Page 37 of Beautiful Dangerous

“Why? Is he becoming a problem?”

I’ve always thought of him as weak – Detective Jimmy Golden; thought we could’ve made a much wiser choice, but at the time he was approached by the cartel he was in the weakest position, his gambling debts growing. We were his way out. And I’d trusted Javier, because at the time I was just his wife. I didn’t get to make those decisions, but now I’m in charge, and if Jimmy can’t take what we throw at him…

“I had a call from him this morning. He’s nervous, about the Pino hit.”

“Nervous?”

I take the plate of food Celine hands me and go out onto the terrace, sitting down at the table as I listen to what Lucca’s telling me.

“Set up a meeting. I’ll talk to him. And make it on his turf. If he sees me on his territory it might focus his mind.”

“When do you want that to happen?”

“This afternoon.”

“Today?”

“Yes, Lucca, today. Pick me up in an hour.”

I hang up and start eating the wonderfully creamy scrambled eggs Celine has made for me as I look out over the ocean; at Javier’s chair underneath his favorite tree, and I smile. I can still picture him sitting under that tree, with his glasses perched on the end of his nose as he read the newspapers. It was the one spot where business was forgotten and he could truly relax. When he sat there he was my husband, not the head of a dangerous cartel.

As soon as my plate is cleared I pick it up, and go back into the kitchen. I stay for a few more minutes, chat to Celine for a little while longer, and then I head upstairs. I need to get ready, apply that mask, and quickly get my head back to where it needs to be. I have work to do.

Seven

Lucca

“This is bullshit, and you know it.”

“I find your take on this situation interesting, Jimmy, because I’m seeing it from a whole other angle.”

Standing at the back of Jimmy’s office I watch as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat. To have Olivia Delgado walk into the precinct, like it’s something she does every day, and ask to see him, in private, of course it’s unsettled him. And put every other officer, chief and detective on red fucking alert. They have absolutely nothing on us that they can use, but it won’t stop them from watching in some vain attempt to try and trip us up. But do they honestly think we would’ve come here if we didn’t think we would walk out the winners?

“I can’t believe you fucking walked in here like that, do youwantto get arrested?”

“They can’t arrest me if they have nothing on me, Jimmy. And that, I have to say, is in part thanks to you.”

“It’s more a case of doing as I’m told rather than through any sense of loyalty.”

“And that’s where we have the problem.”

Olivia sits back and crosses her legs, but her eyes never leave Jimmy’s.

“What problem?” Jimmy asks, but he already knows the answer to that.

“Your growing nerves. Maybe you’ve always been nervous and just chose to hide it, but, you see, that’s something I’m really not comfortable with. That makesmenervous, and right now that’s the last thing I want, or need, to be feeling.”

“Jesus… Do you still not understand how dangerous it is for you to walk in here and ask forme? Do you understand the position that’s put me in? The questions people are going to ask? If anyone out there finds out that I’m working for you; that I’m on your fucking payroll, that’s the end of my career. My marriage would be over. Do you get that?”

Olivia leans forward, her hand balling up into a fist on his desk, her eyes still fixed firmly on his, and that’s making him visibly uncomfortable. “You came into this with your eyes open, Jimmy.”

“You gave me no fucking choice.”

She sits back and shrugs, smiling slightly. “Maybe not. But you accepted our offer and I assumed you’d understood the rules.”

“I did… Do.”

“So, why are we sitting here now, talking about you getting nervous?”

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