Page 87 of Bloodlust

"Zhao," I hum, leaning back into the chair. "Using your girlfriend's phone? Come on now, how unoriginal."

He snorts. "I'm impressed. How'd you know?"

"My world has eyes," I say. "You want in?"

"What changed?" he asks, sniffing around for the scent of something shady. "My fiancée informed me weeks ago you were not interested in an alliance."

"Well, perhaps if you came yourself, this deal would've already happened," I retort flatly. "It's all about respect, isn't it, Zhao?"

"I could not agree more," he says with an eerie tone. "I take respect very seriously."

"I guess we have one thing in common after all," I say. "So? You're in?"

"Yes." He pauses. "But..."

I snort. "But? Really?"

"There is always a but, isn't there, Camilla?" hetaunts. "As I said, I take respect very seriously, butloyaltyis equally important to The Dragons."

"Loyalty?" I repeat.

"Yes," he says. "Before I give Malik my final answer, I need to know you will be loyal to us."

"And how will I do that, Zhao?" I ask. "Loyalty's hard to measure in our business, we both know that."

"Tomorrow," he says. "Meet me at Lulu's Diner. The basement. I have a task for you."

I raise a brow. "A task?"

"Bring your gun," he says. "Make sure it's loaded."

"I'm not going to kill for you," I scoff.

"What better way to test one's loyalty than to bond over spilled blood?" He lets out a coarse laugh. "Show up or don't, but that will determine my answer."

"Who's the mark?" I ask, conflict battering against my ribcage.

"We have a rat problem," he divulges. "Need an exterminator."

I shake my head. "Sounds more like an in-house job.”

Fuckers.

"If you want my house to be your house," he says. "Then you'll do it."

I chew on my lip. Plaster pieces once again. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

"At midnight," he adds. "Come alone."

I snort. "To Chinatown? Unlikely. I'll bring men. Don't worry, you won't know where they are."

At least he'llthinkI have protection.

"You don't trust me," he observes.

"And you don't trust me."

He laughs. "See? We need this. For both our sakes."