“Collateral damage beyond that?” Stefan pressed, that insane glimmer in his eyes growing brighter.
Jacob shrugged a shoulder. “Outsiders to the cause need to be reminded that there are dangers at every turn, that they need someone to deliver them from our present crisis.”
“And you are that man, I presume?” Demetrius guessed.
Jacob inclined his head.
“And so you’re asking us to put on some kind of . . .display?” Stefan asked.
Jacob offered him a tight grin. “What I’m asking for, Mr. Shepherd, is chaos.”
At this, Stefan leaned forward, his dark eyes practically glowing. “I think we can manage a little chaos,” he said, his voice low and sinister.
Demetrius sent a warning look toward his brother. “Stefan—”
“Just tell us where and when,” Stefan interrupted.
Demetrius opened his mouth to protest, but it snapped shut again when Jacob’s office door opened and Allison strolled in. Her hair was pinned loosely at the crown of her head and her tight, pale green skirt hugged her curves so deliciously that Jacob’s mouth began to water. “Allison,” he greeted, standing and extending a hand to her. “I believe you remember Stefan and Demetrius Shepherd.”
She smiled at each of the men in turn, her eyes lingering on Stefan for a little longer than Jacob would’ve liked. “Of course. Welcome, gentlemen. Please make yourselves comfortable while you’re here. And if there’s anything you need, please let me know.”
Jacob stiffened at the hungry look in Stefan’s eyes. “Unfortunately, my darling, they will have to leave almost immediately if they want to make it to Boston in time for Congressman Hale’s gala.”
Apparently picking up on Jacob’s tone, Demetrius stepped forward to shake his hand. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Stone,” he said, turning to Allison and taking her hand. He pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “But as your husband says, we must leave immediately.” He then turned his attention back to Jacob. “We accept your offer and will do what we can to ensure Congressman Hale’s gala is one people will remember for years to come.”
Stefan shook their hands as well, kissing Allison’s hand as his brother had done, his lips lingering against her skin far longer. Then he sent a glance Jacob’s way. If Jacob hadn’t known any better, he would’ve called it taunting.
Fucking psycho.
As soon as they’d gone, Allison slipped out from under Jacob’s arm and sauntered to the other side of his desk, her fingertips seductively trailing along the edge. “What do you think they have planned?”
“I couldn’t even guess,” Jacob told her. “But if they betray me, it’ll be the last mistake they make.”
“You have to trust them, Jacob.”
“A little distrust in situations like these is healthy,” he assured her. “They’re both far too interested in their own power to be trusted, Allie. Besides, I only need them for this job; then they’ll be eliminated.”
“Is that wise?” she asked. “Won’t that discourage others from trusting you?”
Jacob came to her and took her hand, leading her over to the settee along one wall, where he pulled her down onto his lap. “What it will show is that I will not tolerate anyone whose loyalty is in question.”
“Jacob, I wouldn’t double-cross these men,” she warned, genuinely concerned. “Their followers—they’refanaticsbeyond anything you have with the Faithful, and that’s saying a lot. And they follow theold waysof the Illuminati.”
Jacob laughed. “Oh, come on, Allie. You don’t believe that occult bullshit, do you? We’ve distanced ourselves from all of that over the centuries.”
“You believe in God,” she reminded him. “Is it so hard for you to believe that there are negative forces as well? Belief gives even the most ridiculous superstitions power, Jacob.”
“If they want to be superstitious idiots, that’s their business,” Jacob told her, curious at his normally pragmatic wife’s sudden fear. “I assure you, I make deals with the devil every day—that was especially true when I was a politician—but those devils are flesh and blood men and women. There’s nothing supernatural about them, trust me. When the Shepherd brothers have been eliminated, I will spread word among the Faithful that they went against me. That will prevent others from trying to do the same. Even Stefan and Demetrius’s followers would be wise to pledge their loyalty to me—unless they, too, wish to meet the fate of their masters.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “I love to see you embrace your destiny, Jacob. When I see the measure of your strength I can’t help but envision you lording over all these cowards who sit in positions of power around the world.”
He kissed her briefly, then leaned back against the back of the settee as she pressed kisses along his jaw, the curve of his neck. And when her hand slid down between them he groaned in appreciation. “Thank God I don’t question your loyalty, my darling. It would be a shame to have to do without you . . .”
Her hand paused and her head slowly lifted from where she’d just pressed a kiss to his chest. “I hope I’ve never given you reason to doubt me.”
His fingertips caressed her cheek and down along her jaw until he reached her neck. In one swift motion, his fingers tightened and he slammed her down against the cushions, his face close to hers when he hissed, “I saw how you looked at that fucking psycho Stefan. Do you want to fuck him? Is that it? Because I can arrange it if you want to be his whore. But be warned, Allison, most of the bitches he beds end up dead. I hear he likes to carve them up—like an artist sculpting his masterpiece.”
“Jacob!” she gasped, clawing at his hand. “I’m your wife!”
