Jokes aside, though, I understood what Alice was saying. It actually made sense.
If we partnered up and cultivated our combined influence instead of hacking it to pieces, the payoff down the line would be great.
I'd also get to laugh in Casey's face when she realised her masterful blackmail chip had been rendered completely obsolete before the night was even out.
The thought alone was enough to make me want to purr.
Not to mention, becoming acquaintances with these two dunderheads would also allow me a much easier time when I'd eventually need to thwart their assassination attempt.
All things considered, it really wasn't a bad offer.
So, naturally, my answer was, "No."
Alice didn't stop looking at me, her expectant look melting into confusion as if she'd heard me wrong. She didn't.
Eventually, she bared her teeth. "What? Okay. Sammy, don't be rash. Do you even understand what you're throwing away here if you—"
"Yes," I said. "I do."
I did.
