I leaned against the counter, trying to catch my breath. "That was..."
"Petty? Vindictive?" She stood, adjusting my shirt. "Yeah. But it felt good."
"I was going to say incredibly hot."
"That too." She moved to the coffee maker, pouring herself a cup like she hadn’t just sucked my soul out. "So. That was Victor."
"That was Victor."
"And you work for him."
"Worked. Past tense. Job’s done." I tucked myself back in, zipping my pants. "The necklace is his. I got paid. We’re done."
She sipped her coffee, studying over the rim. "He really thinks I’m sitting at ho pining for him?"
"Apparently."
"The arrogance." But she was smiling now. "God, I’m glad I left him. I forgot what it was like to be with soone who actually pays attention."
"To be fair, you made it pretty hard to not pay attention last night."
"Flatterer." She set down her cup. "So what happens now? You take the necklace, disappear, and I never see you again?"
"Is that what you want?"
"I asked you first."
I considered the question carefully. The smart play was to leave, complete the job, move on to the next target. Keep things simple and transactional.
But nothing about Vivienne was simple.
"I don’t want to disappear," I said honestly. "But I also can’t make promises. My life is... complicated."
"Complicated how?"
"I’m still rebuilding. Still figuring out how to exist in this world after everything I lost." I t her eyes. "I like you, Vivienne. Last night was incredible. But I can’t offer you normal."
"Good. I hate normal." She moved closer, her hand finding mine. "I don’t need promises or labels or whatever. I just need you here sotis. Can you give that?"
"Yeah. I can do that."
"Then we’re fine." She squeezed my hand. "You do your thing, I’ll do mine. And when we want to see each other, we make it happen. No pressure or expectations."
[Relationship Status: Vivienne Thornwood]
[Bond Type: Intimate/Casual]
[Access: Maintained]
[Future Corruptions: Possible]
[Complications: Minimal]
It was a better outco than I’d hoped for.
"I should probably get going," I said reluctantly. "Marco’s expecting , and Victor’s going to be calling back."
"Yeah." She walked to the door, and I grabbed my shirt and jacket from where they’d been discarded last night. "Cain?"
"Yeah?"
"I had a great ti," She smiled.
I laughed. "Happy to help."
I left her townhouse and started the walk back to the warehouse district. The morning was cool, the city just waking up, and I felt... good. Satisfied in ways that went beyond just the physical.
My phone buzzed with another text from Marco.
Marco: What the fuck was that? You hung up on the client.
: Had to go. I’m on my way back now.
Marco: He’s pissed. And demanding to see the necklace imdiately.
: He’ll see it when I get there. 20 minutes.
The safehouse was buzzing with activity when I arrived. Sarah looked up as I entered, relief crossing her face.
"You’re alive. Good." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "Marco’s been dealing with Victor all morning. The guy’s a piece of work."
"I noticed."
"How’d it go? With the witch?"
"Successfully. Got the necklace, got out clean."
She studied , then smirked. "You slept with her."
"That’s not relevant to the job."
"That’s a yes." She shook her head. "I had my doubts but you pulled it off."
"It wasn’t planned."
"I’m sure." But she was smiling. "Co on. Let’s get this over with."
Victor Castellano was exactly what I expected – tall, pale, perfectly grood in an expensive suit. Classic vampire aristocracy. He stood in the planning room with Marco, radiating impatient arrogance.
"Finally," he said as I entered. "Do you have it?"
I pulled the Crimson Tear from my pocket and set it on the table.
Victor’s expression transford – relief, possessiveness, satisfaction all flickering across his face. He picked up the necklace carefully, examining it.
"Undamaged. Excellent." He looked up at . "I assu Vivienne didn’t give you any trouble?"
"None at all. She was very accommodating."
"Really? That’s surprising. She usually – " He paused. "Well, no matter. You’ve done good work."
Marco cleared his throat. "About the paynt – "
"Yes, yes." Victor pulled out a briefcase, setting it on the table. "As agreed. Fifty thousand."
Fifty thousand. My share would be substantial, enough to live comfortably for months while I continued building my power.
Victor pocketed the necklace, then paused at the door. "Oh, and Cain? If you happen to speak to Vivienne again – and I suspect you might – you don’t need to ntion our business arrangent. No reason to upset her further."
"Of course."
He left, and the tension in the room evaporated.
"Well," Marco said. "That went better than expected. Good work, Cain. Really good work."
"Thanks."
"Sarah will handle your cut. Take the rest of the day. You earned it." He clapped on the shoulder. "Welco to the Jackals. Officially."
After Sarah handed my share – twelve thousand in cash – I retreated to my small room, finally alone with my thoughts.
[Mission Complete: The Castellano Retrieval]
[Paynt Received: $12,000]
[Reputation: Increased with Jackals]
[Status: Full mber]
[New Opportunities: Unlocked]
[Corruption Count: 2]
[Fragnts: 160.2/1000]
[Power Level: 2% - Locked]
[Next Steps: Continue building power and reputation]
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Two corruptions down. lissa, the stressed accountant who’d saved my life. Vivienne, the powerful witch who’d given both the necklace and herself.
Both had provided fragnts, energy, power. Both had been willing participants who’d gotten sothing they needed in return.
And now I had money, a faction, and a path forward.
The climb was just beginning, but I was no longer at rock bottom. I was building sothing – slowly, carefully, one corruption at a ti.
My phone buzzed.
Vivienne: Did Victor get his necklace?
: He did. And he has no idea what he lost when he lost you.
Vivienne: Damn right. Dinner next week? My place. I’ll cook.
: I’ll be there.
I smiled, setting the phone down.
This was working. The system, the faction, the careful balance of mission and personal gain.
Heaven had thrown down to rot.
Instead, I was sohow thriving.
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