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In my mind, it was now or never. There was too much at stake, now including perhaps an innocent woman’s life.

“They are enjoying remaining anonymous, but that won’t last for long. It never does when powerplay is involved.”

“Well, your job is to flush him out. We were ready to make several arrests when you put a hold on doing that. Now, I need to know why.”

“Because an alliance has been formed, the two Dons willing to work together.”

His eyes reflected what I’d just told him. They were lit up like Christmas trees. I could easily tell he was bucking for a promotion within the DEA.

I couldn’t care less about heading up those ranks. I’d learned in my stint becoming Alejandro Banderas that there were as many corrupt law officials as there were criminals. Maybe more.

“Then by all means, stay inside.”

“I don’t think I can do that.”

“And why not?” Louis lifted a single eyebrow.

“Because I was made the Underboss and commanded to marry the daughter of Matheas Lupini. She’s not a part of his world, a pediatrician far removed from her criminal father. That’s not fair to her.”

“Do you really think anything about this world is or should be fair, Jeffers?”

It had been a long time since he’d used my real name. As far as I was concerned, Jeffers Sanchez was dead and buried and it would stay that way if it wasn’t for a single reason.

The man from before had been a decorated hero, someone who’d fought for his country. With his level of expertise with weaponry and communications systems and his hacking abilities, he’d been recruited by the DEA a month to the day of his discharge from the Marines.

Also given he had few ties, he’d been marked as use for underground missions, something he’d once believed in with all his heart.

Now that man no longer existed. In his place was a natural born killer.

“I’m Alejandro. Remember?” The very first scrap of information I was provided during my undercover training period was that I was to remain as my alter ego, no matter the circumstances. Arrest. Hospitalization. Nothing was to alter that.

“Ah, yes, more so now than before. You’re staying inside. With a prominent position. You’ll be handed prime information on a silver platter.”

“Possibly at the expense of innocent lives. She has a son. A four-year-old boy.”

Louis nodded several times before reaching into his coat jacket, walking even closer as he did so. “Here. I thought you might want this.”

As soon as he handed me a photograph, answers swelled from deep within my core. I turned around, coming close to hyperventilating. I’d cut all ties to my former life because I’d had no choice. None. I’d believed in the greater good, right versus wrong and the entire line of bullshit.

Now I wasn’t certain what to believe any longer.

“She just had her birthday party. Your sister had a nice little get-together with other kids in the neighborhood and a few families from her day care. From what I could tell remaining on the outside, she had a great time. Lots of presents.”

I’d forgotten all about Jessica’s birthday. What kind of man did that? What kind of father allowed his own flesh and blood to grow up with a relative, allowing his little girl to believe Daddy was in heaven?

I held the photograph against my chest, taking several shallow breaths. “You had to show me this. Didn’t you?”

“They’re safe. I’m certain you want to keep it that way.”

I spun around, reaching for the man’s neck, something I would never have done even a year before. He was shocked, fear creeping into his eyes. “You’re threatening my little girl? My sister? You fucking bastard.”

“I’m only pointing out that because of your fine acting abilities, no one is aware you’re anything but a damn good soldier. I know you don’t want anything to change that.”

“You fucking bastard. I can’t keep doing this.”

“Bring us both Santorelli and Lupini and you will no longer need to.”

“And how the fuck is that possible?”