Page 19 of The Devil We Know

Lilith turns, eying me again, and finally, she asks, “Like, what kind of good? Like, goody two shoes, gonna fuck with our shit, good? Or will fuck some shit up if put into a corner, good?”

I smirk, a small laugh escaping. “I’ll smash some skulls if I have to, though I prefer not to.”

“Ever got your hands dirty?”

I snort. “My hands, my arms, pretty much all of me that blood spatter can reach when you’re bashing somebody’s head in with a giant doorstopper.”

Her eyebrows raise again, but this time, her eyes light up excitedly, and then she turns back to Dare and retorts, “Oh, yes. I like her.”

Another blonde woman enters the room, Declan right behind her. Declan heads toward his brother, not giving me a glance or even attempting to make an introduction.

Smiling rather sheepishly, the woman walks directly to me and holds her hand out, which I take easily. She steps close and places a kiss against my cheek, a move I’ve always considered to be quite posh. I just manage to hide my smile when she pulls back and says, “Carolina Andersen. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Now I do smile, gripping her hand firmly in both of mine as I say, “Likewise. I’ve heard quite a bit about all of you.”

A snort comes from Tony as he says, “Well, depending on who that’s from, it’s not necessarily a good thing.”

Shrugging, I laugh and reply, “A little good, a little bad. Depends on your perspective.”

Tony nods in agreement. “I already know you know how to fuck around, so I have a feeling you’ll fit in just fine here.”

Heat rushes up my neck into my cheeks, and I feel a bit uncomfortable at the second reminder of the man I killed.

I never considered myself to be the murdering kind until I was put into a situation where it was kill or be killed. Most of thetime, I don’t think anything of it, and half of the time that I do, I still think, ‘fuck that guy.’

But there’s always that tiny part of me that wonders who I would be if that had never happened. If I’d never been forced to get blood on my hands and was still going about my days, pretending to be innocent of the darker sides of the world.

Innocent. That’s laughable, considering the industry I’ve been in for more than half of my life. Sometimes, those who don’t shed blood are even worse than those that do.

“That was a one-off,” I answer dismissively. “I don’t think I have any type of long-term career in the mercenary business.”

The look Tony gives me can only be described as assessing. He stares at my face, his eyes boring into mine, and I’m just bordering on squirming under his gaze when he says matter-of-factly, “If I’m betting against you or the snake, I’m going to pick the snake. I have a feeling you’ll do what you have to do.”

I cock my head at him, squinting, then lift a shoulder dismissively. “I have no qualms about doing what needs to be done when it shows up on my doorstep, but that doesn’t mean I’m keen on going out looking for it.”

“She can do it,” Lilith interrupts almost happily.

Tony gives her a bland look. “Do what?”

“She can be the one to go find Matt.”

I scowl, shaking my head in denial. “I don’t think that would work out very well for Matt.”

Lilith frowns at me. “Why the hell not? No one knows you. You’re perfect!”

“No, I’m not at all perfect. I’m exceedingly uncomfortable with the idea of inserting myself into possible danger with Matt’s life on the line.”

“Oh, it’s not ‘possible’ danger. It’s most definitely danger danger.”

“Exactly my point. I don’t want to bring more danger down on Matt since we have no idea what he’s doing there in the first place.”

“I don’t know, Lils,” Tony retorts flippantly. “She may not have what it takes to get the job done, and right now, we need someone with guts.”

I bristle, turning my scowl on Tony as I mutter, “I’ve got guts.”

He raises his brows, his look a touch condescending as he shrugs. “No, it’s okay. We totally understand if you’re scared to walk into the lion’s den. It’s not for everyone.”

My scowl turns into a glare, knowing he’s baiting me yet unable to stop myself from rising to meet his challenge. So, I cross my arms over my chest, lifting my chin obstinately. “I’ll fucking do it.”

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