Barry leaned back in his chair, swirling the whiskey in his glass as he launched into another story about his business ventures. His voice was smooth, confident, the kind of tone that made it clear he was used to being in control.
"You know, Jack, I've been thinking," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing an idea. "A guy like you—sharp, connected—could be a real asset. Maybe we could start a new business. What do you say?"
I kept my expression neutral, but my telepathy picked up the unspoken addendum in his mind: [Or at the very least, keep him close. A man with his skills could be useful...]
Across the room, Kate stood up from the couch, stretching her arms above her head in a way that made her blouse ride up just enough to tease.
"You two keep talking shop," she said, her voice dripping with playful indifference.
"I'll get dinner started." She shot me a glance—just a flicker of her dark, heavy-lidded eyes—before turning toward the kitchen.
