Page 106 of Exposé

I glanced around, my arm crossed over my chest, my other elbow resting on my crossed forearm.

Three well-dressed men walked down the sidewalk together, their haircuts primed for an office job, separating them from the hard working class.

"Go ahead." The director's voice came over the speaker, causing my brows to furrow.

He never takes briefings...

"Target had a closed-door meeting with the Mayor. He shut her down, but she won't stop. She's persistent."

He huffed in my ear. "Any idea about her objective?"

"I'm working on it, but she's a closed book."

Do I mention swapping the drug she had?

"How the hell is she still digging? You were supposed to divert her attention." His voice grew gruff.

"She's giving me breadcrumbs, but she's not trusting." Silence sliced between us. "What are your orders, sir?"

"Escalate."

"I’ve already triggered an IRS audit and fired off a harassment campaign.” The word hit me like a cold wind, sucking the life from my lungs. My grip tightened on the phone. "Define,escalate, sir."

"Apply pressure. If she starts pulling on the wrong strings, cut the thread. Understood?"

"Understood. What are my parameters?"

Every operation had ‘rules of engagement’, but they'd left these terms vague on read in, leaving my hands on operations sparse.

"We aren't here to turn heads. Keep it quiet." He paused, the speaker picking up his fingers drumming on his desk. "Remember, this is your redemption theater. Don't mess this up."

"Roger."

"Time's ticking."

The call ended, and I tucked my phone into my pocket before I snapped it in two.

Shit.

21

Ava

"I'm sorry." I rushed into the office, my arms dripping in paperwork. "My tire went flat three miles down the road."

Aria stood beside Whitney near my cubicle, her brow raised as she eyed me up and down. "Is that why you're all sweaty?"

I exhaled and dropped my work on my desk. "I had to walk three miles to get here."

"What?" Aria stepped forward. "Why didn't you call me for a ride? Or better yet, change your tire."

"I don't have a spare. Thatwasthe spare." A lock of hair slipped over my face as I tilted my head. "I forgot to get a new one after the Martin incident."

"That was forever ago, Ava."

"Yeah, I know. I've had a lot on my plate."

"What about a tow truck? Your insurance covers that. They'll bring you a whole new tire."

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