Catching Teardrops (MAC Security 5)

Tilting my head to the side, I watch Charlie, several things running through my head at once. Why would the judge approve the warrant so late? And why weeks after giving him the evidence?

My gut tells me something isn’t right, and after continuing to watch the bar, I know there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

“It’s a setup,” I grunt.

“What?”

Shaking my head, I cross my arms over my chest again. “It’s a fucking setup, Charlie. Think about it. He has the surveillance for weeks and then says you can go and raid them... but it has to be right now?”

His gaze flicks side to side, the silence hanging in the air around us before he explodes, banging his fist off his steering wheel. “Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He comes up to the intersection where the bar is and swerves to the right, parking in the lot I sat in when I was gathering surveillance before he turns the engine off.

“Abort!” he shouts into the radio attached to his chest. “It’s a fucking setup!” Several voices shout over the radio at once but Charlie cuts them all off. “Head back to the precinct, I’ll fill you in when we get there.”

I watch several sets of lights move as they turn around in the other cars, but Charlie doesn’t move, instead he turns his body toward me, raising a brow.

“What?” I growl out.

“Mole.” One word and he has my body jerking forward. “There’s a mole somewhere. Any idea where it could be coming from?”

Fuck. He’s right, there’s a mole somewhere down the line. “Who knows about this case?”

“My team and MAC.”

“You trust all your team?” I ask, my gaze finding his in the darkness.

“I thought I did… but now I’m not too sure.” We both stay silent for several minutes before he says, “I need you to go undercover.”

I scoff. “You ain’t my boss.”

“I’ll talk to Ty.”

Blowing out a breath, I lean back in the seat. “If Ty gives the go-ahead.”

“Good. And don’t tell anyone.”

“Who the fuck would I tell?” I roll my eyes as he starts the ignition, switching the lights on and illuminating the front of the bar.

I snap my attention there, leaning forward. No fuckin’ way. “Stop!” I shout, holding my hand out.

He halts, looking around. “What?”

I don’t answer him as I jump out of the car, sure I’m seeing things, but as I jog across the road and see Lily sitting on the curb—throwing up—I know I’m not.

“Lily?”

She lifts her head slowly, her blond hair hanging in her face. “Luke,” she slurs. “I messaged you and you didn’t answer.”

“What are you doing here?” I crouch down in front of her before moving her hair out of her face. My focus bats between her and the bar, sure someone will come out any second and notice me. If Charlie wants me undercover, then there’s no way I can be seen yet. “You shouldn’t be in a place like this, angel.”

“My brother came back for the weekend.” Her lips lift up into a sloppy grin, her body swaying to the left. “He’s an awesome brother. Nothing like…” I jerk forward, taking ahold of both her arms as I hear the sound of Charlie’s horn behind me.

Ignoring it, I stand up, bringing Lily with me as the bar door opens and a guy stumbles out.

“Lil—Hey! Get your hands off my sister!”

Lily leans against my side, her head on my bicep as she tries to hold her hand up to the guy. “Iz okay… he’s….” She sighs. “Luke.”

The guy comes at me, but with one hand outstretched, I hold him back. “Fuck!” He goes for me again, trying to swing his fist at me, but instead of trying to hold him back this time, I let go and he slams onto the sidewalk, his face scraping against the rough surface.