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“Tell me your name.” He stood above me, and it took everything for me not to step back. “Someone as sexy as you must have an equally sexy name.”

“Nicole Winter.” I made sure the name came out in a slow crisp tone.

“I’m an American press correspondent.” His jaw locked in place, so I hurried to smooth things out.

“I’ve been working in Mexico for the past decade and have found I enjoy many,” I paused dramatically, “opportunities on this side of the border. It’s how I became good friends with our host. Sully and I often share the same view on things.

It has proven to be mutually beneficial, if you understand my meaning. ”

“You work with Sully?”

“You could say that, off the record, of course.” I grinned playfully, and it seemed to catch his attention.

“Maybe you and I could work on something together.”

“Oh. Did you have something specific in mind?” I felt my heart race as I stood in front of a man who was a high-ranking soldier for the Canos family, yet he was here in the middle of his supposed enemy’s party still with a heartbeat.

The fact he hadn’t been slaughtered for entertainment the moment he walked in confirmed he held all the power.

“I’m sure someone as powerful as you,” I ran a finger along the buttons of his dress shirt, “knows everything that happens in Mexico.”

“You are correct.” The corners of his mouth drew up like a sleazy alley cat about to pounce. “I know everything. I’m a very big deal here, and not to be underestimated. Soon everyone will see that.” The tip of his finger toyed with my sparkly earring.

“Well, you have my undivided attention.”

The band started to play, so he had to lean in and whisper the details. A cold feeling crept over me as he spoke, and I wondered how much the guys could hear.

“What do you think?” He leaned back and gave me a cocky look.

“I do love a little danger,” I purred. “But I have to ask, what if no one bites?”

“Then the prize becomes fish food, but I will have my cash in hand either way.”

It all felt very mafia to me, but I wasn’t about to point that out. The Cartel and the mafia did things very differently, and I found over the years the Cartel don’t like to be compared to anyone but themselves. So, I decided to play Rafael’s game and see what I could find out.

“That’s very impressive,” I drawled and nodded at him.

“Yes?” He ran a finger along the collar of my dress, and his eyes danced with excitement. “Maybe we should go somewhere and discuss this further.”

“There you are.” Paul slid his warm hands along my hips then leaned down and tilted my chin to look up at him. I was barely able to contain my shock as he pressed his lips to mine for an intimate kiss. He pulled away with a hungry look then turned to look Rafael square in the eye.

“You found me.” My voice hitched a little as I struggled not to betray what he’d just done to my insides. And it apparently kick-started my libido as well. “Hun,” I tried out the nickname and wasn’t sure how it sounded, “this is Rafael Cruz.”

“Nice to meet you.” Paul pulled me in front of him and dropped a kiss on the bare part of my shoulder. “I see you’ve met my Nicole.”

“I have,” Rafael said, his annoyance clear. He was used to having the upper hand when it came to women, and I knew he wouldn’t appreciate Paul’s interference. I was worried it would ruin the offer Rafael had made. We needed this.

“Go away!” I hissed in Paul’s ear.

“Judgement call,” he hissed back, and I couldn’t believe he’d chosen that moment to intervene.

“Mr. Cruz,” I drew his attention from Paul back to me, “I will pass along the information as you requested and will let you know how it’s received.” I reached forward and offered my hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of it, and as he did, he shot a glare at Paul.

“I can’t wait until we get to speak more about it, alone .”

“I agree.” I smiled warmly at him and gently squeezed his hand, feeling his response. I waited for him to let go, then he excused himself and walked away. Once he was out of earshot, I turned to Paul. “Are you crazy?”

“A little.” He scanned the room over my head. “Did you get anything?”

“I did and was about to get more when you came in and ruined my chance.”

Paul suddenly seemed to lock in on someone who made his jaw clench. “Just give me a moment. I see someone I need to speak with.”

“No, seriously, Paul, we need to talk.”

“I really want to hear what you know but, damn, it’ll have to wait a minute. The team’s listening. Tell them,” he ordered. “Sorry, but I need to deal with this.”

“Deal with what?” I grabbed his arm, but he shrugged me off. “Who do you know here?” I called after him, and he turned and smiled then raced off. I wondered who I missed on the guest list.

“Hey, guys?” I whispered. Then Sully caught my eye as he approached. His face was rigid, and I wondered what was up.

“We’re here, go ahead,” Cole answered, and I wanted to fill them in on everything, but I couldn’t because Sully was now in earshot.

“Stand by.” I walked toward Sully. “Sully.”

“Nicole,” he shot back in a cold voice. What’s happening?

“You need to finish what you told me. You can’t start a story and?—”

“I can’t, Nicole.”

“Why?”

“Because we have company.” He nodded over my shoulder, and I turned, expecting Paul was back, but instead I locked eyes with a pissed off Bruno.

“Sully,” my fear got the best of me, “order me a dirty martini, please.”