“He took a trip to San Juan to follow up on an old friend of yours, Eddie Baez,” Jemma said, then gave him the rundown on the gang faction Eddie had taken over and his efforts to become a partner with the Sombro Cartel.
Rocco sighed. “Haven’t thought about that kid in a long time. Not surprised, though. He was always too smart for his own good. If he’s taken on a drug gang, then he’ll need to establish inventory and transportation, or he won’t be a leader for long.”
“Tank thought Eddie could be a way for you to get intel on El Sombro if the rumors were true.” Jemma pressed her back against the rock and looked away from Rocco. His rugged sex appeal was too fucking distracting, and she needed to focus. She gave him the rundown of Cedric’s unauthorized raid on the warehouse that ruined Tank’s ability to get intel on Baez. “San Juan DEA mistook Tank for one of Eddie’s gang members and shot him in the hip. He’ll be out six to nine months.”
“And while he’s gone, you’ll be my handler?"
"Is that a problem?" She stiffened and waited for his response.
"Maybe."
Jemma turned around to face him and immediately regretted it.
A smoldering heat burned in his gaze, a testament to his attraction to her, which appeared to not have diminished since she last saw him three years ago.
The dam of her emotions crumbled.
Jemma said, “I’m sorry for throwing your father’s murder in your face. For pushing you to talk about it when you clearly are still?—”
“Don’t apologize,” Rocco said, then reached a hand toward her.
Jemma placed her hand in his and accepted his help to hoist her body onto the rock beside him. As she balanced on the boulder, Rocco continued to hold her hand, caressing his fingertips slowly over her palm.
“You were right to be concerned about how that might impact the undercover op,” Rocco said, his voice strained. It was a topic that still seemed to pain him. He cleared his throat. “I was surprised when Tank came to me and said you still wanted me to be the UC.”
“You were the best for the role. Your past was a risk we were all willing to take. Obviously, we made the right choice.”
“I’m glad you still feel that way,” Rocco said. “And we might have our first big break.”
“What happened?”
“El Sombro wants to use the Dajabon clinic as part of his transportation route. Shipments will arrive at the clinic. Narcotics will be held and stored until ready to move to the next point on the route. In some cases, partners may pick up their drugs directly.” Rocco tilted his head toward the sky.
“Smart move. Slipping in narcotics into the regular shipments arriving at the clinic wouldn’t get the attention of law enforcement in a town as small as Dajabon,” Jemma said, thinking about the evidence Rocco could obtain that would help them bring Continuing Criminal Enterprise charges against the Sombro Cartel. “This is huge.”
“Told you,” Rocco said, then gave her one of those panty-wetting smiles. “I was going to ask Tank to stick around to helpwith strategy over the next few weeks. But now that he’s out and you’re in, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“What? Why?” It was to her advantage if Rocco believed it was his idea that she was staying in Dajabon. She’d be able to hide her search for Nomar easier that way. “Are you questioning my strategic skills?”
“Never,” Rocco said, then his voice dropped lower. “But we should talk about the elephant … on the boulder.” He gazed down at their hands, still holding onto each other.
Jemma had forgotten they were touching like some couple having a romantic afternoon. Something they definitely were not and could never be.
“The kiss?” Jemma said.
“Not the kiss.”
“No?” She was confused and struggling to focus with him so close.
“What happened after the kiss.”
Now she was really lost. Nothing had happened between them after the kiss. He’d taken her back to the hotel, and they hadn’t talked again until she tried to get answers about the contents of the brown envelope. When he walked out on her, Jemma thought she wouldn’t see him again. And she hadn’t for three long years.
“Rocco, I don’t understand.”
His response was reflective. "I know what I should say. What you want me to say. But you’re going to be disappointed."
She cringed, understanding where he was going. What a fucking ego!
