---

---

The crowd lit up all over again. These people lived for the next twist. They'd all figure out which side to take once they knew who the real power in the room was.

"Let's not pick a side yet. We don't know who the final boss is."

"Oh, we watch. We absolutely watch."

"Best dinner theater in the city. Shut up and enjoy it."

Chloe shot up out of her seat and stabbed a finger at my face.

"You little bitch. Don't push it."

"So I said it, so what? Julian runs this room, not Nadia Pemberton. You think a friend with a briefcase makes me keep a stupid promise? No. I'm not doing it. Keep dreaming."

Julian laughed indulgently and pulled her closer, stroking her cheek like she was a prize cat. He clearly loved her when she was a brat.

I smiled. My smile was colder by a few degrees. In about ten minutes, when the first tremor hit the Harrington ticker, I wanted to see how tender he still was.

Nadia's brow lifted a fraction. She nodded at one of her men.

In a single movement, the operative crossed the floor and dropped Chloe to her hands and knees with a controlled punch to her solar plexus. She hit the carpet gasping. She actually did look like a dog.

"You made a promise," Nadia said calmly. "So you'll keep it. Raw steak. Crawl. Bark."