Chapter 12
Nova
Tonight is the first drop-off, and I’m on stage, fucking up whole routines. I’m antsy and unfocused. I knew before my first dance that tonight is the big test for me. Either I get this right, or I’m really fucked.
If I’m completely honest, I just want to watch the camera if Chris managed to set that up.
Be safe with him in his apartment and not worry about whether our lives are on the line.
Somehow, just being around Chris has eased so much of my anxiety and depression.
I didn’t even realize that’s what it was until a little bit of light came my way.
It’s made me realize a lot of things. Like how I never grieved for Charlie, although I still haven’t, but I’m aware it’s something that I will eventually need to focus on.
Chris makes me feel like a woman, not just a dancer. Not just an object for men’s attention.
It’s problematic. After that kiss, my head’s a fucking mess. This is not the time to have a confused mind. It’s the time to take down Cano so I can focus on the future.
“I can get you out.”
Chris’s words echo in my head hourly. It’s so damn tempting. Just throw the last year of my life and chalk it up to trying to get Charlie back in whatever fucked-up way I could.
But why go all this way just to bail? With Chris by my side, I have a better chance now than I ever did before. There’s something about his confidence that makes me believe he’s not really a part of this world. I’m not sure why, but I have this hunch that there’s more to everything.
Which means I need to be extra careful.
The music starts to fade, drawing me out of my haze.
Before I know it, I’m walking outside and checking the rock I quickly made.
When I see it in the designated place next to the door, I head back in.
My next dance, I’ll give the choreographed sign, and he’ll be on his way to pick up whatever artifact got delivered.
Once on stage, I do the hip bounce three times and watch as Chris gets up from his seat and leaves out the hallway to the back. For some reason, it lets me breathe. Now, it’s all just a waiting game to see if we fucked anything up.
Once my last dance is over, I change and take the walk to the playground again. I pull out my phone and risk calling Chris.
“Hey.”
“How’d it go?” I ask.
“Good. Everything was seamless. And I got to keep an eye on Nico,” he says.
I sigh as relief loosens my body.
“You okay?”
I startle. Chris’s voice didn’t come from my phone. I look down at it, confused, before I feel him walk up next to me.
“I’m not sure.” My eyes drift up to his. “I’m too in my head, sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” He places his hand on my lower back. “You want to come back to mine and watch the camera?” His smile is hesitant, like he’s unsure how to handle me for the first time since we met.
“I think I do.” I match his smile with a small smile of my own.
The hand pressing on my back leads me to his SUV. His gentlemanly act is more gentle than usual; he’s using more care. The soft touches to my thigh and my arm send goosebumps down my limbs.
This attraction is something I’ve never felt before. It’s dangerous. Scary. Thrilling.
God, my head is a fucking mess. I’m supposed to be focused on Cano, and yet Chris is making that extremely hard.
The drive to Chris’s place is much shorter than I expected. We pull up to one of the nicest apartment buildings in the city, park underground, and head to the elevator without speaking a word. He seems to understand that I need to think.
My first step into his apartment makes me more confused. “Where’s all your stuff?”
“Uh, I moved just recently. Haven’t had time to decorate much.”
“This is a step lower than a bachelor pad.” I smile at him with a tilt of my head.
He rubs the back of his neck with a self-deprecating look. I realize he’s embarrassed. It’s oddly endearing. I’m used to him being sure of himself.
“I have my laptop set up in the bedroom. Let me just … go grab it.” He rushes off.
The awkwardness makes me smile. Maybe I’m affecting him too.
He brings it back and sets it on the couch since he doesn’t have a coffee table. We both sit on the threadbare couch, with barely enough room between us for the laptop. The video shows a view of the back lot.
“When are we supposed to see who did the dropping off?” I ask.
“Any minute now.”
“How’d you convince Cano to let you put up cameras?”
“Uh, told him he could watch his merchandise, and that included either of us for pick-ups so he could see who was fucking him over if they ever did.” He glances at me. “I added one to the cave too, so we’ll see.”
“Play to his need to know all the things.” I nod, but there’s something about the way he explained it that makes me question things. Oh well, there’s too much to think about already without adding that to the mix. Not my problem.
“Exactly.”
We sit and watch the branches sway in the breeze on the video.
“How was work tonight?”
“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.”
“We will 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.”
“Well, that’s no fun. I’ve already shown I can help identify the major players. I could help you move up in the lovely world of Cano. I’m literally in prime position to do so.”
“So that makes it okay to put yourself in large amounts of danger?” There’s not just annoyance in his eyes; there’s worry there too.
It makes me stop in my very stubborn, very sarcastic tracks. “What if I promise to stay in your car when you pick up the item and when you drop it off? I’ll even keep out of sight if someone walks by.” It’s as much of a concession as I’m willing to make.
“You’re going to be a pain in my ass, aren’t you?” He sighs, but I know I’ve got him.
“Hell yes, I am.” I smirk.
“Fine. You hungry? I didn’t eat dinner because I was too nervous.”
“I could eat.” I shrug, but reality is I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since long before my shift, and it’s currently almost five in the morning.
“Come on. I know a place.” He holds his hand out for me.
I accept it as we both grab out coats and head back to his SUV. In twenty minutes, we’re on the edge of town at the diner we went to nearly a month ago.
“What can I get ya?” a tired-looking older lady asks us as soon as we’re settled in our booth.
“Coffee. A whole damn pot if you have it,” I say. I’ve been up too long, but at least it’s my day off so I can sleep all day once I’m finally home.
“And you?” She turns to Chris.
“Just a cup, please.” He smiles, and her attitude instantly melts away.
Yeah, I know the feeling, lady.
I scan over the menu, trying to decide what sounds good, when Chris clears his throat.
“I meant what I said. This is all extremely dangerous, and I don’t want to worry about you while I’m handling the trade-offs.”
“And you won’t. I’ll stay out of sight in your car. Promise.” I don’t look up at him.
“If you move your ass from that chair, no more joyrides.”
“Why, Mr. Roth, there are so many other ways to have a joyride.” I look up and wink at him before the giant smile takes over my face, which I immediately cover with the menu.