Page 114 of Exposé

I took in a deep breath and picked at the fabric. "That story I've been writing. It's led me down a weird rabbit hole I haven't quite found the answers to."

"Okay, that's vague."

I sighed. "Sorry, it's just..."I don't know who I can trust."There's been a string of raids recently, and this new drug—a drug that everyone seems to have heard about, except for the public." I gritted my teeth and interlaced my fingers in front of me. "The police department and the Mayor. At least I believe he's in on it since he threatened me today, too, and now this..."

Do I keep going?

"I even had a chemist look at the drug."

Nate's eyebrows lifted. "A chemist?"

"To find out about the drug itself, but the stupid dealer swapped it with an aspirin and left me with nothing." I looked away from him. "It's flooding the market, and they’re hiding it."

"Maybe the government is trying to handle it quietly. Like the DEA."

"Don't you think we would've seen DEA agents around town? My sources would have seen them or known about them, but it's like a hunting blind out there." I shrugged and shifted. "I have this bad feeling in my stomach, you know? It's not like I chose this story; it fell into my lap, and now it seems like everyone is against me finding out what’s really going on here."

Nate narrowed his eyes. "How did it fall into your lap?"

"I had an anonymous message."

"You got an anonymous message from someone?"

I nodded. "And even with a clue-giving angel on my shoulder, I still have no idea where I'm going with this." I shrugged. "Even with the message they sent me before I left work today."

"What did it say?" Nate's jaw pulsed, his brows narrowed.

No way do I tell him.

I can't involve him in this tangled web.

Can I?

Even I thought the words coming out of my mouth were nuts.

"It's stupid, and it'll never work."

Nate shrugged and leaned forward. "Even so, let's hear it."

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. "They want me to break into the Mayor's safe somehow. Whatever is in there is vital for my story."

"You're not planning on following through with that, though, right?" Nate dragged his fingers through his hair, his shoulders pulling back.

"I haven't decided. I'm not some covert spy trained in this crap."

What if they weren't there to help me?

What if Mr. Anonymous was sending me this ridiculously illegal option to trap me?

Swiping the blanket back, I stood and walked into the kitchen, his body shifting toward me. "I'd never drag you into my mess, just so you know." The tea kettle sat on the stove, filled and ready, waiting for the heat beneath. "I probably shouldn't have even called you, but…" My body shuddered as I turned the stove dial.

"Ava." His footsteps stopped behind me, and then his arms wrapped around my waist. "I really like you, but don't you think committing a felony is a little above and beyond the line of duty?"

The corner of my mouth curled up, warmth blooming within me. "I don't know what I'm going to do."Especially after this altercation.I spun in his arms, then entwined our fingers together, his warmth seeping into my palms. "What do you think I should do?"

He huffed. "I don't know. I don't want to be considered the bad guy here, but the Mayor's office? Do you think that's a wise choice?"

"No." I shrugged. "But if it exposes whatever is going on here, don't you think it's worth a shot?"

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