Chapter 9
Adam
What the actual fuck?
“Excuse me?”
Did I run into a Nova from a different universe after I dropped off the artifact at Oscar’s apartment? Maybe a long-lost twin?
“I want in. As a runner or, I don’t know, researcher maybe?” She nods to herself like she’s making this up as she goes but she’s liking the plan.
Dear God, did I just drag her into this? Talk about fucking up.
“No.” My voice is almost a growl, but I’ve already said too much to this woman, and I’m sure as hell not bringing her into the fold. She’s already too tight in Oscar’s grip. I won’t be the one to make it impossible for her to get out.
“I didn’t ask.” That strong-willed stubbornness I saw from her the very first time I saw her at Bella’s is in full force.
“I’m telling you because I owe you an explanation, not because I want you in Oscar’s clutches more.”
“Yeah, and you don’t make decisions for me.”
“I will if it involves getting into this.”
“Absolutely the fuck not. You don’t even know why I’m here. You don’t even know me.” She shifts so her leg is tucked under her butt and she’s facing me.
“Then enlighten me.” I shrug, but inside, I want to know everything. We haven’t even kissed, and yet I’m so smitten I’d do just about anything she tells me to. Except this.
“You first.” Her eyebrow arches.
A chuckle leaves me even though it’s not funny. “I walked right into that one.”
“You sure did. I’m already in this. I know too much, and if Cano finds out, which I assume he hasn’t already, then you will be in more shit than I will be. So fill me in.”
I push off the ground, forcing the momentum to carry me in the swing.
I can’t tell her everything, obviously. I need to keep my undercover identity intact, but I did talk to Oscar about streamlining the system.
Using the bouncers is a terrible plan, so maybe pulling in Nova would help.
We could use the dancers somehow and keep Oscar—and me, for that matter—distant from it all. But I’ll have to throw her a bone.
“My goal from the beginning was the artifacts. I hate the drugs. They are tied to a lot of needless death, and I hate even having half a hand in any of it. But it was a necessary evil in order to get to this point in Oscar’s operation. His right-hand man—”
“Nico.” She scoffs.
I nod. “Nico isn’t on top of things like he needs to be, so I finally got a shot.
I can’t screw it up. I literally get one opportunity to take charge within the artifacts side of the operation.
If I fuck it up …” We both know I wouldn’t get fired.
I’d get thrown into the ocean for my wrongs. Nova would too, for that matter.
“By proxy, I’d be”—she makes a schnick sound while drawing her thumb across her neck—“too.”
“If I’m alive, I won’t let that happen, but that ‘if’ is very big.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
“God, you are so reckless.” My head shakes back and forth as the swing slows down.
“Thank you!” Her bubbly tone doesn’t match the subject matter, but it is adorable as hell.
“That wasn’t a compliment,” I grumble, hiding my smirk to the best of my ability.
“Yes, it was. Just because you intended it as an insult doesn’t mean I took it as such.”
“Tit for tat, Nova. Why are you here?” I deflect. If I let her, she’ll burrow her way into my head, and I’ll take this … relationship … entirely too far.
Silence greets my question, but I get the feeling she’s trying to figure out how much to tell me. It seems we have far too much in common in that respect.
“My brother. It’s not what you think. He didn’t owe Cano any money, at least not yet.
I lucked out in that, I guess. He died. Overdose from drugs Cano sold him.
My brother had a promising career as an architect before things started to fall apart.
I noticed a change but not how bad it truly was.
When you took me to the MET, it brought back memories. One of the last good ones with him.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“I’m not. It reminded me of my mission.”
“Which is?”
We stare at each other. I can see the wheels turning in her head. Whatever she’s about to tell me is going to be huge. And probably the most truthful thing she’s told me to date.
“To get close to Cano.”
Nova leaves it at that, but I can read between the lines. It’s incredibly foolish for her to tell me if I was really working for the man. I could easily turn her over as a traitor and watch the bloodshed.
But I’m not really Chris Roth.
I’m Adam Morrison, and Nova’s lucky I have a white knight complex.
“You’re really putting me in a hard position, you know?” I ask her.
“Not yet I’m not.”
“Be serious. This entire conversation could get us both killed.”
“I am being serious, on both accounts. I don’t know your setup, but leaving priceless, expensive, stolen artifacts in an open cave is destined to blow up in your face.”
She’s right and thinking the exact same way I am.
“I’d have to let Oscar in on this new arrangement if we figure out a way to bring you in safely. That’s a key word, Nova. This has to be done safely, or I won’t do it.”
“This cautious act is going to really dampen my style.”
“And your limit-pushing act is going to get us both in serious trouble.” I shake my head.
“Where did you take the stone tonight? I assume that’s where you were the rest of my shift.”
“I was. I took it to Oscar’s apartment. He wanted this one immediately.”
“Must have been extra expensive,” she muses.
“Understatement of the century.”
“So, let’s come up with a plan.” She practically bounces in the swing, excitement pouring out of every pore of her body.
“We need something secure. And discreet,” I offer. I’ve racked my brain and haven’t found a viable solution so far, not without involving other innocents.
“What do you do during the day?” she asks.
“Uh, check on my people and meet with anyone I need to.” Mostly lies. Usually, I’m holed up in my apartment, doing research in an attempt to track some of the stolen goods.
“Okay … What if we come up with a signal? The same on every time, or we could switch it up if you think that’s safer—”
“It would depend on the signal, honestly,” I cut in.
“Okay, so we figure that out after we solidify the plan. But what if we have whoever delivers the artifacts come to the back door and leave a token? I can be the designated person when I’m on shift and send you a signal while I’m dancing.”
“I don’t know. And what about when you aren’t on shift?” It’s logical and easy, but I’m not sure Oscar will go for it. Involving dancers is risky.
“Would it be hard to suggest doing deliveries solely during my shift? I feel like if we only have me as the signaler, it would be less risky.”
“I can’t guarantee it, but I could talk to Oscar,” I tell her.
“Think about it. It means removing anyone from seeing all the people connected. If we just do a drop at the back door, we never see the people delivering.”
I won’t tell her that’s not a good thing. I need to know who all is connected, but this makes it more enticing to Oscar.
“You’re thinking about it,” she teases.
“I may be, but it’s not up to me.”
“I know, but you’re persuasive. You got me to go out with you after all.”
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. “It would all be easier if I’m the one who looks at the back door for the sign there’s a drop-off.” I shake my head, dismissing her.
I see her jump off the swing in my periphery before she steps in front of me, forcing me to dig my feet in so I don’t hit her. Her hands grasp the sides of my swing as she stares straight at me.
“If I say I can do something, I can do it. Never doubt or dismiss me like that again.”
The only thing I can do is nod.
“Give me a day. Maybe two so I can work on adding something into my choreography.”
“Yes, ma’am.” My respect for her grows tenfold.
“Now, I’m going to go home and get some sleep so I can blow your mind tomorrow.” She smirks and winks at me.
Well, now I’m defiantly a goner.
Then she leans forward, kissing me like it’s the last time she ever will. Her tongue slides across my lip, hinting at me to open up for her, and I do. Her tongue is just as aggressive as the hard press of her lips.
Commanding.
Dominating.
And oh-so-fucking hot.
Then she pulls back with a heated stare. “Talk to you soon, Chris.”
She disappears into the night like a siren.
Was she really ever here? Or am I that hard up for her that I’m dreaming complex scenarios now?
Nope, the plan she came up with is pretty damn real.
Shit.
What was I thinking, letting her wiggle her way into this mess?