Page 78 of Poison Ivy
Torin’s jaw clenches as he types out another message, demanding an explanation.
Nothing comes back as we watch the screen in terse silence, which does nothing to squash my growing feeling of unease.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” Tate snaps.
“Look,” Torin says, clearly not too concerned. “We will just have to make sure she fails.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as that,” I mutter.
“Never is,” Tate says. “Never is.”
39
IVY
Ramsey checkshis phone and frowns. “Job.”
“What?” I say, putting my tea down on the island. “Already?”
He gives me a look and then glances at his phone again. “Go upstairs. They’re waiting for you.”
“Huh?”
“Go.”
Ramsey’s tone leaves no room for fucking about. I haul my arse off the stool and head for the stairs, taking them two at a time, my nerves pinging at what I will find.
Shoving my bedroom door open, thankfully, it is empty.
“Miss Hammond.”
Slowly, I turn to the voice to see Professor Swann’s face on the laptop screen. I’m going to have to remember to close that thing when I’m done. “Professor,”I say, sitting on the dresser stool. “To what do I owe the video call?”
“An assignment. You have been specifically requested.”
“Who is the target?”
“Torin Ashford.”
My blood runs a bit cooler. “Oh? What did he do?”
Swann smiles, but there is no humour in it, only evil. “Many things, Miss Hammond.”
I’m a little bit surprised by the lack of forthcoming. Usually, I get details if I ask. I didn’t really get a chance to ask with Walcott, but everyone knows he was an evil arsehole. I didn’t need specifics. “Do I at least get a name for who ordered the hit?”
“Tate Blackwell.”
My heart stops beating for a fraction of a second, making me go slightly lightheaded. “Oh?” I croak.
There is an almost glee in his features as he stares at me. “Indeed. We know of your association with Blackwell, Miss Hammond. You would do well to keep him at arm’s length.”
“Why?” I whisper, wondering what the fuck is going on here.
“No distractions.”
So now they are trying to dictate my life for me?
I clench my jaw, anger flaring at Swann’s presumptuous tone. “With all due respect, Professor, my personal life is none of The Syndicate’s business. I’ve never let it interfere with a job before.”
