The Trap (Agent Dallas 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

year.” She knew of a UC agent who’d spent three years working a money-laundering case in Florida. He’d ended up divorced, of course.
    “A year? Are you kidding me?”
    “It’s not likely.”
    A pause. “Promise me you’ll be safe.”
    She almost laughed, but he was so serious. “Of course I will.”
Liar!
    “I have an offer on the brewery. We’re meeting tomorrow.” He was trying to sell his business so he could move to Phoenix to be with her.
    “Don’t undercut your asking price on my account. I don’t even know when I’ll be back in town.” Why would anyone who knew about her career get involved with her? None of her previous boyfriends had known she was a federal agent, assigned to undercover investigations. Instead, she’d called herself a government analyst. But Cameron was different, a lifelong friend who would be there for her even when their intimate relationship ended. So he knew the truth and would soon grow tired of her absences.
    “You don’t really want me to move to Phoenix, do you?”
    True. And not true.
“I do. Because I’d get to see you more often. But I hate to see you sell your business, your dream, when I can’t promise any kind of real relationship.”
    A long pause this time. “You could give up undercover assignments. Maybe even ask for a transfer.”
    She knew he would ask eventually. “No. This is my specialty, and I’m not giving it up until I get the promotion I really want. Which would be an overseas assignment.”
    “You mean spying in a foreign country?”
    “This is who I am. I told you upfront.”
    A sigh. “I know. But I can’t walk away. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”
    The thought of him with another woman gave her a jealous pang, something she hadn’t experienced since high school, and with the same guy. “I’ll do the best I can to be a good partner, but you won’t think it’s enough and eventually you’ll move on.”
    “Do you hook up with your targets?”
    The abruptness caught her off guard. “It’s against the rules.”
    “That’s not a direct answer.”
    “I sometimes seduce them. And engage in foreplay. But no real sex.”
So far.
    “I’m sorry I asked.”
    “Think of it as an acting job. I’m getting paid to pretend to like someone and kiss them. It’s no big deal. And not every case is like that.”
    “What about this one?”
    Luke came into her mind. They had chemistry, and she knew he wanted her, but Abby was a mitigating factor. “Probably not.”
    “Good. Now tell me what you mean by deep undercover. It sounds dangerous.”
    “I’ll become a member of the group. It’s only dangerous if I break character or do something stupid, and neither of those things will happen.”
    “Please be careful.”
    “Always.”
Liar!
“I have to go now.”
    “I love you.”
    “Love you too.” She made it sound casual, like she would say to a brother. Which was stupid, because they’d declared their love for each other in high school. But she wasn’t comfortable with intimacy. “Bye.” Dallas hung up before it got weird. Usually, she broke up with the guy she was dating when she went on assignment. That kept everything simple and fresh when she got back. But she’d hooked up with Cameron when she’d flown home to see her dying father, and old feelings had surfaced for both of them. Sometimes she loved their relationship, and sometimes it felt like a burden. She’d have to discuss it in more depth with Dr. Harper—but not until after this assignment was over. Dallas laughed. She even kept her shrink at arm’s length.
    At three thirty she headed out, taking a small backpack with personal items, in case she ended up staying out overnight. At the last minute, she grabbed her lucky cloth and stuffed it into her jeans pocket. The keepsake had started out as a childhood blanket that went everywhere with her. As a young adult, she’d started cutting it in half and tossing large pieces. Now she was down to a two-inch square