Page 18 of Code Name: Grit

“I can sleep out here,” Lumi said, motioning to the sofa.

“Actually.” I stopped her. “We should probably share the bedroom. For the cover. If anyone checks. James and Ava have been together for eighteen months.”

“Really? I mean…Wait. You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”

I winked and rolled her bag into the bedroom. “No way you’re sleeping out here, Ava, darling.”

When she smiled, a flush of color spread across her cheeks, making me consider taking an ice-cold shower.

Instead, we ordered room service, then went over our backstory again, followed by the op’s objectives.

“After we’ve established ourselves at the terminal,” I said, spreading out a map of the city, “we’ll need to start mapping their other operations. These restaurants in Little Italy are suspected money laundering fronts. The nightclubs in Queens likely house illegal gambling, and these construction companies probably serve as facades for their protection racket payments.”

As the night wore on, exhaustion began to take its toll. When she stifled her third yawn in as many minutes, I closed the laptop.

“Enough,” I said. “We need rest if we’re going to be sharp tomorrow.”

She didn’t argue, which told me just how tired she must be. I stood when she did, tossed the cushions from the sofa, then unfolded the thin mattress.

“That looks really uncomfortable.”

“Nothing I’m not used to.”

She rolled her eyes. “That, I doubt. Seriously, though, the bed is plenty big enough for both of us. Besides, I don’t bite.”

The playful challenge in her voice sent heat through me. “Good to know.”

She disappeared into the bathroom to change, emerging minutes later in shorts and a tank top that revealed more of her than I’d seen before. I tried not to stare at the lean muscle of her legs or the way the thin material clung to her curves as I sneaked around her and into the bathroom.

After changing into workout shorts and a T-shirt, I came out to find her waiting in the hallway.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“Worried about tomorrow?”

“Yes and no. I mean, I’m committed, if that’s what you’re asking.”

I leaned closer and kissed her forehead. “Get some rest.” I walked over to the sofa bed and was about to crawl under the sheet when my cell vibrated with an alert.

“What is it?” Lumi asked, leaning against the wall.

“Dragon found a specific container manifest. Best guess is the Belcastros plan to intercept advanced weapons systems coming in from Eastern Europe. Military-grade, possibly with modifications that make them untraceable.”

Her eyes opened wide. “That explains Cassio’s personal involvement, plus the step-up in taking over some of Castellano’s distribution networks.”

“Agreed. I’ll check in with Admiral and see if we need to alter our plan.”

When I sat down on the mattress, she sat beside me. Her body that close to mine was distracting in the worst possible way.

“What’s wrong?” she asked when I didn’t type the message.

“It’s late, and you need to sleep.” My tone was intentionally harsh. If she didn’t get up and go into the other room, I’d lift her in my arms and carry her there. The problem with that was, once I laid her down, I doubted I could bring myself to leave. “Go, Lumi,” I urged when she didn’t get up. “Please.”

“Good night,” she said, finally doing as I asked.

Before I could send the message to Admiral, I received one from him, saying the op would proceed as planned, and we’d talk more about it in the morning.

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