Page 20 of Dear John

“So, why the hell did we have to meet here instead of at OPS?”

“Because things are shit with Cash right now, and I need to decide if I’m going to help him or walk away.”

They both tensed at my words, but it was Eli who asked the question I already knew was waiting on his lips. “Leaving OPS?”

“Possibly,” I sighed, grabbing the beer in front of me. I took a long swig, then spun the glass on the table as I composed my thoughts. “The senator wants me to work with him again.”

“Fuck that,” Eli muttered.

“And he also wants protection for the rest of the campaign.”

“Why? If he wins the nomination, he’ll have Secret Service.” Red chuckled, but when I didn’t laugh along or even look remotely in agreement with him, his smile faded. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”

“Because you’re not.”

“Fucking hell,” Eli sighed. “What is it now?”

“The senator has informed me that there is someone bigger than The Syndicate out there.”

“Wait,” Eli stopped me. “I thought that’s what the original deal was—to get whoever was supporting The Syndicate.”

“He did give me that, but it turns out that information is useless, and if I want the guy behind the curtain, these are his terms.”

They were both quiet for a minute. “Do youwantto work with him?” Eli asked.

I frowned as I stared at the foam in the glass. “It might not be about me. See, the reason the senator needs protection is because of how big of a threat this poses.”

“How bad are we talking?” Red asked.

“Really fucking dangerous. The senator asked if I was willing to put Isla in danger. If I was willing to put all of you and your families in danger.”

When they were both quiet, I knew I had given them something to really consider, and I wasn’t sure they would be on the same page as me. Family was something you didn’t fuck with, and while Isla agreed that I should do what I felt was right, I wouldn’t knowingly put anyone else in danger if they weren’t on board.

“I talked with Cash and you can guess how that went. He didn’t really give a fuck who would be in danger as long as he got the information he needed.”

“So, what did you decide?” Eli asked.

“Well, I’m sitting here with you two fucks, trying to decide if helping Cash is worth the risks involved. And I gotta tell you, after the shit he pulled the last time with the senator, I’m not inclined to help him.”

“I sense a but coming on,” Red groaned.

“But it’s Cash,” I sighed. “We all know that he’s not himself. He’s fucking drowning, and if we don’t step in to help, we might never see the real Cash ever again.”

“If we step in and help, we could get ourselves killed,” Eli pointed out.

“And our families,” Red added. “I’m not sure anything could be worth all the bullshit that this would drag into our lives.”

I scrubbed a hand along my jaw, considering what they were saying. I was torn. Every fucking way I looked at it, someone would lose.

“Fuck,” Eli sighed. “He’s gonna do it.”

“I haven’t decided yet.” I cleared my throat, trying to avoid leaning one way or the other until I really thought this through.

“No, but your face says it all. As much as you fucking despise the shit Cash pulled on you, you’re not ready to let him suffer.”

“He had to kill his brother,” I snapped. “I can’t even imagine the shit going on in his head.”

“Is that really a reason to get yourself killed? What about Isla? What are you going to tell her?” Red asked.

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