Page 12 of Rise of Temptation

Elise

Ichange out of my “uniform” as soon as I get back to my room. While I’m not thrilled with the method, I do appreciate Enzo getting me into the room for that meeting. A shipment could mean a lot of things, but tracking this one will at least put us ahead of where we are now.

I dig my phone out of my bag and turn it on to call my boss, but I think better of it. All I really know right now is that the mafia is attempting to learn more about how the Russians handle their shipments. When I have an actual update, I’ll call. In the meantime, I send my normal “all is well” update and then shut the phone back down. Enzo knows I have it, and he knows that I’ll need to feed information back to the office. But I don’t need it going off while some random soldier is walking through the house.

When Enzo walks into my room, I immediately start firing questions at him.

“Damn, woman, one at a time,” he says, gesturing for me to slow down.

“Do we know the shipment is girls?”

“That’s what we were told, but you never know who is feeding the information to our inside guys.”

“Can we intercept it if we find out that it is?”

“Not this time.” When I start to protest, he talks over me. “We can’t prepare for that at the last minute, and I can’t knowingly risk my guys. Tracking and watching this shipment will help us intercept the next one, especially if we can figure out their schedule.”

“You can’t risk your guys, but you can leave all those girls in a horrible situation? To be sold, beaten, and raped?”

“I don’t like it either, but it’s the decision I have to make as the head of the Family.”

I can tell he’s frustrated, so I move on to my next question. “Can I come?”

Enzo starts laughing. “Of course you can’t come.”

“Why not? I’m trained as well as—if not better than—most of your guys.”

“Yes, but they all think you’re a whore. Letting you go would blow your cover. Isn’t that the whole point of you being here?”

“Well… Okay, yeah, but I can help. You know I can. I have access to more resources—”

“That I’m not using because I won’t be seen working with the feds. I’d be ruined. And we have plenty of our own resources. Arguably better ones, since we don’t have to deal with all your bullshit red tape.”

“You mean the law?” I roll my eyes.Criminals.

“Sure.” He shrugs. “Whatever you want to call it, it’s not worth the hassle. And anyway, that’s not the point. A job is no place for a whore.”

“You’re infuriating.”

“You’re just mad that I’m right,” he replies smugly.

“There’s nothing ‘right’ about you.”

“If that were true, I’d be the one raking in the cash by sellinggirls to the highest bidder.”

“So I’m just supposed to sit here and wait for you to come back and update me?” I can’t stand feeling like a helpless damsel. It’s never been who I am.

“That’s right. And make sure you’re in uniform when I get back. A job like this always leaves me ready to fuck.”

Enzo

“Fuck!” I slam my hand against the steering wheel when I pull into my driveway. “Shit! Fuck! Motherfucker!” I’m fucking sick of the Bratva always being three steps ahead of us. I throw my door open and climb out before storming inside. Elise better be fucking ready for me.

The front door hits the wall so hard, I’m surprised the window doesn’t shatter. Moments later, Elise appears at the top of the stairs wearing a light-blue negligee. Her eyes are wide open, and she looks concerned. Without a word, I slam the door shut and stalk up the stairs toward her.

I’m not sure if she’s figured out that I like the chase or if she’s genuinely terrified, but she turns on her heel and takes off down the hall. Her long, dark hair streams behind her, and her steps are nearly inaudible as she flees. When I follow her, she turns to look over her shoulder and lets out a scream. My cock hardens in my jeans at the thought of taking what I need from her.

When she reaches her room, she turns to give me one last look before smirking and shutting the door in my face.Brat. I hear the lock click and decide to keep playing her little game.

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