The looming male leaned closer. “Shall we discuss the nuances of the agreement between my mate and myself? I only offered to spare your life. There was no mention of what I would do with said life. Technically, I could break every bone in your body, subject you to torture, take what little freedom you have left. So long as you continue breathing I will have fulfilled my end of the bargain.” Shepherd’s finger lightly tapped the table between them. “And Claire would never know…”

But he wanted something, otherwise she would not be there. He wanted something for Claire.

The terror was there, the slow rising panic that tainted her sweat and signaled to the much stronger Alpha that she was afraid. “You have a use for me.”

“You will be coming back into my employ.”

“What do you need me to steal?”

His mouth did not move in the slightest, but Maryanne was certain his expression displayed just how stupid he thought she was. “Your duty will be to bring information about the circumstances of the Omegas and the Beta, Enforcer Corday, to Claire. In these conversations, I advise that you make her happy, or you will be very unhappy when they conclude.”

The thought of seeing Claire chased away a fraction of the dread. “Sure thing. I know exactly how to make her smile.”

“You will not share detailed information, just the general wellbeing of the individuals I send you to photograph. You will not interact with these people or be seen. All images will be checked before Claire views them, and should I find anything unsettling, it would not bode well for you. You will speak of absolutely no one else.”

Nodding, Maryanne signaled that she understood.

The last warning held the threat of great pain should she fail him. “And if she tries to pass you a note or does anything subversive, you will tell me privately. She will not be punished.”

Claire might try, Maryanne knew it in her bones, and she already hated knowing full well she would hand anything over to Shepherd rather than face the consequences of being the go between in correspondences with Claire’s little boyfriend. “She doesn’t trust me.”

“Let’s not play games, Ms. Cauley.”

“When do I begin?”

It took a few hours and another breakfast of the horrible green smoothie before her stomach settled from Shepherd’s odd adoring behavior in the shower. He was gone again, a thing Claire was supremely grateful for so she could stretch and pace and formulate her next move.