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I’ll take that risk.

For some stupid reason, Leah couldn’t stanch the disappointment. Dmitri was heir to one of the Organization’s founding families. His mother sat on the Organization’s board. He would sacrifice anything for the Organization’s agenda to further his own career and secure his family’s legacy. She’d seen him do it to others.

Just because he’d taken her to bed didn’t mean she was special, even though in some odd ways, she’d thought he cared. He’d kept his promise to ensure the girls’ safety and had punished those predators who’d tried to take advantage. He’d even expanded the self-defense lessons in the Compound for those recruits who wouldn’t become Hunters.

All because she’d stayed with him and had asked. So yes, she’d thought he cared.

Just not enough if it meant he could kill Julian Blackmore.

Fine. I’ll do it, but with a few conditions.

What are the conditions?

She hadn’t expected his quick response, so she took her time sending the thoughts over. The effort it took to communicate this way helped slow down her words as she worked out the conditions.

I’ll use everything in my power to seduce Blackmore and become his lover. If I succeed, I’ll convince him to extend my contract but stay with him for three months at most. After that, you’ll free me from the Organization. Not only me, but anyone in the Compound who wishes to leave. You’ll give each of us twenty thousand dollars to start a new life.

The following silence stretched long enough that she started to pace. Would Dmitri agree? How much did he want to kill Blackmore?

If you succeed, I’ll free you and three others. No more. And in those three months, you’ll do your best to learn anything I ask. If there’s a chance to kill Blackmore, you’ll take it.

She doubted she’d get that chance. Blackmore was over a thousand years old. People stronger and more competent than she could ever be had tried and failed, but she’d deal with that later.

Fine, but I won’t do anything to put my life in danger.

Okay. Anything else?

Nope. So we have a deal?Did she finally have a way to escape the Organization’s control?

Yes, we do. Good luck. I look forward to seeing your progress.

Had he sounded hesitant? The warmth on her forehead dissipated. She was alone again.

Yes, I did it!Leah screamed, careful not to direct her victory celebration to her forehead for Dmitri to hear. He couldn’t know how important this was to her, or he’d find some way to renege on his promise.

She could be free of the Organization. Not only her, but three more people who wanted to leave. It wasn’t what she wanted, but it was better than nothing. Ever since the Organization had adopted her from the foster care system, she’d dreamed of this day. It didn’t matter what she did after, as long as her life belonged to her. She pumped her fists into the air in triumph.

With her education and background, finding a well-paying job would be a breeze. She could eventually afford her own house somewhere. Maybe even settle down and have a nice, normal family in the suburbs without ever meeting another vampire.

But she was getting ahead of herself.

To achieve those dreams, she had to seduce Julian Blackmore first. If what had happened earlier wasn’t a fluke, it should be easy.

A grin stretched across her lips. She bet Dmitri didn’t know he’d given her the green light to sleep with the only person to ever make her feel desire. Would he have agreed to her terms if he’d known she was attracted to Blackmore in a way she’d never been attracted to him?

Heat curled in her center as she recalled the lust from Blackmore’s kiss. Maybe she’d finally discover why everyone was obsessed with sex. At least she wouldn’t need to fake an orgasm. The hard part would be to keep his interest. And to make sure he didn’t kill her.

And that she didn’t end up an empty shell, only craving vampire sex.

Yep, she had her work cut out for her.

Julian forced himself to walk away from Leah when all he wanted was to finish what they’d started. His mission was more important. He couldn’t let a human distract him, especially when that human worked for the Organization. He’d already seen more of her than he’d planned to.

Cursing Alistair for his meddling, Julian grabbed a shirt from another room before returning to the club’s main floor. Someone younger than him would find the flashing lights and loud music overwhelming, but Julian was old enough to adjust his senses without a second thought.

He scanned the crowd for anyone suspicious. Earlier, he’d been too preoccupied with Leah to get a good look. Now he focused on what he’d come here to do.

“I didn’t expect you out so fast.” Bryan appeared beside him out of nowhere. Julian was used to his friend’s teleportation by now.