For years, Cassidy had been looking for the truth, following leads through dark alleys, boardrooms, and underground networks. But she had never felt a narrative weigh down on her like this before. This was no longer only about corruption. This was a fight. And now she was one of its most important people. She looked at Alexander across the dimly lighted safe house. Her heart was steady but beating rapidly. She had said she would cooperate with him, but that didn't mean she trusted him. Not completely. It was dangerous to trust a man like Alexander Cross. And she had never raced away from the flames before. A Thoughtful Risk Cassidy responded, "You said Vaughn is testing me," and her voice was calm. "What if he thinks I'm a problem?" Alexander leaned on the table and watched her like a puzzle he was still trying to figure out. "He won't wait for you to do something. He'll get rid of the threat before you become one. Cassidy let out a slow breath. "I have to hit him first," His lips curved up a little. "Now you're learning." She put her arms across her chest. "I need to know everything about him." His habits, his friends, and his weaknesses. I need more than just circumstantial evidence if I'm going to tell on him. I need something that can't be denied. Alexander's face clouded. "We need to get you close to him now." Cassidy stopped. "You want me to go undercover." A slow nod. She swallowed, and her mind raced. It wasn't an awful idea. Vaughn would never think she would want to get close to him. If she could get into his private network, she could uncover the one thing that would ruin him. But it was risky. And that would put her right in the lion's lair. Alexander must have seen the doubt in her eyes because he moved closer and spoke more quietly. "You're already on his radar." He'll know you're working against him if you leave now. Cassidy tightened her jaw. "And what if I get too close?" Alexander's face grew rigid. "Then you don't let him pull you down." She looked him in the eye, looking for any signs that he was lying. But there wasn't any. Just the cold, hard truth. In that moment, she hated that she trusted him. She hated that she had to rely on him. But more than anything else, she hated that she wanted to know what was beyond that mask of his. Dancing with the Devil Cassidy was back in Vaughn's universe two nights later. The subterranean club was private and hard to find; it was behind a steel door in the basement of a fancy hotel. There was a lot of smoke and whiskey in the air, and the bass of the music shook her bones. It was a place for the affluent and powerful to play, make deals, share secrets, and buy alliances with blood money. And Vaughn was in the middle of it. Cassidy saw him near the private booths, laughing with a group of men in well-fitting suits. People paid attention to him because he moved slowly and on purpose. She took a deep breath and pushed down the uneasy feeling in her gut. This was just another task. Just one more mark. She straightened her shoulders and walked toward the bar. A voice whispered in her ear before she could order a drink. "Showing up here is a bold move." Cassidy didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Alex. She tightened her grip on the edge of the bar. "You should be staying out of my way." He got closer, and his presence was an unbreakable force. "And let you die on the first night?" No way. Cassidy finally turned around and looked at him. He was wearing different clothes tonight: black pants, no tie, and the top button of his shirt was undone. He fit in with this world too readily. She hated how nice he looked doing it. "I don't need a babysitter, Cross," she remarked in a hushed voice. He smiled. "Then show it." Cassidy let out a short breath and turned back to the bar. Vaughn hadn't met her yet. She had a little time before she had to do something. "I need a way in," she murmured quietly. "Something that makes me important to him." Something inscrutable sparked in Alexander's eyes. "You already are." Cassidy made a face. "What does that mean?" He said, "Vaughn is a control freak." "He doesn't like things that aren't finished." And he really doesn't like folks he can't guess what they'll do. He looked at her. "You interest him." Cassidy gulped. That didn't make me feel better. A change in the room attracted her attention before she could answer. Vaughn had seen her. His face stayed blank, but there was a flash of recognition. He then carefully lifted his glass to her as an invitation. Cassidy's heart raced. This was it. One final time, she turned to Alexander. "Don't get in my way." He had a faint but knowing smirk on his face. "Be careful, Cassidy." She didn't turn around. She walked through the crowd, getting closer to Vaughn and making every muscle in her body relax. Control and confidence. She sat on the seat across from him and looked him in the eye. "Miss Lane," he said with a hint of humor in his voice. "I was wondering when you would find me again." Cassidy smiled slowly and on purpose. "I think it's time we talked for real." Vaughn looked at her closely, tilting his head. "And what exactly do you have to offer?" Cassidy leaned in a little and spoke more softly. "I know things, Vaughn." About Alexander. About what he wants to do. His face didn't shift, but she saw the quick flash of interest. She had him. Vaughn took a sip of his drink. "Go on." Cassidy grinned. Start the game. The edge of a knife Alexander looked from across the club. As Vaughn leaned in, his jaw tightened, and a slow smile spread across his face as Cassidy moved in. She was doing a good job at the game. Too well. Alexander was right: Vaughn was interested in her. But he wasn't sure that was a good thing. Vaughn never let go of anything that he found interesting. And Cassidy Lane had just become his new favorite way to pass the time. Alexander let out a slow breath and made fists with his hands. He should have gotten her out of this. Should have told her it wasn't worth the risk. But he didn't. Cassidy wasn't just a reporter. She was a powerful force. And for the first time in years, Alexander didn't know if he was trying to keep her safe from Vaughn... Or from himself.
