Graceful Descent

[Victor Steiner]

Perhaps she was finally going to be honest with him, although he seriously doubted it, perhaps she no longer knew how to be. So what is my angle? he asked simply. He didn't doubt her perception, but he did doubt she was entirely honest. She could be, and had been, wholly cruel in the past, giving an open and frank opinion on his motivations as she saw it ought to be refreshing and certainly no trouble for her. He had no connection with the woman, there was no reason she would hold back, unless of course she felt as though insulting him would compromise his offer too her. He smiled at the thought, unable to take criticism, that didn't sound like him at all.