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“We’ll keep Chanel and Morgan safe, Harlen. We’ll keep everyone safe. But we have to do this the right way. No reckless plans, no impulsive moves. We need to be strategic. Gather the intel we need to take Marisol down quietly.”

Harlen nodded, his expression hardening with determination. “You’re right. We’ll do this your way, Zand. But when the time comes, I want to be there.”

I clasped his shoulder, a silent understanding passing between us. “Not a problem. I’m sure she’s not alone. I don’t want to involve too many people in the capture.”

“And kill?” Harlen added.

“Yes, if it comes to that.”

“It’s the only option. Her brother is gone. He’s never coming back. She’s not going to just go away.”

“I know. I just don’t want to take a human life.” I hated the feeling of ending someone.

“From what I know, she’s scum, and so is her brother.”

“What do you know? I’ve only started sharing information with you.”

“Morgan told me some things.”

“You’ve been talking to Morgan?”

“She told me Chanel was running from Lonzo and a little about the case and the cartel.”

“She did?” Morgan hadn’t known my brother long enough for the extensive pillow talk.

“Well yeah. I like her and she likes me, so we talk.”

I couldn’t do anything about their budding relationship. I didn’t feel the need to scold Harlen again. He knew better than to cross me. I had exiled him long enough for him to feel my absence him his life.

I leaned forward with my elbows resting on the polished mahogany desk. I fixated on Harlen with a piercing gaze. “Listen carefully, Harlen. I have a task for you, one that will require all of your skill and discretion.”

Something sinister dancing behind Harlen’s dark eyes. “I’m listening.”

“I need you to infiltrate one of Lonzo’s old haunts, a place where Marisol might be recruiting new allies.” I pulled up a map on the laptop, pointing to a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city. “This is where Natasha’s intel suggests Marisol has been operating from since she arrived in Chicago.”

Harlen studied the screen in deep concentration. “What exactly am I looking for?”

“Any information you can gather on her plans, her movements, her associates. We need to know what she’s up to.” I paused, holding his gaze. “But Harlen, you must be discreet. We can’t afford to tip her off or draw any unnecessary attention.”

Harlen’s lips curled into a smirk, a glimmer of his old, reckless demeanor shining through. “Discreet is my middle name, dear brother.”

I raised an eyebrow and suppressed a hint of a smile. “Since when?”

Harlen chuckled. “Since now. I’ll get you the information you need, Zand. And I’ll do it without anyone being the wiser.”

I nodded, the weight of our mission pressing down on me. “Remember, Harlen, we cannot afford any mistakes. I’ve been operating in this town for years with zero run-ins with CPD.”

Harlen’s posture straightened. “I won’t let you down, Zand. I’ll find Marisol and report back to you.”

“No, you report to Natasha.”

“Why?”

“If you have to ask why, you don’t understand how things work around here.”

“Sorry. No problem. I will report to the blonde lesbian Russian lady.”

“She’s Chechen.”