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"Hopefully?" Rasmussen says, his frown deepening. "I expectresults, Ms. Townsend. Harris told me you might be difficult, given your privileged upbringing. A beauty queenanda senator's daughter... But I took a chance on you, putting this together."
Lousy Harris. He never stops trying to pull the strings, does he?
I try not to sound as pissed off as I am. I've had men talk down to me my whole life because I'm blond and pretty. I've had my intelligence questioned, my physical strength questioned. I've had to work twice as hard as the trainees I graduated with for half the advancement in my career.
"I understand how you feel, sir. But respectfully, you’re nottaking a chanceon me. I'm a trained Homeland Security agent. I've worked cartel cases, I've done security details. I've worked just as hard as everyone else in my old unit. I don't think my upbringing has anything to do with it, unless it's pushed me to accomplish more."
Rasmussen's eyes narrow.
I try not to judge a book by its cover, but he looks sinister. And a little scary. I wonder for the umpteenth time what it is that Rasmussen actuallydoes. He doesn't have any title I was able to find, and Harris wasn't helpful at all when I asked. It's like the guy's whole job is top secret or something.
And I really wanted to steer Rasmussen in the direction of the Oleander clan. I know he has a real hard on for the Nightshade family, but the Oleanders seem like a way bigger problem. I know I can’t tell him the medicine we’re — er,they’re— smuggling through the portals is helping people, even if it’s illegal.
Something tells me Rasmussen isn’t making distinctions like that. But maybe I could get him on the scent and our focus could change. And then maybe I wouldn’t have to put Fabien behind bars. I know there’s no way we could actually be together, but if I could save him and get Homeland’s attention going elsewhere, to the people who arereallyhurting people, then maybe…
“I was thinking, sir…about the Fae venom the Oleander clan is smuggling in. Their demesnes isn’t far, in Faerie, from where the Nightshade clan fortress is. I mean, maybe I could get over there and do some digging.”
"Let me make this absolutely clear to you, Ms. Townsend. I don't give a shit what you think. I don't care about your feelings. I don't care if you're a Harvard graduate. I don’t care who your father is."
Geez.
"Sir, I--"
"Shut your mouth. And don't open it again until I fucking tell you. Now, you listen to me, young lady. You’ll find the evidence I sent you to find, and you’ll do itnow. I want hard evidence, enough to put Fabien in the electric chair. I want evidence of murders, grift, crimes against humanity. I don’t even care if the evidence is genuine. If you’re too incompetent tofindit, then I expect you tomakeit.
"In short, I want enough to make sure the Nightshade Clan is dead and buried. You’ll get this for me,very soon, or else."
A chill runs through me. What the hell is he saying? Rasmussen doesn't want a criminal investigation, he wants a pair of death warrants.
But I've had it with men underestimating me, too. Who does he think he is? He might be powerful, but I can report his ass. And I hate to say it, I'mashamedeven to think it, but my father would absolutely destroy Rasmussen if he knew how he just spoke to me.
"Or else what, sir?"
Rasmussen smiles. It's even scarier than when he frowns. He looks like a predatory fish that grew legs.
"Or else I’ll leak your identity to them myself. Do I have your complete attention now, Mr. Townsend? I’ll tell them who you are, and I’ll let them do whatever they please with you. You won’t be pulled out if your cover is blown. You’ll stay there and die. Horribly, and in a great deal of pain, I imagine."
The call goes dead in my hand.
I stumbleout of the study in complete shock. Rasmussen threatened to rat me out. To tell the Nightshade clan who I really am. It’d be worse than a death sentence.
Someone like Fabien wouldn’t take kindly to knowing I’m betraying him.
And when I think about what the rest of them would do…Lysander? Octavian? Hell, even the butler looks at me sideways already. Gabrielle would snap my head right off my neck if she knew.
They’d have to get in line to see who gets the first crack at me. But Fabien scares me the most. What he can do, with his powers…
How would it feel to live in a nightmare and never wake? To go months or even years asleep at a time? Or to fear sleeping so much that I go insane from trying to stay awake?
That’s how the Nightshade clan deals with those who betrayed them. The worst punishment for the worst offenders.
And to hear that from my superior? Someone else from Homeland? I mean, sure, I haven’t known Rasmussen that long, but holy crap. I’ve had plenty of guys hit on me or say inappropriate things. I had one guy try to grab my ass during training and I busted his balls for him. Got myself an extra two weeks disciplinary leave for it, too.
But to have a superior threaten to get me killed?
And Iknowhe meant it. I saw it in his big, watery eyes, the creep.
He’d do it for sure.
