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“Are they in here?” I asked the damn cat.
He circled again, meowing.
With a deep breath, I yanked the door open, ready to fight.
All I found was a checkered floor and a toilet, which Gravy Boat happily walked up to. He jumped on the seat, squatted, and I heard the tinkling sound of him pissing into the bowl.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I said.
I sensed a presence behind me and spun. Lazarus was standing there, smug as ever.
I glared for several seconds before speaking. “Which one of them let you in?” I asked once I thought I’d put the puzzle together. As soon as I realized what was happening, I wanted nothing more than to sprint toward the room and make sure Sylvie was okay. But I was hoping they’d come for me first. Neutralize the biggest danger, then secure the target.
Dammit. I’d been careless to think we were safe enough here to leave her alone like I did. It was exactly why getting emotionally involved with clients was idiotic. It clouded my judgment, and now she might pay the price for my mistake.
Lazarus ran a hand through his silver hair, cold blue eyes regarding me. “I already have what I need. I just wanted to see the look on your face when you realized how thoroughly you botched this.”
“Where is Sylvie?” The words came out like a growl.
“Safe in her room, I imagine. We’ll collect her once you’ve been dealt with.”
“Then you were too frightened to come face me alone?” I looked around the hall, straining my senses to pick up who else might be with us.
“I’m a practical, Riggs. I have no need to stroke my ego by proving I could best you in single combat. But I confess I enjoy the satisfaction of watching my enemies learn they’ve lost.” He twisted his pale lips into a crooked smile. “I sense you still don’t see it. You still think there’s a way out from here. Let me dispel that illusion for you. What will the rebels think when Riggs Silverback, the great vampire hating Alpha, comes out of retirement to take an odd job. And how confusing that he would choose to shelter with the vampires he despises so completely. Stranger still that the Coven would be let in by none other than Riggs to escalate the war on the rebels.”
I took a sharp breath. Fuck. I could see what he was trying to set up, and none of it was good.
Lazarus saw my face, then his smile widened. “I wonder if they’ll think you orchestrated this, Riggs? Wouldn’t that be a shame? It would look like the werewolves officially turned on the rebels. They’ll think you only came here to help us infiltrate their ranks.”
“I just want the girls. I don’t want anything to do with your schemes. So either make your move or fuck off. I’m going to get them.” I took a step toward Lazarus, fully ready to come to blows if it was what he wanted. But he raised a finger, stopping me.
“I said before I was practical, Riggs. I prefer not to waste weapons when they are available to me. That’s why I’ve explained all this to you. It’s also why I’m willing to offer you the girls in exchange for the rebels.”
“I’m getting tired of listening to you,” I growled.
“What if you could save the girls? What if all it cost you was a little blood on those stained hands of yours?” Lazarus stepped closer until I could see the small flecks of red in his eyes. “Kill Victor and I won’t just let you have the girls. I’ll make sure no harm ever comes to them from the Coven.”
“You want me to start a war between the rebels and the werewolves.”
Lazarus dipped his chin. “See? You’re not as thick-headed as they say. You’re getting it, now.”
“Why would I trust you to follow through on your word?”
“Because I’ll start by letting you go collect Sylvie if you like. You’ll find none of my people have laid a finger on her. But if you want to take her from this place, you’ll need to bring me Victor’s head.” He gave a small shrug. “Trust goes both ways, I’m afraid.”
“Where are the others?”
“Unharmed, but unavailable to you. Okay,” Lazarus added with a small wince. “Mostly unharmed. I’m afraid they didn’t come easily.”
“Tell me you’ll let them go free if I do this.”
“Of course,” Lazarus said smoothly.
I pushed past him, halfway expecting him to attack me as soon as my back was turned. But no strike came. I went straight for our room and pulled the door open.
Sylvie spun to face me. She’d been sitting in one of the chairs with a book on her knees. Her eyes looked red like she’d been crying.
“I’m not ready to talk to you yet,” she said, voice thick. “I’m still mad at you.”
