Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,2

as he sounded.

A hunter.

Not the hunted.

Not if a person knew what was good for them.

“I want the same thing from you that you want from me.” Vincent relaxed back in his chair only the way an untouchable man could. “Information.”

“Then I believe you will be disappointed.” Pierce glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Information is something I am significantly lacking right now.”

Vincent didn’t speak until Pierce’s eyes lifted to his. “Am I keeping you from something?”

“I’m sure you know the demands of my situation.” Coming to GHOST headquarters was imperative. The opportunity might not present itself again, and it was too big to waste.

But being away from headquarters and all he needed to monitor made him jumpy.

Agitated.

“Tell me what you know about your situation.” Vincent rocked in his chair as if he had all the time in the world.

As if there wasn’t someone breathing down both their backs.

“I believe we are in the same situation.” Pierce lifted his brows at Vincent. “Are we not?”

Vincent’s lips lifted in a little smirk. “We are not.”

“You underestimate my team then.” Vincent might believe the people hidden behind these walls were his key to survival, but Pierce would bet on Intel and their collective skills any day.

“You must be forgetting that I know your team, Pierce.” Vincent tipped his head. “Tried to convince one of them to come join mine.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “She declined.”

Heidi.

It would be easy to let himself believe her rejection of Vincent’s offer had something to do with what Piece worked so hard to offer her and the women she worked with, but in the end Heidi’s choice most likely started and ended with a different man.

“That is unfortunate for you.”

“I don’t disagree.” Vincent smiled. “I should probably let you know I plan to continue trying to steal her from you.”

“I would expect nothing less.” Pierce resisted the frustration trying to ease under his skin. He didn’t have time for this.

There were more important things to deal with.

“What exactly is it you wish you know about the situation?”

“I think you’re misunderstanding me.” Vincent pointed around the room. “I don’t wish to know anything. I already know what I need to know.” He moved the pointing finger Pierce’s way. “I’m asking what you know.”

It was impossible to reach into his pocket, find the item he used to focus when the demons became too much. There was nowhere to walk. No distraction ready to occupy the spark of anger threatening to flame.

“I know you put two of my people in danger by bringing them here.” Pierce crossed one leg over the other, reaching down to straighten the hem of his pants once he did. “In the hopes you could steal one of them away.”

“They were already in danger.” Vincent’s gaze was sharp as it rested on him. “And if you don’t realize that it’s going to be a problem.”

Of course he knew they were already in danger. Everyone at his company was in danger. Threatened by an unnamed source.

One the man across from him wished to know more about.

That made two of them.

“Unfortunately, knowing the scope of the danger does nothing to narrow down the source.” Pierce held Vincent’s eyes. “Unless you already know the source.”

“I know you won’t believe me when I tell you I don’t.”

“Why would you think I’d have difficulty believing you, Vincent?” Pierce dropped both feet to the floor. “It’s not like you’ve been using my men against me and trying to steal my most valuable employees for yourself.” He stood.

This was a waste of his time. Completely.

He was done with it.

The door was open before Vincent spoke again. “You can’t handle this on your own. You don’t have the resources.”

Pierce turned. “And what are you suggesting? I’m not ignorant enough to believe you have any interest in working together.”

“Honestly, I don’t.” Vincent looked him up and down. “I’d prefer to let this work itself out and deal with the fallout.” He exhaled loud and long. “Unfortunately, that’s not an option available to me.”

“I’m not interested.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“I don’t respond well to demands.”

Vincent’s lips curved in an amused smile. “Then consider this a friendly request.”

Pierce turned from the room. Staying any longer would only make this worse.

And right now he couldn’t handle anymore worse.

He made his way through the maze of halls to the door he first entered, pushing it open and stepping out into the freezing darkness. As he expected, a black SUV was parked right by the door, engine idling.

He went