Bring 'em in boys!"

A little roughed up, they're dragged in. No serious injuries on either of them. I let out a subtle sigh of relief.

"See, I didn't hurt them too bad did I?"

I nod curtly. "Let them go. We'll settle this between us."

Salone looks up at me wide eyes. "D-Desiree?"

I wave her concerns. "Go. This is the last mess I clean up for you."

Once everyone's vacated the room, I eye him closely as he drinks leisurely.

"Name it." I spit.

"I think you know what I want," He rasps.

I chuckled. "Of course I don't. So say it."

He smiles, setting down the glass. "For the release of your friends...I want that sweet posion you used to give me."

I grit my teeth. "Clarify."

"I want a kiss from you."

"You could ask for more. She's-was my best friend."

"I could. I won't. Give me that, and we go back to what we've been these past years-perfect strangers."

As if. It's not possible. Not for him. But I excel at forgetting what I want to forget. He is not.

"Fine. For the release of my friend," I emphasize. "One kiss after which, an physical contact between us to is strictly lethal."

I put my gun back in my holster, stalking toward him.

He lets his hands rest on the desk. "You're so cold."

I roll my eyes, standing in front of him. I reach up, cupping the side of his face.

"Tilt your head down," I whisper.

He does so, instantly. I lean up, placing my lips on his firmly. I pull back slightly, letting his lips seek mine, chase mine. His hands leave the desk, wrapping around my waist.

I indulge his childish whim, for a moment, before I break free.

"That's all, I expect to see them at my doorstep, safely, with my escort in an hour."

He touches his lower lip, looking at me from under his lashes.

"Of course." He breathes.

I nod, turning to leave.

"Is there any contact with you, that isn't lethal for me?"

I smirk. "No. I'm posion, for you Vitale. And I think you'd do well to remember that."

I leave his Manor, strolling out confidently.

I glimpse him, watching me from his window.

When will he learn? I will always win any game he tries to play.