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Natalia’s eyes blazed with anger and determination. “The raid on the warehouse that went wrong,” she began. “It was a set-up, Dante. Someone within the DEA tipped off the cartel and compromised the entire operation. Killed my partner, Agent Matt Bennett.”

I shook my head, my mind reeling with the implications of her revelation. “That’s impossible,” I breathed. “No one knew the details except for...”

My voice trailed off as the realization hit me, a sickening weight settling in the pit of my stomach. “My father,” I said, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. I remembered him telling me that he had moved the product. However, I’d never imagined an informant within the DEA had told him. “He set me up, used me as bait to get your partner killed. But why?”

“Maybe Matt was getting too close. No matter what, the cartel had a mole in the DEA for a long time.”

“I swear to you, I had no part in that setup,” I rasped. “I’m not proud of everything I do, but I’m not a murder...”

She held up a hand, silencing me with a gentle shake of her head. “I know, Dante,” she said, her eyes shimmering with sadness and resolve. “I wouldn’t have brought you here if I thought otherwise.”

I searched her face as I tried to make sense of it all. “So, what are you saying, Natalia?” I asked. “What do you want from me?”

She leaned in closer, her face mere inches from mine. “I want you to help me take down your father,” she said.

I narrowed my eyes. “I had a feeling. Maybe we can discuss that later, but first, there’s a little matter we need to clear up.”

“I’m listening,” she said cooly.

“You stuck a fucking needle in my neck,” I breathed in her face.

She didn’t flinch. “You spanked me twice. I think we’re even.”

Before I could utter a comeback, Natalia’s lips crashed against mine, her kiss fierce and hungry. I melted into her embrace, my hands tangling in her hair as I surrendered to the emotions that threatened to consume us both.

A pointed cough from behind Natalia broke the spell, and we parted, breathless and flushed. I noticed the other woman standing a few feet away, her arms crossed over her chest.

“As touching as this little reunion is,” she drawled, “maybe we should take this somewhere else.”

Natalia flushed, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment as she straightened, her composure slipping back into place. “You’re right, Val,” she said, her gaze flickering back to me. “We have much to discuss, and this isn’t the ideal location.”

I nodded. “Lead the way,” I said. “Preferably a place with alcohol. I need a fucking drink.”

I nursed my tequila as we settled into a secluded booth at the back of the dimly lit Cuban joint Valentina had suggested. The mouthwatering scent of spices and sizzling meat wafted through the air, a sharp contrast to our uneasy vibes.

“So,” Valentina began, her dark eyes flickering between Natalia and me. “We all know why we’re here. The question is, what’s the plan?”

I took a sip of my drink, letting the fiery liquid burn down my throat before responding. “The plan is simple,” I said. “We take down my father and anyone else loyal to him.”

Natalia nodded. “Easier said than done, Dante,” she pointed out. “Your father is a powerful man with deep resources and connections. We can’t just waltz in there guns blazing.”

“She’s right,” Valentina chimed in, her brow furrowed in thought. “We need to be smart about this, play our cards close to the chest until we have enough evidence to make a case that’ll stick.”

I leaned back in my seat, my mind whirring with possibilities. “Then that’s where I come in,” I said, a slow smile spreading across my face. “I can spy on my father, snoop around a bit, and find out what he knows about the mole in the DEA.”

Natalia’s eyes widened, a flicker of concern passing across her features. “Dante, that’s too risky,” she protested, her voice tinged with worry. “If your father even suspects that you’re working with us, he won’t hesitate to eliminate you as a threat.”

I reached across the table, my fingers brushing against hers in a gentle, reassuring gesture. “I know the risks,” I said. “But this is our best shot, our only shot at bringing down the cartel and exposing the mole.”

Valentina nodded. “He’s right, Nat,” she said. “We can’t take down the cartel without insider information, and Dante is our best chance at getting that.”

Natalia’s jaw tightened, her eyes burning with emotions – concern, determination, and something else that I couldn’t quite place. “Alright,” she conceded.

I squeezed her hand, my thumb tracing soothing circles against her skin. “I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us both safe.”

We spent the next hour hashing out the details, our voices hushed as we strategized and planned our next moves. Valentina would continue digging into the mole, using her contacts and resources to uncover any evidence that could lead us to the traitor. Natalia would deal with Agent Morrow to discover what he was hiding; if he was hiding anything at all.

Meanwhile, I would play the part of the devoted son and try to uncover information about his dealings with the mole and the events surrounding Agent Bennett’s death.