s i x

ROSA

On getting back home, I went straight to the living room to drop the mails I collected for Dad, when I felt an arm jerking me around.

"Mar-" I almost called out, but the words died in my throat as I'm spun around by Tony.

"Not me you were expecting?" He sneered, squeezing my arm.

I frowned. "What are you doing? Let go of my arm." I tugged, getting myself out of his grip.

"Fine, whatever." He snorted, raising both hands in surrender. "Where have you been today? I know you've been less regular at work," he stated, letting me know that he's been looking for me.

"Yeah, well, with the changes around here, Dad said I could step back from managing the restaurant for a while. Do you have a problem with that?" I crossed my elbows, all the while glaring at him.

"Enzo's word is law, I guess." He lamented, giving me a one-shouldered shrug, and my glare deepened as I rubbed the arm he earlier squeezed.

"Can I go now?" I snapped.

"Sure thing, my lady." He stepped grandly aside, with a wide grin, and I wasted no time in leaving his company.

***

Back in my room, I was getting ready for bed when I heard a knock on my door. My heart immediately started to race.

Who could it be? And at this time of the night...

"Rosa. Open up." A voice whispered lightly.

"Marco?" My voice came out confused.

"Open the door before someone sees me," he requested and I quickly unlocked the door as he dashed inside.

"What are you doing here?" I protested as every being of me was totally breathed confusion right now.

"I didn't want to go to bed without seeing you," he answered. He moved towards me, forcing me to step back until we reached the bed, and he caused me to stumble back into it.

He crowded me, as his arms engulfed  me.

He pressed his lips against mine, and all of my senses were instantly awakened. His lips tasted heady, and he smelled like pine. His touch felt like silk on my skin, leaving a trail of fire as he moved.

My eyes closed, clinging to the moment.

Screw it! I'm doing it.

I gently pushed his shoulders back and slide out from under him. "Just one minute," I panted.

I headed into my closet to change into one of my lingerie. My heart started to pound with adrenaline, and I took a deep breath, undressing.

Putting on red, cotton panties, and a lace bra attached to a see through dress. Catching myself in the mirror, I felt more confident than ever. My lingerie was sheer enough to give a peek of what's underneath.

I walked back into my bedroom, and Marcos eyes darkened with lust as he scanned my body under the dim light.

"Well, hello..." He mused, his voice sounding breathier. "Do you always go to bed dressed like that?"

"Not really," I bit my lower lips. He smirked, and I felt my cheeks burn.

"So, what do you say?"

"Come over here. You drive me crazy," he declared. "It's a shame you had to get undressed just to get dressed again. That said-- I don't mind the challenge of taking your new underwear off... with my teeth," he revealed.

He stepped towards me and buried his face in my neck, and his kisses turned to bites. "You up for a risk? Why don't you come to my room?"

The warmth from my face spread to my core, and I swear I felt my core jump in response to his words.

"Your room? What if someone sees us?" I moaned in question as he continued to bite, kiss and suck my neck area.

"Use that adrenaline and direct it to more tangible areas," he shrugged.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "I am starting to think you enjoy putting yourself in dangerous situations."

He leaned into me again, and sent his tongue over my skin. "Call me an adrenaline junkie, then," he quipped.

Before I could respond, a knock on the door ripped us apart, with me prying myself from Marcos lips, and my heart suddenly beating faster for another reason altogether.

"Rosa? Are you asleep?" The knock came lightly again.

Ooh crap! It's my Dad!!

I placed a single finger over my lips, signaling Marco to stand still and not to make any sound. My eyes snapped shut, as we stood silently waiting for him to leave.

After a minute or two, I heard his footstep retreating from my door, down the hallway. I opened my eyes, turning to Marco, my breathing no longer erratic. "I think that's enough for tonight," I grimaced.

***

MARCO

"Captain," I saluted.

Gracia Simms, the captain of this investigation stepped out into the light. She gave a curt nod, her eyes darting behind me and then asked. "Were you followed?"

"Of course not."

"Good. Do you have any updates? Any info that might be useful to the investigation?" She quizzed.

"Oh, just shipment and delivery schedules, names said in passing, leads on the black book," I listed off.

"Leads? Just leads?" Her lips curled into a frown, with her brows knitted tightly together. "Anything substantial to bringing down the Castillo family?"

"Nothing that's not circumstantial, so far," I muttered.

"How is that even possible? They live and breathe crime!" She fumed, fisting her palms.

"And they keep close ranks because of that," I said in addition. "The other day in my full sweep of the house, the daughter walked in on me. Not to mention her fucking snoopy cousin," I ranted.

"I'm not feeling this operation. This is organized crime, and I need more," she shook her head and sighed before turning to me. "I'm pulling you off the case."

My mouth fell wide open. "No. You can't do that!" I exclaimed.

"Of course I can," she scoffed. She was right though. She could do whatever the hell she wanted, because she held all the power.

I was just one of her subordinate who offered to become an undercover agent and was given the mission to infiltrate into the Castillo's home and shut down their illegal business once and for all.

I tightly clenched my hand into fists at my side. "You may be captain, but you need me. Without me, you're not going to get shit on the Castillo family," I scowled.

"No man is irreplaceable."

"True, but are you forgetting that no outsider has ever manged to be taken in by the Castillo?" I reminded and folded my arms, my stance rigid and taut. "Don't think you'll be able to run the same thing on him again."

"I've made my decision. If you're insubordinate, you'll never work undercover again," she threatened giving me a hard glare.

After some seconds of silence, with only the whooshing sounds of cars speeding down the road heard, she sighed and her eyes softened. "Look, I know you mean well, but this is for your own good. I'm concerned about your safety," she confessed.

"I am fine!" I reassured, beating my chest, "I've already gotten further than we actually thought I would!"

"I'm not saying we should drop the case, but that it's just not worth the risk right now. I suggest we pull out while we figure out another strategy," she said.

"We can't waste this opportunity," I shouted, my chest heaving, before I harshly breathed in and out, slowly regulating my breathing. "We're so close. Everything lined up perfectly with Angelos poisoning. There won't be another chance like this," I protested.

"I can't deny the fact that we've been trying to infiltrate for years without any luck," she stated with a small sigh. She slowly rubbed the center of her forehead in a calm, soothing way.

I stuffed my hands in my pocket. "I really don't want to leave like this. As for safety, if you want to help keep me safe... Look into Tony," I shared.

I can't state why I feel off around him. Something isn't right somewhere.

"What about him?" Her eyes shifted to mine.

"There's something off  there. And he's poking his nose around a little too much for my taste. If you can, get me the contact details for some of his known associates," I speculated.

She took air in and let out a deep shaky breath. "So, you're sure you can handle this?"

"Of course. And it helps that I have Castillo's daughter wrapped around my finger. It was almost too easy," I laughed haughtily.

"Still, I don't know... You're my best undercover. We can't lose you."

A smile threatened to escape, knowing I'd won her over. "Just keep an eye on Tony. I don't trust him at all," I frowned.

She nodded. "I'll have the team get you the names of his associates. Now go, before someone realizes you're missing. Be safe!" She shooed.