Chapter 5
Adam
I’ve been at Seventh Street Coffee since ten thirty.
At first, it was because I wanted to scope it out and make sure no one followed me. Then, I realized I was nervous.
A date.
I think I may have been in high school the last time I went on a real date.
Throw in the complication of being undercover and her not really knowing who I am, and the whole thing is so fucked.
I may not have spoken to Nova all that much, but there’s something about her that’s intriguing as hell.
I actually want to go on a date with her.
I want to get to know her better, and it sure as hell isn’t because of my job.
But she thinks I’m a drug dealer at best and a smuggler at worst. Being tied to Oscar does me no favors here.
So, I’m at an impasse. How do I handle a date with Nova? Do I let her see some of the real me? Do I keep up my persona and lie the entire time?
Why in God’s name is this even an issue in my head right now? It should be easy. She should only know Chris Roth.
But … I want her to know the real me, just like I want to get to know the real Nova. Hell, that’s probably not her real name either.
I sigh. What a complicated fucking mess I’m in.
And just when I started to get real responsibility from Oscar.
I had a fucking pick-up last night, so that’s why I couldn’t take Nova up on her offer.
I’m starting to see just how big the artifacts operation is by the sheer number of pick-ups I’ve been handling.
I’m lucky if it’s only three a week, but it’s steadily been five to seven packages, all varied in size.
The operation is much larger than we ever anticipated.
Sure, we knew he has a hand in stealing some priceless artifacts, but this is an entire underground network.
This is huge amounts of money exchanging hands.
And those hands belong to some very powerful people. It goes so much deeper than we thought.
But my focus isn’t on that right now.
My focus is on the brunette beauty that just walked in. The baggy jeans still hug her hips, and the slouchy T-shirt slides off of one of her shoulders, showcasing her delectable skin.
Man am I in trouble if a shoulder is turning me on.
What’s more interesting is that she clearly didn’t dress up for this … date. She’s telling me without words that I’m low on her priority level and that she does not care about me.
It’s hot as fuck, if I’m honest. She’s a challenge, and I’m always up for those.
She shoves the oversized glasses to the top of her head and starts to look around, clearly not enthused to be here.
The chair I’m sitting in makes a scrapping sound as I shove it back so I’m able to stand.
It draws Nova’s attention. She freezes for a moment, her gaze trailing down my body then back up until she’s looking at me square in the eyes.
Then the corner of her mouth tilts up, and I know I’m completely fucked.
Caution doesn’t go here anymore. Now, it’s all about finding a way to get her under me, even just once.
She walks toward me, stopping to the side of the table.
“Glad you showed up,” I tell her.
“There was coffee involved, and I only have the instant kind at my place.” She heaves in a sigh before plopping down in the chair.
“In that case, what can I get you?”
“Extra-large cold brew with three extra shorts. Add some vanilla syrup in there and a splash of milk.”
“You sure your heart isn’t going to explode after that?” I ask.
“Working nights is no joke. Some days are better than others, but most of the time, I’m not a functioning human without insane levels of caffeine.”
“Alright then. One cup of life, coming right up.” My eyes are still as big as saucers at hearing her order, but I’m not her parent, and if she wants to have a heart attack at the age of thirty-five, that’s her prerogative.
But it’d be a damn shame.
The judgement I receive from the barista as I order mirrors mine, but what the lady wants, the lady gets. I bring our drinks over and watch as she guzzles half of hers in one go.
“What are you drinking?” She nods to my drink.
“Ah, orange blossom tea.” My cheeks heat at the confession.
“Seriously?”
I nod. What else can I say? She’s downing enough caffeine to kill a horse, and I don’t drink coffee.
“You are quite the conundrum.” She hums.
“How so?” I ask, taking a sip of my tea.
“Tea while you work for the East Coast’s largest dealer seems a little … counterintuitive, no?”
“Maybe I’m trying to keep some balance in my life.”
Her smile grows as she leans back. “I don’t think I know what balance is.”
“What gave it away? The heart attack in a cup you’re sipping on?” I nod to her coffee.
“Insult my caffeine again, and we’re going to have huge problems. If you want a coherent conversation, this is how you get it done.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her eyes light up at my words.
So, she likes to be the one in charge. Interesting.
“Tell me about yourself, Chris.” Her right leg crosses over her left, bouncing to its own beat.
“What do you want to know?” I deflect.
“How’d you get in with Cano?” She goes straight for the jugular.
I clear my throat. “The usual story. One wrong decision changed things. I was strapped for money and thought it’d be a good idea to deal a little on the side.
Just weed to start, but it grew. Eventually, I was making good money, and a traditional job didn’t seem like such a good idea.
