Jacob shook his head, having to stow his anger before he could think clearly enough to understand what Demetrius was talking about. But then his fury flared for another reason. “No, it wasn’t to my satisfaction,” he spat. “The idiot mentioned the One True Master before he blew himself up. Now the Alliance has proof that I was involved. The last thing I needed was a goddamned neon sign with an arrow pointed at my head!”
Demetrius nodded solemnly. “Unfortunate, indeed. Perhaps we should’ve scripted his farewell a little better.”
“You think?” Jacob snapped. “It was supposed to be a display of chaos. I want people to be afraid, to doubt that those currently in power can protect them.”
“So that you can become the world’s savior when you rise from the ashes and rescue them from the horrors of our time,” Demetrius supplied. “Yes, well, I think your message was still received loudly and clearly by the public, don’t you, Mr. Stone? Is it really so horrible that the Alliance and the Illuminati both see what you are capable of? What lengths you will go to in order to achieve your rightful place in the world?”
Jacob’s brows twitched together slightly, not trusting Demetrius but intrigued by his understanding of the situation and of Jacob’s aspirations.
“Let us make it up to you,” Demetrius said, clasping Jacob on the shoulder. Jacob flinched in spite of himself, but if Demetrius noticed, he didn’t let on. “Come, shall we strike another bargain?”
“What kind of bargain?” Jacob asked, suddenly feeling like he was on the verge of making a deal with the devil.
Demetrius’s answering smile did little to dispel his misgivings. “I looked into the woman you mentioned previously—Claire Davenport. She is quite a talented reporter, her investigatory skills unparalleled for one so young. In fact, thanks to her obsession with the Alliance, she has uncovered some very damaging evidence of their existence—the Illuminati as well. Quite impressive work—and I don’t impress easily.”
Jacob drew back slightly. “So I hear. That information you’re talking about was supposed to be delivered to me, but the little shit who I had as my inside man ended up double-crossing me.”
Demetrius chuckled. “Ah, the wily Mr. Ralston. Yes, I looked into him too. He did send Claireaflash drive, but nottheflash drive, it seems. What happened to the actual flash drive of information you seek is still a mystery.”
Jacob frowned, his stomach sinking with this surprising news. “What?”
“But fear not—I’m sure your friends in the Alliance will locate it if given time,” Demetrius said. “Let them do all the work, and then you can reap the rewards.”
Jacob’s mind was racing, trying to figure out how the hell he’d been outwitted by that idiot Ralston. And just howthe fuckDemetrius knew so much about Jacob’s affairs yet again. But there was more that he didn’t understand. “So . . . what? You want me to share the information on the flash drive with you once I have it?”
Demetrius’s smile became more of a smirk. “I have no interest in the flash drive, Mr. Stone. I’ll leave that particular game of capture the flag to you and your playmates. I want Claire Davenport.”
“Claire Davenport?” Jacob repeated, confused. “What the hell do you want withher?”
Demetrius spread his hands. “It seems that while conducting her research on the Alliance she unearthed information that I would very much like to have.”
Jacob gave him a wry look. “You’ll have to be alittlemore specific, I’m afraid, if you’d like my help. There’s no telling what the woman may have come across. How do I know whatever it is you’re after won’t be damaging to me and my ambitions?”
Demetrius inclined his head. “Fair enough. Let’s just say that the information could be mutually beneficial, providing us both with a great deal of leverage.”
“Leverage?” Jacob repeated. “Against whom?”
Demetrius took a step back and spread his arms wide. “Why,everyone. If we work together on this, Mr. Stone, I guarantee that you will soon be named One True Master, just as you desire. And that kind of recognition would be extremely influential in bringing to power a certain former politician whose talents arewoefullyunappreciated.”
Jacob studied Demetrius for a long moment, wondering just what his game was. “And . . . ? What do you want from me in return?”
“I’ll be in touch when I need you,” Demetrius assured him. “Until then, I simply ask that you trust me and allow me to prove to you that my brother and I are your allies.”
Demetrius’s smooth smile made Jacob’s stomach turn. He didn’t trust the man. There was something sinister in the way he grinned that was far more subtle and dangerous than his whack-job of a brother, who at least worehisinsanity like a frigging badge of honor for all to see.
“I’ll think it over,” Jacob replied, his tone stiff and even.
“Jacob,” Allison said in a harsh whisper, suddenly at his side, gripping his arm with urgency, “I think you should accept his offer. You could use someone in your corner whom the other Illuminati fear.”
The look he sent her way must’ve been beyond furious, for she immediately shrank back a step.
“I will be in touch,” Jacob told Demetrius, mimicking his tight smile. “Thank you for coming today.”
Demetrius must’ve realized he was being pointedly dismissed, for he immediately inclined his head in farewell and left the room without another word.
Jacob stood stiffly where he was, his feet rooted to the floor in case the brothers returned. When he believed enough time had passed, he ground out, “Did you like the way that bastard Stefan leered at you, Allison? Should I have left you two alone?”
“What?” she cried. “Jacob, you can’t be serious! That man scares the hell out of me. I was afraid to slap his hand away when it was on my leg—Stefan is completely insane! I was actually relieved when you came in.”
