Mireille’s eyes widened at the compliment. “Exactly what I’ve been telling him.”
“Plus, it will double our chances of success should something unfortunate befall one of you.” Skanisse offered Ronin a caustic smile.
“This is never going to work,” Mireille cut in. “There’s no way anyone’s going to believe that I would willingly attach myself tohim.”
Ronin sat back and crossed his arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We don’t exactly run in the same circles.”
He reviewed what he’d heard of her. Current gossip around Kheimos was that Mireille Valette wasn’t dating anyone, and rarely showed her face outside of the theater. Had neverattended any of the company’s parties or charity galas. She’d never even been seen out at dinner.
“From what I’ve heard, you don’t run in any circles at all,” Ronin shot at her.
“And from whatI’veheard, you run in too many,” Mireille sneered. “Bedroom’s practically got a revolving door.”
“You keeping tabs on my bedroom?” Ronin winked. “No wonder Skanisse chose me.”
Mireille blasted him with such a bloodthirsty look that his wolf’s ears perked up.
Ronin didn’t understand why she was so furious at the thought of working with a partner.
Or was it the thought of working with him specifically?
Holy High Gods.
The Butcher of Aethalia was Mireille’s new partner? It was worse than if she’d been shackled to some dimwitted neophyte.
The minute she’d rounded those shipping containers and seen him sitting there—that messy white hair, those sleek muscles, that cocky grin that any female would happily ruin her life for—all the blood had rushed from her body.
Of course she knew who he was. One would be hard-pressed to find a Fae on the continent who didn’t. He was exactly the type of arrogant, dominant male she’d always steered clear of. And despite his punishment, he was far too convinced of his own charm.
Many of her fellow dancers had fallen prey to that charm, only to be carelessly tossed aside once Ronin had gotten what he wanted.
On a purely physical level, she could understand why they continued to fawn over him despite the warnings being bandied about the theater.
Handsome didn’t even cover it.
Ronin Matakos was a special brand of devastating.
He continued to stare at her with those unnerving, uniquely beautiful golden-blue eyes. “Did I do something to piss you off?”
She pinned him in place with her own silver gaze. “I’m just wondering why the IA thinks a caged wolf will be of any use to me.”
He snarled, elongating his fingernails into sharp black points. A pathetic imitation of claws. “Oh, I can still slice. Don’t you worry about that.”
“Hmm. There’s quite a bit of shrinkage, if you ask me.”
His eyes blazed and he bared his teeth, his tattoos glowing in the dim light as if working to stop a transformation.
Mireille turned to Skanisse. “He’s not right for this. Surely, we can find someone else.”
Ronin turned to the High Councilor as well. “And she’s too uptight. Good luck finding anyone who wants to work with her.”
Skanisse pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. “It’s you two or no one. None of the other operatives have as grand a reputation as Mireille. Nor one as infamous as yours, Ronin. Otto won’t be swayed by anything less. Emperor Erabis is, let’s just say, extremelykeento learn precisely what’s going on up at that estate. His Imperial Majesty is prepared to make it very worth your while.” He produced two small envelopes from his suit jacket and handed one to each of them.
Mireille turned away to open hers. The message written upon the card stole her breath.
We have learned the identity of your father. Upon the successful completion of your assignment, we will reveal it to you.
