You have two options as far as I’m concerned.”

“Hmph,” I huffed under my breath, sitting on the cold metal chair, my hands cuffed before me.

“And if you keep up with the attitude, you’ll only have one.”

Rolling my eyes, I finally looked up at him, my lips pressed into a hard line. “I don’t even know why I’m here,” I began, my voice rumbling from my chest. I rolled my shoulders back, my leather jacket creaking with my movement. “I helped you out.”

“You did.” The dark-skinned men nodded, leaning forward. “That’s why I’m giving you a second chance.”

I scoffed. “Is that what you’re calling this? If I was smart, I would have high-tailed it out of there.”

“Maybe, but either way, here you are.”

“Tell me, Cruz. What do you really expect from me? We both know I’m nothing more than a crook.”

He shook his head. “I don’t believe that. You helped us for a reason.”

I kicked my foot onto the table, rocking back on my chair. “Well, go on. What are my options? I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

Cruz sighed. “You aren’t going to make this easy for me, are you?”

“Nope.”

He got up, his body towering above mine, trying to assert dominance. I held his gaze, proving that I was not so easily intimidated. “Either we keep you in custody until the authorities decide to process you… Trust me, they won’t be lacking for evidence. They’ll arrest and jail you in a minute.”

“Been there, done that. You’re not very good at making threats, Cruz.”

“Oh, but this time, things will be different. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you go to the worst prison in the country. You’ll be surrounded by murderers, pedophiles, and worse. A cute guy like you? They’ll make you a bitch in no time.”

I growled. “I’d like to see them try.”

“I wouldn’t take any chances if I were you. It’s no playground over there. You could get hurt.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not scared.”

Cruz watched me for a moment before walking toward the other side of the room, picking up a file from the table and flipping through it. “Or I give you the chance to redeem yourself.”

Silence.

“You’ll be pardoned for your crimes so long as you work for VanGuard and abide by all of its rules.”

I laughed. “Why would I ever work for you?”

“Because I know you used to be a SEAL, Emil.” He dropped my file right in front of me. It opened up, revealing a photograph taken while I had been in the service. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed the picture, a sense of nostalgia washing over me.

That was before everything had begun. I’d had such purpose and direction, thinking I would save the world by serving my country. Oh, how wrong I had been. It hadn’t taken long for the nightmares to start and the neurosis to kick in. I’d been discharged for going berserk one night, nearly killing my bunkmate with a switchblade.

I’d been ridiculed for my actions.

So, I’d turned to the streets. They had welcomed me with open arms.

“We need someone with an ‘in’ to the underworld.”

“You want me to become a double-crosser?” I asked, an eyebrow raising in question.

Cruz didn’t bother to answer. He simply sat back down and looked at me with an expectant expression on his face.

I breathed out through my nose, my nostrils flaring. I didn’t want to succumb to his offer, but it was my best option. “Fine.”

He smirked. “I knew you’d see things my way.” Quickly, he gathered up the folder, straightening the documents within. “And I already have the perfect mentor in mind. She’ll make sure to keep you in line. Train you.”

“Train me? For what? I didn’t choose this option just so I could become your bitch,” I snarled.

“Don’t worry.” He laughed. “But if I were you, I’d be careful around Cassandra. She has a fiery temper.”

“Cassandra? You’re making some girl babysit me?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No.” I grinned. “It might actually be fun.”

“Don’t get any bright ideas. She doesn’t like any of that bullshit. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. When do I get to meet her?”

“Soon. But first, you’ll have to wear a house arrest anklet just so we can keep track of where you are at all times. We don’t want you running off.”

“You can’t be serious.”

In response, Cruz reached under his chair and pulled out a box. When he took off the lid, I could see the blinking red light of the tracking device.

Great, just great.

Despite this being the “better” option, I was still a goddamn prisoner. I should never have helped. A fat lot of good it was doing me now. If Karma existed, she sure knew how to ignore me.

“You’ll still be able to move around the city.”

“Oh, what a relief,” I snapped sarcastically.

Cruz shot me a reprimanding look before he kneeled, wrapping the device around my ankle. It was heavy and clunky.

“How long do I have to wear this?”

“As long as it takes for you to gain the company’s trust.”

“So…forever?”

“I’m sure you’ll prove yourself before then,” he said, giving my shoulder a firm squeeze. “Anyway, I think it’s about time you meet Cassandra.”

“Oh sure, I’m just dying to see her.”

“I really would hold my tongue around her if I were you.”

“Just bring her in, will you?”

“You asked for it.” Cruz shrugged, heading for the door. He disappeared, leaving me alone in the interrogation room. The key was still on the table. Maybe, if I acted quickly, I could still get out and pretend like none of this had ever happened.

But before I could act, a pixie-like redhead walked into the room. She marched right up to me, snatched the key, dropped it into her bosom, and stared at me with intense green eyes. “I’m Cassandra. Don’t make me mad.”

Oh, this was going to be so much fun.