Page 39 of Undercover Hearts

Jenna stared at Michelle's back, sensing the fear beneath her professional retreat. Whatever Michelle felt—and Jenna was certain she felt something—she was too terrified of vulnerability to acknowledge it.

"Fine," Jenna said finally. "Professional distance it is. For now."

As Michelle moved toward the dining table where their laptops waited, Jenna watched her, noting the careful way she held herself, the deliberate control in her movements. The wall Michelle had constructed was formidable, built from years of prioritizing duty over desire, professional success over personal connection.

But Jenna hadn't become Phoenix Ridge's newest undercover specialist by backing down from challenges. And asshe followed Michelle to the table, she made a silent promise to herself.

This wasn't over. Michelle could retreat behind her professional walls tonight, but Jenna wasn't giving up. Not on the operation, not on justice for three dead women, and certainly not on breaking through the barriers Michelle had spent a lifetime perfecting.

Some risks were worth taking, regardless of the potential cost. And Michelle Reyes, Jenna decided, was definitely one of them.

9

MICHELLE

Michelle stood in the PWC headquarters bathroom, hands braced against the marble countertop as she stared at her reflection. Ten days into their undercover operation, the lines between herself and her cover identity had begun to blur. Ten days of playing Jenna's lover, of touches and glances that had started as performance but evolved into something she could no longer easily dismiss.

"Focus," she whispered. "Three women dead. Justice. Operation."

The mantra failed to banish the image of Jenna at Sienna's gathering two nights ago—confidently navigating her flirtation with Mina Salgato, risking everything to gather intelligence. The hot spike of jealousy she'd felt watching Mina's obvious interest. The fear when Jenna disappeared to search Sienna's office.

The bathroom door opened, and Michelle straightened. Jenna entered, stunning in a forest green dress that complemented her eyes, the recording device necklace nestled at her collarbone.

"There you are," Jenna said warmly. "Alina's looking for us. The planning meeting is about to start."

Their eyes met in the mirror. Despite the tension between them, their ability to communicate silently remained uncanny. Jenna's slight nod told Michelle everything: the secured area had been opened, inner circle members were gathering, and the opportunity they'd been working toward had arrived.

Jenna stepped closer, adjusting Michelle's collar with soft intimacy—a gesture that could be observed through the partially open door. "Almost."

Her fingers lingered, eyes holding Michelle's with quiet challenge. The air between them crackled with unresolved tension that had nothing to do with their operation and everything to do with Jenna's emotional declaration.

I'm falling for you anyway. The real you, Michelle, not just our cover story.

The words had haunted Michelle since they were spoken. She felt herself swaying imperceptibly closer to Jenna now, drawn by some invisible force she couldn't seem to resist.

"Michelle," Jenna murmured, voice pitched low. "We need to be convincing today. Whatever happens in that meeting..."

"I know," Michelle replied, finally finding her center. "The operation comes first."

Something flickered across Jenna's face—disappointment, perhaps—before her professional mask slipped back into place. "Always."

They moved together through the hallway, Michelle's hand settling naturally at the small of Jenna's back. At the corridor's end stood Kendall, her watchful gaze tracking their approach.

"Michelle, Jenna," Kendall acknowledged. "Sienna has been waiting. The meeting begins in five minutes."

The keycard-secured door opened into a conference room unlike any other they'd seen at PWC. Where the rest of the Victorian mansion maintained an atmosphere of progressive warmth, this space projected efficiency. A modern conferencetable dominated the center, surrounded by ergonomic chairs. One wall featured multiple screens. The opposite wall held detailed maps of the west coast with various locations marked.

"Excellent, our final participants have arrived," Sienna said, moving to the head of the table. "Ladies, please take your seats. We have an important call scheduled in three minutes."

Michelle guided Jenna to two adjacent seats, positioning themselves with clear views of both the screens and Sienna. Security cameras in each corner confirmed their surveillance recordings would provide valuable evidence.

"Before we connect with our international partners," Sienna began, "I'd like to formally welcome Michelle and Jenna to their first executive planning session. Their fresh perspectives have already proved valuable to our organization."

The screens illuminated, displaying a connection interface. Seconds later, three faces appeared: three women, their backdrops suggesting different time zones.

"Buenos días," the central figure greeted. A distinguished woman in her fifties, her silk blouse and perfectly coiffed silver hair projecting affluence and authority. "I see we have new faces joining us today."

"Isabella, meet Michelle Rodriguez and Jenna Wolfe, our newest leadership-track members," Sienna replied. "They've been instrumental in refining our communications strategy."