Page 45 of Vicious Temptation

I don’t answer, mostly because anything I say will only give her more ammunition.

Elena exhales a slow stream of smoke through the open window. “You don’t have the luxury of forgetting what this is, Operative. Fall for her, and you become compromised. We both know what that means for you.”

The warning grates on me, but I keep my expression neutral. She may be my handler, but I’m not about to let her question my ability to do the job based on one conversation she watched from across a parking lot.

“I’m aware of the stakes,” I say. “I’m also aware of how to do my job, and I haven’t given you a reason to question that.”

Her eyebrow lifts as she studies me.

“No,” she says after a moment. “Not yet.”

It’s the last thing out of her mouth before the dark-tinted glass slides up, cutting me off as the SUV pulls away.

I stand there long after she’s gone and drag a hand over my face, my gaze returning to the street where Remi disappeared minutes ago.

Two weeks, and I still haven’t figured out how to get back in. The bigger problem is that I’m no longer sure how much of me wants another chance because of the assignment and how much I simply want another chance with her.

Either way, it doesn’t change what I have to do.

Whether Remi wants me there or not, whether she hates everything I represent, this doesn’t end with me walking away.

Thirteen

Remi

Estela opens the front door before I finish entering the last number on the keypad. Her eyes crinkle into a warm smile as she pulls me into a hug.

“Mi niña, you’re early!”

“Yeah, I left the guys in charge at work.” I peer around her, looking for my favorite head of curls. “Because someone kept texting me nonstop to come over and bake cookies.”

Zara jumps out from her hiding spot with her best attempt at a terrifying roar. She almost gets me, but I slap a hand over my heart and gasp instead, giving her an Oscar-worthy performance.

“Did I scare you, Remi? Like, actually?”

“You did, menace. I almost shi⁠—”

I clamp my mouth shut, nearly forgetting about her little ears. Not that it matters, because Zara immediately bursts into giggles, knowing exactly what I was about to say.

Estela nudges my shoulder. “Nice save.”

I wink at her before reaching for Zara’s hand. “Where are those cookies you promised me?”

“This way. Come on! But just a warning, Estela won’t let me taste the cookie dough.”

“What? That’s the best part.”

“I know!” she says, already dragging me toward the kitchen.

Estela follows behind us. “Your mom and dad are flying in tonight. The last thing I want is for you to have an upset stomach on my watch. Just be patient, chiquita. The first batch will be out of the oven in ten minutes.”

Zara pouts until she looks up at me. Her expression brightens when I silently mouth, I got you.

“Remi, don’t spoil her. It took me an hour to convince her not to sneak a bite.”

I shrug, pop a piece of dough into my mouth, and slip another into Zara’s waiting hand.

“It’s not my job to follow rules when it comes to her. I’m the fun cousin, remember? Don’t mess with my rep.”