Page 173 of Vexatious Queen

“Because by then it will probably be too late, and I won’t have the time to help you. The game is ever shifting, Ellis, and you’d be wise to remember that not everyone who wears that badge thinks like you.”

He put his hands on his hips.

“Are you trying to tell me that I have dirty cops in my department?”

“I’m telling you that the world is not black and white. And just because you think you’re one of the good guys, doesn’t mean that you are.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sure one day you’ll figure it out, but I just hope you don’t end up dead in the process. I’ll be in touch with the information for you as soon as you have Zigzag sign the deal and get it back to me. You can see yourself out.”

His mouth moved like he was going to argue, but instead turned and stomped toward the door, all attitude.

“Oh, and, Ellis?”

He looked over his shoulder, hand on the knob.

“If Zigzag asks who is helping him, tell him Ivy Morrison. My name is never mentioned.”

Ellis’s eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“Why Morrison’s daughter?”

I smiled. “I thought that was obvious, but since not…it’s on a need-to-know basis. Goodnight,” I said, dismissing him as I sat and turned on my laptop to get some work done.

I flipped the switch under my desk to unlock the door and ignored him as he stared at me, like that would get him the answers he was after.

“You really are an asshole, Nash,” Ellis growled and left in a huff.

I leaned back and stared at the closed door. I’d been serious about how Ellis would end up dead before he asked for help. I could already see it playing out, and I hoped that it didn’t come to that, even if he was a prick.

Two years…it was a long time, but Zigzag would be out before his twenty-first birthday. It was the least I could do after playing a part in his fall. Christov set the ball in motion years ago, but making him help us kicked it over the cliff. It was just another reminder that it wasn’t always death that could tear us away from those we loved.

I brought up Collier Enterprises’s quarterly reports, but didn’t see the numbers on the screen as I plotted out my next move. Christov would pay, but so would Sabastian, and the best part…Christov would know that this was all his doing.

I was tired of playing his games. It was time the Ivankov family played one of mine.

MARCH 4 – WEDNESDAY 3:49 PM

Ren

My phone vibrated on the desk. I quickly finished my thought, my fingers flying across the keyboard, before saving and then checking my messages.

NASHOLE: Psst.

I smirked.

R: Psst, back.

I waited, but nothing else came through.

R: Was that it? You just wanted to make sure I’d answer?

NASHOLE: Maybe.

R: So, you’re checking up on me?

NASHOLE: Maybe.