“Because I was given a challenge.”
Daniel's eyes sharpened.
“What challenge?”
“One hundred thousand dollars.”
He didn't react.
That surprised her.
“You're not shocked?”
“No.”
“You know about it?”
“I know Victor.”
That explained everything.
Naomi sat down across from him.
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“You're sitting?”
“For the moment.”
“You're not supposed to.”
“I know.”
“Why are you breaking the rules?”
Naomi looked toward the door.
“Because the person who made the rules isn't the person I'm worried about.”
Daniel smiled slightly.
“Good answer.”
She leaned forward.
“What do you know about Victor?”
“Enough.”
“Is he dangerous?”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He doesn't need to threaten people.”
Naomi waited.
Daniel continued.
“He makes people believe they need him.”
That sentence stayed with her.
Then Daniel closed the menu.
“I'll have coffee.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
Naomi stood.
“Black?”
“Yes.”
She walked away.
Her mind was racing.
Victor had said Daniel was difficult.
But he hadn't said why.
She returned with the coffee.
Daniel took one sip.
Then said:
“You're not actually trying to make me reveal anything.”
Naomi's heart skipped.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because you're trying to understand me first.”
She stared at him.
Daniel smiled.
“You're not like the people Victor usually hires.”
“I don't work for Victor.”
“Not yet.”
Naomi frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Instead, he opened his leather folder.
Inside were several documents.
He slid one toward her.
Naomi glanced down.
It was a property contract.
The restaurant's address was at the top.
Her eyes widened.
“What is this?”
“Your restaurant's lease.”
Naomi looked at him.
“Why do you have this?”
“Because Victor is trying to buy the building.”
She stared at the document.
“Why?”
“Not to keep the restaurant.”
Daniel took another sip of coffee.
“He wants the land.”
Naomi's stomach tightened.
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Everything.”
Daniel pointed toward the kitchen.
“How many people work here?”
“About thirty.”
“How many could afford to lose their jobs?”
Naomi swallowed.
“Probably none.”
“Exactly.”
He closed the folder.
“Victor didn't create this challenge because he thinks you're stupid.”
“Then why?”
“Because he thinks you're useful.”
Naomi stared at him.
“For what?”
Daniel leaned closer.
“To make me look somewhere else.”
A chill moved through her.
Suddenly the challenge felt different.
Much bigger.
Much darker.
And Naomi realized something.
She had not been invited into a game.
She had been placed on a chessboard.
The Hidden Bet
Naomi returned to the main dining room with a tray in her hands.
Her mind was nowhere near the restaurant.
She watched Victor laughing with his friends.
He looked relaxed.
Comfortable.
Certain.
As though nothing in the world could touch him.
Naomi approached his table.
“Mr. Langley.”
He looked up.
“Progress?”
“No.”
His eyebrows rose.
“Already?”
“Your friend knows about the challenge.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“What did he tell you?”
Naomi placed the tray down.
“That you're trying to buy the building.”
Silence.
Victor stared at her.
Then he laughed.
“You believed him?”
“I didn't say that.”
Victor leaned forward.
“Daniel Cross has a reputation for manipulating people.”
“And you don't?”
His friends went silent.
Victor's eyes narrowed.
Naomi realized she had crossed a line.
But she didn't care anymore.
“Tell me something,” she said.
“Why does the building matter?”
Victor slowly stood.
“Because it's business.”
“Why this building?”
“Because I want it.”
“That isn't an answer.”
Victor leaned close.
“You should remember who signs your paycheck.”
Naomi smiled.
“Actually, I do.”
She pointed toward the kitchen.
“The restaurant does.”
Victor's face reddened.
Then Claire spoke.
“Victor.”
He looked at her.
“Enough.”
“What?”
“You're making a fool of yourself.”
Victor stared at her.
Claire stood.
“I didn't agree to this.”
“You agreed to the bet.”
“I agreed to dinner.”
She walked away.
One of Victor's other friends followed.
Within seconds, the table had begun to fall apart.
Victor looked back at Naomi.
“You think you've won?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He picked up the folded challenge.
“You haven't even started.”
Then he walked toward the private room.
Naomi followed.
Inside, Daniel was standing by the window.
Victor entered.
“Daniel.”
Daniel turned.
“Victor.”
Naomi stopped near the door.
Victor looked at her.
“You can leave.”
“No.”
His expression hardened.
“You were told to leave.”
Daniel spoke calmly.
“She stays.”
Victor stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because she's part of the bet.”
Victor laughed.
“You still think this is a game?”
Daniel looked at him.
“No.”
The room went silent.
Victor's smile faded.
Daniel opened the leather folder again.
“I know about the property transfer.”
Victor's face changed.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You do.”
Daniel placed another document on the table.
Victor didn't touch it.
“Your company filed through three subsidiaries.”
Victor's jaw tightened.
“You've been investigating me.”
“For months.”
Naomi looked between them.
“Why?”
Daniel turned toward her.
“Because Victor's company is acquiring properties surrounding this block.”
Naomi understood.
“He wants to force everyone out.”
“Yes.”
Victor shook his head.
“That's absurd.”
Daniel continued.
“Once the restaurant closes, the property value increases.”