Free Traitor by Julia Sykes Page B

incarcerated around the time that your parents died. The area where they were killed was disputed territory between his gang and the Westies, so he might know something about it. He’s had a hard time of it in prison; he’s been getting hassled for snitching on some of his friends. I’m willing to offer him protection and a reduced sentence in exchange for information.”
    Hope welled within me. “You can do that?” I asked.
    He nodded grimly. “As much as I hate the idea of releasing the bastard, I’m willing to do it for you. I promised that I would help you, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do so.”
    I was amazed that he was going to such lengths to make good on his promise. “Thank you,” I said quietly.
    He gave me a small smile. “It’s not a problem. We’ll watch him closely when he gets out, and if the bastard so much as passes one of the Latin Kings on the street, we’ll haul his ass back in. He’ll probably high-tail it out of New York pretty quickly though. He betrayed too many of his compatriots to survive long once we let him out.”
    He regarded me seriously. “I don’t want to pry into your personal affairs, and I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but are you alright? Emotionally, I mean. You know that you can talk to me if you’re having a hard time. Nothing you say will leave this office. I swear.”
    I was touched by his sincerity, again stunned by his kindness. He really did want nothing more than to help me, than to comfort me. No one had ever offered that to me before. I bit my lip. “I can’t lie,” I said. “It hasn’t been easy. Nothing has been easy since my parents died,” I found myself admitting quietly.
    “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Claudia.”
    “It’s not your fault,” I said, trying to brush it off.
    His bright blue eyes captured mine, and I was relieved not to detect a trace of pity. “I know that,” he said solemnly. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to do everything in my power to help make it right. As far as that is possible. I know that you lost your only family that night, that you were put into foster care.”
    I flinched.
    “Were they unkind to you?” He asked gently.
    “‘Unkind’ doesn’t begin to cover it,” I said, anger tingeing my voice.
    “Have you ever talked to anyone about it?” He pressed. “Have you seen a counselor? I know that I’ve offered before, but we have someone that you could see if you wanted to.”
    My expression turned stony. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I said sharply.
    He held up his hands, placating. “Okay,” he backed off. “I don’t want to upset you. It’s just… You’ve taken on a lot, and I can see the strain it’s putting you through. I want you to know that I’m here for you.”
    He could see right through me, just like Sean. I really must be cracking if my emotional burdens were becoming so obvious. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I wanted to change the subject. I plastered on a weak smile.
    “It’s not fair, you know,” I said lightly. “You seem to know everything about me, but I don’t know anything about you.” I needed to deflect him.
    He frowned slightly, but he rolled with the change of topic. “I guess it’s only fair that I share, then. Although I warn you that you’ll probably be bored; my life story isn’t all that exciting.”
    This time my smile was genuine. “I highly doubt that. You work for the FBI. Isn’t your life all crime-fighting? Sounds pretty interesting to me.” I looked at him expectantly, and he chuckled.
    “Alright,” he conceded. “What do you want to know?”
    “How did you decide to join the FBI? And why did you decide to join the War on Drugs in particular?”
    He grinned back at me, revealing his perfect white teeth. “Do you want the long version or the short version?”
    “The long one, please.” We might as well chat over dinner. I didn’t want any more uncomfortable silences