“We can’t take her out of this hotel.”
“It's not negotiable, John. I’m not putting her in any more danger,” Alex said.
“We don’t have a choice,” John said. “It sounds like your guy has already made the drop. The damage is done. And your asset there isn’t going to fix it by looking through some personnel files.”
“You can't be serious,” Alex said. His tone was low, his stare lethal. John didn't blink.
“You're not thinking straight. We’ve been handed a perfect situation.”
“Now I know you’re joking. Beth’s life is on the line.”
“Exactly. We know your guy will come back to finish the job, and you have the perfect cover to be right next to her when he does.”
“It’s too risky. I promised her I wouldn’t put her in harm’s way,” Alex said.
“I think that you’re letting your emotions get the better of you,” John said.
“There's no emotion here.”
“Really? Because you just snapped a man’s neck without getting any useful information out of him.”
Alex barked out a bitter laugh. “I got plenty of information. Munoz is after Beth. He wants her dead. Staal didn't stop, not even once he knew he was outmatched. He kept going for her. They won't stop until they get her.”
“Exactly. They won't. Ever,” John said. His tone was cold and practical. “So, I only see two choices here. Your girl goes into hiding for the rest of her life, or we end this now. The way I see it, we're better off dealing with it here.”
“With Beth as bait? It's too risky.”
“You've only known this asset for a little over twenty-four hours, Alex. Who is this woman, and what the hell does she mean to you?” John asked. There was concern in his friend's eyes, and more than a little confusion.
Alex didn’t have an answer for him. Not a good one, at any rate. He wasn't the kind to let his heart rule his head. He wasn't soft. What was he supposed to say? That she had brought him a muffin? That her laugh made him smile? That her talent for finding trouble pulled at him in a way that he didn't fully understand?
“She doesn't deserve any of this,” he said, knowing full well that it wasn't the answer John wanted. “She's innocent.”
“Innocent? You reported that she was blackmailing you.”
“It wasn’t like that,” Alex protested.
“Listen, Alex. Beth is an asset. A good one. She's the only person that can make a positive ID on our traitor. We need her here, and you know it.”
Alex shook his head even though John was right.
“He’ll come for her again,” Alex said. “He doesn’t have a choice.”
“And we'll be waiting for him,” John said. “You both just have to go on like nothing has happened. Keep up with the wedding. It'll confuse him. It will make him bold.”
Alex looked down. He ground his back teeth. “I don't like it,” he said.
“You don't have to,” John said. “But be careful, Alex. We're counting on this man's emotions making him sloppy. I can’t afford to have the same thing happen to you.”
***