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I dump my glass on the side table and surge to my feet. “This is important.”
He stands up and matches my stance, his eyes hardening as they lock with mine. “I know it is. You wouldn't be undercover if it wasn't. But I have a responsibility to Harry and to my client.”
“Who is the client then?”
Aiden shakes his head. “I can't tell you that.”
“More like you won't,” I shoot back.
“No. I literally can't. I don't know who he is.”
“Then who does?” I ask.
“Harry. But he wouldn’t tell me.”
“So call him. Ask. Find out. I need to know.”
“Don’t we all. But if Harry wouldn’t tell me before I left, he’s not going to change his mind and tell me now. It’s not going to happen, Marls.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Why?”
“Because the one thing Harry respects more than anything is confidentiality. He prides himself on it.”
“But you’re working for him—him and the client.”
He rakes his fingers through his hair, mussing the strands up and giving me a glimpse of the old Aiden I once thought I knew better than anyone. The boy I crushed on, the teenager I gave my virginity to. The man who I thought was the love of my life.
He huffs out a huge sigh. “Harry gave me a lifeline. He gave me a chance. He looked past what I'd done and the mistakes I'd made and gave me the opportunity to be someone again.” He didn’t walk away, he doesn’t say. “I'm not going to screw him over. Not now. Not ever. Not even for--” He cuts himself off but we both know what he was going to say. Not even for you.
I need to change tacks here because this conversation is getting us nowhere.
“I need you to talk to Harry then. He doesn’t have to tell you who the client is, but we need to know who it isn’t.” I take a deep breath and make a decision that I hope doesn’t blow up in my face, or worse. “I need to know that we’re not being double-crossed and that my cover is safe.”
He grits his teeth, the muscle in his jaw twitching as he nods, not looking happy about it. “I’ll do it tomorrow. Until then, you need to stay away from Marquis and Decker James.”
I roll my eyes. “Well that isn’t going to happen. I was lucky enough to get that meeting with him tonight and I’m still not in.”
“Probably because he wants in your pants,” he retorts snidely.
“That’s true. But that’s his problem. All I need to do is get close and for you not to get in my way. I’m not your responsibility, Aiden.”
“Fuck that,” he spits out, his eyes blazing now. “You know you are.”
“Not anymore,” I deadpan, and the wide-eyed realization written all over his face proves my aim has hit true. The room falls silent, the only sound in the room is the distant hum of traffic outside and the buzz of the air conditioning.
Aiden looks like he's struggling to find the right words as he studies me, his eyes flicking over my body. It's a familiar gaze, one that used to make me feel powerful and safe, beautiful and seen. But now, all it does is make me feel exposed. Vulnerable.
“I didn't mean it like that,” he finally says, his voice soft.
“Regardless, it's the truth. We both need to focus on the job at hand. So how about we agree to stay out of each other's way.”
He nods, his expression resigned. “You're right.” He pauses for a moment before adding, “I still don't like it. I don't know what's going on in that place or with Justin and Decker, but there's something. With that much money, that much security, whatever it is, it's not safe.”
“I can take care of myself,” I say firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. “And I have backup. You're not the only one with connections, Aiden.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “Who else do you have on your team?”
I shake my head, not prepared to go there right now. Especially with him. “It doesn't matter. But this isn't some fly by the seat of my pants investigation. This is high level, and it's got to be thorough.”
