My eyes widen in surprise. “Do you think it could be her?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Nero replies. “But we have to include her as a suspect. I’ll handle the others, but I’m worried that Avery will see right through me. She knows me too well.”
I nod, nervous. “OK.”
Then I pause, struck by a sudden thought. “You know it’s not me, right?”
I search his face, needing to see it there. Needing to know he believes me.
Nero holds my gaze. “I know.” His voice is gruff, but sure. “I trust you.”
I exhale, filled with relief. “I trust you too,” I whisper softly. “I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us. Promise me?”
He hesitates for a moment. “Promise,” he says, and then he’s kissing me again, and nothing else matters.
It feels like we’re in this together.
The next day,Nero figures out the details for the plan, and gives me the info to pass to Avery. I head to the club, my nerves growing. She’s so tough and intimidating, I just hope that I can pull this off.
I can feel eyes on me as I walk across the bar, taking a seat on a stool next to Avery. It’s a slow night, and she’s going over what looks like financial paperwork while sipping on a Diet Coke.
“You’re not drinking?” I ask, greeting her. “And there I was hoping for someone to go crazy on margaritas with me.”
Avery gives a wry grin. “I only drink with people I can trust with my life… And that’s a pretty short list.”
“Huh. Smart. Good thing I’m feeling dumb enough for the both of us.” I gesture the bartender over and order. “And keep them coming.”
Avery looks curious. “Everything OK?”
“You mean, besides my husband ignoring me?” I make my voice bitter. “He hasn’t spoken to me since we got back, he’s been too busy.”
“Well… Things are pretty stressful right now,” Avery offers. “Everybody’s tense.”
“Right. The mole.” I roll my eyes, exaggerated.
“It’s a big deal.” Avery pauses. “Does he have any idea who it could be yet?”
I don’t want to be suspicious of Avery. She’s the only person around here that treats me like a real person instead of an enemy. She could even be a friend. But I can’t help wondering if she’s trying to get information out of me.
I shrug. “Not yet. Which just makes what he’s planning even more stupid. I mean, running another shipment in when we don’t know who’s informing? It’s crazy!”
Avery blinks. “I thought he was cooling it with that side of the operation, laying low.”
“Nope.” The bartender brings my drink, and I take a big gulp. “My genius husband thinks he has to step things up. That’s why he’ll be there, personally overseeing it. I made reservations for us Friday, but instead of eating filet mignon with me at eight, he’ll be in some godforsaken warehouse on Granger Street making sure everything goes smoothly.” I pout.
OK, maybe I’m pushing the ‘spoiled princess’ routine, but it gets the information across. Suddenly, I slap my hand over my mouth.
“Oh no,” I cringe, hoping that I’m putting on a convincing show for her. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Don’t worry,” Avery says, glancing around to make sure no one is close enough to overhear. “I won’t tell anyone.”
I sincerely hope that’s true.
“Nero knows what he’s doing,” Avery assures me. I don’t see any sign that she’s planning to betray him, but I have to stick to this lie, just to be sure.
“I don’t know how you guys do it. How do you live with the uncertainty of danger?”
“It’s not easy sometimes,” Avery admits. I sip my drink as she talks. “But Nero is a great leader. He cares about us, you know? Don’t get me wrong, he’s got that whole tough-guy thing going on, but he actually gives a damn. It’s much better than when his dad was in charge. If I ever got popped by the cops, I know that he’s got my back, just like I’ve got his.”