Ruthless Heart

Nobody else can give me that kind of security.

But if he finds out I’ve been talking to the Feds… If I fail to deliver, or if the FBI busts him on something and I go down with him…

There’s danger everywhere I look. All I can do is hope I’m making the right choice.

And pray to God, Nero keeps his word.

My phone buzzes with a call—Nero’s phone. And it’s him calling.

I feel a surge of panic. Has he heard about the meet?

Images of the dead man flash in my mind as I pick up, cautious. “Hello?”

“Where are you?” he demands.

I gulp. “I just… Took a walk after lunch, to get some air.”

“Get back soon,” he orders me. “There’s another fancy gala event tonight, McKenna’s supposed to make an appearance, so we need to do the dog-and-pony show.”

I let out a breath of relief. He doesn’t know. “Fine. I’m on my way.”

I hang up and try to steel myself for the night ahead on his arm. Because as tough as this façade has been so far, it’s only getting harder.

And I need to give the performance of a lifetime.