[Contributor 02] - Infiltrator (2013) Read Online Free Page A

sighed.
    “Besides, I think you’re missing something. While I wouldn’t put it past Andersen to be on a crusade to make Javier’s life miserable—he was furious at both Javier and Ryan for making him look bad—you have to consider this from a different perspective. Javier worked closely with Andersen for almost all of last year, and Jasmine Shah would do anything to discredit Andersen. She’s jealous of Andersen’s close relationship with the Job Creators.”
    Dara’s eyes widened. “You think Andersen might be worried that Javier can provide her with something she can use as leverage against him?”
    “Yes. Andersen gets his kicks from being a bastard, but his maliciousness is also driven by a sense of paranoia. He thinks everyone is after him.”
    “Whether they are or not.”
    “Yep.”
    “What should we do?”
    “Observe.”
    “I was afraid you’d say that.”
    Letizia smiled. “It may be nothing. Or it may be something. We don’t have enough information to figure that out yet.”
    “I hate feeling like I’m not doing anything.”
    “I know,” Letizia said, her face sympathetic. “But you are helping, whether you think so or not. I didn’t want you to do this, and I still think you should back out, but, well, I have to admit that I don’t have the time to keep an eye on Andersen.”
    “That’s why I’m not backing out of this.”
    “You can be very stubborn sometimes, you know that?”
    “And impatient. Don’t forget that one.”
    “Trust me, I haven’t.” Letizia rolled her eyes.
    “So Andersen really is paranoid?”
    “Yes.” Letizia’s expression became grim. “He’s ambitious. He wants to make it all the way to the top, however unlikely that may seem, and he’ll stomp on anyone standing in his way.”
    “What about you?” Dara asked, trying to suppress a shiver. What would she do if Andersen turned on Letizia? What if Letizia was forced to go into hiding, leaving Dara all alone? The thought made her feel selfish, but the truth was she didn’t know if she could make it without Letizia’s advice and counsel.
    As if reading Dara’s thoughts, Letizia smiled wryly. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you to fend for yourself with Andersen.”
    Her cheeks flaming, Dara ducked her head. “Am I that transparent to everyone?”
    “I don’t think so. I have a special talent for reading people, I suppose.” Letizia shrugged. “Anyway, I’ve managed to convince Andersen that I’m no threat—at least, I think I have.”
    “What about what happened today?”
    “Oh, that? That was just Andersen putting me in my place,” Letizia said dryly, her mouth twisting.
    For the first time Dara let herself feel the fear. How could she have deluded herself into thinking she was up to the task of trying to keep tabs on this man? He would chew her up and spit her out if he found out what she was doing, and he wouldn’t feel a modicum of remorse. She could believe that someone like Letizia was skilled enough to deceive Andersen, but did she honestly think she could outsmart him?
    “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this,” she whispered.
    Letizia sighed. “Dara, I hope you know how much I respect you. You’re an intelligent person, but your acting skills leave something to be desired, and I’m very worried about how you’re going to handle yourself.”
    “Was it different for you when you started doing this?” The question was in earnest. She needed to know if Letizia was a natural adept when it came to dissembling.
    “I…well, I guess…” Letizia flailed around for words for a few seconds, but then her shoulders slumped. “No, I guess it wasn’t.”
    “You couldn’t possibly have been as naive as me.” The words sounded somewhat sarcastic, but Dara meant them. It shocked her to think of Letizia being anything less than in control at all times.
    “I was, actually,” Letizia admitted.
    “Well, you learned, right? I can learn too.” Dara lifted her head