How the hell am I supposed to trust a man who keeps people locked up like animals?”
“There’s more to it than that.” His response came fast, and for the first time, he couldn’t meet my eyes. “Those people are dangerous. They are a threat to the general public. Every single one of them. ”
“Then why not just kill them?” I countered, my suspicions growing.
“It’s not that simple. We need them.”
I nodded, my suspicions confirmed. “Right. Stop the vehicle and let me out. We’re done here.”
The driver looked to Briggs for direction. He shook his head and waved off my demand.
“I don’t call all the shots; I take orders from the top. What happens with those people is not my call. It’s irrelevant to this discussion. Can you honestly say your moral track record is squeaky clean? You’ve killed humans. You recently turned one. If we let our personal business stand in the way, we will never have a hope in hell of stopping Shya.”
The smell of so many humans was starting to get to me. Being confined in the Escalade with them was slowly becoming a true test. The hunger that struck me inside the dance club lurked, waiting for a chance to shatter my fragile control.
“So, if we put our heads together to figure out Shya, then you never get involved in my business or personal activity? Is that a guarantee?” I let my breath out slowly. My mind raced as I tried to think of anything to diminish the bloodlust’s hold. I would not lose it in a car full of FPA agents.
“As long as you keep your activity quiet and stay away from my agents. I don’t need a repeat of what happened with Bianca.” Briggs snorted in disgust.
“What exactly did happen with her? I wasn’t part of that.”
Briggs was almost fuming. His cell phone beeped, stealing his attention. When he looked back at me, he forced a fake nonchalance.
“Arys roughed her up pretty badly. He made her talk. She told him about an item we’ve been looking for. One that Shya is also seeking. I don’t know how much she told him, but it was enough. I had to kill her.” He shrugged, as if taking out one of his own was all in a day’s work.
Bianca was dead. That little bomb left me shaking on the inside. I should have been happy to hear the vampiress who had seduced my wolf mate was nothing but ash and dust, but I wasn’t. I felt cheated because I hadn’t been the one to do it.
“That’s another thing,” Briggs continued. “Arys Knight. Keep him away from my people. I can’t afford to lose anyone else, especially not to a vampire doing Shya’s dirty work.”
“Alright,” I said, my gaze narrowed and stern. “Same goes for you. Keep your agents out of my nightclub. Nobody touches another of my vampires or werewolves, either.”
The Escalade circled around the downtown district, heading toward The Wicked Kiss. It was time to wrap this up. There was a moment of silence that quickly grew awkward. I could feel Briggs staring at me while I peered out the window.
“What, Briggs? Just spit out whatever’s on your mind.”
“You and Arys. You’re not just lovers. I hear you’re very powerful together. How does that work?”
I chuckled. So, Mr. Big Time Government Agent didn’t know everything. “In order for me to tell you, I’d have to know the answer myself. Don’t worry about it. We’re none of your concern, I promise.”
He didn’t look convinced. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”
We pulled to a stop in front of The Wicked Kiss. The doors opened, and the agents who were piled in next to me got out, moving so I could exit the vehicle. Briggs got out, too, waiting until every agent was back inside the Escalade.
“We need to share information. Somewhere private and safe.” He cast a critical look at the nightclub, watching the patrons lingering near the door.
“I’d suggest consecrated ground. Everywhere else is suspect. Besides, until I know you have something serious to share, I’m not going to be too eager to play nice with you.” I turned to go, dismissing him. Boldly, he grabbed my arm to stop me.
He quickly let go, but the heat from his hand lingered. “Shya stole information from us regarding an underworld artifact. It’s hidden in a sealed chamber that’s been closed off for over a thousand years. He wants to reopen it. If he gets his