Page 59 of Shadow Undercover

“What if he fails the test?”

“Bridget.” With a gentle grip on her chin, Trace turned her face toward him. “Don’t ask questions you don’t really want the answers to.”

“What happens if you fail? And don’t lie to me.”

He studied her a moment. Was she strong enough to handle the truth? “He’ll kill me.”

Bridget’s face paled. “Why?”

“Too much knowledge about him, his wants, and location. I’ll be a potential leak he’ll want to plug permanently.”

“Why would anyone apply for a job with this creep if rejection means death?”

“A large paycheck.”

She frowned. “How do you know?”

“Because I’ll ask for more money than the others and get it.”

“You’re that good?”

He didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted. His teammates, however, had no such qualms. They burst into laughter. “Yeah, sweetheart, I’m that good.”

“You shouldn’t go alone. You need someone to guard your back in that snake pit.”

“Shadow is my backup.”

“From the outside, not by your side. What about Phantom? Could one of them go with you?”

“Snipers work alone. Besides, Hugo will be suspicious if I have a partner I didn’t mention.”

“You’re not going alone this time, Trace.”

He froze. “I don’t understand.” Although he was afraid he did. No way. She couldn’t be about to suggest what he thought she was.

“Your girlfriend is going with you.”

Silence fell on the room as Trace’s heart rate zoomed into the stratosphere. “My girlfriend?”

“I’m going undercover with you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Every muscle in Trace’s body tightened at Bridget’s declaration of intent. Did she really believe he’d allow her to place herself in more danger than she’d endured in that stinking alley in Chile? He still couldn’t think about how close she came to dying without wanting to barf. “Forget it, Bridget.”

She frowned. “You need backup. I have to be the least threatening person of your acquaintance and Hugo’s.”

“That’s exactly the point. You’re a reformed librarian, not a trained operative. I’m not taking you into the lion’s den.”

“You need me to convince Ruth to cooperate.”

“Why do you say that?”

“My sister is shy and doesn’t trust easily. If Hugo’s household is like most households, she will have heard of the new hired killer on Hugo’s payroll. Why would she trust you with her life? If she fights you, she’ll blow the rescue.”

Trace glanced at his boss, seeking support for his arguments against her going along as his undercover partner. His eyes narrowed at the look of speculation in Brent’s eyes. He glared. “This is not a good idea. She has zero training. Taking Bridget with me would be like throwing a guppy into a tank full of sharks. I’ll have to watch my back and hers.”

“You’ll watch each other’s backs.”

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