Page 15 of Hacker Unknown

I set the pile of documents outlining my job down on the center console. “If this leads to information on the people after me, I think it’s best we both go,” I replied.

And we wouldn’t be completely alone. Paolo opened a small box. “Now, remember … everything we say from here on out can be heard by the team, and we’ll also be able to hear them. Don’t react to the chatter in your ear, because I promise they won’t shut up. There might be conversations that are funny or annoying, but ignore it.”

He leaned over, and his fingers brushed my skin as he placed the tiny device in my ear. His soft touch sent a shiver through my body—even though I reminded myself that he had a girlfriend, and that she was on the other end of the earpiece. Kat’s voice crackled in first.

“Hey, let’s test. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, this is Sonali,” I replied.

A giggle filled the air wave. “You don’t need to say your name.”

How was I supposed to know? I’d never used these things before. Self-doubt filled my stomach as Paolo’s girlfriend just pointed out how far from my comfort zone I was doing this mission.

Paolo lightly gripped my chin and turned my face towards his. “Ignore them. Don’t let anything they say get to you. The only person you listen to is me.”

“You know Enforcer we still have time for me to switch positions with her,” the bitch crackled in my ear.

“Don’t listen to them. You’ve got this.” Paolo pulled back a few inches. “Naomi if you say one more word that isn’t relevant, I will have you removed from this op immediately. We have enough going on and don’t need your advice.”

“Enforcer, you know I always?—"

“Cut her earpiece,” Antonio growled.

CJ sighed after he said, “Already done.”

Part of me was relieved that I wouldn’t hear that women’s voice, but I wondered if it would upset Paolo. He didn’t look mad. His eyes were trained on me.

“Why did she call you enforcer?”

“Because he used to work as the enforcer for the mob,” Kat answered.

“Okay, now you guys, leave us alone—we’re heading in.”

“Do you have your weapon in place?” Paolo asked me for the fifteenth time since we’d left AA Security. From the time Lance left the parking garage I was thrown into a world of basic spy training. Kat ushered me to the gym where she taught me a few moves to protect myself. I couldn’t remember ever pushing myself so hard since high school. Then I showered again, and she helped me squeeze into this black lace dress. Lastly, she helped me secure a knife to my inner thigh. AA Security had insisted on arming me, even though I protested that I had never shot a gun. I had argued I could easily stow a knife in my purse, but they claimed the mafia entourage would likely bar me from bringing my purse inside. Paolo would ensure I wasn’t patted down so I could get the knife through.

“Show me, so I can make sure it’s buckled in right,” Paolo said.

“Uh, it’s on my inner thigh,” I replied.

“I need to make sure it is secure.”

I took a deep breath, raising my ass off the leather seat and pulled the dress up my thigh. The dress was so short that I inadvertently revealed my black underwear. Paolo’s eyes were trained on my legs the entire time. His heated stare only added to how hot he already was. I just hoped in the dark car he couldn’t tell if my panties had become wet. His calloused fingers trailed up the inside of my thigh, and I bit my lip to stifle a moan. His fingers adjusted the buckle strap, pulling it a little tighter. I swear he lingered a couple of extra seconds gliding over my skin causing goose bumps to form under his touch. He reached up and helped me tug my dress back down. The connection we had a moment ago was gone. Paolo had switched to mission mode, but my body was humming from his touch earlier.

“Okay, let’s go over the ground rules,” he said.

“We’ve already gone over them,” I replied.

“Yeah, but last time I explained them to you in detail, you never listened. If I tell you to run, run. If I tell you to grab your weapon, grab it and stab anyone near you. And I mean it—if you don’t listen this time, I don’t care if you are a client. Your ass will be red with my handprint, and you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

“I don’t think your girlfriend would like that,” I grumbled under my breath.

“What did you say?” he asked. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

“Nothing,” I replied.

Kat’s voice interjected over the channel. “She is worried about your girlfriend getting jealous if you spank her ass. By the way, who is this girlfriend?”

“I don’t have one,” Paolo shot back his brows drawn together.

---