The Gilded Fan (Choc Lit) Read Online Free PDF

don’t want to go there. I’m going to England,’ she insisted.
    Nico sighed inwardly. He hated arguing with females; their logic was not like his. In this case he had to stay firm, though. ‘Not with me. I’m sorry, but there it is.’
    Although he didn’t raise his voice, there was a steely quality to it that should have told her he wasn’t prepared to back down. He’d practised it on the crew of the
Zwarte Zwaan
often enough and it usually procured instant obedience.
    Her eyes narrowed and she took a deep breath, then asked in a softer tone of voice, ‘Have you by any chance heard of the
ninja
?’
    ‘I believe so. Trained assassins or some such thing? What of them?’ Nico felt his frown deepening.
What is she up to now?
    ‘My brother happens to know where to find them and, as you may know, they’ll do most anything for a price. Unlike some people.’
    He crossed his arms over his chest again, fixing her with a stern gaze. ‘Where is this conversation leading, Mistress Midori?’ he asked, although he was perfectly able to guess. ‘I have other calls on my time.’
    ‘Oh, yes, of course. You were expecting a whore. I’m so sorry to take up your valuable time, but then …’
    ‘I am
not
entertaining any whores,’ he gritted out between clenched teeth, trying not to let her goad him. ‘And it’s not a word any respectable female should be familiar with in any case. Your parents should have taught you that.’
    ‘Really? How strange. What should I call them then?’
    ‘Nothing! If you’re a lady, you don’t mention them at all. Now could we get to the point please?’ He was fast losing his patience.
    ‘The point, Captain Noordholt, is that unless you change your mind and allow me on board your ship, you yourself might not be sailing on her. The
ninja
are known to be swift and deadly and they’re trained never to fail in their missions.’
    He stepped closer and glared at her. ‘Are you threatening me?’ Since he was at least a head taller than her and possibly twice as broad, this should have made her back off, but she didn’t seem intimidated in the least.
    She looked up at him, as calm as you please, and assumed an innocent expression. ‘I wouldn’t call it that exactly. I’m just informing you of the consequences should you persist in your refusal.’
    He fumed silently for a moment, unable to believe this slip of a woman would dare to give him an ultimatum. Then he realised the absurdity of the situation and gave a short laugh. ‘And what’s to stop me from murdering you right here, right now? Or taking you captive?’
    ‘My brother is expecting me back shortly. If I don’t return, he’ll come looking for me.’
    ‘Then I would be ready and waiting, with my men.’
    Midori shook her head at him. ‘He wouldn’t come charging in, he would use stealth,’ she scoffed. ‘He’s not a fool. Besides, I don’t believe it will be necessary.’
    Before Nico had time to do more than open his eyes wide in surprise, he found himself lying on his back in the dirt with all the air knocked from his lungs. Midori sat on top of him pointing a very sharp knife at his throat as he gasped to regain his breath. He stared at her in shock.
    ‘What the hell …? How did you …?’
    A wave of fury surged through him, but he managed to hold his temper in check. This had gone beyond absurd. It was downright ridiculous.
    It had been almost too easy and Midori knew she’d taken him by surprise only because he hadn’t expected to be attacked by a female. He was a big man, after all, and she was tiny in comparison, so he hadn’t been on his guard. She’d simply hooked her right leg behind his left one and pushed hard, then quickly jumped down on top of him as he fell, pulling out her knife. Luck had been on her side this time, but she was sure he’d never allow it to happen again. She would have to take advantage of her victory immediately.
    The interview hadn’t been going according to plan, so