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“It’s a great start. We can build on it…make it seem a whole lot worse. One tiny seed of doubt can grow into a forest of suspicion. By the time we’re through with him, Asher Drake won’t be able to get a job as a gravedigger. Once he’s gone, it’s just a matter of time before that ridiculous organization of his is history, too.”
Jules ground her teeth so hard, her jaws ached. Asher Drake and Option Zero saved countless lives and brought evil people to justice. Calling them a “ridiculous organization” was like calling Turner an honorable human being.
This might be the toughest job she’d ever had. Pretending excitement to ruin a good man, all the while acting as if she were in cahoots with a woman she despised. But if this worked, it would be one of the most worthwhile things she’d ever done.
“When can you get me names and locations?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m still trying to gain his trust. He’s still careful around me.”
“Don’t worry about getting everything. If you can get me just one name, I’ll have my people start working up a story.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Excellent.” There were voices in the background, and Turner hurriedly said, “I’ve got to go. Good work, Ms. Diamond. I look forward to hearing from you again very soon.”
The call went dead. Resisting the urge to throw the phone across the room and watch it shatter, Jules slid it back into her pocket. She had bought herself some more time. How much she didn’t know.
Striding over to the treadmill, Jules set a brutal pace. Every time she talked with the woman, she felt the need for a bath afterward. Even though she was doing this for all the right reasons, she still felt disloyal, as if she were betraying Ash instead of helping him.
Going undercover was nothing new for her. She was used to taking on jobs that required gaining intel covertly. Assuming an undercover persona was a routine part of her job. Sometimes, she enjoyed the pretense. Other times, it was monotonous. But it was still just a job. What she was doing here with Ash wasn’t just a job. It was personal, very personal. If she failed…
No, there was no room for failure. Ash deserved justice, and she was going to do whatever it took to get it for him.
* * *
Ash heard Jules enter the hotel room. After a hot shower, he felt calmer, ready to focus on the here and now. He wanted to talk about her nightmares. To find out if she’d had counseling for them, or if she needed counseling now. She’d experienced a traumatic event. If she needed help, he intended to get it for her.
The majority of OZ operatives were military-trained. They had seen war and its aftermath. Just because Jules was skilled in weapons and hand-to-hand fighting didn’t mean she was prepared to deal with the emotions that came with taking a life. That was something each of them had to come to terms with in their own way. If her nightmares were related to what had happened to Renee and Rhinehart, then they needed to be addressed.
She was downing some water when he walked into the living area. When she spotted him, she smiled. “You look like you feel better.”
“Nothing like beating the hell out of something to give you perspective.”
“Agreed.” She headed toward her bedroom. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Come out when you’re finished. I want to talk to you about something.”
“Anything wrong?”
“No. Not really.” Thinking he’d get a more honest answer from her if he took a direct approach, he added, “We never did talk about your nightmares.”
The smile slid from her face. “There’s nothing to talk about. They happen. I deal with them.”
“So you have them a lot?”
“From time to time. I told you they’re not a big deal and won’t affect my job performance.”
“Your job isn’t in jeopardy, Stone. But if you’re having the nightmares because of what happened at Omar’s, we need to address them. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away.”
She came toward him, her eyes gleaming with anger. “Is that right?” Stopping inches from his face, she challenged, “Isn’t that what you did?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The kiss in the shower? You’re just ignoring what happened there.”
“First, I didn’t know that was a problem. Second, if you want to talk about it, then let’s talk about it.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
