Page 81 of Undertow

After just a few minutes of reconnaissance, it’s clear Hana Nakamura is nothing more than a friend or hookup of Tyler’s who may have provided him with some low-level information at some point. She probably didn’t even know she was betraying her employer. Tyler also probably didn’t include any of that information in his bragging.

Not only has his incompetence put me in a difficult situation, he’s endangered this innocent woman for no reason other than his ego.

I get why they locked his inept ass in the shack.

But the damage is done, and now I have a new headache to overcome. I’ve been tasked by Mama H to join forces with their “mole” and gain more information about “The Drop” and McArthur’s dealings with the RLC. I have no idea how I’m supposed to partner with a “spy” who isn’t one.

I leave my post by the bar and message Merrick to meet me in his suite.

He’s already there when I arrive, arms crossed and an impatient look on his face. There’s no doubt my S.O.S. interrupted something, but they’re just as responsible for this mess as the Hartfords.

I shut the door and face him. “We have a problem.”

Merrick raises a brow. “I’m not helping you pick out flowers and shit for your wedding.”

I fire a glare. “The photo evidence we planted worked. The Hartfords believe the McArthurs are fully in bed with the RLC. Mama H sent me here to learn more about McArthur’s relationship and any upcoming interactions.”

“That’s what we wanted, right?”

“That’s not the problem. The problem is, I’m supposed to work with a mole they have on the property.”

He straightens, his eyes going dark. “You’re fucking kidding me. A mole?”

“Relax. I already checked them out. It’s bullshit. Tyler just wanted some cred with the boss. The person is no threat to McArthur, but I’m still going to have to make contact to follow Hartford orders. We were trying to keep my presence here on the down-low. I’d be opening up all kinds of potential problems on both sides by outing myself as a Hartford spy to some random employee just to save face.”

“Agreed. So we take out the mole.”

I force down a flinch at the casual violence. “Not an option. It would look too suspicious if their ‘mole’ was neutralized ten minutes after they told me about them.”

“Good point,” he grunts. “So what are you proposing?”

“Fire me.”

“Pardon?”

“We can’t get rid ofthemolewithout raising alarms, so get rid of me. I go back to the Hartfords and say I got fired and can’t be their spy anymore. It would also free me up to spend more time investigating their operation. I’m not doing any good wasting hours on fake shifts here, anyway.”

His skeptical look has my mind already spinning with a response. “Not gonna happen. You’re too valuable in your current position.”

“My current position means nothing if it’s exposed.”

“So don’t let it get exposed.”

I glare at him in exasperation. “And how am I supposed to do that? I was literally sent heretoexpose my position.”

“I don’t know, Roman. You’re the brilliant operative. Figure it out.”

He pushes past me toward the door.

“Merrick!”

“What?” he hisses, turning on me. “This is not my problem. I’ve got bigger shit on my plate—like what to do about a fuckingdead bodythat’s still on this property.”

“But I?—”

“Deal with it, Shaw. Don’t waste my time again.”

He leaves the room, and I kick an armchair with a curse.