Page 42 of Undercover Hearts
Michelle ignored the observation, pulling up the satellite imagery on her laptop. "The private dock is the most vulnerable point. If the exchange goes wrong?—"
"Michelle." Jenna's hand covered hers, stopping her nervous tapping on the keyboard. "We've documented everything. The tactical teams have what they need. We've done our job."
The simple contact—Jenna's warm palm against the back of her hand—sent electricity racing up Michelle's arm. She pulled away too quickly, rising to resume her pacing.
"This isn't just about documentation," Michelle insisted. "We're walking into a gathering of international drug traffickers who've already killed at least three women in this city and neutralized police operations in multiple countries."
Jenna watched her with those perceptive eyes that always seemed to see more than Michelle wanted to reveal. "This is about more than operational risk. You're worried about me."
"I'm worried about both of us," Michelle corrected.
"You've been tracking Nicole’s movements on the surveillance footage," Jenna observed. "Rewatching her interactions with me."
Michelle stopped pacing, caught. "Her interest in you concerns me. It presents an operational vulnerability."
"Or an operational advantage," Jenna countered. "Her attraction gives me access to information we wouldn't otherwise have."
"It's reckless."
"It's effective."
The familiar argument threatened to circle back through territory they'd covered after Sienna's party. Michelle turned away, moving to the window where she could monitor the street below—a habit formed through years of tactical training that had become almost unconscious during their undercover assignment.
"We're inside a drug trafficking operation with international reach and law enforcement connections," Michelle said after a long moment. "The risks are exponentially higher than we initially calculated."
"Which means our potential impact is correspondingly greater," Jenna replied. "This isn't just about three deaths in Phoenix Ridge anymore. It's about dismantling a network that's using women's empowerment as cover for exploitation."
Michelle turned back, something tightening in her chest at Jenna's unwavering commitment. The physical attraction between them had been complicated enough, but Jenna's courage, her clear-eyed determination to pursue justiceregardless of personal risk—these qualities struck Michelle somewhere deeper, more dangerous.
"The latest intelligence suggests Isabella Garcia has political protection in at least two countries," Michelle said, forcing herself back to operational concerns. "Her reference to neutralizing the Vancouver situation likely means she had the undercover officer killed."
"All the more reason to gather conclusive evidence at the retreat," Jenna replied. "End this before more victims pile up."
The secure phone on the counter rang, interrupting their exchange. Michelle answered immediately, putting it on speaker.
"Rodriguez residence," she said, using their cover in case of surveillance.
"Michelle, it's Morgan. The client meeting has been moved up. Same location, but forty-eight hours earlier than planned."
Michelle exchanged an alarmed glance with Jenna. "That's unexpected. Any particular reason?"
"Market conditions changing rapidly. The southeast Asian investors can't wait. Your presentations need to be ready by Saturday morning instead of Monday."
The coded message was clear: the smuggling operation had accelerated its timeline. The shipment wasn't arriving Saturday at midnight; it was coming Thursday night, less than thirty-six hours from now.
"We'll adjust our schedule," Michelle replied, keeping her voice steady. "Thanks for the update."
She ended the call, tension radiating through her body. "They're moving everything up. The tactical teams won't be fully assembled by Thursday."
"They must have detected something," Jenna said, already closing her laptop. "Changed the timeline as precaution."
"Or they're testing us," Michelle countered. "Watching how we react to sudden changes. Kendall's verification check."
Jenna moved to the counter, pouring wine into two glasses. "Either way, we need to maintain our cover. Appear unfazed by the schedule change."
She offered one glass to Michelle, who hesitated before accepting it. The wine was a procedural violation, but the mounting tension demanded release.
"If this is a test, the retreat invitation could be a trap," Michelle said, taking a sip. "They could be isolating us to eliminate potential threats."