“Thanks,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket. “I contacted you because Michael’s phone is compromised.”
Concern entered her pale green eyes as her eyebrows drew together. “How so?”
“I feed false intel to Michael every few weeks to make sure no one is spying on our texts. We communicate on burner phones, and I know his is encrypted, but technology is so good in today’s world.” I shook the phone. “I texted him three days ago that oneof my fellow agents knew about the drugs coming into Bayonne tomorrow. And then, yesterday, a task force was created to show up at the Bayonne docks and bust him.”
“Shit, that’s not good,” Katia said, biting her lip.
“Definitely not. Especially since the shipment is actually coming into Elizabeth. Someone has tapped Michael’s phone and is feeding info to the feds.”
“I didn’t even know you could do that,” she said, removing her phone from between her breasts and tapping the screen. “I can’t even remember my passcode half the time. How in the hell do you hack a cell phone?”
“Oh, it can be done. I assure you.” Taking her phone, I pulled up her settings and turned off a few that I considered invasive. “There. I disabled geolocation tracking and AI training on your data. You definitely want those turned off.”
“My hero,” she said, her fingers grazing mine as she took the phone and stuffed it back between her breasts. “I think this is the most technical erotic dance I’ve ever given.”
Laughing, I awkwardly rubbed my neck. “I’m sorry you have to pretend you still dance so we can meet like this. It’s just the most secure place.”
Tilting her head, she studied me, her eyes glowing in the dim reddish light under her long crimson hair. “I don’t mind. I was never ashamed of dancing. It helped me save enough money to go to school, although Michael insisted on paying.”
A muscle ticked in my jaw at the reminder that she and Michael had dated for several years. Jealousy at the thought of anyone else’s hands on her snaked down my spine, and I pushed it away. Katia and I were worlds apart, and I’d always done well to remember that.
“Anyway, being an accountant is great,” she continued, “and having a legitimate job has its perks.” Relaxing back against thecushioned wall, she shrugged. “I enjoy keeping the books at Michael’s clubs, but I never minded dancing. Not in any of his clubs, at least.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“And sometimes I get to do clandestine missions like this.” Grinning, she assessed me. “You’d never be caught dead in here if you didn’t need to pass intel through me, would you?”
I hesitated, not wanting to offend her. “I’m just not much of a stripper guy,” I said, lifting a shoulder.
“Ah, a good Catholic boy. I can spot you all a mile away.” Leaning forward, she arched an eyebrow, sending blood straight to my cock. “You’re the ones who need dances most of all.”
Clearing my throat, I nodded. “Maybe so. Anyway, back to the phones. I got a new burner and encrypted the shit out of it. Michael should do the same. Does he know anyone with the technical skills to do that?”
She squinted one eye. “I bet Alexis could do it for him. She’s been doing a lot of technical stuff for him since she turned over the flash drive.”
“Good. Have her do that and text me his new number once you have it.”
“Yes, sir,” she said with a mock salute. “Anything else?”
Rising, I shook my head. “That’s it for now.” I began to head for the door but her fingers encircled my arm.
“Wait. If you leave now, people are going to think you blew your load way too fast. You need to stay a few more minutes at least, to make it look believable.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I expelled a breath. “Honestly, I don’t give a shit what people think, Katia.”
“I know. You never have, and I like that about you.” She tugged me toward the couch and we both sat down again. “But I also don’twant any onlookers to think we’re doing business here. It needs to look plausible that you’re actually attracted to me andwantto watch me take my clothes off.”
I had to struggle to keep my eyes from popping out of my head. Plausible? Hell, I’d wanted Katia since the first second I saw her, all those years ago when she was still dancing for Michael on the stage outside this very room.
It was during the time when I was just starting to inform for him and we were still testing each other out. I’d entered the club and my eyes had landed on the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. Her long red hair had flowed around her pale skin as she circled the pole, and Michael had appeared beside me, gazing at her while I struggled to breathe.
“Gorgeous, right?” Michael asked. “I prefer dark-haired women. Probably an obsession with someone from my past, but I think I could make an exception for Katia.”
I’d known the moment he spoke the words that he’d staked his claim and she was off limits. My fists had clenched at my sides as I realized I’d never touch her soft, glowing skin. Taking something that Michael Caruso had claimed was a death wish, and everybody in the tri-state area knew it.
“Leo?” Katia asked, pulling me back into the moment.
“Sure. I’ll stay five more minutes. I don’t want to put up any red flags.”
