Page 14 of Undercover Hearts
The discussion flowed into specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Michelle observed the interactions carefully, noting which women deferred to Sienna, which seemed genuinely passionate about the mission, and which were likely unwitting participants in the PWC's criminal activities.
Nicole Padilla, seated across from them, contributed occasionally but focused most of her attention on Jenna, her gaze appreciative and interested. Every time Jenna spoke, Nicole nodded encouragingly, creating a current of connection that didn't escape Michelle's notice.
"Let's discuss tactical approaches to funding," Alina suggested, distributing worksheets. "Break into pairs to analyze these case studies."
As the group rearranged, Nicole immediately moved toward Jenna. Michelle felt a flare of territorial irritation that she immediately recognized as dangerous to their cover. She needed to maintain detachment, not genuine jealousy.
"Mind if I join you?" Nicole asked, directing the question primarily to Jenna despite including Michelle with a glance.
"Actually—" Michelle began, but Jenna touched her arm gently.
"Why don't you work with Sienna?" Jenna suggested, her expression conveying a silent message: opportunity for intelligence gathering. "I'd love to hear more about her legal background, and Nicole can help me with this worksheet."
The strategy was sound, but Michelle still felt an irrational surge of possessiveness as Nicole settled beside Jenna, their heads bent together over the worksheet. She redirected her focus to Sienna, who seemed pleased by the arrangement.
"Corporate law to nonprofit leadership is quite a transition," Michelle commented as she joined Sienna. "What prompted the change?"
As Sienna detailed her journey from high-powered attorney to nonprofit founder, Michelle drew her out while scanning the room. Jenna and Nicole were deep in conversation, Nicole's body language open and interested. Jenna was playing her role perfectly, appearing engaged and subtly flattered by the attention while maintaining appropriate boundaries as someone in a committed relationship.
Halfway through the exercise, Michelle noticed Jenna laugh at something Nicole said, touching her arm briefly in a gesture of appreciation. Nicole responded by leaning closer, her voice lowering as she shared something that made Jenna's eyes widen with interest.
Michelle forced herself to focus on Sienna, asking pointed questions about PWC's funding structure that might revealconnections to their smuggling operations. But her awareness of Jenna's interaction with Nicole remained acute, a constant pull on her attention.
When the pairs rejoined the larger group to share insights, Jenna's contribution was unexpectedly impressive. She presented a nuanced analysis of alternative funding models that caught Sienna's interest.
"That's an innovative approach," Sienna commented. "Where did you develop that perspective?"
"Watching brilliant ideas die for lack of capital creates motivation to find new pathways," Jenna replied with a hint of passion that seemed entirely genuine. "Traditional funding models were designed by men, for men. We need systems that recognize different types of value and risk."
Michelle felt a surge of pride watching Jenna command the room. Her undercover partner was genuinely talented, but that talent was now drawing exactly the spotlight they'd hoped to avoid in these early stages. Better for Michelle to be the focal point, given her fabricated background as the senior partner.
As the discussion continued, Jenna shifted closer to Michelle on the couch, her body angled toward her. Then, during a particularly intense moment of debate about venture capital biases, Jenna's hand came to rest on Michelle's thigh, fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of her slacks.
The casual intimacy of the gesture sent a jolt through Michelle's body. Heat bloomed where Jenna's hand rested, radiating outward in a wave that Michelle struggled to contain. She maintained her composed expression through sheer force of will, continuing her point about investor biases without missing a beat.
But internally, Michelle found herself hyperaware of every subtle shift of Jenna's fingers, the warmth of her palm through the fabric, the proprietary nature of the touch thatsimultaneously established their cover relationship and created a dangerous distraction.
Jenna's hand remained on her thigh for the remainder of the discussion, an anchor that both steadied their cover story and destabilized Michelle's carefully maintained professional distance. When Jenna finally removed her hand as the workshop concluded, Michelle felt the absence as acutely as she'd felt the touch.
As participants gathered their materials, Michelle noticed Kendall slip through a side door, accessing it with a quick swipe of her keycard. The glimpse beyond revealed what appeared to be a storage area with stacked boxes bearing international shipping labels. Michelle made brief eye contact with Jenna, a silent communication acknowledging the potential intelligence.
"The networking reception is in the garden room," Alina announced. "Please join us for refreshments and continued conversation."
The garden room turned out to be a stunning conservatory addition to the Victorian mansion, filled with tropical plants and comfortable seating arranged for intimate conversations. Michelle guided Jenna through the space with her hand on Jenna’s lower back, acutely aware of Nicole watching their movements.
"Divide and conquer?" Jenna murmured against her ear.
Michelle nodded slightly. "Fifteen minutes, then regroup. Security measures and shipping information are priorities."
They separated smoothly, Michelle engaging an older woman who had mentioned board connections while Jenna drifted toward a group that included Alina. Michelle's conversation revealed useful details about PWC's funding structure and upcoming events, including mentions of an exclusive retreat for leadership development.
Michelle maintained peripheral awareness of Jenna's location and interactions. She noted Nicole consistently finding reasons to touch Jenna's arm during conversation and Jenna's skillful navigation of the attention.
When they regrouped near the refreshment table, Jenna stood close enough that their arms brushed.
"Apparently there's a special leadership gathering next Friday," she murmured, selecting a strawberry from the fruit platter. "Nicole mentioned it might be a good fit for us."
Before Michelle could respond, Sienna approached. "I've been impressed by both of you today," she said. "Your perspectives align beautifully with our mission."