Covert Love

Prologue

"Bryant! The Director needs to speak to you!" I look up from behind the stack of paperwork that I seem to be swimming in.

"Right! Sure, right away, Anderson." I clap him on the back as I pass, throwing him a small grin.

The Director's office door towers over me as I strike up the courage to knock, taking a deep breath I raise my fist to the wooden barrier and before I can tap once, the door is swung open and I am met with Director Ross' s severe expression. 

"Come in Agent Bryant, have a seat." 

I give a stiff nod and sit in the chair adjacent to his desk, he sits across from me and slides a small file towards me. He inclines his head slightly, giving me the green light to read it.

There is practically nothing inside, a few odd bank statements, a handful of eyewitness accounts, and a plethora of handwritten notes.

"Sir...." I trail off, "what exactly is it I am supposed to be looking at?"

"There isn't much there is there Bryant?" he sighs.

"No sir, just a few statements and a lot of notes..." I state with confusion evident in my voice.

"These pieces of information is all we have on one James Barnes."

"The mob-" 

"Yes," he cuts in, "the mob boss of New York. He has been a pain in my ass for almost a decade now and we finally have the resources to get someone closer to give us enough to lock him up."

"Send someone in? Sir you are having someone go undercover in the midst of one of the most dangerous men on the East Coast?" I question incredulously.

"Yes, Bryant, that is exactly what I am going to do, and you are going to help me."

I nod in affirmation and he leads me to his office window that overlooks rows of cubicles, "See Lewis there? I am going to put him in charge of most of it, he is a good man and a great Agent. He has been waiting for an opportunity like this his whole career. I am confident that he will get shit done."

"Yes sir, Lewis is the obvious choice, then what is my assignment? Surveillance?"

"No Bryant, I need you in the most important role of all. I am sending you to get me information on Barnes." he states, giving me an intense stare.

I look up at him blankly for a moment, trying to gather all my thoughts to form words.

"Sir.... you want ME to go undercover....in the mob?....." I piece together, I can tell my face exudes confusion.

All I receive from Director Ross is a short nod.

"Of course sir," I collect myself and face the Director, "whatever you need."

"Good. Go find Lewis, he will explain the logistics and the two of you will figure out a way to get you into the inner circle Barnes' life."

You nod once again and he dismisses you quickly. You wander the floor of the office for a few minutes before you find Lewis sitting in the break room drinking coffee slowly.

"Lewis!" his head picks up and he looks at you, " I hear we have an operation to put together." 

He smiles in affirmation and nods, throwing his half-empty coffee cup in the trash bin.

"You heard right Bryant, you ready to take down the mob?"