“You must be here to discuss my arrangement with Hope,” Benicio said as he waved us to chairs. “But I’m not sure this was wise, bringing her in when she’s supposed to be undercover.”

“No?” Karl settled into his chair. “Then I guess you’ll have to abort the mission.”

My knees locked before I could drop into my chair. I shot a look at Karl, certain now that he’d invited me along because he knew it could mark the end of my job.

“Did you introduce her to anyone on your way in?” Benicio asked.

“Of course not. I simply presented myself as a Pack envoy, except to your sons, who also figured out who Hope was. But I presume they’ll be discreet.”

I relaxed. While Karl might have hoped this “indiscretion” would force the end of my mission, he hadn’t done anything that would put me at risk.

“I presume you want to join Hope in repaying this debt?” Benicio said.

“I’m considering it.”

And that was it. No accusations of reneging on a deal. It was as if both men acknowledged what had happened, and were mutually agreeing to move past the pointless blame and recriminations stage to get down to business.

“First, though,” Karl continued, “I want to know what you’re withholding from Hope.”

Benicio walked to a table with a pitcher of iced tea and glasses. Stalling? Or subtly reminding Karl of civilities?

I accepted the tea; Karl did not.

Benicio handed me my drink, then sat with his own. “If you’re referring to the problems Hope mentioned to Troy, we’re still looking into that.” He glanced at me. “Were you able to get any details?”

“I tried yesterday, with the guys who originally mentioned them. They assured me everything was under control and I didn’t need to worry. I’ll press for more when I can.”

“Is there anything else?” Karl asked Benicio.

“In that matter, we were withholding nothing, so no, there’s nothing else. You have my assurance that this job is exactly as I outlined it to Hope.”

They locked gazes. I tried to read vibes, but picked up nothing to suggest Benicio was lying. Of course, knowing my powers, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to let an incriminating thought form.

After a moment, Benicio said, “If my assurance isn’t enough, Karl, then consider that the Cortez Cabal is on better terms with the werewolf Pack than it ever has been, and certainly on better terms with it than the other Cabals are. That’s an advantage I intend to keep. I’d gain nothing by endangering it, which is what I’d do if I deliberately misled a Pack member.”

A moment’s consideration, then Karl said, “I want in, then. In light of these allegations by the gang and their obvious antagonism toward the Cabal, I think you’ll agree that Hope’s task is more dangerous than you expected.”

“Perhaps.”

“I presume you have a tracking device on her? In the identification cards you gave her?”

I looked over sharply. Benicio nodded.

“Good,” Karl said. “I’ll want a GPS linked to that transmitter. I also want Hope to have a panic button, connected to me. Disguise it as something a young woman might carry in her pocket at all times—a coin, a mirror, lipstick, anything that won’t look suspicious.”

“Done.”

“I also want your assurance that if, at any time, I feel—” a glance my way, “—Hope and I feel she’s in imminent danger, she can abort and the debt is paid.”

I expected Benicio to balk, since there was nothing to stop us from pretending I felt endangered, but he simply said, “Agreed.” Maybe he trusted me. Or maybe Karl was right and Benicio knew I got more from this mission than the satisfaction of relieving a debt.

Benicio and Karl hashed out specifics. Then Benicio made a call downstairs to have us outfitted with Karl’s technological demands.

HOPE: BRUSH-OFF

As the technician explained to Karl how the GPS worked, I took a trip to the restroom. Coming back, I was waylaid by Carlos. He didn’t make any excuse for being in the laboratory wing, probably thinking I’d be flattered that he’d tracked me down.

He tried the same routine Troy had—I was new to the city and he could show me around. From Troy, though, the offer had been casual and friendly. If I’d taken him up on it and wanted nothing more than an escort, he’d be fine with that. With Carlos, there was no such subtlety.

“I’ll give you my card,” he said. “You want to go out, you call. I’ll show you a good time. Guaranteed.”

He extended the card. Before I could take it, it was snatched by a hand appearing around me.

“She’s not interested,” Karl said.

“I think she can tell me that herself.”

“She doesn’t need to. I just did. Now, if you’ll excuse us…”

Karl put his arm around my waist and led me away. When we reached the elevator, I slipped from his grasp.

“I thought you want me dating more supernaturals. What’s wrong with that one? He’s closer to my age, wealthy, gorgeous—”

“—with a reputation for leaving girls in worse shape than he finds them. And with your powers—”

“—he’s hoping I’d get off on it. I caught a few vision scraps, enough to know his reputation is warranted, which is why I stood for your ‘hands off my property’ routine.”

Karl grunted.

“Given the choice between insulting a Cabal son and letting him think I’m otherwise engaged, I’ll go with option B. But if you try that with anyone else, you’ll get a very different reaction.”

I said it lightly, teasing him, and expected a retort, but he just watched the floors of the elevator count down, then stepped off when the doors opened.

“YOU DIDN’T GIVE me much of a choice in there,” I said as we walked down the street. “I didn’t want to argue in front of Benicio. But I don’t need—”

“—protection. I believe I’ve heard this before.”

I kept my tone even. “If you want to repay the debt, that’s fine. You go off and do your thing, I’ll hang out here and do mine, and we’ll say you protected me. No one will be the wiser.”