Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“But you said no one will believe me,” she snapped back.
Damien rubbed his brow. He did not need another mess right now.
He gestured toward the sitting area by the window, overlooking the city below. “Please.”
Sky went over and took a seat. He sat across from her, taking a moment to cool down. He did not want to lose his patience with her or fight. Not when he missed her so much.
Damien muted his temper. “Sky, no one will believe you except the people who know it’s the truth. And they won’t be pleased you’re going public—especially the part about trafficking women.” The governor’s deceased brother had founded SBP, but from what Damien could tell, their circle of powerful friends and the governor himself were all in on it. These were not nice people.
“Good, because I started this entire thing to save them. Whether they’re taken and used for sex or ultimately end up in an SBP lab to have their souls sucked from their bodies against their will and implanted into one of these,” she pointed to herself, “it’s vile and needs to stop.”
“I agree, Sky.” In fact, he admired her determination to get the truth out there. It was the reason he’d felt instantly attracted when they met. “But what I do not understand is why you published under my name.”
“I knew you wouldn’t be happy about it, but the world thinks I’m dead, and I couldn’t have Governor Newbery and his buddies thinking it was my sister Amelia’s doing. They’d immediately suspect her if I didn’t put your name on it.”
“Then why not use an alias?” he asked.
“Because for anyone to believe a word of it, the report had to come from a real person. And who better than a deadly, immortal tailor who was once an assassin and now works for a dangerous goddess.”
“If I had to choose between Amelia or myself as a target, I would make the same decision; however, if I were truly after justice, I would rely on this.” He tapped the side of his head. “I have destroyed far more villains by outsmarting them than I ever did with a sword.”
“You used a sword to kill people?”
“It’s quiet. Doesn’t draw attention.” He shrugged. “And if you want to take down SBP, you must do the same. You must become one of them, Sky. You must work for the people at the top.”
“What?”
“You died,” he said. “Now you have a new body, a new face, and, with my help, a new identity, too. We can cater your résumé and background to appeal to the governor himself. And after you have earned his trust, you can collect all the information you need to take him down. Quietly. Discreetly. For good.”’
Her green eyes flickered with mischief. “What if I don’t want quiet? What if I want him to have to face the world for exploiting those poor women?”
“Then you search for evidence to do just that. However, I recommend finding something you can show to his enemies.”
“I don’t follow,” she said.
“Men like him always have enemies—other wealthy, powerful people. Find something that will provoke his enemies to take him out.”
Sky nodded. “I see; let his enemies do the dirty work.”
“Exactly.” This was one of the key strategies he once used as a fixer. Avoid taking down powerful people head-on. Never ended well. But find out who their biggest enemies were, and then fuel those people to act? Very effective.
“Okay,” she said. “But what if that doesn’t stop him and his cronies? What if in the meantime, the trafficking continues? How about the poor supernatural critters who get swept up in their nets? Cimil might’ve burned down SBP’s headquarters, but we both know that can’t be their only operation.”
“You must weigh the end goal with the cost of getting there. How many innocent lives will be lost for the sake of ending SBP for good? It is a decision you must make because the burden will be yours to bear.” He reached over and took her hand. “Just know that I am here for you. Even if I am incredibly annoyed that you used me as a nom de plume.”
A demure smile flashed across her lips, and the two stared at each other for a long moment. Her gaze floated down to his mouth, a subtle invitation to kiss her perhaps.
He was about to go in when he remembered something important. Fuck.
“Sky, I need to tell you something.”
“Sounds ominous.” She leaned back, reclaiming her hand.
“Cimil has backed me into a corner. She is demanding that I choose between you and Willa.”
Sky rolled her eyes. “I can already guess how that’s going to shake out.”
“Why do you say that?”
She shot him a look. “Willa was your first love.”
“If only it were so simple.”
She raised a gold eyebrow. “So you’re not choosing her?”