"So what now, Agent Quinn?"
She straightens, chin lifting with that stubborn streak I've learned to recognize. "Now I have a choice to make."
"Which is?"
"Continue the mission and hand everything over to a corrupt handler. Or find another way."
I study her face. Looking for deception. Fear. Instead I see determination and something that looks like loyalty.
"What kind of other way?"
"The kind where we work together to expose the real criminals."
"We." I laugh, sharp and bitter. "There is no we. You're federal law enforcement. I'm Irish mob muscle. We don't team up."
"We do if we want to survive this."
She has a point. Byrne knows she's here. Knows she's gathered intelligence. If she goes back with nothing, he'll get suspicious. If she hands everything over, my family dies.
"What are you proposing?"
"I go to the scheduled check-in tomorrow. Give Byrne what he expects but hold back the evidence about his Moran connection."
"And after?"
"We find proof of the corruption. Clean up this mess."
I consider her proposal. The risks. The possibilities. The way her body fits against mine when I crowded her against the wall.
"One problem with your plan."
"What?"
"My family finds out I'm working with a fed, they'll put bullets in both of us."
"Then we don't tell them. Yet."
"You want to lie to the Kavanaghs."
"I want to protect them. Same as you."
I step closer again, drawn by forces I can't control. "And what about us?"
"Us?"
"Don't play dumb. You know what I mean."
Her eyes darken. "I don't know if there can be an us after this."
"Because of the badge?"
"Because of everything."
I trace my finger down her throat, feel her pulse jump. "Feels like there's still something here to me."
"Eamon..."
"Say my name again."
