Page 38 of Abandoned Oaths

Seriously, where did they find these guys? If I find out they’re rookies and this was their first mission, someone was losing their head.

Maybe it was my nerves making me feel extra bitchy, but this mission was just as much in their hands as it was mine, even though I was the face of it. If anything went wrong, my head was on the line.

“Here’s a list of key players in the area. People you should know.” Derek handed me a thick stack of papers. Finally. Something useful.

I scanned over the pages, taking in the names, descriptions, and pictures. The mayor, the head of the charity, and other rich and famous people. Nothing surprising, but definitely good to have.

“Thanks. Maybe I could get this a few days in advance next time?”

He dropped his eyes. “Yeah, sorry.”

“We only got the full guest list last night,” Javier explained.

“Then we need to work on getting better connections.”

Javier stared me down for a moment before pulling a box over. “Where do you want the camera?”

He opened the black lid and pulled out a button camera.

I stepped back. “Hell no.”

“What?”

“What if I get checked for bugs?”

“You’re going to a gala, not into a shake-down,” he protested.

“They have metal detectors plus special machines to check for those and mics specifically.”

“This is a society event,” Marco attempted to protest.

“Then you wear it!” I was fully prepared to die on that hill. They hadn’t grown up on Pack land, so they missed the life lesson apparently, but snitches get stitches. Even women wearing pretty gowns.

“I am!”

“Then you’ll have footage. I’m not touching that.” I took another step back.

“What the hell is your problem?” Derek demanded.

I snapped my head toward him. “That any of you have to ask shows exactly how sheltered you’ve all been. Boys’ home or not, you’ve obviously not seen the ugly side of this life.”

Derek glared at me like he was trying to kill me with the power of his thoughts.

“I’ve witnessed men get killed for wearing those. I’ve been held and beaten, including four broken bones and a shattered eye socket, over wearing a mic and getting caught. I don’t wear comms. Or cameras. Or mics. Ever.”

“Fine.” Javier dropped it back in the box. “But this is why we’re here. You might not be comfortable with surveillance, but it’s one of our specialties.”

“This is why the four of you are here? Your surveillance is shit. I don’t have a full list of Dias’ enemies or associates. I don’t have a full description of his lovers, girlfriends, or mistresses. I don’t know where the cameras or security are within the building.” I slammed a finger onto the blueprints. “I don’t have pictures of Dias’ house or cars.”

“We’ve only been here for five days,” Cruz protested.

“And how many pizzas have you had? How many laps have you swum? How many movies have you watched?” I was reaching my breaking point, and it wasn’t just because of this conversation. Walking into a completely unknown situation was freaking me out. I had to seduce a stranger into liking me. Into wanting me to be a part of his life. I needed Dias to not only date me, but trust me, and I didn’t have the slightest idea how to do that.

“You’re right,” Javier’s voice was annoyingly calm. “We prioritized differently than we should have. We’ll have all of that by the end of the week.”

It was Saturday night. “How about by end of day on Monday?”

He gritted his teeth, but nodded.

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