Rather than getting carried awayyet, I attempt to bring the conversation to a swift end. “So we’re fine. Now, about the other shit. I should be able to get you an immunity deal. I seriously doubt that the assistant US attorney would press charges against you. Your crimes were nonviolent. You didn’t act out of malice. Plus, you don’t have a record and had no idea what wasreally happening. Even a halfway decent attorney could get you acquitted with a coercion defense.”
Her jaw drops, and a wistful inhale makes her breasts rise enticingly. “You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack.” I lick my lips, then bite one to stop myself from kissing her. “In return, we need something from you.”
“What?”
“We need your help to find Silas. If you cooperate, it’ll all but guarantee you won’t be indicted with the rest of them.”
She tips her chin upward, confidence and determination wafting off her. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’d like you to come to the office with me this morning so we can get it in writing. We’ll then work out the details of your role with the rest of my team. Most likely, we’d want you to set up a meeting with Silas. You’d wear a wire and get him talking. As soon as he says something incriminating, we’d move in to arrest him. Aside from that, you might need to testify in court, should it come to that.”
“He’s dangerous, though. You said so.”
I stilldetestthe idea of putting her in harm’s way. Unfortunately, we’ve come to the point that the only way I can save her is to take this chance.
Even before hearing her confessions, my entire team knew she had potential as an informant. I knew it too.
Now?
The road we need to take is dead ahead. The fastest way to take down this operation is with her help.
There’s nothing I won’t do to protect her. If it comes to it, I’d cross every line a thousand times over, even if it means losing my job or worse.
Unfortunately, she’ll never be safe as long as Silas is out there. The only way I can protect her in the long term is to takedown the entire fucking operation. And that starts and ends with Lila.
Not even Kenzie can get us what we need. Even if we made her an informant, it wouldn’t work. She doesn’t have a valid reason to initiate a conversation with Silas. Lila does.
The facts are indisputable. And I hate it.
Best I can do now is attempt to calm her fears. “You’ve seen him since this shit started, and he didn’t hurt you, right?”
She nods, her teeth worrying her lips.
“So it will be just like those other times. Except you’ll be under our protection. Trust me. We’re good at what we do.”
Her hands roam over my shoulders, kneading my tense muscles. “It’smeI don’t trust. I’ll say something stupid and tip him off. He’ll know I’m wearing a wire. And what then? You can’t be there to save me because he’ll never talk to me unless I’m alone.”
“You won’t be alone. He won’t see us, but we’ll be there. I’ll be with you, watching and listening in real time.”
She does more of that distracting lip biting.
I pulse my hands around her waist and hold her stare. “If I didn’t think I could keep you safe, I’dneverallow this. I won’t hesitate to take him out if he even thinks of harming you.”
She doesn’t deliberate any longer, giving me another glimpse at her strength. “Okay. I’ll do it. I trust you.” Her throat bobs with a forced swallow. “With my life.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
Bang out the details
LILA
I awkwardlywedge my hand into the scant space separating us to offer a shake. “Shall we seal the deal?”
Reed glances at my hand, then arches a sexy brow at me. “Usually, there’s paperwork for that. Not a handshake in a compromising position.”
“Compromising?”
