Niall (Vigilance 2)

“I can do whatever is necessary.”

“I thought you didn’t want to do this at all.”

“It’s suddenly become more… appealing.”

“I bet it has.”

“Pretending to be together is one thing, but what about sharing? I’m not—”

Marco snarled. “I don’t share anyone. I’ll make that very clear.”

I studied Marco. “Do you think that’ll work? I doubt they want an investor who feels that way?”

“I don’t see why sampling the merchandise needs to be a requirement,” X said.

No way in hell was Marco treating me like merchandise. “You should find someone else to go with Marco. It would be better to have me on the outside as a contact.”

“Leo or Joe can handle that. If anyone gets suspicious, you’re the one who’s most likely to be able to talk your way out of there rather than shoot your way out. You’re my best option to keep this mission on track.”

Normally X’s compliments soothed me. Sure, he knew how to manipulate people, but when he praised his team, he was serious about it. This time, though, I didn’t care if I had his approval or not because his plan sucked—though I had to admit he was right about our options.

“I’m the lead on this no matter what role I have to play in front of those bastards.” No way in hell was I going undercover with a new partner and giving over control. The thought brought back the fear I’d felt when I’d been captured on my last mission.

He glared back. “We’re working together. I’m not your minion.”

“I understand you would prefer not to be partnered,” X said. “Especially in this way.” I heard laughter in his voice, and I wanted to fucking punch him. I might have if he’d been there in person. “However, I need to know you’re going to focus on the mission and not your attempts to one up each other.”

“I can if I have to.” I was a professional. I’d worked with plenty of assholes before. I’d just never had to pretend to be a sex slave for one of them.

“If you’ve got a better plan to get the intel we need, I’m willing to hear it.”

I didn’t, and at this point, I was only being petty. No amount of annoyance or humiliation could compare to what the victims of these men had suffered. I would sacrifice myself in any way necessary to end this trafficking ring once and for all. “I don’t have another plan that accomplishes what we can by going to the island.”

“So we’re on?” X asked.

“Yes.”

I looked at Marco.

“I’m in,” he said. This time his expression was serious.

At least I knew he was as determined to bring these men down as I was. That meant that while he’d be a pain in the ass in private, he wasn’t going to sabotage this mission. He might not want to work with me, but he would do it because we wanted the same result.

“Good,” X said. “Our first step is to work on a plan for getting Marco the invite.”

Marco nodded even though X couldn’t see him. “I’m already on it. I need a few days for rumors to move where they should, then I’ll make a call and have what I need.”

I stared at him. “You went ahead and put this in motion without talking to me?”

“I thought that was what you wanted.”

“I wanted you to agree to the plan, then talk to me about specifics.”

He shrugged. “I needed to know all the players, so I had to pursue this.”

“Do you mean you were going to go off on your own and—”

Marco’s scowl would have frightened the hell out of most men. “Do you want the intel or not?”

X cleared his throat. “That’s enough, children. It sounds like we’re moving in the right direction.”

“Yes, sir.” Marco and I glared at each other.

X continued. “Marco, I understand you’re used to working alone, though I know you have partnered with the Marchesis. Vigilance is a team. We report to each other, we rely on each other, and everyone follows my orders. If you’re going to take part in this mission, I expect you to do the same.

“I want a say in what happens and how this all shakes out.”

“You get a voice,” X said. “Everyone here has a voice, but I make the final decisions.”

“I can live with that,” Marco said, though it was obvious he didn’t like it.

“I want the two of you to talk through the plan to get the invite and what happens after. This trip is in two weeks. We need everything nailed down by then. Niall, you’re going to need a new look.”

Marco grinned. “My boy toy can’t go around wearing suits.”

“I’m not—”

“For this to work you are.”

X coughed, and I was sure he was covering a laugh. “I’ll arrange for Niall to get the things he needs. I’m counting on you both.”