Page 26 of An Eye For Illusion

“I’ve been following him for weeks, and there’s nothing concrete so far. I think I need to approach this different this time.”

He raises his whiskey glass and takes another sip. “What did you have in mind?”

“I’m thinking full-on infiltration, old school style.”

Donovan laughs as he slaps me on the back, hard. His laughs don’t die down as he asks, “You?”

It’s my turn to be affronted. “Yeah, me. Got a problem with that?”

His chuckles die down and turn into a smirk. “Just never thought you had it in ya, brother. This is the big boys’ league.”

“I can fucking do it.”

“Sure, sure, and how the hell are you gonna get in, pretty boy?”

“I have a plan; I just may need a little help.”

He groans at my response. “Figures. We gotta talk to Liam first. This wasn’t how this case was supposed to go, and this shit can get very dangerous, very quickly.”

“He’ll clear it. We both want Jade off our case and this whole thing done. This is the quickest way.”

Donovan turns toward me finally, a serious look of contemplation on his face. “I’m not sure you know what you’re signing up for, kid. But if you need my help, I’m there.”

I won’t need it; this should be a breeze. Get in, get the answers I need, and get the fuck out.

What could go wrong?

Chapter 10

Jade

“I just miss you is all,” I lie.

I don’t miss him.

Those words coming from my mouth has my skin crawling with the need to take them back. I almost didn’t answer the phone call at all, but I have to get to the bottom of what’s going on with Elliott.

I don’t know if he’ll fall for the doting fiancé act, but I have to try. At this point, I’ll try anything to end this charade.

He doesn’t speak for a moment, like my words took him by surprise. He finally clears his throat. “I know, hun. I miss you, too.”

He’s on speakerphone, so Bridgette makes a barfing noise. I give her a stern look in return, and she cackles under her breath. She gestures with her hand for me to keep going. She’s the one who helped me come up with this plan to throw him off his game, hoping he’ll make mistakes.

Something has to give.

Her surprise visit tonight is just what I needed. We’ve had wine and watched sappy movies that I’d only watch with her. She’s the only one who knows about what happened between Moore and me. She’s the only one I can talk to about any of it.

“Well, I haven’t seen you since dinner two nights ago, and you cut that short. I know you said it’s work related, but what could’ve been going on that late in the evening?” I hold my breath and pray he gives me some bit of truth.

He blows out a frustrated breath. I bet he’s pacing back and forth in front of the giant ass mirror in his room, raking his hand through his hair while likely wishing I’d just leave him alone.

“Just work, babe. That’s all I can say.”

I sit up a little straighter. Was that a slip? Bridgette’s eyes widen some. She caught it, too.

“What do you mean? Who said you can’t say something?” My voice is raised, so I clear my throat, trying to scale back my reaction.

“Uh, it’s just a private deal. Um, high profile. Yeah, it’s a high-profile couple making a major purchase. They don’t want it leaked to the press.”

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