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“Where did—” Nicola smirked “—Sugarget this?”
Jared made a move for the ammo again. “I don’t ask questions. I didn’t even call her.”
Cash spoke up. “Winters called her.”
She pointed to the base of the round, ignored Cash, and handed the bullet to Jared. “AS. Antilla Smooth. This is his product. He likes to use his initials for his watermark. Your girl buys from a nasty, illegal arms dealer.”
“She’s legit.” Cash stepped forward to defend that woman.
Freakin’ awesome.“Yeah, she totally looks it.”
Jared nudged Cash back. “I’m not going to separate you two, and you’re still working together. So deal. Now.”
They both murmured about nothing to get over.The tension in this room would choke a horse.
Jared gathered the small boxes and dumped them into the bigger one. “I have to roll out. What’s here is here. I suggest the two of you find some way to work together with your clothes on, and move forward on the butler. Do your jobs.”
He grabbed his EXPLOSIVES box and stormed out. Jared didn’t really walk into or out of a room. He didn’t amble or dawdle. The man stormed and marched, always with gray clouds in his eyes.
Cash stared at her. “Nic—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I’m here to do a job.” She picked up her coffee mug, needing something for her hands.
“That’s it. A job? You see one thing from my past and you’re don—”
She blew out a breath. “Excuse me. I have to make a call.”
“To who?”
“Not your problem.”
“Cut the attitude. We’re partnering on this, so it is.”
“I’m calling my handler. She needs to know Smooth hardware is popping up in Virginia.”
“Mind focusing on one job a time?”
She held up a finger. “One phone call. One minute.”
“Suit yourself.”
Nicola walked to a window, and Cash stepped out of the dining room. Breathing got easier the farther he was away from her. Dialing a secure number, Nicola waited until Beth answered.
“How goes the sleepover?” Beth’s curiosity made Nic’s stomach turn.
“It went, and it was a mistake. And, nope, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You did bring something lacy!”
“Seriously, Beth. He’s got a girl. Kinda. I think. And I met her.” She shook away the image of Sugar wrapping her body around Cash. “And that’s why I’m calling.”
“No, babe. We’re not putting out a hit on the girl. Girlfriend or not. Sorry.”
Wouldn’t that be nice? “I just saw ammo from our favorite deceased gun dealer. Did you have any idea he had networks in this area? Sellers?”
“Nope.”
She sipped her lukewarm coffee, thinking out the next move. “We need to meet.”