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"Jesus, Ash." My heart has climbed into my throat. "She's going to get me killed." He doesn't respond. Just stands there in the half darkness staring at me. "Did you pass the loyalty test?" it occurs to me to ask.

"I'm not an employee. I own my security company. They can't fire me."

“So why do you work with these people?”

As the silence stretches, time presses in on me. I can’t stand still.

Starting toward Ash, I stop next to the chair, under the ring of lamp light. My fingers find the arm, and I lean on it, suddenly needing the support. "You said you would keep me safe,” I say, my voice strange—sad. Sad that I need him to keep me safe. Sad that I can’t trust that he will. Just. Sad.

"I meant it.” Ash nods, his eyes fierce.

I chew on my bottom lip. His eyes drop to it. Then flick away. I nod. What choice do I have?

The words Linda spoke as the elevator doors closed flash into my mind. "What did she mean about my 'contact' with the prince?"

Ash’s jaw flexes. "Angela,” he pauses. “You must realize that building a relationship with such an important member of a foreign government is an excellent opportunity."

"He's not going to tell me state secrets on a date, Ash." My voice is incredulous even though I know that’s not what he means. If the last few years working with Temperance have taught me anything, it’s that secrets are never buried as deep as you think.

"No,” Ash confirms. “But he might come to trust you.” I don’t respond. Ash takes a breath. “He might leave you unattended in the same hotel room as papers that could be useful to us. You might overhear something. Angela.” He says my name like he knows I know this.

"Isn't Jordan an ally?" I keep arguing, trying to cover up how stupid I was for not noticing what a glaring shitstorm this was going to be.

“There is a long history of cooperation between Jordan and the United States,” Ash says in that super annoying way he has of saying obvious shit. “But even friends have secrets worth knowing.”

I sigh and rest my hip on the arm of the chair, my exhaustion from earlier returning with a vengeance. "I didn't even want to go,” I say. “Zade convinced me."

"Zade was only thinking in romantic terms."

"Do you think I should cancel?" I look up at him.

"I think it's too late for that."

"Ash, if you could try, for just a hot second, not to be such a cryptic fuckhead that would be awesome for me."

He frowns.

I'm guessing it's the first time anyone has called Ash a cryptic fuckhead to his face, but I guarantee I'm not the first person to think it.

"Angela," he clears his throat. "I understand this is difficult for you." I resist the urge to slap him. "The fact is that you are an important asset, and if you do not perform or become recalcitrant, you will be a liability." My chest goes tight again.

"Is that a threat?"

His brow furrows. “It's a fact." Simple math. Assets that don’t perform are purged from the portfolio.

"So I have to go on this date? And spy on him?"

“You don’thaveto do anything,” Ash says, looking almost affronted.

“But you think Ishould.” Why is he like this?

“Are you asking for advice?” Ash holds my gaze.

“Jesus, yes.” I throw up my hands. “What do you think I should do?”

"Tonight should just be for relationship building."

"My plan was to get laid again, and possibly have the kind of relationship with the prince where when we were in the same country we'd hook up." I laugh, surprised I just said that out loud.