I sit across the desk from Gabriel. He’s at ease, and I’m tense.

I need to get her out of here. The text confirmed what my handler said two days ago. I'm fucked, and I can deal with those consequences. But not my angel. I need to get her safely away as soon as possible.

He picks up his glass and takes another sip. He cocks a brow at me as he sets the glass down and asks, “Are you sure you don’t want one? You look as though you need it.” His voice holds the same humor I see sparkling in his eyes.

I shake my head and clear my throat, finally spitting out the reason I'm here.

“I need you to take Olivia.” I have to leave. I have to go to this meeting tomorrow. But she can't come. She needs to be safe by noon tomorrow. And I need Gabriel's help. I fucking hate that I do, but I have no one else to ask. I've played my cards all wrong. And now I'm a dead man.

“You can’t be serious, Kade. You don’t want her?” he asks incredulously.

I’m quick to shake my head. Gabriel continues speaking as I try to find the right words without giving him too much information. He's going to find out sooner or later.

“I care for Olivia, but it would hurt my Talia. I know it would. I don’t understand why you don’t want her.”

I do want her. I want Olivia more than anything. I wish I could take her and run away with her. But I can’t. I can’t put her in danger. And I'm right in the middle of it.

I need to get her away from me. I need to know she’s safe.

“I have to leave tomorrow, and I don’t think it's safe to take her with me.” I tell him the truth. I wish I’d planned what to say to him. But I have no plan. Just the urgency to make sure she'll be alright.

I shake my head, trying to figure out how to tell him without giving him too much information. He’s going to find out sooner or later.

If I leave now, they could follow me. Intel is sure it’s just Ricky that knows. But I don’t trust him or anyone who works for him. He could have men here or others on the way. I can’t risk her getting caught in a shootout. I need protection while I get her to a safe place. Or for someone else to do it.

“You’re going to have to be more specific then, Kade.” Gabriel’s patience is waning.

“I need her to go home.” I hold his firm gaze. “I need her to be safe.” That’s all he needs to know.

Gabriel purses his lips for a moment and knocks his knuckles against the desk.

“You need to tell me what’s going on before I agree to anything.” Gabriel lowers his voice, and I see distrust in his eyes. Fuck, I don’t want to tell him. I need him to do this regardless. I trust him. I know him. I know he’ll do the right thing for her. He'll help her. Even if he slits my throat, I know he'll help her. He's done it before. I know he will. And I have no other choice.

“I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything. Just promise me that you’ll find a way for her to get home.”

“You’re going to leave her in that condition, Kade?” he sneers. “You broke her, and now you’re sending her back?” He sounds disgusted.

“She’s not broken,” I respond evenly.

“You’re delusional if you think that.”

“They’re going to kill me, Gabriel, I have no choice.” My body trembles with anger, but also fear for her. I can’t tell him the truth until he promises me. “You’ve done it before. You’ve given them their freedom before.”

“So you want me to take her home because someone’s going to kill you?” Gabriel asks with disbelief.

I nod my head once. “But only if I can’t. I don’t know how much time I have.”

“And can I ask why you’re so sure you’re going to die?” he asks.

I stare into his eyes. “Because Stone is going to kill me.”

“I never quite liked Stone.” He taps his fingers on the desk again and looks past me as if he's debating something. Are you going to tell me why?” he asks.

“She has nothing to do with this.” My blood rushes in my ears. “You’ll help me take her home regardless of what happens between us?” Although it's a question, it comes out as a statement.

His eyes finally meet mine. “I will.” He nods his head with certainty.

“Whatever you want to do to me when you find out, it’ll be on hold until she’s safe.” He nods his head once again, keeping my gaze.

“I’m a man of my word, Kade. Now out with it.”

My chest tightens with anxiety. My hands dig into the armrests even though my gun is burning in my waistband, begging me to take it out. I won’t though. I need Gabriel’s help. If for nothing more than to make sure I can leave here without a tail and get Olivia safely back home. “Stone received information,” I start and then readjust in my seat, exhaling deeply. “Information that implicates me as a cop.”

