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“You know it’s not 2015, right?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

“Your lack of faith in me is beginning to show.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “So what’s the plan? How do we contact Caleb’s dad?”

“I’m so glad you asked…”

Chapter 5

Caleb

“Chad.”Katerinasnapsherfingers to get my attention. I know this because she does it every five minutes. The woman is excessively needy.“Eyes on me, Chad.” “Watch closely, Chad.”

My eyes are ready to go on strike. I have to clench my fists to keep from strangling her. This undercover assignment is testing my limited patience.

And yes. My undercover name is Chad. The Bureau thought it fit me. Cruz thought it was hilarious. I think it’s ridiculous to use the same name Liam Hawthorne used when he first showed up in the States and tried to go out with my girlfriend. But it’s worked so far. No one questions a punk Chad.

“I’m going to need you to leave your gun here.” She taps the hotel coffee table between us as if I’m going to drop it right there.

“Excuse me?” Is she on to me? Is my cover blown?

“Yes,” she says. “A man like you…” She stands and rounds the back of the couch. “Needs a bigger weapon.”

Should I take offense to that? “I—”

“Try this one.” She picks up a large gun from behind the couch and tosses it at me. I very nearly drop to the ground in case a rogue bullet goes into my head. But instead, I pull my shoulders back and catch the AR-15 pistol.

I glance down at the gun in my hands. “The safety wasn’t on.”

“Exciting, isn’t it?” Katerina walks over to me, running her fingers along the gun. “You already intrigue me. Buttheyaren't as easily impressed.” She still hasn’t told me who “they” are. But that doesn’t matter; whoever it is will be the key to helping this entire organization unravel.

“And this gun is all it will take?” I ask, a cautious flirtation in my voice.

“No. They’ll have suspicions about you. So you’re going to have to fight someone, in my honor, of course, to prove your loyalty.”

“I expect nothing less.” But I sure hoped for less.

Katerina saunters to the fridge, which is stocked with containers of pre-made meals. She grabs two and brings them to the couch.

Raw sushi. I try not to shudder. I hate fish in all its forms, cooked or not cooked, alive or not alive. Maybe it’s because taking me fishing was an activity my dad promised every time he came back around.“Something a father should teach a son,” he would say.Instead, the only thing he taught me was how to run when things got hard.

I pick up a piece of sushi and put it in my mouth, pretending I love every single awful bite. I even manage to throw in a few love-struck, hopelessly devoted to you kind of vibes in Katerina’s direction as I do so. It’s too bad Amelia can’t witness my expertise in such a way. I’ll have to use my powers of seduction on her later.

“What’s got you smiling?” Katerina purrs.

I check my face. My lips are barely tipped up in the corner. This woman is good. I have to be better.

“You, always,” I whisper, snatching her hand and bringing it to my lips, pressing a kiss to it. I better get a raise.

“Save that energy for later.” She wiggles her eyebrows, or tries to, but the Botox makes her look deranged. “We’ve got work to do.” She stands up, leaving her mostly full dish there. “As long as you don't die tonight.”

A clump of raw fish gets lodged in my throat and I cough. I won’t be dying tonight. Not when I have so much to live for.

Chapter 6