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“We could put out some rumors to make it more plausible.”
The thought of pretending I wanted anything to do with the things my uncle had his hands in was bad enough, but the thought of pretending to want in on the trafficking ring sickened me. “I’m not an undercover agent. You need to find someone else for this.”
He watched me closely for a few moments, then said, “You said you’d do anything to capture them.”
“I’d rather kill them than capture them, but this is—”
“What if this is our best opportunity? At an event like this, we’ll likely be able to learn the names of everyone involved. If we can make Arlington trust us—”
“I’m not into all that cloak-and-dagger bullshit. I just want to track them all down and end them.”
Niall sighed. “It would be nice if it were that simple, but it’s not. We’ve already seen that every time we think we’ve found them all, their network goes deeper. We need to be on the inside to learn everything about them, and this party will give us that chance.”
I didn’t disagree with what Niall said, but I wasn’t sure I could pretend like that. How could I face Arlington and the others and act like I wanted to be a part of what they were doing instead of killing them for the monsters they were? “Even if I agreed to do this, I’m not at all confident I could get an invitation.”
“You just need to convince them you want to help them.”
“Why would they trust me?”
“I hear you got a young girl to trust you the other night.”
That was exactly the kind of nonanswer I’d expect from a fed. “If Devil and Elena hadn’t assisted me, she might have run. It’s risky as fuck to send me to this island and think they won’t see through me.”
Niall tilted his head as if thinking. “If we could figure out a way to make it less risky, would you do it?”
Niall’s voice had changed. He was deliberately trying to sound more caring. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m not buying it.”
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. I couldn’t help but stare at his long fingers and the smooth skin of his hands. I wanted to feel them on me.
When he looked at me again, I quickly glanced away.
“Tell me a better plan to end this operation.”
The shitty thing was, I couldn’t. I could track down the men we knew, but we needed proof, and we needed their associates. The FBI Ken doll was right about that.
“I can’t just leave the shop.” Shit. Even to me that sounded like I was grasping at straws.
“I’m sure you have employees who can handle things.”
“I have a few who run the register, but there’s a lot more to this business than cashing out customers.”
He huffed. “I bet there is.”
“I don’t need you poking around in it.”
“You seem to forget I’m on your side of the law now. I don’t give a fuck what illegal deals you’re working out of here because I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what Arlington, Swain, and whoever else they’re working with are up to.”
“My work doesn’t hurt anyone.” That was at least mostly true. Rich people lost their jewels or artwork, but they could easily recover the losses.
As if to remind me of another reason I couldn’t leave, my cat, Cheddar, trotted into the room. She meowed as she twined around Niall’s legs.
He took several steps back, a look of horror on his face.
“Oh my God, are you afraid of cats?”
Niall sniffed. “No, I just don’t like them.”
He looked like he was contemplating jumping up on the counter.
“Cheddar would never hurt you, would you, darling?”
The cat looked up at Niall with disdain.
“See? Evil. Cats are evil.”
“I can’t believe the big bad G-man is scared of cats.”
“I. Am. Not. Scared.”
“Pick her up then.”
Niall shook his head furiously. “No, send her away.”
I rolled my eyes as I picked up Cheddar. “Can my fearsome girl go find her food?”
At the word “food,” she leapt from my arms and ran toward the storeroom where I kept her bowl during working hours. I looked back at Niall. “I need more information about this party before I can seriously consider it.”
“X is working on that.”
“Then contact me when he knows more.”
Niall shook his head. “You’re going to be this difficult every step of the way, aren’t you?”
“I haven’t even agreed to take any steps.”
“Why are you making this harder than it needs to be?” Niall moved closer to me. His eyes were bright with anger, and I wondered how fast that could turn to lust. “I’m not letting you stand in the way of us completing this mission.”
I wondered if he’d be as cocky and confident if I forced him to admit he wanted me. I wouldn’t, though. That was reckless, like the shit Devil did. I was more levelheaded than that. I should keep my distance from Niall, but I was angry, and sometimes anger made a person stupid. I took a step toward him, leaving little space between us. “I’m not going to take orders from you. I’m not part of your organization. I’m not owned by anyone.”
