Lifeline

I nod. “He’s the easiest target. I’ll put up an act of being hard up for cash, and with Eric giving me an Albanian last name, I’m sure it will get his attention. The Albanians are all about family, loyalty, trust. That’s why it’s so hard to infiltrate them.” I let out a deep breath. “There’s a chance he might offer me a job.”

“Still. Not much of a plan.”

“I can do it,” I assure Uncle Carl. “Trust me.”

We don’t have any other choice. This has to work.

He shakes his head. “The second things go south, we’re pulling you out.”

“Got it.”

I glance at JJ, who looks worried as fuck. She’s even chewing on her thumb’s nail. Reaching over to her, I pull her hand away from her mouth and give it a squeeze before letting go.

“If everything goes as planned,” Uncle Carl continues, “we’ll get JJ planted in the same building your apartment will be in. Make contact with her the first opportunity you have. It shouldn’t draw attention if you’re caught talking to your neighbor.”

Eric clears his throat. “I’ll create identities for both of you.” He looks at JJ. “I’ll fit you with a secure laptop and phone so you can communicate with us, but your information at the bureau will be wiped from the system. While you’re undercover, Julie Jefferson won’t exist.”

“What do I tell Lindsay and my mother?” JJ asks, her knee starting to jump beneath the table.

“You’re going away for work, and they’re to contact me directly on my private line,” Uncle Carl answers.

It’s easy as fuck for me to disappear. Uncle Carl is the closest I have to family.

“You’re not going in deep. It’s just a precaution,” Eric tries to reassure her.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” I add. “I’ll pass whatever information I get on to you.”

Uncle Carl comes to take a seat at the table again. “JJ, you’ll also keep an eye on O’Brien’s state of mind. He has a bad habit of losing himself in a job. The moment he becomes more Albanian than agent, you pull him out.”

JJ nods. “Yes, sir.”

Uncle Carl lets out a sigh. “Hopefully, we can wrap this up quickly. We have six months. After that, I need to get approval which you all know I hate doing.”

Six months to take down the Bregu Syndicate. I let out a chuckle because it’s an impossible fucking task.

Uncle Carl pins me with a scowl, then shakes his head. “I just fucking know you’re going to make me fill out paperwork until I’m buried beneath it.”

“It’s my way of reminding you I’m still alive.”

JJ’s face instantly falls, and she doesn’t even try to hide her reaction to my words. It’s moments like this that I know she cares about me. I just can’t figure out if it’s platonic or more.

Climbing to my feet, I say, “Let’s get the ball rolling so I can get knee-deep in Albanian shit.”

I walk out of the conference room and head toward the outdoor smoking area. Lighting a cigarette, I take a seat on a bench and stare at the gravel. JJ sits down beside me, and neither of us says a word until I’m done smoking.

I nudge my elbow against her arm. “We’ll be okay. Just don’t take any risks.”

JJ shoots me a glare. “I’ll be stuck in an apartment. You’re the one who’ll be in the thick of it.”

My lips curve up into a grin as I meet her eyes. “Don’t forget, I’ve done this many times before. I know when to get out.”

“I’m still going to worry over you.” She places her elbow on her knee, resting her chin in her hand. “Who kept an eye on your state of mind during previous ops?”

“Briggs.”

“Has she ever pulled you out?” JJ asks, turning her gaze to the building across the road.

“No.” Resting my forearms on my thighs, I link my hands together. “The longest I’ve been under was six months. That operation ended right before things started to blur for me.”

“Blur?”

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I start to see the enemy as a friend. I’ll no longer be undercover with them, but instead, put up an act with you until I break all ties.”

JJ places her hand on my shoulder, her gaze filled with an unwavering belief in me. “You won’t do that.”

She’s right. I have too much to lose.

Her.

“That’s why I’m allowing you to be my handler, per se.” A slight smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “You’ll keep me grounded. Sane.” I let out a heavy breath, knowing this operation will be fucking brutal. “You’ll be my lifeline.”

“I won’t let you down,” she promises.

I know she won’t. Just being able to see her during the operation will be enough to keep me focused. “Just remember everything I taught you.”

“I will.”

Silence falls between us, the worry of what’s to come hanging heavily between us.