Christopher sits up, grass clinging to the longer strands of his hair. The predatory look in his eyes fades as anger morphs into understanding.
“I didn’t mean-
“Did you have actual questions or have you finally made a decision?” I cut him off, tired of the sentimental game he’s trying to play, “Either way, Marlin is getting impatient.”
He nods slowly, accepting the topic change without complaint.
“I need to know why.”
It’s a simple question yet the answer is anything but simple.
“The Drache fortune is linked to you as well.” He presses on, staring me down as if the truth is something I can easily unravel, “If we successfully break into that vault, it’s going to be your inheritance on the line. The funds that determine your future.”
“Who’s to say I want to wait for my inheritance? Maybe I want it now.”
“If it were that simple, you could easily contact a lawyer and review the terms of your trust fund. Most of the larger sums get released when you’re twenty-five.”
I shrug, “Must be a few birthdays away.”
Impatience sparks in his eyes, “If we’re going to be a team, we’re going to have to trust each other.”
“Trust has nothing to do with teamwork, Devil.” Lifting my brow, I meet his irritated gaze, “You needed a crew and now you have one. Trust or not, we need each other to get the job done.”
Christopher regards me silently. I can feel the blunt tip of his nails prying at the glue keeping my secrets locked together.
“It’s not money you’re after, is it?”
When I don’t respond, he lets out a dry laugh, “You might like keeping your cards close to your chest but that’s not how I operate. You either lay them out on the table or I walk away.”
There’s a palpable tension in the air, a tension that tells me he means it.
“Wolf Hollow is a dictatorship.” Speaking slowly, I start shuffling my deck, “It is masked by the counsel which is controlled by the wealthiest members of this town, but at its core Wolf Hollow falls under the Dragon’s command.”
“To wield that amount of power, you need something to hold. A leash to keep your subjects in check, particularly when the subjects come from the richest, most corrupt families this town has ever seen.”
“She’s blackmailing them.”
“Blackmail is perhaps too simple of a term.” I pause, picking out a card and throwing it on the table, “She offers favours. Deals which are impossible to repay and bargains which lead to lifelong commitments of service. She has built an empire on accomplishing the impossible, and in doing so, has trapped the villains of Wolf Hollow in the palm of her hand.”
Understanding dawns, “You’re going to overthrow her.”
“The Dragon has been at the helm for sixteen years. It’s time for a new generation to take the wheel.”
Christopher stares at my smile for a moment too long.
“What’s the split?”
“Marlin and I have a pre-arranged agreement. Vector will help with the grunt work but a little bonus to his wage will coverthat. And you,” I pause, waiting for his eyes to return to mine, “Get to walk away with the Dragon’s list of offshore accounts. Millions of dollars printed on a piece of paper just waiting to be taken.”
He nods slowly, “And what are you getting out of this?”
“An empire.” My shoulders lift carelessly, “All the power and independence a girl like me could ever hope to achieve.”
“A girl like you.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our encounters already, Devil. I will be terribly disappointed.”
A soft chuckle slips from his mouth before he looks away.
