Not-So-Secret

Chapter forty-seven

Nick rubbed his hand over his face, wishing like hell he knew what to do. His first and only priority was the weapons deal. If Jones was messing with biological or nuclear weapons, it was a threat on an international level. "All right," he said, leaning into the table, talking his voice low enough that she'd have to strain to hear.

"I can't tell you everything, but I can tell you something is coming down and it's coming down soon." He looked behind him, checking to make sure the coast was clear.

"Pretty damn soon Lee's going to be out and when that happens, things are going to change. I'm gonna make it real clear to Jones that he doesn't get within ten feet of you. Got it?"

"And what on earth makes you think he'll listen to you?"

"I'll have a certain amount of leverage."

"Leverage and you don't think Jones will kill you the first chance he gets?"

"No. He won't."

She studied him for a long time, her teeth working a small bit of her lower lip.

He doubted she'd bought the tale. A coup within Jones's own organization? He wouldn't have believed it.

But she might. She had to. Because he couldn't tell her the truth. Not yet.

"I think there's a way we can help each other," he said, wanting her to stop thinking so hard. "So we can both get what we want."

"What is it that you want, James?"

"I want my share," he said. "I'm tired of being odd man out. I've done things, Kelly. Things I won't tell you about. But believe me, I'm going to get my due and when that happens, things aren't going to be easy for Alan J Jones. Trust me on this."

She shook her head and in that moment he knew she didn't believe him. Kelly was a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one of them.

She sighed. "Fine, whatever. I don't know what you're really up to and frankly, I don't give a damn. I'm taking care of my own situation and I expect no help from you or anyone. So let's leave it at that, shall we?"

"But you have access"

"I have my son. I'm not going to put him at risk and I'm not going to risk my own life. If I'm not here, who watches out for Shaun, huh?"

"I"

She put up a hand. "No.  I'll pay for my indiscretion tonight. I'll probably pay for a lot more. It won't stop me from what I have to do. Neither will you."

"I can't say that I blame you. Just, please, be careful."

"Yeah. Sure. Careful. Like not letting what we had a lifetime ago make me think there's any reason to trust you."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

He leaned back. Closed his eyes. "No, you're right. It's the only way you can think and survive this." He looked at her again. "Just, somewhere, hold on to the fact that you're not alone. That's all."

"That one thought, Mr. Mason, is more likely to get me killed than anything else. So, no. I won't hold on to that. I can't hold on to that." She put her napkin on the table, scooted out of the booth. "Now I have to buy a dress to wear to a party and you have to come with me to make sure I don't escape. Let's get on with it."

He almost reached out for her. But he didn't. Because she was right. She was exactly right.