Page 29 of Crave Me

“Despite you owning some illegitimate operations, my entire life was this sort of thing, beyond underground and illicit. This is my forte.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “That’s why you hesitated on bringing me in right away, yes? It concerns you?”

“We’re beyond that now.”

“You’re afraid that Elijah will break Caleb?” He scoffed. “No.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“You would be too if you’d remained close with him over the last two years.”

I started toward him.

He held up his hand. “I’m merely saying that Cal has several tricks up his sleeves that he didn’t before he left Rossun. He’ll endure. I have no doubt.” He winced. “The other one, though? The Prince of the City… he’s another story. His weaknesses are also well-publicized. He’s not a loner and therefore not an enigma like Cal. He’s an open book and that doesn’t bode well at all with this sort of thing.”

“He’s more resourceful than anybody has been made aware of.”

Asher cocked an eyebrow. “How so?”

It wasn’t the first time Bastian had been kidnapped. Of course I’d had him take precautions after that. Luke and I had schooled him well should it ever befall him again.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I need to know what we’re working with in order to develop this search and rescue op.”

I shook my head. “You’ve already helped me with what I came to you for. I’d envisioned it taking a great deal longer, you having to connect with these people in person, hence my concerns that your loved ones would be resistant to you assisting me, believing you’d have to step back into all of this shit.”

“I ensured I obtained a solid foothold with these covert forces as a precautionary measure. My achievements of late have also garnered me a very favorable reputation with them. They respect me and many of them wish to keep me happy should they require my special brand of assistance in the future.”

“And you were able to gain introductions via Aaron and your woman’s father.”

“They assisted initially, yes.”

“An incredibly smart and calculating move. It will serve you well.” I held out my hand. “Thank you for your help. It’s much appreciated.”

He waved my handshake away. “I’m not done here, Caspian. I can assist you a great deal more that calling off a kill order.”

“Again, appreciated, but I’ll handle the rest.”

I turned to go, but his next words pulled me up short.

“How about you drop the faux politeness and niceties and we’ll really get down to business.”

I spun back to him. “I don’t have time for this. The clock is ticking.” Fucking constantly.

“I agree. You don’t have time. Not for this bullshit, nor for this denial you’re entertaining.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re really going to refuse my help because you can’t stand me or the fact that I fucked around with Caleb?”

Hell. “Us working together is only going to—”

“Get the job done a hell of a lot faster? Not to mention, you’re far too emotionally invested.”

“And you’re not with Caleb being involved?”

“I can check it. I’m nowhere near as sentimental as you are. You need my special brand of stoicism, my mercilessness, and strategic know-how that rivals yours.”

“Asher—”

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