Page 104 of Once Upon a Lie

“Yes, Nico, I know,” Mike answers on a sigh. “You know I value our cooperation as agents, but you also know with your level of personal ties to the individuals in this case, the guys with the fancy titles weren’t going to take you at your word.”

Goddamn, it’s all starting to make more and more sense.

How they already knew about the Cordone Freight gala in the first place. And why they were okay with using a fucking local cop to spy on Valentina instead of some bigwig Fed.

They had Feds of their own doing the real inside work with Tommy all along, and they just needed a schmuck like me to get some intel on Valentina to certify what they already knew—she’s innocent.

Valentina wasn’t the only one who got played. I did too.

Though it’s pretty damn clear she got fucked over the most out of the two of us. And sadly, my naive ass is at the root of the betrayal.

My blood boils with anger and rage and a level of hopelessness that makes me feel like I’m spiraling out of control.

These fuckers sent me on a mission to bulldoze my way into Teeny’s life for evidence that doesn’t prove a damn thing other than that an innocent woman has been dragged through the mud, and now they want me to pull out without a trace.

And the entire time, her brother has been at the core of it.

My heart pounds wildly in my ears and my nostrils flare as I inhale a deep breath of oxygen into my tight chest. I look directly at Nico. “I thought spooks weren’t allowed to spy on US citizens, blood relative or not.”

Nico’s eyes are cold and emotionless as Mike clucks his tongue. “Yeah, technically. But when you have approval from the attorney general and director of national intelligence and are reporting to an FBI-led task force on a matter of national security and international terrorist activity, technically the rules aren’t rules anymore.”

“Ain’t that some shit.” I run a hand through my hair. “And here I thought the rules were always the rules.”

Mike snorts. “For you, they are.”

He acts like it’s business as usual as he stamps some paperwork inside my file and then shoves it into his briefcase. “Congratulations, Shane. You’re a Nashville PD detective again, and a story clearing you of previous wrongdoing will print in the paper tomorrow. You can get your weapon and badge back from the evidence locker downstairs before you leave.”

“And Valentina?”

“Done,” Mike answers like it’s a stupid question, his eyes barely meeting mine. “And any personal shit you left behind in the condo will be at your place by the end of today.”

“So I just . . . disappear?” I question. “I don’t . . . have any more contact with Valentina.”

Nico’s head snaps to me, and I meet his stare head-on. This motherfucker just let all this shit happen. He let her be surveilled while knowing she was innocent. I don’t give a fucking shit if he had orders. He’s her fucking brother. She should’ve come first over the job.

“As I already said, Shane, it’s done.” Mike lets out an annoyed chuff. “That’s kind of how fucking undercover work works, right?”

I grind my jaw.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation thanks you for your service. You’re dismissed.”

Without much choice, I get up from the desk in Cap’s office and drag my miserable carcass out the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nico get up from his chair and follow me out, but I’m surprised when he follows me all the way into the men’s bathroom and corners me at the sinks.

“You’re done,” he tells me, which quite frankly just pisses me off.

“Yeah, fucker. I got that. I’m done with the case,” I snap. “Heard it for myself not a minute and a half ago.”

“No, fucker,” he repeats the nickname, venom sliding off his tongue. “You’re done with my sister.”

I stiffen.

“She mentioned she was sort of dating someone,” he says flatly and steps so close our noses are nearly touching. “That was you, wasn’t it? You’re the fucking douchebag she thinks she’s dating.”

Silence stretches. It’s all the answer he needs.

“You crossed a line, didn’t you, you piece of shit?” he questions, and he’s still so close his hot breath hits me straight in the face. “You’re fucking done, you hear me? With all of it. Take out your phone and text my sister right now. Tell her you’re sorry, but you’re leaving. Tell her she’ll never hear from you again. Cut ties right the fuck now.”

“Nico . . .”