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There's a shift then, subtle but unmistakable. Hays leans forward slightly, her tone softening. "You're emotionally involved. And that's dangerous, Natalie."
More than she knows. But I say nothing.
"Natalie, it's essential for your safety and the mission's success to remain objective. Please, be honest with me so that I can help you. Are you involved with Alessa de Luca outside the bounds of the operation?"
I feel a knot in my stomach. This is it.
This is my make or break moment, and what I say now could change everything.
But my response is immediate and firm.
"No. De Luca was a target, nothing more, and I haven't seen her since." The words taste like ash in my mouth, but my mind flashes to Alessa's smile. Her strength.
And she givesmestrength.
Hays regards me for a long moment. "I understand this is a challenging situation, but remember why you're here. You're an FBI agent first and foremost."
"I haven't forgotten." I know the vows I made, and I know I meant them. I want to uphold justice. I want to make things right where they have been made wrong.
And I don't think the FBI is the place for me to do that any longer.
"Are you concerned about your safety, or the integrity of the mission?" Hays goes on inexorably.
I shift uncomfortably, feeling trapped. "I can handle myself, Dr. Hays. And the mission is on track," I reply, but doubt creeps into my voice. "But…"
"But?"
"But you're not the only one who hears rumors. And what I've heard is that there's something hinky with the evidence against de Luca." I stare back at her, a challenge in my tone. "And combined with some of the behaviors of team members, I'm wondering if the case will even hold up."
Hays regards me steadily for a long moment, as if carefully considering her next words. "Rumors can be insidious things, worming their way into even the most steadfast minds," she says finally. "It's never wise to believe everything you hear."
Finally, the session ends, but relief eludes me. I stand, feeling more isolated than ever. Walking through the corridors of the FBI office, I can't shake the feeling of eyes on me, watching, judging. Every nod from my colleagues feels like an accusation, every whispered conversation a potential betrayal.
As I exit the building, the weight of my double life presses down on me. It used to be just me, Nat, compared to Natalie Moreau, a mask I put on for work. Now my double life is far more complicated, and I can't hide behind a mask anymore.
There'sonlyme, Natalie, choosing where to trust and where to betray. The session with Hays has only served to heighten my paranoia. I get the sense that I'm a pawn in someone else's game.
Well, I'm all in now. All in with Alessa de Luca, for better or worse.
CHAPTER17
ALESSA
I sit alone in the private dining room of an upscale New York restaurant, surrounded by an ambiance of understated luxury. The mahogany table, polished to a mirror finish, reflects the soft glow of candlelight, creating a dance of shadows on the white tablecloth. Crystal flutes stand at attention, waiting to be filled, and the hushed murmurs from the main dining area barely penetrate this secluded sanctuary.
Choosing this venue wasn't just about privacy; it's a reminder of the world I once commanded effortlessly. Here, in this cocoon of elegance and power, my tainted legacy and that night in jail feels like a distant whisper. This room, this setting, it's a statement: I'm still Alessa de Luca, a woman whose name opens doors and demands respect.
I glance at my watch, feeling a flutter of anticipation. Natalie should be here any minute. The thought of seeing her again sends a surge of excitement through me, mingling with the adrenaline of our dangerous game.
I've always relished the thrill of the unknown, but Natalie…
She's a variable I never anticipated.
The sound of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts. Natalie steps in, her casual attire—a pair of well-fitted jeans and a simple top—clashing with the setting. She pauses, taking in the room with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry I'm late, the subway was a nightmare," she says. "Alessa, I thought we were going low-key?
I can't help but smile, rising to greet her. "Well, the FBI wouldn’t think to look for us here," I reply, gesturing to the chair opposite me. "And they wouldn't be allowed in the door, either. Please, sit."
