Page 81 of Bride of Vengeance

"He will never know. You'll leave here and return to him repentant, begging for his forgiveness, convincing him that your little escape attempt made you realize that you really only have him, and that you can only trust him, and that you'll never be safe again outside without his help. You'll play the devoted wife, and when he thinks you have no intention of escaping, you'll contact me. I’ll help you do it, and you'll help me destroy him and everything he's built."

This is it. The hook we need him to swallow.

"What would I have to do?" I ask, making my voice small.

"Convince him to meet with my contact. Someone who claims to have information about Pavel's operations. Ghost won't be able to resist. And he'll be too pleased, thinking that you're trying to help him."

"He'll be suspicious..."

"Then make him un-suspicious. You're his wife now, aren't you? Use that."

Through the earpiece: "Say yes. Make him believe it."

I take a shaky breath. "This could go very wrong. I could end up dead. If I do this—when it's over—my record is cleared?"

"Completely. You'll be a hero. The agent who went undercover to bring down the Ghost."

"My mother?"

"Protected. Permanently."

I stand, pacing to the window as if wrestling with the decision. In reality, I'm giving Mila time to ensure she's captured everything.

"I need guarantees," I finally say. "Written immunity agreement."

"That can be arranged."

"And I want Rodriguez pulled off the case. He's too emotionally involved. He'll compromise everything, making Ghost nervous and suspicious of me."

Harrison's smile is cold. "Agent Rodriguez is persistent, isn't he? Still trying to save you from yourself."

"He doesn't understand. This is bigger than his feelings."

"Agreed. Rodriguez will be reassigned." Harrison returns to his desk, pulling out a phone. "You have forty-eight hours toconvince Ghost to meet my contact. The Riverside warehouse, Thursday night."

"That's too soon."

"That's the point. We can't risk him trying to escape and taking you with him. I know you are capable. Don't disappoint me, Agent Castillo. Or should I practice calling you Mrs. Kozlov?"

"Mariana is fine."

"Mariana then. Remember—you're playing a part now. The devoted wife slowly becoming his teammate. Make it convincing."

"I know how to do my job."

"Do you? Your recent actions don't reflect that. You let your obsession with that criminal drag you down to the point where you couldn't help but fall for him."

I let him see a flash of anger. "I didn't fall for him! He caught me. There's a difference."

"Is there? I guess we'll find out. First you have to redeem yourself."

I turn to leave, then pause. "Your contact—who is it?"

"Someone Ghost will find irresistible. Someone claiming to have information about his dear sister Anya."

My blood runs cold, but I keep my face neutral. "He doesn't have a sister."

"Doesn't he? How well do you really know your husband, Mariana?"