Lethal Blow: (Succubus Hitwoman Book 2) by Eliza Hendrix (best motivational books to read TXT) 📗

“Jamieson isn’t who you think he is,” she says.

“Well, no shit,” I say, recalling how he spoke to me last time. That’s why I told him to go fuck himself. He’s a greedy asshole who will step on anyone’s back to get what he wants. Now that I know that, I refuse to work for him.

“I’m not referring to his personality,” she says.

I arch a brow.

“He’s working with Lucius, Alexis.”

Now I need a drink.

I’m too shocked to say anything, so I don’t. Instead, I pace back and forth as a mighty breeze sends my hair flying all over the place.

“Alexis, sit down,” Veerka says.

“No. This doesn’t make any sense. Jamieson… Jamieson doesn’t work with the Underworld. He doesn’t like it. Wants nothing to do with it. This… This makes no sense. I mean, I know he’s a prick. But this would change everything I thought I knew about—”

“Alexis, sit down.” She folds her arms across her chest.

I stop pacing at the sound of her authoritative voice.

When I look back at her, she jabs a finger next to her and stares me cold in the face. Sighing, I make my way over, press my back against the wall, and slide my way down.

“How do you know?” I ask.

She turns to look at me but stays silent. It’s a look that says, Do I seriously need to explain everything?

It’s also enough for me to believe her. She’s always beside Lucius, which means she’s privy to information that no one else is.

“Lucius has refused to pursue certain changes because of me,” she says.

“What do you mean?”

“We fight all the time, Alexis. He’s constantly working alongside Jamieson and making changes behind Asmodeus’s back. I’ve told him I don’t agree with certain things, like allowing vampire parents to turn their children. I assume word’s gotten back to Jamieson that I’m the one standing in the way of his changes.”

“That’s why he wants you dead,” I say, matter-of-factly.

She remains quiet, which says it all for me. How did I not see it? How has Jamieson been playing me this whole time? I guess my whole don’t ask, don’t tell policy goes both ways.

“Jamieson’s dangerous, Alexis.”

While I already knew that, I didn’t realize how dangerous he truly was. I mean, I knew it was bad, but I had no idea he was involved with vampires. That makes things way more complicated.

Does he know about me? Does he know I’m a succubus? If he does, he’s hidden it pretty damn well these last few years.

“Let me worry about Jamieson,” I say. “If he comes anywhere near you, I’ll fucking kill him.”

The corner of her lip twitches like it’s on the verge of forming a smile.

“What’re we doing, Veerka? Are you going back to Lucius?”

“I have to,” she says, and I clench my fists. “The only way I’ll get anything done is by having insider information.”

I know she’s right—she can’t stay on the run. In time, Lucius will catch up to her, and it’s better that he thinks she got kidnapped than know she ran away. She needs to keep playing her part.

“I need you to do me a favor,” she says.

I stare at her.

“San Halos has a few underground vampire groups preparing to stand up against Lucius. He doesn’t know about them, and if he does, he severely underestimates them.”

“Groups opposed to the Vampire Code?” I ask.

She nods.

The Vampire Code is the law established by Asmodeus. While Lucius enforces it, he’s been bending several rules with Jamieson’s help and finding ways to justify them. I guess vampires, like feeble citizens, are sick of old, archaic ways. It’s no wonder they’re pissed off. Rules haven’t changed for several centuries, while everyone else has.

“I want you to find Devania Arkis,” she says. “You must be discreet in your search and look for the Black Widow. If anyone asks, tell them Phoenix sent you.”

“Whoa, hold up,” I say. “Who is this chick? And what’s up with the code language?”

Veerka smirks. “Devania is the woman we need to help us fight this battle. Don’t worry—she won’t be too hard to find.”

“I don’t get it,” I say bluntly. Veerka isn’t one to talk gibberish, but right now, she isn’t making a whole lot of sense to me. I get the feeling she’s only giving me half of the information, and I’m not sure why.

For a split second, my stomach tightens, and I can’t help but wonder if Veerka’s playing both sides. Is this a setup? It doesn’t feel like it, but when it comes to Veerka, I can’t trust my gut. Unfortunately, seeing her again has messed me up. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I can feel my emotions.

I’ll need more than a drink to get rid of this.

But at the same time, I don’t want to get rid of it.

“You need to be more specific, Veerka. Who is this chick? And where do I even start looking?”

“If you want to find her, you will,” Veerka says plainly.

I cross my arms and raise both eyebrows—a look intended to say, Finish answering my question.

That sexy smirk creeps back onto her lips and I can’t help but let my gaze fall to her breasts, her hips, and her thighs.

“Devania is the leader of the underground rebellion.”

My eyes shoot back up and my jaw drops—literally. I wasn’t born yesterday. Everyone knows several underground rebellion groups are working together to take down the vampires who run the show. They’ve been around for centuries, and no one knows how it started.

“Which group?” I blurt. “San Halos?”

Veerka shakes her head. “All of them.”

My stare lingers. How does she even know this Devania woman? If she’s working with