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I pull up the log he just sent me, my eyes scanning the data. “What were they looking for?”
Logan exhales. “You.”
My fingers pause over the keyboard.
“What?”
“They accessed everything connected to you—Cerberus, Opus Noir, past missions, classified files. If I had to guess, I’d say they’re trying to find out how much you know.”
A slow burn of anger coils in my gut. This isn’t just about Cherise anymore. Someone inside Interpol is watchingme, and that means they know I’m coming for them.
“Keep digging. I want that name, Logan.”
“You’ll have it,” Logan replies evenly. “But Nick… tread carefully. If someone with that level of clearance is shielding Hector, they won’t think twice about throwing you to the wolves to keep their hands clean.”
“Let them try,” I say, my voice cold. “I’m not so easily disposed of.”
I end the call, my mind already working through the implications. Whoever the mole is, they have resources and access to information I shouldn’t have to worry about. They’re playing a long game, manipulating Interpol’s system to shield Hector and René, and now they’re watching me.
I can’t afford mistakes, which brings me right back to the issue I’ve been trying to ignore.
Cherise.
I glance toward the bedroom door, still slightly ajar. The woman lying in that bed is a complication I don’t need, a distraction Ishouldn’tallow. The problem is, I already have. She’s not just an asset. She’s not just a loose end I need to tie up. She’s Cherise—the woman who I walked away from to keep her safe. When I did, something shattered in me I never thought could break. The woman who, despite everything, still owns a part of me I can’t take back.
I close my eyes, inhaling deeply before releasing a slow, measured breath.
I can’t let her get in the way of this. I won’t. Because if I do, I might not survive what comes next… and neither will she.
* * *
The room is silent except for the rhythmic tapping of my fingers against the desk. Cherise sits across from me, curled into the corner of the couch, arms wrapped around herself like she’s holding something in. She’s been doing that since last night—since I took her, claimed her, made her mine again in ways I never should have allowed. She never should have allowed. I’ve had years of training in D/s and I never play with newbies or tourists. My guess is Cherise is both.
Now, I have to be the one to draw the lines. I shouldn’t have touched her. I shouldn’t have let her get back under my skin. But fuck if I don’t want to do it again.
She shifts slightly; her gaze flicking toward me before darting away. She knows I’m watching her. She always does.
“We need to talk,” I say, keeping my voice steady, controlled.
She rubs her arms like she’s cold, but I know better. She’s bracing for whatever I’m about to ask. “About?”
“Hector’s inner circle. I need names, Cherise.”
She stiffens, just enough for me to notice. “I already told you about Fortier. And Sergei.”
“That’s not enough,” I say, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I need to know who else Hector trusted. Who had access to classified intel? Who was in the room when deals were made?”
She shakes her head. “Hector was careful. He didn’t talk in front of me, not about real details. He had people, but he never let me see their faces if he could help it.”
“Did he ever mention names?”
She bites her lip, thinking. “There was one… François something. I never got his last name, but he worked with Hector a lot. I heard his name when Hector thought I wasn’t listening.”
I file the name away, already making a mental note to have Logan run it down. “Anyone else?”
Cherise hesitates.
I narrow my eyes. “Cherise.”