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I’d infiltrated the Murphys enough for them to accept me as one of their own, and that made me breathe that much easier. I grinned, and Aidan cleared his throat.
“Now for the real test, what will you have to drink?” he asked, his gaze twinkling with amusement.
“A tequila sunrise,” I quipped. I loved tequila, and I bet they had some good bottles here.
The entire family groaned.
“What?” I asked, feeling a flush creep over my cheeks.
“Should have gone with the whiskey…” Ada winked, and Liam laughed beside me.
Yeah. Maybe I should have.
* * *
After a few hours, I excused myself to go to the restroom, a bit desperate to get a little time by myself to breathe. After Kieran’s questions, the family had accepted me with ease, but it was still taxing to keep my cover, and I needed a break.
Once safely inside, the restroom offered a momentary sanctuary as I pretended to check my reflection in the mirror. It was quiet in here and I took a minute to enjoy it.
The soft murmur of Liam’s and Kieran’s voices reached me, their conversation unfolding in hushed tones just outside the restroom in the hallway. I started, freezing where I stood. Slowly, I reached my hand inside my pocket, discreetly pulling out my cell phone. Without pause, I started recording.
“I don’t trust Zhong Wei Ling, Liam,” Kieran’s voice carried through the air, laced with concern. My eyes widened. I knew that name. He was the kingpin of the local branch of the Chinese triad. Cunning and especially dangerous, he’d been on the FBI’s most wanted list for years, and nothing we pinned against him ever stuck.
Liam’s response was measured, his words tinged with a hint of frustration. “I don’t like it. He has his eyes on Southie.”
“His presence is bringing us unwanted attention,” Kieran said.
“We’ve dealt with threats before, but Zhong Wei Ling is a different breed. Calculating, ambitious, and ruthless.” Liam answered thoughtfully, before he sighed, the weight of the situation evident in his tone. “We can’t let him gain a foothold here. It could jeopardize everything we’ve built.”
“We might need to organize a hit, Liam. It could be the only way to send the triad a message, to ensure they don’t see our turf as their own personal playground,” Kieran offered, his voice lowering at the implication.
“I’ll gather information. See if there are any weaknesses to exploit,” Liam answered.
The hushed voices faded, and I drew my lip back through my teeth.
This was the evidence I’d been waiting for, and it had fallen right into my lap.
CHAPTER7
KELSEY
The next morning, I sent a text to my point of contact in the FBI, telling him I was ready to meet. After I hit send, my heart sank and I blinked a few times, feeling as though I was on the edge of tears.
The Murphys were a danger to the world, and they had to be eliminated. Without them, Boston would be a safer place. Right?
Even as I told myself that, over and over again, my heart still withered in my chest. I’d meant it when I’d told Liam I loved him and that I wanted to find a place with him. The conflicting emotions within me tangled like a knot, each strand pulling in a different direction and leaving me lost with what and how to feel.
As I waited for my FBI contact to respond, doubts and fears crept in. Could I really betray the man I had come to love, even if it was for the greater good?
I closed my eyes and sighed.
When the reply finally came, directing me to a discreet location for the meeting, I steeled myself for what lay ahead.
I didn’t want to do this.
I had to do this.
I didn’t have a choice.
