“Umm, good, I guess. I mean, as good as dancing for the cartel can be.” I roll my eyes. “I was distracted because of tonight.” I gesture to the laptop.
“Me too. I wanted to bring my laptop but thought that would be a terrible idea for any peeping Toms. Lord knows Nico would pop out of nowhere.” He chuckles.
“I was distracted while I was dancing.” I join in his laughter. “I was so antsy to be able to check the rock out. I didn’t want to miss anything.”
“Are we nerds for being so into this?” He smiles at me—a real one this time that stretches across his face, letting me see a dimple in his left cheek.
Holy hotness.As if I need more distraction in my life right now.
“Total nerds. ‘Let’s watch the cartel bring in priceless artifacts and hide them in a cave, and the camera is in a rock that I made so that we can watch everything before it gets delivered to a guy I hate,’” I mock.
“Hey.” Chris grabs my hand. “If we’re lucky, maybe something will happen, and we both won’t have to deal with him any longer.”
Laughter bubbles up my throat. “That sounds like a threat or maybe a premonition. A hope?”
“Maybe a little of all three.” He winks at me, still holding my hand.
Our eyes lock, the pull I’ve been feeling stronger than ever.
I don’t know who starts leaning forward first, but slowly we get closer and closer until …
Movement from the laptop catches my eye, jolting me straight. “Look.” I point to the screen.
“Let’s see how easily he finds the rock.” Chris leans forward.
We watch with rapt attention as the errand man picks up the rock I made without problem. He doesn’t linger, and just as fast as he came, he’s gone.
“Did you recognize him?” Chris asks me.
“Todd Mace. Comes in on Tuesdays usually. Tips two bucks. Not an asshole or extra touchy but doesn’t tip worth a damn.”
I watch as Chris’s fists clench tight at my words.
He clears his throat. “It’s possible he’s not connected to Bella’s at all. It would be smart on Oscar’s account to separate it all out. I’ll be interested if he keeps to his normal schedule after this drop-off.”
“So, when are we getting it?”
“I already got it.”
“Next time, I go too,” I counter.
“No, I will be in charge of picking things up. You don’t need to be anywhere near it.”
“Wewill be getting it,” I correct.
“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head, but he’s going to learn fast that I don’t take orders from him.
“I’m a part of this, so I’m going.” I shrug like it’s all so logical.
“It’s dangerous, and I might need to go to Oscar’s apartment right after.” The condescending tone isn’t doing him any favors.
“Great. I can stay in the car while you drop it off.” I pop off the couch, rubbing my hands on my legs as a nervous habit.
“Nova …”
“You can’t take back that I’m involved, so let me be involved. Maybe I can help you with whatever you are doing with Cano.” I have a hunch it’s more than he’s saying, so maybe this will get him to say yes.
“Hell no. That’s even more reason for you to not go.”
