Sivio got out first and watched Winnie slide off the leather seat.
She landed wrong, caught herself on the door, and pretended that was the plan.
*She's a disaster. A loud, stubborn disaster.*
Carlo: Boss, you brought home a fucking stray.
Winnie: The stray is Tater. I'm the bitch who walks him.
Sivio: Carlo. Shut your mouth before I forget it's useful.
Carlo laughed, low and nasty, and Winnie's ears went red.
Sivio saw her tug her jacket down over dog hair and muddy boots.
*She's ashamed. She's still talking. That takes guts.*
Sivio: Keep moving. Don't make a scene.
Winnie: I'm not making a scene. Your goon is making a scene.
His hand pressed her lower back, firm, and steered her toward the stairs.
His office smelled like leather and cold coffee.
Winnie: Wow. Dark wood. Bad vibes. Very rich guy.
Sivio: Sit.
Sivio: The Vasari family has your face now. They saw you on that livestream.
Winnie: And I still have the video. So what?
Sivio: So cops won't touch them. I can make you vanish.
Winnie: By locking me in a basement?
Sivio: By putting a ring on your finger.
Winnie: You're fucking insane.
She laughed, high and panicked, then stopped when he didn't.
Sivio: Pretend to be my fiancée until the video is handled.
Sivio: You stay close. I keep you breathing.
Winnie: That's the worst proposal I've ever heard.
Sivio: It's not a proposal. It's a deal.
Winnie: Right. And what do you get?
Sivio: A witness I can watch. And a reason for my enemies to hesitate.
Winnie stood so fast the chair scraped the floor.
Winnie: So I'm your human shield with tits?
Sivio: You're a witness with nerve. Shields don't talk back.
Sivio stepped in until her boots hit the desk.
Her breath caught, and she hated that he noticed.
Sivio: You held that phone like a weapon. I need that kind of reckless.
Winnie: I need a shower and a raise.
Sivio: You'll get a shower. The raise depends on how well you lie.
*She smells like wet dog and cheap soap. And I'm still standing too close.*
Sivio: If you say yes, you don't run. You don't tell anyone.
Winnie: And if I say no?
Sivio: Then I put you somewhere safe until I don't need to.
His voice stayed flat.
Her throat moved. She didn't back up.
Winnie: That's kidnapping, you absolute bastard.
Sivio: It's protection with bad manners.
Sivio: Your dog stays with you. You get a room, food, a door that locks.
Winnie: Wow. Luxury. Do I get a toothbrush?
Sivio: If you're good.
Winnie: I have conditions.
Sivio: Of course you do.
*She has leverage. She should be afraid. Instead she's bargaining.*