Page 28 of Fired at the Heart

“I agree. They’re all quite…adequate.” Raphael steps back, his expression neutral as he turns to Vince. “But I must confess, I expected more variety from an operation with your reputation.”

Vince’s eye twitches, annoyance flashing across his face before he smooths his expression. “This is merely my current batch. Quality merchandise requires careful sourcing.”

Raphael surveys the room, the slight arch of his brow conveying displeasure. “So, this is all you have to offer at present?”

The implication that Vince’s operation is smaller or less impressive than advertised lands as intended.

Vince straightens, affronted pride evident in his posture. “My inventory rotates regularly. If you don’t see anything you like today, perhaps you could describe your specific requirements. For a client of your caliber, I’m sure we could arrange a special request.”

Raphael hums noncommittally, his hand returning to the small of my back. “I’m interested in toys with a bit more spirit. Male, early twenties with an athletic build. We need someone with stamina.” Raphael lifts my chin and brushes his thumb across my cheekbone. “And I’m fond of blue eyes.”

My breath catches. He’s fishing and growing dangerously specific.

“Spirited can be arranged, though they require more breaking in.” Vince’s focus shifts to me before returning to Raphael. “Though thatispart of the fun.”

“It’s so satisfying when they finally submit.” Raphael’s thumb presses between my lips, and I suck on it, drawing a satisfied purr from him before he withdraws and turns back to Vince. “How soon can you acquire new products? I’m not a patient man.”

Raphael’s hand slides through the slit in my dress, fingers brushing my bare thigh. The touch is electric, sending a jolt of heat through my body, stemming not from our mission but from five years of denial and distance.

His fingertips trace the edge of my holster, then move higher, caressing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh in a way that’s unnecessary for our cover but devastatingly effective at shorting out my brain functions.

Vince focuses on where Raphael’s hand disappears into the folds of my dress. His pupils dilate, and the lustful expression on his face makes me want to shower for a week.

“I could get some new toys delivered within a few hours if you’re willing to wait.” He stares at Raphael and me like we’re a delicious meal he can’t wait to devour. “In the meantime, I’d be happy to escort you to one of our private rooms where you can entertain yourselves.”

Raphael’s hand remains on my thigh, his fingers tracing idle patterns to keep Vince distracted while sending unwelcome heat through my body. “That sounds like an excellent arrangement. What do you think, pet? Shall we indulge while we wait?”

I lean into him, playing my role even as I calculate how long we’ve been inside and whether the other teams have already completed their missions. “I live to please you, Alpha.”

Vince’s smile widens, revealing teeth too white and perfect to be natural. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to our most luxurious suite. The acoustics are excellent.”

The implication hangs in the air, and I force my expression to remain placid, though my fingers twitch with the desire to wrap around the grip of my weapon.

Not yet. We need to see the private areas and map more of the facility. We need to be smart about this if we want all the Omegas to escape unharmed.

“Lead the way.” Raphael’s arm slides around my waist as we prepare to follow Vince.

The trafficker gestures to his guards, then reaches for his phone again. “Let me just alert the staff to prepare the room for your entertainment.”

As he taps at the screen, Raphael and I exchange glances. We’ve already been in here longer than anticipated. If Vince gets wind of other people in the Omega trafficking ring getting hit, it might spook him. We might have to take him from the club instead of waiting for him to leave at his usual time.

“Would you care to take in the show?” Raphael offers smoothly. “As you saw earlier, my pet enjoys being watched.”

Vince pauses in his typing, considering this. “A tempting invitation.”

Like the cameras tucked into the corners wouldn’t catch every angle for him to review the footage later, with or without permission.

“Yes, I’m due for a break.” He returns to his phone, fingers moving across the screen. “One of my men will alert me when the new merchandise arrives.”

It’s less than ideal, and we’ll have to disable the cameras, but with our extraction team, we can pull it off.

Vince tucks his phone away and grins at us. “Shall we adjourn to the suite for some fun?—”

Faint, unmistakable pops cut him off, the sound dampened by distance and walls but recognizable to anyone who’s spent time around firearms.

Gunshots.

Fuck. Adrenaline floods my system. Someone jumped the gun, and we’re trapped with multiple armed men and bystanders.

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