Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(73)

“I’m trying to protect this city, O’Brien. It would be nice if you’d like to do the same. Then, we could come to some kind of agreement.” Briggs spread his hands as if trying to appeal to my common sense. “I’m not your enemy. I have a job to do. For this city, this country. The world even. Supernatural shit isn’t contained by borders. You know that. You have an opportunity to play an important role here.”

“So, what are you saying? If I don’t I’ll be labelled some kind of supernatural terrorist threat? I bet you have some swanky government term for that. I’m not your enemy either, Agent. But, I have no interest in working for you.”

“Then work with us.” Briggs leaned forward, his voice rising in volume. “Look, Alexa, I have information on Shya. I think you have some, too. If you’re not on the inside with him, then I think it’s safe to assume you and I want the same things as far as he’s concerned.”

“And, what might that be?” My curiosity was piqued. If Briggs knew something about Shya that I didn’t, I wanted to know what it was.

“To stop him from tearing innocent lives apart. Freedom from the wait. Never knowing what he’s up to, but always knowing whatever it is, it’s gonna be big and f**king bad.” Anger flickered through his eyes, and he clenched his fists. “Do you share that burden, or am I alone in that?”

I met his gaze steadily, repressing the flicker of hope that leapt in my chest. Could it be possible that I could trust the FPA regarding Shya? It seemed too good to be true. It would be so damn nice to have someone on the outside who understood how dangerous the demon was.

“Yeah,” I admitted. “I share that burden. More so these days than ever before.”

I glanced out the tinted window, watching the buildings pass by. I disliked Briggs immensely. He was near the top of my shit list after what he’d done to Kale. I held him responsible for Kale’s snap in sanity. Still, I needed someone on my side with this. It would be a risk to trust him but one that might be worth taking.

“I know he’s had a heavy hand in controlling your life since your parents died,” Briggs spoke softly. “I’m sorry about that. He’s not here by accident. He chose this city for a reason. And you. But, I’m not sure how much I can share. I need to know I can trust you.”

I swung my gaze back to Briggs, letting the wolf rise up to fill my eyes. He did a great job of maintaining his composure. Only the subtle increase of his pulse gave away his unease.

“Trust is a two way street, Briggs. 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.