Chapter 41 Anna
Iwalk to the FBI safe house boutique store, repeating in my mind the things Gabriel told me to say. When I arrive, I make my way to the back, not even looking at the woman behind the counter.
Just as before, I enter the empty hidden room and pick up the phone.
I don't think it's been the full time, but finally, Agent Harris and Agent Greens arrive and take a seat at the table.
"What's so urgent?" Agent Greens asks.
I try to remain calm now that I'm face-to-face with both of them. Seeing their faces makes my stomach tense, but I'm ready. I want this. I want Gabriel.
"I've learned some pretty big news," I begin, keeping my voice steady. "But before I get into that, I need to address something else."
Agent Harris leans forward. "What is it, Bennett?"
I look between them, these people, this organization I once trusted. Now, all I see are the lies, the manipulation, the willingness to sacrifice me for their endgame.
"I'm done," I say firmly. "I'm quitting the FBI."
"Anna," Agent Harris says, his voice placating. "I know you've been through a lot, but—"
"No. You don't know what I've been through. You sent me in there, knowing about Bill's corruption, knowing about what would happen at that party. You were willing to let me die," I say, looking at Agent Greens, whose stoic face reveals nothing.
I look back at Agent Harris, who at least has the decency to look ashamed. "We couldn't compromise the larger operation."
"Bullshit. I was expendable to you. The FBI. Well, I'm done being a pawn."
There's a moment of silence, but I'm too worked up to allow it.
"Look, I'm young. I can have another career. I'm smart enough to know this isn't what I want. The dangers, the lies, it's not the life I signed up for."
Greens leans forward, his firm face neutral. "Fine. So what are you proposing, Bennett?"
"A clean break," I say. "You let me walk away, no strings attached. In return, I'll give you intel that will lead to possibly the biggest mafia bust in FBI history."
That perks Agent Greens' attention. "What kind of intel?"
I smile. "The kind that would bring down the entire Morozkin syndicate."
The men look at me, and I can practically see the embers burning in their eyes as they weigh the loss of me against the potential of such a massive bust.
So I stoke their thoughts.
"We're talking Ivan and his top men, the date, location, and even a new smaller Serbian Mafia," I continue. "Everything you need, along with enough evidence to bury them all."
Agents Harris and Greens exchange a look.
I know I've got them hooked.
Agent Greens scoffs, "And in return? You just want to quit?" Greens asks carefully.
I nod. "Like I said, a clean break. I walk away, you don't come looking for me. I disappear, and you let me. Consider it my last act as an FBI agent."
Agent Harris stares at me for a long moment. "You understand what you're asking? The life you're choosing to walk away from?"
I meet his gaze steadily. "I do. And I also understand the life I'm choosing to walk toward. It's my choice, and I'm making it."
"And what about Gabriel? The Bonventis?" Agent Greens asks.
I shake my head. "They are too careful. I'm kept as a prisoner mostly. Gabriel won't talk to me about anything. As a matter of fact, the only reason I know what I'm about to tell you is because I risked my life to sneak into a storage closet to overhear a secret meeting."
It wasn't a storage closet, but Gabriel felt it better than saying a bathroom.
Agent Greens nods. "Alright, Bennett," he says and slides a pad of paper and a pen across the table, "Give me your resignation, give us what you've got, and you have our word—you're out, clean break."
I take the pen and paper and slide it in front of me.
"Unless, of course," Greens says, "this is fake or doesn't lead to taking down Ivan. Then that's a different story."
"Please don't threaten me," I say, staring directly into his eyes.
I take a moment and write out my resignation letter and sign it. I slide the pen and paper forward.
"There, and you may want to take notes on what I'm about to tell you."
Agent Greens slides the pad over to Harris, who reads over my resignation, flips to a clean page, and looks at me, nodding.
"Okay," I say, reaching into my purse for the scribbled notes Gabriel helped me prepare. "Let's talk about the blue warehouse."
The men are quiet as I go into details about how the Serbian mafia is importing the largest shipment of illegal guns and drugs Ivan Morozkin has ever received as a show of good faith. I tell them the exact day, time, and give them the address of this blue warehouse where it'll all take place.
I glance over at Agent Greens, who can hardly contain his excitement about the prospects of this takedown—he is the lead on this, and he'd take most of the credit.
"Wait, that address," Agent Harris says and looks up at me from his notes, "That's the port north of Chicago. Russians control that, too?"
I shrug. "I guess, that's where this is happening."
Once I'm finished giving them everything Gabriel told me, both men lean back in their seats at the same time, their heads in a daze as they process everything.
"Agent Bennett, this, this is great work. Are you sure maybe a vacation would do you some good? Clearly you're talented," Agent Harris says.
"No, I've made up my mind."
I stand to leave. "I suppose that's everything."
Harris stands and extends his arm. "Take care, Anna."
I shake his hand, and Agent Greens stands to shake mine, yet when I grab it, his grip goes firm and doesn't let my hand go.
"Remember, this all works. You leaving, us letting you go, if we capture Ivan and all your little intel is true."
I yank my hand away. "It will be. Just be where I said, when I said, and enjoy the rewards. Goodbye, gentlemen."
When I leave, I'm thrilled and excited. So much so that I drive a little faster than I should back to Gabriel's mansion.
As I step through the door, my heart is rattling in my chest with a mixture of relief and anticipation at telling him the news.
There's a newfound lightness in my steps. I feel free. I've made my choice, finally.
Gabriel emerges from around the corner as soon as he hears me enter. His look is both oddly nervous and confident.
"It's done," I say, excited. "I told them everything you gave me. If we deliver Ivan as promised, they'll never come looking for me," I say and take a deep breath. "It's over."
A slow smile spreads across Gabriel's face. He closes the gap between us with long strides instantly. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against him.
"That's a good girl, Bella," he says, kissing the top of my head. "You did it."
I tilt my head back to look at him. "So as long as the intel pans out, I'm free."
Gabriel's eyes turn fierce. "Oh, it will. Trust me."
He lowers his head, capturing my lips with his. I melt into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. The kiss fills me with promise, with hope, with a sense that this is all finally over.
"Now it's my turn," Gabriel says, his voice husky. "I need to set things in motion on my end."
I nod, understanding we're both at play here. "Do you need anything else from me?"
"Just stay here. I'll be late tonight."
"Gabriel," I start, worry creeping into my voice.
He silences me with another quick kiss. "Everything's going to be fine, Anna. We're almost there. Just a little longer."
I watch as he grabs his keys and heads for the door. Before he leaves, he turns back to me one last time.
"We do all this for us," he says, his eyes intense and sincere.
I smile and feel the tingles all over me just as he's been able to do countless times before. "I know."
And then he's gone, a sudden fear creeping in, and I get a quick thought that this won't end well.
I place a hand on my stomach, thinking of our unborn child, and pray that everything goes according to plan and my fears are wrong.