Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter Forty

It took two days longer than I wanted, but we finally found Rivas. Right now, he's sitting in a booth across from another Surenos member in a crowded Greek restaurant in the middle of downtown Denver. Ro and I are seated at the bar with our backs to him, but there's a large mirror on the wall and we positioned ourselves so that we can watch his every move.

For the last two hours, we watched them eat and drink and joke around with each other, completely oblivious to the threat sitting just ten feet away from them. So much for their sharp reputation. The longer we sit here, the more my patience is running out though. I'm ready to get the information that I came for and get home to my wife.

These last two days have been pure torture, testing every single bit of my dedication to the job. Sadie sent me a bunch of pictures so naughty that I had to turn my face to hide my blushing cheeks from Ro. I certainly am enjoying this new confident and mature side of her.

I miss her desperately and more than once, I find myself wondering if she's right, and we can just run away and forget about Herrera and Iive happily ever after. I have to continuously remind myself of the greater cause here and keep my sights set on what I have to do. Tonight, it will come to a screeching halt though. Rivas will either walk out of this restaurant having given me everything I want, or he won't be walking out at all.

There's a bulge on Rivas' right hip, so I know he has at least one gun on him. And it's possible his partner has an ankle piece. If we don't play this right, this thing could erupt into a gun battle in the middle of this crowded restaurant. Looking around at all of the families, that's the last thing I want to happen.

"How do you want to play this?" Ro asks, slugging the rest of his whiskey back. He's nursed it for a while, drinking just enough to take the edge off but careful not to impair his judgment. He's a damn good capo and if I can't have Alex here, Ro is a close second. I've never met anyone with tunnel vision quite like he has-- an innate ability to block out everything else aside from the task at hand. It makes him absolutely invaluable in tense situations.

I scratch my chin, locking my eyes on the men in the mirror. It doesn't look like they're leaving any time soon, and as mentally and physically exhausted as I am, I know we have to wait for the right moment. "I don't want a scene here. Let's see if we can get Rivas alone. I got the next round." I slap a fifty onto the counter and slide it towards the bartender who moves to swiftly fill out glasses.

Ro grins, raising his glass, clinking it against mine. "I have to say I'm liking this laid-back version of you. Married life must really be all it's cracked up to be."

I arch my eyebrow, a wide grin spreading on my cheek. "I never thought I'd actually admit this, but it's nice to come home to the same girl every night--one you're head-over-heels in love with. A home cooked meal, clean house, mind-blowing orgasms..."

"Okay, now you're just gloating." He chuckles, rolling his eyes.

"Just calling like it is." I shrug. I can't imagine it being quite as good with anyone other than Sadie though.