Free The Price We Pay by Alora Kate Page A

goal. It was too dangerous for an undercover female cop so we were trying to work our way into the trafficking through the drug channel.
    I dropped the bags by the door and turned to leave just to hear the door creak open.
    “Hey,” her sweet, sleepy voice said behind me making my body automatically turn to her. I watched her push the bags inside, then shut the door. She rubbed her eyes and walked towards me so I started moving my feet.
    “Thank you,” she said softly behind me and when I turned back around she had slipped into the bathroom.
    Guess she didn’t need the tampons after all.
    “Keylan said he took care of Mark and that we’re meeting up with his other two runners,” Jaxon informed me when I joined him on the couch with a beer in my hand.
    “Think it’s odd he’s only got three runners?” I asked before I took a swig of my beer.
    “Nothing that comes from that man’s mouth is the truth.”
    “Which is why we can’t get anywhere.”
    “We need more help,” Jaxon said sitting on the edge of the couch, pausing the movie.
    “Too risky,” I reminded him. It’s been discussed many times with our handlers and they won’t have it. We’re following the orders and instructions we were given.
    “We need more intel. Another way to get closer to Carlos and the whole operation.”
    I drank the rest of my beer at a loss for words and thoughts.
    No contact with our superiors was best and we’ve only checked in a few times in the last two years. This was the second time I’ve been undercover, and although I loved catching the bad guys and putting them away for life, saving lives and all of the above, I was exhausted. I was letting little things slip passed me, like not checking Marvey for a phone. I was overwhelmed and frustrated with this case. I needed a break.
    “Can I talk to you?”
    I was up and off the couch without hesitation at the sound of her voice. She led me outside and stood by one of the beams at the top of the steps and I stood opposite of her, leaning my shoulder on the beam.
    She searched the night sky and had a small smile on her face. “It’s nice to see the stars once in a while.” She was more relaxed and calmer than she was earlier.
    “I like it,” I said, admiring the sky. The stars shone brightly on nights like this when the clouds were few and far between. It was a beautiful night with no wind and it still felt like it was in the seventies. It was nice to see the world looking so simple and peaceful.
    “Thank you for protecting Sofia.”
    “Just doing my job.”
    “She’s all I’ve got and I’m not sure what I’d do without her.”
    I didn’t like that she had no one else but remembering what Laken said earlier it was all making sense. I still wanted answers, though.
    “No family?”
    “Foster kid,” she paused, “my whole life.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said honestly because I also had no family. I was raised in a good home with loving parents but they were taken from me early in life. A case I’ve never solved. I never knew my grandfather, and my grandmother passed away years ago leaving the house to me.
    She slowly turned her head and looked at me, which I in return, gave her my full attention.
    She cracked a small smile. “I believe you.”
    “How long have you known Sofia?”
    She turned so her back was resting on the beam and she faced me. “I know you want answers to your questions but I’m telling you, you won’t like them.”
    “Fine, I’ll back off for the night, let you get some rest.”
    “That’s surprising,” she said sarcastically and I swear to God she glanced down at my lips. “After how insistent you were today.”
    “I’m not lying when I said you ladies are caught up in a dangerous situation.”
    “Trust me, I know that now,” her smile fell away, “we all do.”
    “Is she doing any better?” I asked.
    “She knows that Kennedy is alive and will be okay but people shot at her. She was in shock most of the night