Read Online Lies (Phoenix Undercover #1) by C. A. Harms - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: C. A. Harms
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either.
Chapter 13
Josh
“What the hell were you thinking? You cannot bargain with men like Leo. He will find a way to get beneath your skin, and he will test you at every turn.” Frank slammed his fist on his desk and narrowed his eyes at me. “This is the most important operation of your career. You fuck this up, Josh…” He shook his head and pulled his hands through his hair. “I don’t need this stress, Josh. I said no ties. It’s best that way.”
His damn idea to monitor us when we met with Leo was fucked up. He had each of us bugged, so there was no way to hide that I had let myself become involved.
“Are you gonna be able to hold it together?” Frank asked with a look that made him seem like he was barely hanging on to his sanity. “Because another fucking mistake like the one you pulled last night may be the one that ends you.” He took a seat behind his desk.
“I got it,” I assured him.
“Are you sure? Because I can assure you that the other night was just the beginning of this fucked-up mess. You will find yourself thrown into unavoidable situations, and at times you’ll feel like you can’t go through with it, but you’ll have to. It will be the only way to come out of this on top.”
I sat staring back at Frank with the biggest damn lump in my throat.
“People will get hurt, innocent people. It’s unfortunate, Josh. Believe me, I know this. It’s sad our world thrives on harming vulnerable, defenseless people. But you know we can’t guarantee the safety of anyone in this game Roman’s playing. We can only hope for the best.”
“I know.” I felt defeated. I knew this case was going to be the one that tested me. I also knew it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“I met someone.” I had told myself I wasn’t going to say anything. But keeping a secret was weighing on me, and Frank had been with the bureau for a very long time. I knew if anyone understood how to balance a personal life and work, it would be him.
“End it,” he said with little emotion.
I hadn’t expected that. “What?”
“You know getting involved with someone right now won’t work. You have to have a clear head. You have to be able to follow through with the plan and come out in the end knowing you accomplished the job.” He leaned forward and locked eyes with me. “And you cannot risk her safety. If for some reason your identity is revealed, they will go after you in the worst way possible.”
The idea of Gabby being in danger made my stomach drop. It was the last thing I wanted to happen. But walking away from her was something I just couldn’t do. I would just have to be careful, and she would have to understand how important it was to keep things between us low key.
***
A little after eight, a light tapping on the door broke the silence of my office. I looked up as Mike, Greyson, and Trevor entered the room.
“We just got word that the shipment comes in tomorrow night,” Trevor announced as they all took a seat. Trevor was our intel man. He and his agents worked behind the scenes and were responsible for keeping us safe. “The warehouse is being prepped, and my agents will be there to help you look like you’ve been running a smooth, secure operation for years. Leo will not suspect a thing. It’s up to you three to play your parts expertly.”
I didn’t miss how they were all looking directly at me after that last comment. “You fuckers got something to say?” I asked.
Mike cleared his throat, and Greyson shot him a glare, then turned back to meet my stare. “We just need to know your head’s in the game, man.”
I was lectured the fuck out today. After talking to Frank, my mood was shit, and now I had to deal with my team questioning my dedication.
“With your new girl Gabby and all—”
“Don’t fucking bring her into this,” I snapped at Mike. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“That’s where you’re
Chapter 13
Josh
“What the hell were you thinking? You cannot bargain with men like Leo. He will find a way to get beneath your skin, and he will test you at every turn.” Frank slammed his fist on his desk and narrowed his eyes at me. “This is the most important operation of your career. You fuck this up, Josh…” He shook his head and pulled his hands through his hair. “I don’t need this stress, Josh. I said no ties. It’s best that way.”
His damn idea to monitor us when we met with Leo was fucked up. He had each of us bugged, so there was no way to hide that I had let myself become involved.
“Are you gonna be able to hold it together?” Frank asked with a look that made him seem like he was barely hanging on to his sanity. “Because another fucking mistake like the one you pulled last night may be the one that ends you.” He took a seat behind his desk.
“I got it,” I assured him.
“Are you sure? Because I can assure you that the other night was just the beginning of this fucked-up mess. You will find yourself thrown into unavoidable situations, and at times you’ll feel like you can’t go through with it, but you’ll have to. It will be the only way to come out of this on top.”
I sat staring back at Frank with the biggest damn lump in my throat.
“People will get hurt, innocent people. It’s unfortunate, Josh. Believe me, I know this. It’s sad our world thrives on harming vulnerable, defenseless people. But you know we can’t guarantee the safety of anyone in this game Roman’s playing. We can only hope for the best.”
“I know.” I felt defeated. I knew this case was going to be the one that tested me. I also knew it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“I met someone.” I had told myself I wasn’t going to say anything. But keeping a secret was weighing on me, and Frank had been with the bureau for a very long time. I knew if anyone understood how to balance a personal life and work, it would be him.
“End it,” he said with little emotion.
I hadn’t expected that. “What?”
“You know getting involved with someone right now won’t work. You have to have a clear head. You have to be able to follow through with the plan and come out in the end knowing you accomplished the job.” He leaned forward and locked eyes with me. “And you cannot risk her safety. If for some reason your identity is revealed, they will go after you in the worst way possible.”
The idea of Gabby being in danger made my stomach drop. It was the last thing I wanted to happen. But walking away from her was something I just couldn’t do. I would just have to be careful, and she would have to understand how important it was to keep things between us low key.
***
A little after eight, a light tapping on the door broke the silence of my office. I looked up as Mike, Greyson, and Trevor entered the room.
“We just got word that the shipment comes in tomorrow night,” Trevor announced as they all took a seat. Trevor was our intel man. He and his agents worked behind the scenes and were responsible for keeping us safe. “The warehouse is being prepped, and my agents will be there to help you look like you’ve been running a smooth, secure operation for years. Leo will not suspect a thing. It’s up to you three to play your parts expertly.”
I didn’t miss how they were all looking directly at me after that last comment. “You fuckers got something to say?” I asked.
Mike cleared his throat, and Greyson shot him a glare, then turned back to meet my stare. “We just need to know your head’s in the game, man.”
I was lectured the fuck out today. After talking to Frank, my mood was shit, and now I had to deal with my team questioning my dedication.
“With your new girl Gabby and all—”
“Don’t fucking bring her into this,” I snapped at Mike. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“That’s where you’re
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