need to identify Sigourney’s killer. Two roads going to the same place.”
He was right. Whoever killed Sigourney likely had her daughter. “Why do you need to find Sigourney’s murderer?”
“Because she paid me to kill them.”
“How did she know to hire you? She didn’t pick your name out of a hat. Why did she think that you could kill an assassin?”
“Some people know I’m good at killing.”
The planet stopped. My mind struggled to process it. He was a professional killer. No different than the people who’d come after me in the mall. No different than the person who killed Runa’s mother.
The little hopeless dream I carried inside me died.
Why? He had everything going for him. Why?
“Work with me and we’ll get this done together,” he said.
Working with him would be a nightmare.
This wasn’t an emotional problem. My feelings didn’t matter. I had to look at this rationally. All I had was the money and that trail ended with him. If I refused to work with him, he would continue his search on his own and we would keep tripping over each other. I would rather have him on our side than competing with me. Two was better than one.
“If I work with you, will you share what you know about Sigourney’s death?”
“Yes.”
“Prove it. Tell me what you know about Diatheke and Benedict De Lacy.”
He leaned forward half an inch. It was a small movement, but it felt like he had pounced on me.
I held still and stared back at him. No, you’re not getting an inch. I’m going to stay right where I am.
Alessandro studied me. “When I first met you, I thought you were a shy, innocent, honest girl who was overwhelmed by her sudden rise. But you’re not, are you?”
Not anymore.
“You’re smart, ruthless, and calculating. Conniving even.”
Conniving was going too far.
He flashed a grin, a quick baring of teeth. “I love it.”
“I changed my mind. I don’t need your help.”
“How fortunate for me that it’s not up to you.” He looked over my shoulder. “Why don’t we ask your friend if she wants me to help you find her sister?”
I wasn’t about to turn my back to him. “Runa, are you behind me?”
“Yes.”
Crap.
“My condolences on your loss, Prime Etterson,” Alessandro said.
“Did you kill my mother?”
I’d heard that brittle edge in her voice just before Conway started sprouting black fuzz. Alarm pulsed through me. I spun to face her, putting myself between her and Alessandro. Runa’s face had gone so white, it looked bloodless.
“No,” Alessandro and I said at the same time.
“He was in Australia at the time of her murder,” I added. “I’ve verified this.”
“I have useful information,” he said. “I’m willing to help Catalina find Halle, but this is a one-time offer. Once I leave here, that’s it. Make a decision.”
I knew exactly what she would say before she even opened her mouth.
“I accept,” Runa said.
Whatever little negotiating power I’d had just evaporated. I had to salvage what I could. “Give us some information as a show of good faith and we have a deal.”
Alessandro flicked his fingers and tossed a black flash drive to Runa. “Your mother was a professional assassin. This is a record of her sins.”
Runa looked at the flash drive in her hand like it was a snake. “Find my sister. That’s all that matters now.”
She turned and walked down the stairs.
The skin on the back of my neck prickled. Alessandro was right behind me, so close, I felt the heat of his body.
“You tried to save me,” the wolf’s voice said inches from my ear. “I’m so touched.”
The small hairs on the back of my neck stood up. In my head, he leaned in and kissed me, his lips scorching hot on my skin. Having him near me was excruciating, and I’d just tied myself to him for however long the investigation would take. This was so messed up. So, so messed up.
Slowly, deliberately, I turned around. “Don’t read too much into it. Do you think Benedict killed Sigourney?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “The body was too burned. I do know that he either did it himself or had it done. When I spoke to Sigourney, she told me Diatheke would be targeting her.”
“Then Diatheke has Halle.”
“It appears so.” Alessandro grimaced. “The more pressing issue is that Benedict will retaliate, and soon. He lost one crystal elephant, two Guardians, eighteen killers, and a metamorphosis mage. Reputation is everything in his business.”
“What exactly is his business?”
Alessandro tilted his head. “Does this often work for