Gabriel clucks his tongue. “Do you know when and how he received that information?”

I’m caught off-guard by the question, but I take a moment and then answer him honestly. “A little over two months ago, one of his men was discovered to be an undercover cop and at some point, information that linked the two of us together also pointed to me being a cop.”

“I could see how that would be a serious problem.” He presses his lips into a thin straight line. “He knew you were here, and yet he said nothing to me.” I nod my head once. It was only discovered two days ago, but it was confirmed tonight. “And you are in fact a cop?”

I hold his gaze and nod once. My heart slams against my chest.

“She isn’t. She’s innocent.” I'm quick to remind him that she has nothing to do with this.

“Of course she is. And I’ll make sure we get her home since that’s what you want.”

A small bit of gratitude washes through me. My angel is safe.

He leans forward and squares his shoulders and asks, “What else do you want, Kade?”

I shake my head and I take in a short breath. Once she’s safe, I don’t know what I can do. Gates told me to abort two days ago. But I couldn’t leave yet, not if the report was false. I couldn't waste this chance..

Intel was collected between Ricky and Vic. They were planning my execution. Two days later and the only plan I have now is to get her home safe. Beyond that, I abort or I'm dead. I can't let that man live though. There has to be some justice, no matter how small. I can't leave and do nothing.

“I like you, Kade. I’ve always had a weak spot for you. When I found out about your friend, I hurt for you. I still do.” My blood chills at his confession. My brow furrows and then my grip tightens on the armrests. He lowers his eyes to something on his desk and fiddles with it, but I can’t tell what it is.

“You knew?” I wasn’t told anyone else knew. As far as the department knows, it was only a conversation between Ricky and Vic. And now Vic is dead.

“Of course,” Gabriel answers easily. “It’s my job to know who’s walking through those doors.” He clears his throat. “I almost killed you on day one.” He holds up his hand and says, “No offense, Kade. I was just doing my job. But then I thought, maybe I could form a much-needed partnership. After all, you being a cop means that Ricky is your enemy, too.”

“I’m listening.” Although my heart hurts at the memory of James, hope fills my chest. We have a common enemy, and that can only work in my favor.

“Do you know who I don’t like?” he asks me with a glint in his eyes. “I don’t like Ricardo Stone. I don’t like what he does, and I don’t like how I’m inherently associated with him.”

“I can understand how that would reflect poorly.” I keep my voice even and wait for him to continue.

“I’d like him to die, Kade.”

I nod my head once, relief flowing through me for the first time since I stepped into this office.

“His business is bad for my business. I want him dead, and I want all of his business gone. If that means I have to deal with you,” he points his finger at me and then holds it in the air, “one last time before we part ways with no ill feelings, I think that can be arranged.”

“What deal are you offering?” I ask him. I don't have anything to bargain with, but I need to know the terms if I'm going to make a deal with the devil.

He gives me an asymmetrical grin and says, “I have enough information on his contacts and operations that if they were to get into the wrong hands, or the right hands, well it would do me well to see that happen.” Gabriel smiles at me and relaxes in his seat. “He dies, and everyone in this business knows that you did it and I had nothing to do with it.” He holds my gaze. “And the information I give to you, you got from him.”

“Is that all?” I ask. For the first time in years, I feel like I've made progress in this case. I'm focused on revenge and finally ending this.

“That, and the fact you’ve never met me or my Talia. You’ve never been here, and you don’t know what they’re talking about.” He leans back in his seat. “I want this to be a win, win, win for me, Kade. If you make that happen, we’ll part dear friends.” He gives me a wide smile and says, “In fact, I’ll owe you one.”

“I’ll make sure it happens,” I say. I’m eager to accept his deal and finally see a way out of this. But first I need Olivia away from all this. I need her safe. For all I know, Stone will kill me before I can kill him.

Or Gabriel will, once I’ve done his dirty work for him.