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I shrug, placing them on the coffee table beside me as I sit across from them. “You don’t know who I am, but⁠—”

“You’re here to kill me. Who sent you? My father?”

I arch a brow, and my lips curve into a knowing smile. “Still fighting with Daddy Dearest, huh? You know, I thought that would have been finished after the disaster he inflicted on you the first time.” A flinch, but their expression remains stony. “It’s a good thing I’m here to fix it all, isn’t it? Consider me your fairy grandmother.”

“Grandmother?” they repeat with a sneer.

“Isn’t that what it is?” I shrug, unoffended. “Wasn’t much into fairy tales growing up, so you’ll excuse me if I get it wrong. Anyway, we’re getting off topic, and I don’t have a lot of time before your pet wakes up.”

“If you hurt them, I’ll kill you.”

“Of course not. I don’t hurt innocent animals. They’re taking a much-deserved rest and will wake up thinking they had a nice nap.” I glare at them. “I might be a little crazy, but I’m not a sociopath.”

An arched brow is all I get.

I scowl. “You’re losing points, you know. Lucky for you, I have use for you.”

“Oh, do you?”

“Are you always this sassy?”

Silence.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I roll my eyes. Guess we’re going from one extreme to the other between these two. Whatever, it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before. “Now, to get down to business. You and I have a common goal, and it’s time we joined forces.”

Their eyes widen and shoulders stiffen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We have nothing in common. I’m a⁠—”

“Don’t insult me. I know exactly what you are, who you are, and the network you’ve built. The people who trust you to make sure the targets you go after are legit and able to be … disposed of without much fuss. Normally, I’d simply sit back and watch, but you’ve gotten too close, and now the heat’s starting to reach the edges of what you’ve built.”

They lick their lips but don’t reply. Smart. One of the few reasons I respect them. They wait, analyze, and consider what it might reveal before they act or speak.

Finally, they ask, “How do you know this? We’ve been careful.”

“You have, but I’m not your run-of-the-mill criminal.”

“Who are you?”

I don’t bother answering that. What do they take me for, an idiot?

I go through the same spiel as I gave our first recruit, and by the time I finish, the hostility in their eyes has lessened, and they seem far more intrigued.

“And just how do you propose we make all this work? And that’s if I trust you to keep your word.”

I nod at Mishka, who moves forward and sets the envelope next to them. He steps back into the shadows, and they shift in their seat and clench their hands so tightly in their lap their knuckles turn white. “Read the note. You have twenty-four hours. No answer, and I kill you and take over your network. I’d prefer not to do that, but, well, you know how this world works. And as an extra incentive …”

I pull the picture from my pocket and spin it in my fingers to reveal it. Their eyes widen before a scowl masks their surprise. I set the picture on top of the envelope. “How?” they rasp.

“Well, the fun thing about this life is if you know the right people, you can fake a hell of a lot. But them being alive is a major problem for you. I’ll give you forty-eight hours to fix it before I step in. No loose ends.” I get to my feet. “Twenty-four hours to tell me if you’re in or out.”

“And if I don’t agree, I’m dead.” It’s not a question, but fear doesn’t exist in the words.

“Precisely. See, you’re a smart one. I’ve given you something to be a part of that you know will make those who trust you excited. They want this, they want the connection, and you get your revenge. Everyone wins. And don’t worry, you won’t be alone.”

“Oh, lucky me.”

“We’ll work on the sass. I don’t need two of you pulling that shit all the time.” I side-eye Mishka, who ignores me, focused on the animal rousing in the corner. “Time to go.”

“Are you going to untie me?”