Merciless (Option Zero 1)

Jules withstood the scrutiny. Eve’s experience as a former CIA operative was invaluable. Fooling Turner would take every ounce of acting ability she possessed, and she would gladly take all the help and advice she could get. If this didn’t work, and Turner suspected she was being manipulated, Jules could be dead the moment she walked out the door of the meeting place. It was a risk she was willing to take.

“Remember, don’t get too close to the woman, or the sound could get distorted.”

“I’ll remember.”

“Also, try not to touch the front of your blouse. The bug is a delicate device and will pick up even the slightest sound.”

“Okay.”

“What’s your distress word?”

She sent a smile to Ash and said, “Snow.”

“Eve, I need a moment,” Ash said.

“Okay, but don’t muss her makeup, and for heaven’s sake, don’t dislodge the camera button.”

Ash laughed and pushed her toward the door. “Yes, ma’am.”

Before going out the door, Eve turned and gave Jules a brilliant smile. “Welcome to the team, Jules. Proud to have you.”

Her heart swelled with gratitude. Even though Eve had given her approval, Jules had still felt like there was distance between them. Those words gave her the assurance that, no matter what, Eve accepted her as a trusted team member. “Thank you, Eve.”

The instant the door closed, Ash grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, but took care not to touch her anywhere else. “We can find another way. You can still change your mind.”

“Not going to happen. This is going to work, Ash. I feel it in my bones.”

“Yeah, well, if you feel anything else in your bones, like danger, then you say snow, and we’ll be there.”

That couldn’t happen. The OZ team storming into the club could have dire consequences, ruining everything. This had to work. There was no other option.

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Promise me something else.”

“Anything.”

“When this is over, we’ll go away for a few days. Just the two of us.”

“Someplace warm?”

Ash laughed and kissed the hand he held. “Someplace so hot you’ll want to run around naked all the time.”

“You got yourself a deal, Mr. Drake.”

The door opened, and Eve peeked in. “Ash, she needs to get going.”

Ash nodded, and with one more kiss on her hand, he whispered, “Go kick her ass.”

Jules walked out of the hotel room and to the elevator. A taxi, driven by a man Ash trusted, would be waiting at the front door. She wasn’t surprised at the meeting location. Turner had been seen at the club several times. Many politicians had favorite private meeting places. As far as she knew, Turner was the only one who used Millie’s Spot, which made sense. Having clandestine meetings about murders and cover-ups required extreme privacy.

She got into the waiting car, and it took off. If this plan worked, and she planned to make sure that it did, it would be one of the most worthwhile things she’d ever done. She would get justice for the men who had died, justice for Meg. And justice for Ash.

And when this was over, she and Ash would be together. This might not be the fairy-tale ending most people were used to, but for Jules, it was as close as she could imagine.

Chapter Forty-Four

Ash adjusted his earwig once more. He could hear Jules breathing, hear and see the traffic surrounding her. He wished he could talk to her, reassure her that he was right there with her. He couldn’t. They had agreed that Jules wearing an earwig was too dangerous. If Turner suspected a setup, the consequences would be fatal.