Page 46 of Illicit

Is everything okay?

No. Very little is okay at the moment.

Control is something I value and pride myself on, because I had to work fucking hard to change back in the day.

I’ve had no issue keeping my shit tight until it comes to the woman standing in front of me.

And that pisses me off.

I put a hand to the hood of the car and lean in to get in her face. “Let’s see… I’ve got to figure out how to convince my boss to assign ten K in cash in exchange for the location of a man he didn’t know about before I submitted the op plan for the little party we just attended. I move in a few days, you graduate the day after that, and this case isn’t going anywhere fast. But really the kicker in all this is I just took Tim Coleman’s daughter on an undercover operation to meet with a man who looked at you like you were a juicy steak. I respect your father. The fact that I can’t say no to you is a problem I need to get under wraps. I’m not even going to get into the other shit that’s wrong, the first being that you’re moving to fucking New York. So, no, Teagan. Everything is not okay.”

Her dark eyes widen as she stares up at me.

I lean in farther, there’s barely a breath between us. Her tits rise and fall in quick succession way too close to me. The hairline crack in my control just splintered a hair farther.

I lean in and put my lips to her ear. “So help me, if you don’t get in the damn car so I can get you the fuck out of here, I will not be held responsible for my actions.”

She puts a hand to my dress shirt and fists it to push me back far enough to look at me but close enough that our noses brush. Instead of being freaked the fuck out by the undercover meeting I just took her into, her expression is down-right smug. “I’m not who I used to be. If I looked or acted scared in there, it’s because I was playing the part. That was exciting, and we’re one step closer to finding out where Heath is. So don’t make threats you’re not willing to follow up on, Rocco. I might just call you on them.”

Ever so slowly, she casually sits her fine ass in my car. As I slam the door and stalk to the driver’s side, it’s impossible not to think about it pinked from my hand while still wearing the panties I bought her.

Control.

I don’t even recognize that word anymore.

10

VAGINA STATS

Rocco

“Let me get this straight. Tomorrow is your last day in the New Orleans Division, and you want me to allot ten grand for you to find out the location of an old man who the State Department doesn’t give a shit about?”

“That’s right,” I answer with conviction even though I’m not at all confident. “I’ve got the proof from harvesting numbers last night Robichaux is connected to no fewer than eight of the biggest targets on active cases in the division. This guy might not be moving product, but he’s a part of the pipeline in a big way. Taylor is writing the wires as we speak since he’ll take over the local part of the case, but I plan to follow the trail from Miami. This is good shit. Or it could be, but we won’t know if we don’t try, and this is my way of continuing the communication with him.”

“You could’ve just coasted out of town.” He drags a hand down his face. “Fine. I’ll put the order in. This had better lead to something, Monroe. Tim Coleman fought hard to get you to Miami. I hope he knows you’re twenty percent pain in the ass along with being a hard worker.”

“I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon enough,” I mutter, since there’s a fifty-fifty chance he’ll find out eventually what Teagan is up to and that I am aiding her, even if it is only to keep her safe. “Now that you know where Robichaux hangs, I have a good feeling this will pad your stats for months to come.”

“It better.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “I’ll miss you, Roc. Send me that op plan before you make the drop.”

“Will do.” I wait until he’s down the hall and out of earshot before I turn to Taylor. “I’ve got to get home. Teagan is still there. I threatened her within an inch of her life not to leave.”

“Dude.” He pauses and looks around. “Tell me your cold spell is over.”

I frown. “Just because I don’t announce every detail of my personal life doesn’t mean I’ve had a cold spell.”

“You work circles around everyone. And don’t give me that shit that you’re pressured into making a name for yourself. You’re friends with the biggest wigs in the DEA. You’re even going to work under their wings so their greatness can either rub off on you or you can ride their coattails. I get it. I respect it. I’d do the same thing if I were friends with Cruz, Emmett, and Jennings. They’re the shit.”

It's everything I can do not to roll my eyes. “That’s my plan.”

The DEA is not a small organization, but I swear I can’t turn around without anyone throwing it in my face that I’m tight with the fab three of Miami. Brax, Micah, and King have made names for themselves in career-making cases.

And they’ve made it no secret that I’m their little project.

They visited me in the academy.

They attended my graduation.

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