Page 83 of Bloodlust

"It was hard enough negotiating approval for one member." Hardeep gives Hayden a hardened glare. I narrow my eyes at Hayden who turns away.Hmm. "There's simply no way to add two more of your associates to that list. Simply no way."

Despite all my father's shortcomings, he taught me one very important lesson. When there's a will, there is always a fucking way. The options in front of me are not viable. They're giving me two cards to choose from. Only two. The thing is, there are always more cards. It's just a matter of pulling them out ofyourpocket and putting them in play.

Sweeten the pot with something they can't turn down.

"Fine," I grin, the gears whirring in my head. Three birds. One stone. "I have a counter offer."

"A counteroffer?" Pamela asks, giving me a speculativelook. "We are not here to negotiate with you, Miss Bianco. We are?—"

"Wei Zhao," I say flatly, which garners stiffened postures from the agents. Oh yes, I can taste the honey. "And..." I trail off, teasing my new friends as a pride-infested smile spreads across my face. Hayden shakes his head subtly in disapproval, knowing where I'm heading. As if he cares. "And Malik Alba."

"The Dragons?" Pamela asks, eyes wide as she damn near falls out of her seat. "AndAlmuluk?"

Pamela whips her head toward Hardeep and Phillip who are both attempting to remain stoic. It's pointless. They know just as well I do that if they took down two of New York's most prominent gangs, plus an international gun lord, they'd probably go down in FBI history.

Villains aren't the only ones who crave notoriety. Heroes are just as thirsty.

"Well?" I raise a brow. "Do we have a deal?"

"To be clear," Pamela says in a hesitant tone. "In exchange for immunity for yourself, Zoella Di Rossi, and Leonardo Di Rossi, you will assist in prosecuting The Dragons and Almuluk?"

"Yes."

"We will need more than personnel and paper facts, Miss Bianco," Hardeep chimes in. "As you said, circumstantial evidence is not enough."

I smirk. "Who said anything about circumstantial?"

"Camilla," Hayden whispers beside me. "Maybe?—"

"There's a deal going down in a few weeks," I say. "You'll have everything you need. Guns, drugs, andmoney." I smile around the room. "Would that be sufficient evidence for prosecution?"

"A deal?" Phillip asks. "Between The Angels, The Dragons,andAlmuluk?" He gives me a perplexed look. "I don't understand."

"Let's just say..." I hum, chewing my bottom lip. Guess we're partnering with The Dragons. Problem solved. For now. "There's a new fusion restaurant opening up in New York City. Chinese Italian. I think it's going to be a big hit, no?"

"The Angels...have an alliance with the..." Pamela blinks. "The Dragons? Since when?"

I cast her a tight-lipped smile. "Draft new documents and I'll tell you everything."

Pamela sighs, clicking her tongue as she stands up. "ADA Deol and I will need some time, Miss Bianco. This is...unexpected."

"Yeah, well, I like to break stereotypes," I say, stretching as I stand up. "Glass ceilings and shit, you know?"

"Right," Pamela says with a wry smile. "We'll have new documents drafted in a couple of days. We'll courier them to Agent Malcolm when ready."

"What? You're not going to hand deliver them to me?" I joke. "I basically just paid for your summer vacation."

"Agent Malcolm will be your main point of contact from here on out," Phillip says as he follows the lawyers to the front door. He pauses, looking down at me. "The US Government is grateful for your cooperation, Miss Bianco, but you must understand what you're offeringcomes with a warning label. These aren't random street gangs that you're selling out." He lowers his voice. "Are you certain you're willing to risk your life for that of your friends?"

"Agent Cowry," I say, placing a hand on his cheek. He gives me a skeptical look as Hayden stiffens beside me. "I don't have friends. I have debt." I pull away. "And I always pay my debt."

Phillip nods in understanding as he looks at Hayden. "We'll take the back exit out. I'll be in touch soon. In the meantime, please debrief Miss Bianco on the protocol."

"Certainly, sir," Hayden states as he walks Phillip, Hardeep, and Pamela out of his office. I glance at Heather's empty desk. I suppose he doesn't need a receptionist anymore. I sigh, a tinge of deflation stewing in my gut. Mission complete. Once his associates are down the hall, Hayden slams the front door of his office shut, startling me. His eyes widen with anger. "Are you a fucking idiot?"

Taken aback, my jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

"The Dragons? Almuluk?" He storms toward me, steam blowing from his ears as he backs me up against the wall. "Do you have a death wish, Camilla? Why couldn't you have taken the deal? Information for immunity! It was easy! And now?" He glares down at me, his hot breath blowing into my fucking mouth. "Why must you be so difficult?"