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Unfortunately, I was going to have to ask her for help – even though it could put her at considerable risk.

I just hoped she didn’t resent me for it.

If she refused to help, I would understand.

It would probably impact our relationship in the short term, but I would get over it.

If Fausto didn’t kill me first.

But no matter what, the time had come.

I had no choice:

I was going to have to lay all my cards on the table…

And tell the woman I loved who I really was.

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Ipaced back and forth in the living room, rehearsing my speech while I waited for her to come home.

When Mei-ling finally walked in the door, she beamed and made a beeline for me.

After we kissed, she pulled back and smiled. “Miss me?”

“Of course. Everything okay at De Sade?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.” She frowned the tiniest bit as she peered into my eyes. “Are you alright? You seem a little on edge.”

“I have something I need to ask you.”

“Uh-oh,” she joked. “This sounds serious.”

“Actually, itisserious. Do you mind if we sit?”

“Um… alright…” she said with a wary frown.

She put her purse on a table against the wall.

When we sat on the sofa, I angled my body to face her.

“I need to ask you something. You’re under no obligation to tell me, and if you don’t want to discuss it, I’ll understand – but I need to buy something, and you’re the only person I know in Hong Kong who might be able to help me get it.”

“What do you need?”

“The first thing I need is a gun.”

She stared at me in shock. “What?! Why?!”

“I have reason to believe I might not be safe here, and I need to make sure I can protect myself.”

“Why aren’t you safe?!”

“The man I’m doing business with has my family’s money tied up in an investment. I need it back, and I’ve asked for it repeatedly, but he keeps stalling me. I’m worried it’s because he’s working with an enemy of mine.”

She frowned. “Who are you doing business with?”

“You know Mr. Han? The man who was with me both nights I came to De Sade?”

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