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“Maybe.” She perches on the edge of my desk. “But it could give us a better chance of finding Leo alive. These guys aren’t going to talk if we come in guns blazing.”

She’s right, and we both know it. But after everything that’s happened—Gio’s death, Seb getting shot, Leo’s kidnapping—the thought of putting anyone else I care about in danger makes me ill.

“Let me call Zeke,” I say finally. “See what intel he has on these guys, what angles we might be missing.”

Rissa nods, but there’s something hesitant in her expression. “Eve—”

“What?”

“Just … be careful, okay?” She fidgets with her glasses. “I know you love him, and I know he said he loves you. But he’s still connected to all of this somehow. Still has his own agenda.”

“I trust him.” The words come out sharper than I intend.

“I know you do.” Her voice is gentle. “But maybe that’s exactly why you need someone watching your blind spots right now.”

The truth in her words stings, but I push it aside. “I’ll call him.”

She squeezes my shoulder as she stands. “I’ll start pulling surveillance photos of the warehouse district, see what we’re working with. Let me know what he says.”

I wait until she’s back at her own desk before pulling out my phone. My finger hovers over Zeke’s number for a moment as last night’s memories wash over me again.

Focus, Landry.

I hit dial before I can second-guess myself. He picks up on the second ring.

“Everything okay?” His voice sends a shiver down my spine, even through the phone.

“We got a tip.” I keep my voice low, conscious of the busy precinct around me. “Meeting tomorrow in the warehouse district. All the major players supposed to be there.”

There’s a beat of silence before he speaks. “You think it’s legitimate?”

“Came through one of Rissa’s CI’s. Seems solid.”

“And what’s your play?”

I outline both options, trying to keep my tone professional despite the way my body reacts to the low rumble of his voice. When I finish, he’s quiet for so long I worry the call dropped.

“Zeke?”

“How sure is your partner about going under?” His words are carefully measured. “These aren’t street thugs we’re dealing with. If they make her—”

“I know.” I close my eyes, trying not to picture all the ways this could go wrong. “But she’s right—a full tactical assault could get Leo killed.”

“Or going in half-cocked could get all of you killed.” There’s an edge to his voice now, it appears any time he’s worried about my safety. “Give me an hour. Let me make some calls, see what my people can find out about this meeting.”

“Okay, but—”

“No arguments.” His tone leaves no room for discussion. “I’m not losing either of you. Not to them, not to anyone.”

“I love you,” I whisper, not caring who might overhear.

“I know.” I can hear his smile. “That’s why you’re going to trust me on this.”

The line goes dead before I can respond. I stare at my phone for a long moment, torn between frustration at his high-handedness and relief that I don’t have to handle this alone anymore.

“Well?” Rissa appears at my desk, arms full of surveillance photos. “What did Mr. Tall, Dark, and Criminal say?”

I run a hand through my hair. “Says he needs to make some calls. Asked us to wait an hour before deciding anything.”