Page 66 of Alliance

“I dunno.” Marcus shrugs. “You new, doll?”

She nods her head but doesn’t open her mouth again.

“Can I test her out?” I ask Marcus, which brings some light to his gaze. Marcus has a favorite hobby of trying to loosen me up, trying to break through the composure that I pride myself on.

“Be my guest.” He smiles widely, gesturing to the girl who now looks at me with an ounce of fear.

Finally,I think. The girl needs to smarten up.

I rise from my seat on the plush velvet bench and wrap my fingers around her arm, leading her back to a private room.

When I shut the door, she’s looking at me with glassy eyes, fear lingering in her gaze.

“I’m not gonna fuck you,” I mutter, loosening my tie. “What’s your name?”

“Cat,” she breathes.

Her name is most definitely not Cat, but I don’t push her on it.

“What…what are…”

“Nothing.” I answer the question before she’s able to finish it.

She looks shocked for a moment. “Why?”

Because I need to gain my cousin’s loyalty, make him think I’ve changed, that I’m more like him. I need to get him comfortable, so he spills all his secrets. And if he thinks I’m fucking her, then he’ll believe me more.

I don’t tell her any of that though.

Instead, I smile the best I can. “Because this is all a game, kitten, and I plan on winning.”