"Yeah?" I bit mylip.
He cleared his throat. "Be careful. If you get in trouble, press my speed dial as fast as you fucking can. I don't give a shit about anything but your safety. Do you understandme?"
I inhaled sharply, my hand gripping the phone so hard, I was scared I would shatter it in my palm. "I'll be safe," I choked out. "Ipromise."
The sound of his breath in my ear was impossibly loud and then it was gone as the phone supposedly passed hands. My chest caved in, air rushing out of my mouth in a torrent as Grayson spokenext.
"Harlow?"
It took me a moment, but I managed to gulp down some more air before answering. "I'mhere."
"Okay, so I assume with Marv there, he'll be keeping an eye on you. But just in case, I want you to approach this guy gently—okay?"
"No problem." Once again, I nodded even though he couldn't see me. Nervous habit?Perhaps.
"He's not a violent guy, so you really don't have anything to worry about. The biggest worry is the guy running. From what Josh said, he's a bitjumpy."
I snorted. "Maybe that comes from working for drug dealers and then betraying them to theauthorities."
Grayson chuckled. "You could beright."
My eyes rolled. "You know I'mright."
"Yeah, yeah, smartass. Come on. Get your head in thegame."
"I'm there," I said. "My head's in the game. Just tell me what to do and it'sdone."
"Alright, so here's the plan." I listened intently as Grayson told me everything that his brother had relayed to them about this informant. Across the bathroom, my eyes focused on the slow drip from the loose faucet as water dribbled into the sink bowl. I could do this. I handled Ms. Enders' camp and Margarie just fine. This would be a piece of cake. The only difference here was that someone I cared about was on the line and I couldn't let anything happen toher.
I focused on those dripping water droplets once more. "Got it," I said when Grayson wasdone.
"I believe in you, Babydoll," hesaid.
I smiled and just before hanging up, I replied, "Good."