Page 71 of Hidden Ascent

“You too. Isla, it’s been interesting. If you manage to not die, come back and say hello sometime.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Turns out I have a soft spot for the DEA. Who knew?”

* * *

Isla headed for the door, but Carl put a hand on Jay. “I hope she’s worth it. I never would have guessed you’d go for a fed.”

“It’s just a job.”

Isla was standing at the door. “You coming?”

“You sure it’s just a job?” Carl mumbled.

“Thanks for your help.” He slapped Carl on the back and joined Isla.

As soon as Isla stepped outside, she stopped and turned to him. “I’m sorry. That didn’t go as planned. I should have stayed in the car.”

“What you did in there—”

“I know. I messed up. Please don’t rub it in.”

“What I was going to say was, what you did in there was amazing.”

“Are you picking on me?”

“No. I’ve known Carl for a long time. There was a lot of speculation about why he left the Red Wolves, but no one really knew.”

“Why’d he tell me?”

“I have no idea. On some level, he must trust you. So don’t screw it up.”

“I don’t plan on it. But let me get this straight. You’re saying that if I hadn’t gone in there against your wishes, things may not have turned out as well as they did?”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“I’m just saying.” The corner of her mouth turned up in a teasing grin before she went to the car. It was alluring in a way that made him uncomfortable.

He let her get a few steps before walking to the car himself. She frustrated him at times, and at others, she was almost irresistible.

Chapter16

The old heavymetal door scraped as it opened, sending a reverberation back through the building.

The man on the inside looked over his shoulder until the lingering echo subsided, then nodded at Jay and Isla.

“If anyone finds you, I don’t know you.”

“We know,” Isla said.

“I’m only doing this for Mr. Blanchet because I owe him, but opening the door is as far as I’ll go. The rest is up to you.”

“How many guys are in the building?” Jay said.

“There are four of us here now. I’ll do what I can to keep them downstairs, but I won’t risk anything for you, and I can’t promise no one else will turn up. If you’re found, you’re dead.”

“Got it.”

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