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I hated waiting, but it was necessary. My only thoughts were of making sure Rose was safe. She was my priority, plain and simple. Our relationship had sparked quickly, and I didn’t want it to extinguish so soon. Hence, helping the feds had become the least of my worries.

Hearing noises outside, I braced myself.

Rose walked into the graffiti-covered lobby, rushing over when she saw me. I stepped forward, my arms out-stretched. She ran into them.

“Are you okay?” I asked, pulling back and placing my palms on her cheeks.

She nodded. “Yeah. A little surprised, but okay.”

“I can’t believe they dragged you into this mess.”

“I’m involved because I’m part of your life now, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

I kissed her.

“Hurry, you two,” Ryan said from the doorway as he peered at the street outside. “I have to get her back before the spooks get spooked.”

“I’ve been researching more,” she said quickly.

“No, you shouldn’t be—”

“Anyway,” she interrupted, “I kept following the money, and it’s scaring me.”

I moved my hands to her waist. “What do you mean?”

“This smuggling operation made billions—it goes all the way to the top.”

“What do you mean all the way to the top? The President?”

“Okay, maybe not that far, but at least a general or too. Quite a few people got rich off Afghanistan.”

“Be careful.”

“We need to get going,” Ryan urged. “The clock is ticking.”

“You should just run. Get out of the city,” I said, grabbing her hands tightly.

“And go where? This is the FBI we’re talking about here. I can’t run from them.”

“They probably let us both out to watch us. We need to be careful.”

“We’re innocent, Warren. It’ll be okay.”

I sighed. “If only the world really worked that way.”

She stepped back. “I’ll follow this last lead.”

“Let me come with you. We can do it together,” I suggested.

“No, that would be less safe. Think about it.”

“You’re right,” I said, begrudgingly.

“I’ve been adding to an article as I find more information. This will be the story of my career, Warren.”

“I believe in you,” I said and then kissed her again.

“I’ll talk to you soon.”