My eyes narrowed as I paused. “Hate to break it to you, but they set you up for failure with that one. My answer still hasn’t changed in the last ten years. So, in case you didn’t get the memo?—”
“Ialwayscomplete my assignments—tonight will be no different.” There was an odd bite of danger in her tone, as if she were trying to scare me.
But we were alone in this room, and I could snap her like the delicate twig she was. Maybe that would get me an audience with someone who mattered, but I could see it in her eyes, she knew I wouldn’t. “Who are you?” I closed the space between us, hating the feeling of being toyed with.
“You’re asking the wrong questions, Carter.” She taunted me as she slipped back into the shadows. “Who I am is of no concern to you.”
“Enlighten me then. What questions should I be asking?” Was this woman a pawn or a player? I honestly couldn’t tell.
“Do you know what your father did for us?” She mused, answering her own question. “I suspect not.” She began a wide circle around me, and I was beginning to feel like she was coiling me up in her tail, ready to start squeezing at any moment so she could swallow me whole. “Do you really know what made your father tick? Do you even know what makesyoutick, when it comes down to it?” She continued her loop until she was in front of me again, keeping herself half in the shadows. “Do you know what motivates you? Hmm? How about whatterrifiesyou?BecauseIknow.” Her jewelry tinkled as she pushed her dark hair over her shoulder and continued, “In fact, I knoweverythingthere is to know about you.” She spoke softly, but there was nothing meager about it. “I know all your dark, dirty little secrets, and I know you’ll help me complete my assignment before the night is over.” A saccharine-sweet smile that was nothing but venom underneath.
Except despite her best efforts, I could tell therewassomething underneath all her swagger...fear.
“What willyougain?” I asked, trying to make sense of her. “Or maybe I should ask, what will youloseif you fail your assignment?”
“Everything.” She bit out. “Which is why Iwillsucceed. No matter the cost.”
“I’m afraid you have no idea who you’re dealing with.” I studied her as a chill settled over me while she countered, heat rising in her voice, “Don’t fight what’s inevitable.” I crossed my arms continuing, “Keep pushing me and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find out.”
She scoffed, the tension breaking. “Aren’t you naïve, tossing around idle threats when you haveno ideawhat’s really at stake.” The woman checked the watch on her slender wrist as she headed for the door. “Enough of this. Follow me.” She turned, “Now. Or you’ll miss the event, and then we’ll both be screwed.” She droned, a bored expression painted across her face.
Her heels clicked over the striated marble as she sauntered smooth as a panther down the dimly lit hallway while I reluctantly followed. I knew she could be leading me to my demise, but what other choice did I have, but to let them show me the pieces in play so I could finally tip the board—once and for all. We passed several more armed security guards before she swiped a key card and opened a set of tall, heavy doors and motioned me through.
Several dozen shadows moved within the dark room. Softconversation held in careful whispers filled the space, just barely audible above the quiet music playing from the speakers.
My pocket began to vibrate, and I pulled out my phone, realizing it wasn’tmyphone,it was Sara’s. Shit, I’d been so upset, I’d forgotten I’d taken it from her. The phone continued to buzz—it was Theo.
Stepping away from the woman, I quietly answered the call, but before I could even speak, Theo was barking through the phone, “You are in some deep shit, Sara.”
Oh, hell no.
“I know you’renevergoing to speak to her like that again.” I murmured, keeping my voice low. “Or I promise you, Theo, I’ll cut your goddamn tongue out myself.”
“Perfect, you two kissed and made up,” Theo admonished, irritation lacing his voice. “You mind telling me the next time you two feel like sneaking off to fuck in secret?”
“We didn’t sneak—” My chest tightened with realization. “Why the hell are you calling her phone, like you don’t know where she is?” My blood pressure went through the roof, senses sharpened. “Tell me, you know where she is, Theo.”
“Fuck!” Theo hissed. “Call you in five.”
“I swear to God if you hang up—” I stared at the phone as the line went dead. He’d lost her. She’d been in the building with us, and he’d fucking lost her. I was going to kill him.
Richard Sinclair approached me. “You should know your attendance tonight is purely a courtesy to your late father.”
“Excuse me?” I pocketed the phone, ruthlessly running my fingers over the necklace in my pocket. Where the hell was she? She’d beensoupset when she’d left earlier. Where had she gone? Damnit, she was so impossibly stubborn, ditching her security detail purely to piss me off.Fuck.
“Despite the fact that you refuse to be formally inducted, we here at The Society understand you have a special interest in tonight’s merchandise, and as such, we’ve voted in favor of your attendance.” I could hardly think. I had to leave, had to get out ofhere, get eyes on her. Richard smiled. “Sometimes all the pieces align without you even trying. Isn’t that right, Bradford?” I turned, surprised to see Sara’s father.
I gripped his shoulder, confused at the panic drenching his expression. “Do this for me, Carter.” He begged, pressing something into my hand just before two armed guards closed in. “No matter the cost.”
“Brad? What’s going on?” I demanded an explanation, but an armed guard stepped between us, and several more promptly dragged him away. The sound of his begging disappeared into a back room, while my fingers tingled against the cool, curved metal beneath my suit jacket. “What the hell is going on here?” I demanded, but no one seemed the slightest bit alarmed. Except for me.
Richard watched me, all too amused. “Why don’t you ask Seven? Tonight will go a whole lot smoother if you decide to cooperate.” He nodded to the woman with the dark features, who was glaring at Richard with a death wish in her eyes.
Had Brad’s gambling debts finally caught up with him? “Is this a ransom?” I grabbed Seven’s arm, murmuring into her ear, “Whatever the cost, I’ll pay it.” For Sara, I would.
“I know.” She said simply. “But you’ll find I prefer to operate in favors rather than dollars.”
I gripped her arm tighter. “Whatdo you want?” I couldn’t deal with two crises at once. Not when one was so much higher priority to me. Sara would never forgive me if something happened to her father, but I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her.
