AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I think what you wanted to say was, ‘Thank you for saving my ass. Twice.’”
His lip curls into a sneer. “Where is Teddy?”
“Who?” I raise an eyebrow in genuine confusion. Because what the fuck? I had hoped Derek would’ve given him the news that we can’t find her. I don’t like to explain myself. He should know better.
Seth stands motionless for a moment, his eyes distant as he speaks, “The woman who’s been with me all along.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Ah, her? We don’t know…”
He balls his fists at his side, a fire behind his gaze. “Well, then I have to leave and look for her.”
I lift my palms defensively. “You have to stay here and rest. Doctor’s orders.”
Seth stares at me with anger and frustration.
“Boss,” Derek says through gritted teeth as if pleading for me to show some kindness to this poor bastard.
I sigh heavily and run a hand through my hair in exasperation. This is not how I operate. I don’t give explanations to anyone, but I can make an exception. “Listen, my team is doing their best to locate her, but for now—”
“Why am I here?” he demands. “No, why have you been following us?”
“As I said before, what you mean to say is, ‘Thank you.’”
Derek crosses his arms and glares at me.
I take a deep breath and think about my words carefully before speaking. “I asked Blade to bring you here because we have a mutual enemy, and if we join forces, we can make sure the Zs can never hurt either of us or our families again.”
Seth’s face goes pale as he processes my words. His eyes widen with confusion as he tries to fathom what I’m suggesting. “Are you implying that we form an alliance?”
“Yes,” I reply, slightly exasperated by his hesitation. “Fighting them together is the only way you will be safe.”
“I have a company that can take care of—”
I chuckle, shaking my head and glancing at Derek. I want to say something like, ‘You’re fucking kidding me, right? They’re useless.’
But I don’t. I simply say, “So far, they have failed despite their best efforts.”
He sighs heavily in resignation, his broad shoulders slumping in defeat. “What would you need from me?”
“Your full cooperation. You work under my orders, no exceptions,” I say sternly.
He nods slowly, reluctantly. “Fine, I’ll do it under one condition.”
I meet his gaze without wavering and say firmly, “I don’t negotiate.”
His jaw clenches as he lets out an exasperated breath. “Fine. Then I’ll walk away. It seems you haven’t been able to do this alone, either. You. Need. Me,” he challenges.
Do I need him? I don’t know. I have a gut feeling that I do, and I’ve learned to follow my instincts. It’s saved my ass several times before.
The room falls silent as we lock eyes, neither of us wanting to back down. Finally, I sigh and give in. “Fine, what do you want in exchange?”
He exhales loudly before replying. “Teddy. Find her and send her to a safe place.”
Derek, who stands next to Seth, gives me a stony and imploring expression that reminds me Piper will be livid if we don’t find Teddy soon.
With a deep breath, I give Seth my word. “I’ll make sure we find her,” I say firmly. “My people are searching for her. But you have to promise that when we find her and make sure she’s safe, you’ll be working for me until Ricardo Zamudio and the Zs are gone.”
His lips curve into a faint smirk, and he chuckles softly. “That won’t take long,” he replies.
