Page 32 of Escape You

“I’ll be quick.” An agent in a dark suit sauntered toward us. By the way he’d dismissed Mavell, I’d say he was FBI.

“This is Special Agent in Charge Clifton with the FBI.” Mavell stepped back with a nod to Clifton.

“Ms. Torrelli’s actions last night have forced our hand. We can no longer simply observe Rossi’s movements.”

“About fucking time. He’s planning something you won’t be able to contain if you let him follow through.” For all we knew, his sex-trafficking ring could already be in full swing, just as Rebecca feared.

“You keep saying that, Agent Cole, but you have no evidence. Not a single clue for us to act on.”

“Ms. Torrelli has proven to be the better spy.” Mavell chuckled.

“What do you mean?” My gaze darted from Mavell to Clifton.

“Last night she downloaded encrypted files directly from Rossi’s computer.” He pursed his lips, as if Mia’s actions had pissed him off.

Mia had the biggest balls. She’d hacked Jac’s computer. Should I be offended that she blatantly lied to my face when I asked her what she was up to? After Mia disappeared into Jac’s office, I had no choice but to open communication with Mavell and the team, then bolted toward her to warn her Jac and his men were on their way.

For the longest minute I thought my entire charade would crumble when Alex decided to check the laptop for intrusion. But now it made sense why he didn’t find the admin account I’d left behind. Whatever Mia had done was untraceable. Not only that but she had also saved my ass by deleting my mess. My contribution to the heist had been a diversion that made Jac believe we were in his office for a quick make-out session.

Her kiss messed with my head more than I thought possible. I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. I had feelings for Mia, which was the stupidest thing to do given our circumstances. The ATF was on her heels. Even if she survived Jac’s machinations, our agents were hot on her trail and the cartel shipment she had scheduled.

“We’re giving you a new assignment. Get the files from Ms. Torrelli. And I mean every single byte she stole from Rossi’s computer. We need to know what she found.”

“Why go after her? Why can’t we just hack the computer ourselves.”

Clifton stuffed his hands in his pant pockets. “We tried. She did something to block other intruders.”

“Are you sure it isn’t Jac’s guys?”

Mavell chuckled behind me. “No, it’s Mia’s crew. They sent a message.”

“A message?”

“More like a meme.” Mavell’s amused grin put Clifton in a sour mood.

“I want to know what she found. Find it,” Clifton said.

“Imagine if you’d given me some backup support when I tried to get Jac’s files?”

“That’s not how it works, Special Agent Cole, and you know that. You don’t get to work a side case on my watch.”

I puffed out a breath, glaring into his cold eyes. Maybe this was my chance to come clean with Mia and ask her to cooperate. If she showed good faith with the FBI, they might let her walk away free after they dismantled Jac’s faction. She couldn’t go to jail. I wouldn’t be able to stand that. I was wrong before. “I can see if she’ll be willing to make a deal.”

Clifton furrowed his brow at me and exchanged a meaningful look with Mavell. “We’re not offering her shit. We’re asking you to take back what she stole. That’s it.”

Clifton was pissed at Mia. But if he put his ego aside for a minute, he’d see Mia could be a valuable asset to the agency. I had to make him see that. Problem was, I didn’t think Mia would want to partner with us.

“What happens to her?”

Clifton touched his earpiece and turned around to face the two guys who’d brought me in. “Rossi’s guys are on the move again. We gotta go. Are we clear on your new assignment? This takes priority over everything else.”

Priority over what? So far, all they’d let me do was play Rossi’s puppet and help him further his own cause. At least now, my side case was moving forward.

“Yes, sir.” I glared at him. Finally, the FBI and I had something in common. We both wanted to get our hands on Jac’s personal files. If he had decided to go ahead with the human trafficking deal Rebecca told us about, he would have to keep records of it. Mia had those records now. What would she do with that information?

As soon as Clifton exited the building, Mavell rounded on me. “Did you fucking tell her?”

“Tell who, what?”

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