Page 146 of Summer Heat
He grabbed his EXPLOSIVES box and stormed out. Jared didn’t really walk into or out of a room. He didn’t amble or dawdle. The man stormed and marched, always with gray clouds in his eyes.
Cash stared at her. “Nic—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I’m here to do a job.” She picked up her coffee mug, needing something for her hands.
“That’s it. A job? You see one thing from my past and you’re don—”
She blew out a breath. “Excuse me. I have to make a call.”
“To who?”
“Not your problem.”
“Cut the attitude. We’re partnering on this, so it is.”
“I’m calling my handler. She needs to know Smooth hardware is popping up in Virginia.”
“Mind focusing on one job a time?”
She he
ld up a finger. “One phone call. One minute.”
“Suit yourself.”
Nicola walked to a window, and Cash stepped out of the dining room. Breathing got easier the farther he was away from her. Dialing a secure number, Nicola waited until Beth answered.
“How goes the sleepover?” Beth’s curiosity made Nic’s stomach turn.
“It went, and it was a mistake. And, nope, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You did bring something lacy!”
“Seriously, Beth. He’s got a girl. Kinda. I think. And I met her.” She shook away the image of Sugar wrapping her body around Cash. “And that’s why I’m calling.”
“No, babe. We’re not putting out a hit on the girl. Girlfriend or not. Sorry.”
Wouldn’t that be nice? “I just saw ammo from our favorite deceased gun dealer. Did you have any idea he had networks in this area? Sellers?”
“Nope.”
She sipped her lukewarm coffee, thinking out the next move. “We need to meet.”
“You’re working with Titan. I’m hands off until further notice.”
“What if I promise to kiss and tell?”
“Would you?” There was a pause, and she could feel Beth weighing the pros and cons of the dirty details. “Then yes. I’m there.”
“Meet me for lunch in Tyson’s Corner in an hour.”
“Done.”
She clicked off the phone and went to find Cash. How did she end up at the Titan retreat without a ride? One mistake after another.
Clearing her throat, she grabbed his attention. “Cash, I need to borrow your truck.”
He laughed. “Try again.”
