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"We’re handling it," Curran told her

"I’ on?"

In the old days I would’ve walked down the hallway and made sure nobody could hear us so I wouldn’t cause an incident, but I was no longer the Consort and I didn’t give a shit "Eduardo isand Mahon won’t look for him because he doesn’t think Eduardo would e asked Jim to help, but he doesn’t want to overstep his authority"

Dali blinked and turned to the personal guard "Rodney Go and get Eduardo’s file for ed his face into an apologetic expression "Jim won’t like--"

Dali leaned forward, her stare direct and heavy "I don’t care what Ji for?" Dali asked Her voice made it clear she wasn’t interested in an answer

"He’s waiting for an ‘or,’" I told her

"What?"

"Usually there is an ‘or’ attached to this kind of threat Do it or soreen sheen rolled over Dali’s irises "There is no ‘or’ Do it Because I said so"

Rodney ducked his head "Yes, Alpha"

We watched hiood at this," I told her

She shrugged "I figured it out Most people will do just about anything you tell theive them no choice, and accept the responsibility for their actions That’s kind of scary, isn’t it?"

• • •

GETTING THE CLERK out of the Steel Horse proved to be ridiculously easy Curran and I walked in there and sat at the bar The Clerk was drying shot glasses with a towel He was a triood bartender He liked to listen to people

"Kate Long time no see" The Clerk eyed us "What will it be?"

"You like being a bartender?" I asked

"It has its moments," he said "It’s a complicated business Have to keep track of suppliers Have to deal with customers" He didn’t sound especially enthusiastic