Taking their cover as a couple from fake to real could jeopardize everything they were working for. He would never do anything to let her down or compromise the mission’s success. He wanted toput El Sombro, Vance, and the entire cartel behind bars as much as she did.
But right now, all he could focus on was the taste of her on his lips. Her body pressed against his face, demanding her release. He was glad to give it to her. Watching her come undone at his hands and his touch was everything he’d wanted. He wasn’t letting her sleep in the guest bedroom after that. Jemma hadn’t fought him, cuddling next to him as they fell asleep. He hadn’t pressed her for more. But now his cock was letting him know how much that had been a bad idea.
His fingers wandered beneath the covers, hovering near his thick shaft, which twitched and hardened. He wouldn’t be able to focus on the op or anything else until he was able to get a release?—
A cough shattered the moment.
His eyes snapped open, a mix of alarm and disorientation flickering through him as his gaze locked on an unexpected figure in the room.
“I thought I should stop you before you went too far.” A smug smile spread across his lips. He looked at ease in the plush chair in the corner of Rocco’s bedroom. “She went for a swim in the lake. Don’t worry, she didn’t see me come inside, and I’ll be gone before she returns.”
“You should’ve called.” Rocco snapped, his cock going limp. He stifled the spike of rage urging him to punch Vance in the face. Grabbing the sheets, he covered his half-exposed naked body.
“Calls can be tapped. Schedules can be tracked. That’s why I rarely use them,” Vance said. “Now that you’re taking on a bigger role in our organization, you must be ready for impromptu meetings with me. Random drop-ins. And you’ll need to take instruction without explanations. It’s how we conduct business. I wouldn't have come if I had known your beautiful lady was staying here. It won’t happen again.”
“Thanks,” Rocco said, rattled by Vance’s consideration for his relationship with Jemma. “So, this is related to the shipments that will start coming to the clinic?”
“We’re moving up the timeline, which means we need you to start laying the groundwork.” Vance rose and handed him a business card from a construction company, CaribCrest Construction. “As it stands, the clinic doesn’t have the storage capacity or security needed for the volume we plan to move through it. Contact the company using that card and request a buildout for an MRI center.”
“An MRI center?” Rocco scoffed. “In the middle of a rural area like Dajabon. Seems unusual for a clinic here to have high-end medical equipment.”
Vance’s dark gaze turned cold. “Let’s try the part about taking instruction without explanation again. You don’t need to worry about how to rationalize the decision to put an MRI center in Dajabon. That’s not your job. That’s mine. You make sure the construction company starts on it this week. If this is a problem for you, doctor, we can find another location for the expansion.”
“No, this isn’t a problem at all. I can do what’s needed. I was serious about wanting more responsibility. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.” Rocco took the edge from his voice, dialing his tone to a grovel.
“That’s the kind of commitment I like to hear,” Vance said. “The construction company will build the add-on to the clinic based on El Sombro’s unique specifications. They are discreet. They are fast. The work needs to be fully completed before Friday. There should never be a moment when they are onsite that you aren’t there to supervise.”
It was Sunday. That gave the company only four days to get it done.
Vance continued. “You will pay them in cash, which will bedelivered to the clinic tomorrow as part of the normal shipment of medical supplies. Get it before one of your nurses opens the boxes.”
“Got it,” Rocco said, expecting he’d live at the clinic for several days. Perhaps putting some space between him and Jemma wasn't a bad thing. Give them both a chance to put into perspective what had transpired between them last night. “Anything else.”
Vance tossed him a phone. “Use this to call the construction company, then destroy the phone when you’re done. If the phone isn’t destroyed, I will know, and you will be fired from the clinic and our organization.”
Rocco knew what that meant.
Vance would send Dante to put a bullet in his head.
But he wouldn’t have a problem complying with the instructions.
The Proteus Team could track the call without being detected and gather any intel before he destroyed the phone.
“I understand,” Rocco said. “Should I contact you when the construction is complete or wait for you to contact me?”
“On Friday, there will be a dinner at El Sombro’s compound to celebrate the clinic's expansion. Make sure you’re there and that we have something to celebrate.” Vance stood, then looked past Rocco toward the window overlooking Laguna Rincon. A flicker of excitement danced in the man’s eyes, then he said, “And bring Jemma with you.”
Chapter 29
“You keep looking at me like that, and we won’t make it to the party,” Rocco warned, staring down at Jemma as she deftly moved the ends of the tie into a neat bow.
It had been five days since he’d seen her.
Was it possible that she could be more beautiful than he remembered? Jemma was ravishing in a strapless gown of cascading floral embroidery with shimmering turquoise and silver blooms. Her long tresses were pulled into a side ponytail, the golden highlighted ends flat against her chest.
Jemma smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles of his impeccable cream suit. Underneath, he wore a turquoise shirt, which added a touch of cool charm and coordinated perfectly with her dress.
“What can I say?” Her exhale was filled with defeat. “You look damn good in a suit.”
