Page 87 of Princess of Vengeance

Unlike me, Imogen has been part of this inner circle for years. She knows their pasts, their grievances, the private complaints they’ve shared in moments of weakness or drunkenness. And unlike Malcolm, she’s actually been paying attention.

“After Cassandra?”

“Rafael would be next. He’s been chafing under Malcolm’s leadership for a while now. He’s ambitious, and Malcolm keeps him on a shorter leash because of that ambition.”

She ticks them off on her fingers as she goes. “Owen is pragmatic enough to follow whoever offers the better deal. And Elliot…” She hesitates. “Elliot will be the hardest.”

“Because of his loyalty to Malcolm?”

She nods. “That, and he’s the most unpredictable. I can’t say for sure what he’ll do, even if the rest of us are on board.”

“So we save him for last,” I suggest.

“Exactly.” Imogen seems pleased that I’m following her logic. “The more members we can bring to our side, the more pressure it puts on the holdouts. The members of the Syndicate can be ruthless, but they’re also survivors. They know how to move with the current to stay on the winning side.”

She narrows her eyes in cold calculation. “If it seems like Malcolm is going to lose his hold—if they believe he’s going to be killed—they won’t stand by him. Not even Elliot, once the writing is on the wall.”

“They’ll abandon a sinking ship.”

“Like rats, every time. That’s the nature of our world. Loyalty extends exactly as far as it’s profitable and not one inch further.”

Relief washes through me as the reality of what’s happening sinks in. I’m not alone in this fight anymore.

“So we’re really doing this?” I can’t quite keep the disbelief from my voice.

“We’re really doing this. Malcolm Mercer’s days are numbered.”

We talk a bit more about approach and timing, along with who knows what about whom.

“I should be the one to approach Cassandra,” Imogen says as our conversation begins to wind down. “She trusts me. We’ve worked together plenty of times. Even a few things Malcolm doesn’t know about.”

I raise an eyebrow at that, but she doesn’t elaborate.

“She’ll be more receptive if we speak alone,” Imogen continues. “Without you there.”

I nod, but something must show in my expression—a flicker of uncertainty, maybe, or just natural wariness—because Imogen’s eyes narrow.

“You’re wondering if I’ll sell you out,” she says flatly.

I don’t deny it. “Wouldn’t you wonder the same thing in my position?”

She studies me for a moment, then her lips curve into a small, amused smirk. “Smart girl. That caution will serve you well.”

She leans forward, lowering her voice even though we’re alone in her apartment. “I’m not going to sell you out. If I wanted to do that, I’d have already done it. I wouldn’t be wasting my time with this conversation and some elaborate plan that I didn’t ever intend on bringing to fruition.”

“Couldn’t you just be gathering information? Making sure you understand the full scope of my… disloyalty before reporting back?”

“I could be,” she acknowledges. “And in your position, I’d absolutely consider that possibility. But I’m not.”

“How can I be sure?”

Her expression hardens. “Because I’ve spent years playing Malcolm’s game, following his rules, and watching him manipulate and destroy people. And I’m finally seeing a way out.” Her voice drops even lower. “My sister deserves justice. So does your mother.”

I hold her gaze for a long moment, trying to read the truth in her eyes. Finally, I nod. “Okay.”

“Good,” she says briskly, standing up. “Once we have Cassandra on our side, I think the men will fall in line pretty quickly. We’ll go after Owen or Rafael next, depending on when the opportunity presents itself.”

“And Malcolm never suspects a thing until it’s too late,” I add.

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