Then … I wanted more. I mean, you don’t live here and not know the Cano name, so I thought I’d try to get in with the best. It was the most logical step to make the most money.
” I say it easily. The script I’ve had memorized for close to a year slides out of my mouth without any hesitation.
“Before you started all the stuff with Cano,” she asks carefully, “what was your dream job?”
“Law enforcement,” I say immediately, shocked at the very real confession. My eyes jolt up to hers. “What about you? Dream job?”
“Travel blogger.”
Somehow, I know this is one-hundred-percent true. Whether she realizes I told her something I shouldn’t have and now she’s matching it, or she just feels comfortable with me, I’ll take it.
“What does that entail exactly?” I ask, pulling in another sip of my tea.
“Writing about places I travel to. Explore hidden gems, not the usual tourist traps.” She talks for a few minutes.
I can see the passion in her eyes. She either loved this career or did it before she fell on hard times. But I have no doubt she’s being one-hundred-percent truthful right now. That is until she changes the subject. I think she realizes just how much she revealed to me.
“How did you go from wanting to be a cop to … what you are doing now?”
“It’s kind of like getting stuck in a rut. I was in trouble, and this was the only way I saw out. Then it just becomes a daily habit. Like, you know there are other ways to get things done, but you just can’t figure out how to … disconnect.”
She nods, eyeing me with such intensity it’s almost like she can see right through me. “And you’ve never thought about using your powers for good?”
“How so?” I ask, hoping we start steering clear of my actual line of business.
“I mean, if you still have aspirations to be a cop, you do have a lot of information on a certain someone. I know there would be more to it, but just a thought.” She shrugs like she’s just suggesting something silly.
“I think I’m well and truly past that. Thanks for the optimism, though.” My voice is low, warning.
This date, or whatever we’re calling it, is quickly getting away from me. I’m usually better than this, but she seems to have me over the head with the upper hand.
Time to flip the script.
“What does Oscar have over you?”
It’s like watching a slow-motion video. First her eyes widen, then they turn devastatingly sad before they shut down completely.
“Who says he has anything over me?” she snarks.
She doesn’t want to answer the question, but I’ve given her more than I ever intended, so I’m going to push her a little bit.
“Because everyone who works at Bella’s owes him something. What is it you owe him? What is he holding over you?”
“He doesn’t have anything over me, per se.” She clears her throat again, finishing off the last of her coffee before seemingly making a decision in her head. “More like I’m trying to get … answers.”
Nova just gave too much away, and she knows it. She’s also trying to give me some sort of half-truth so I’ll believe her.
“Care to share?” I ask, knowing she won’t be saying more. We’ve both said too much.
“That’s really a Date Three type of thing.”
“So, there’ll be a Date Three?” I lean forward.
“If you play your cards right.”
“Lay it out for me. What are you looking for?” I’d rather we be on the same page from the get-go. I can’t offer a ton of honesty here, but I can with this.
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re very straightforward?” Her head tilts, but there’s a smile playing on her face.
“Most days. I don’t believe in playing games. I’d rather be upfront. I don’t presume you have a lot of time to figure out what I’m after, and I most certainly don’t.”
“So, what? You want the white-picket fence and the two-point-five kids? Is that what you’re after?”
“Right now? God no. I can’t imagine anyone wants to deal with me long term.
” And that’s the damn truth. I barely have a home base at this point, and that’s not conducive to any relationship.
Whatever I’m doing with Nova right now is sure to bite me in the ass, but apparently, I’m a sucker for big brown eyes and pouty lips.
“That’s an interesting way to say that. Well, I’m not looking for anything serious. I’m obviously not in a place where I can focus any attention on a relationship.”
“I can work with that.”
“You sure about that? You’re not going to turn all clingy and need to be in my business all day ever day?”
“I’m not really the clingy type.” I arch an eyebrow at her.
“We’ll see. Well, this has been lovely, but I’ve got errands to run. Maybe I’ll see you around, Chris.” She winks and leaves me momentarily stunned.
“Wait! Not even going to give me your phone number?”
She pauses before she turns toward the door. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear a question in there.”
“Damn, woman.” I huff out a laugh. “Can I please have your number? I’d really like to get together again some time.”
“Hand me your phone.” She holds out her hand, trying to play it cool, but I see the edge of a smile.
I’ve never been into a woman who busts my balls to this level, but damn, she’s doing it for me. I hand her my phone.
Nova quickly punches in her number before calling herself and handing it back. “You better feel special, Surfer Boy. I never give my number out.”
“Consider me feeling extra special then. We may have to work on the nickname, though. I’m afraid I don’t surf.”
“Pity.” She pouts before spinning on her heel and heading out the front door.
What a fucking whirlwind that woman is.
I can’t wait to see what else she throws my way.