Do We Have A Deal?

Caesar blinked, his expression blank.

He could not take his eyes off her, completely able to see the burning hatred and pain in her pupils. It was not just in her eyes, but her voice as well. 

Her emotions affected him due to the mating bond and he didn't like it at all. 

But of course, he wouldn't just agree to her request too easily, even though he'd already made up his mind.

So, he shook his head, averting his gaze from her to the lighter in his grip.

"Your deal is a catch, but it's still a huge risk. You're an enemy regardless, so helping you isn't as easy as you think. Besides, I can still make them pay for Faddey's death if I want to. It would only take a matter of-"

"Even in the next five years, you would never be able to make them pay unless you step up with outright violence, which will cost you more than you can handle," Adeline interjected with a deep frown apparent on her face.

She fisted her hands tightly and continued, "Though you control the biggest mafia in Russia, the petrovs are still second to you. It will never be easy." 

"...You need me just as much as I need you. I'm the closest to them, so don't make this too difficult...please."

Caesar's expression switched to a serious one, and he arched an offensive eyebrow. "Are you underestimating me?" His voice was empty of emotion.

"I wouldn't be so stupid. I'm merely stating facts, and I believe you agree with me even though you won't admit it." Adeline was not afraid to answer earnestly.

Caesar's cruel eyes sharply narrowed on her. He was suddenly smiling to himself, but he was obviously riled.

The displeased clicking sound of his tongue made Adeline grin smugly.

"I'll take that as a yes. Will you help me?" Adeline asked, tipping her head to catch a glimpse of his irritated expression. Her pretty long lashes, which cast a shadow, fluttered rapidly, anticipating his response.

"I will," Caesar said, tucking the back of his hand under his chin. "Just not yet." He shook his head.

"Huh?" Adeline immediately became confused and upset. "What more do you want? What else can I say and give?!" she was at a loss, tired and stuck. He was an even more difficult man than Dimitri could ever be.

Caesar relaxed back on his chair, taking a moment to stare at her. The look in his eyes softened and his lips stretched into a smile. 

"If you kiss me, I'll agree."

His eyes made a curve along with his child like smile.

Adeline stared and swallowed, unmoving. "K-kiss you? Why would you want a kiss from...me?"

"Because I'm really interested in you," Caesar was honest, gazing straight into her eyes. 

"Interested..." Adeline's heart skipped a beat, lashes fluttering. "...In me?" 

"You heard me." Caesar nodded, affirming. "But of course you don't have to. I was simply ki-"

"Fine," was all Adeline said before snatching the man by his blue tie and pulling him up to press her plush cherry-red lips against his.

It was just a kiss, she could give him that much. It wasn't that big of a deal, so long as it would get him to help her. 

Caesar's eyes broadened for a second, a bit taken aback by her boldness. He roamed his hand to the back of her head and gripped her hair, instantly taking control and deepening the kiss.

The kiss was chaotic and rough with the way his tongue prodded and filled her small, hot mouth. It felt like he was trying to get every little taste of her mouth, but either way, it'd left her breathless and seeking the smallest possible puff of air.

He finally pulled away when Adeline pressed her hands against his chest, a smirk spread across his face.

Adeline choked out a gasp and looked away from him, immediately sitting down on her chair with a heavily flushed face. She poured herself a full glass of champagne and gulped it down in one go.

"Do we have a deal?" she questioned in the next moment with an expectant gaze, her fingers combing through her hair.

"Deal," Caesar finally agreed, folding his arms. He relaxed back on his chair and crossed his legs with curiosity flickering in his pupils. 

"So tell me, what is this 'something' that your father stole from old man Fyodor?" 

Adeline glanced at him, watching his still wet lips, which had been on hers a few seconds ago, press together to form a thin line.

"A file," she said. "It's called PTVs777 and is currently stored on a USB."

"It must have something important stored in it if he killed your father over it." Caesar's Adam's apple bounced as he took a sip of the full glass of wine he'd taken from the table.

Adeline nodded, confirming, "It does." She looked from left to right and moved closer as if wanting to whisper to him. "It stores information, capable of destroying the entirety of the Petrovs in one single swoop."

Caesar didn't entirely believe her, as he clearly had a few doubts.

If she held something as crucial as that, why hadn't she used it to get what she wanted? How was she even still alive and breathing? Or…could it be that even the Petrovs were yet to find out where the supposed USB was? Were they still keeping her alive because killing her would mean losing every lead they had concerning the location of the USB?

Hmmm…

Sucking his teeth, Caesar stared at her with skeptically squinted eyes.

"If you truly have such a thing in your possession, why haven't you used it to get your revenge? You want the Petrovs gone, right? What is it that is holding you back? Why do you need my help when you have something as critical as that?" he asked with a straight face.

Adeline went silent, hands clenching into a tight fist. A deep quivering breath fled her mouth, eyes clouded with a malicious glint.

"Why crush them so easily when I can make it slow and painful?" she answered with a question.