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But her mention of the women I'm helping has sparked an idea.
"I'll help on one condition," I say slowly.
Her shoulders sag slightly in relief. "Anything."
"Since your stunts got the Ruby shut down, I have no safe place to store our next package. You understand?" Natalie nods. "You'll help me get this package out of the city. Safely." I raise a brow. "And we do that before we compare any notes at all. Understand?"
Natalie thinks for a long moment, then meets my gaze squarely and extends a hand. "Understood. Partners?"
I regard her outstretched hand. She's almost too easy to fool, this woman who upended my life. She's placing herself completely in my hands by agreeing to this. It would be the easiest thing in the world to turn her in to her superiors, let them know that she's been harassing me. Telling me inside information. They'd believe it, too.
I wonder if she understands just what a foolish thing this is for her to do.
Because as much as I hate her…
I still desire her.
And I know now how I can seek my revenge against Natalie Miller. I'll use her like she used me. Seduce her like she seduced me. And when I have her exactly where I want her, I'll expose her for corruption. Make sure I take down the whole of that worthless team she worked with, too. Taint the entire FBI.
And I'll break her goddamn heart as the cherry on top.
I take her hand in mine. "Partners."
CHAPTER8
NATALIE
The flashing neon sign of the diner pierces the night, a beacon cutting through the rain as Alessa and I head toward it after our shift at Anna's Kitchen. I steady my nerves as we approach the door, memories of a previous night with Alessa crowding in. Our first illicit "date", when I managed to charm an invitation to her exclusive domain. One more step in my carefully orchestrated plan to infiltrate the Ruby.
That night sparked more than I could have predicted. Even now, part of me wants to give in to the dangerous pull Alessa exerts on me. But I want to know what she knows. I need her perspective on it.
I need her help.
I'm surprised she agreed, actually. And I know she doesn't trust me. But I hope that won't mean we can't work together. When she asked me to help with the next trafficking victim, I was almost relieved.
Because, despite everything, I believe in Alessa'swork. I believe that those women need rescuing. And if it's a Mafia princess from the same damn Family who's doing the rescuing? Well, all the better to wedge into that crack in the Mob and make it wider. Split them open and destroy them.
But I'm still on edge. Alessa even chooses the same booth we had the night of our date, and I hesitate for a moment before I slide in across from her. I meet her gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated. "Alright. Where do we start?"
One elegant eyebrow lifts slightly. "Let's back up, Special Agent Miller," she says. "Why exactly should I trust you? I have no reason to believe anything that comes out of that pretty mouth of yours. You've already proven how easily you lie. How do I know you're not wearing a wire right now?"
"Do you want to search me? We could go into the bathroom."
She gives a small smile that grows, catlike. "Are you offering to strip off for me, Natalie? Would you let me run my hands all over you, searching out your secrets?"
She wants a reaction from me, and I refuse to give her the satisfaction. "You shouldn't trust me," I say bluntly. "Just as I have no reason to trust you. But we both want the same thing here—justice. If what you say about the planted evidence is true, then someone in the Bureau has gone rogue. I won't let that stand. And you need my help, too, Alessa. You said so yourself."
Alessa snorts, the inelegant sound at odds with her usual poise. "So noble. And so certain it must be a lone wolf, rather than your whole precious institution being rotten from top to bottom."
"I know there are moral complexities in our work. But the Bureau still represents justice and order. I joined to uphold those ideals." As I say it, I realize it must sound painfully naive to her ear. She deals in moral relativism and shades of gray. But I can't—won't—sacrifice my principles, or my belief that justice and integrity stillmatter.
Her smile turns wry and mocking. "Keep telling yourself that, Agent Miller. Maybe it will help you sleep better at night."
Her contempt slashes at me, but I hold firm. I do need her, for now. And she needs me. "This alliance requires honesty on both sides. So I'm laying out ground rules. I can't be party to anything illegal in, uh, sending this package interstate. And I won't turn a blind eye to anything criminal I see along the way."
The server comes over to pour out our coffees, and smiles at Alessa. "Usual, hon?"
"Thanks, Dee," she says with a return smile. "And my friend here will have the same." Her eyes come back to me once the server is safely gone, and she sits back, one finger idly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. " "Despite what your team seems to think, I'm not some conniving villain."
