Ryan sat on the couch stroking Felix's hair as she rested her head on his chest. They were expected at headquarters for a briefing soon, and he had a million thoughts running through his head, but his brain kept returning to the image of Felix sucking him off in the kitchen. Her list of amazing talents just kept growing.

On the phone, Harris had insisted they follow Donovan's instructions, but Ryan didn't want Felix within fifty miles of the meeting place. He had imagined a female agent posing as Felix, but Donovan made that difficult when he said Felix had to be the voice on the other end of the phone. Sure, Felix would be wearing a bulletproof vest during the takedown, but a vest wouldn't protect her from a bullet to the head.

Calculating everything he knew up to that point, Ryan worked hard to process it all, specifically the information they found on Jenny's flash drive, or lack of it. Was she working for herself? Was she working solely with Andy? Had Donovan found out and ordered a hit on the woman? Was Andy's cyber affair with her a fake to get her to return to Chicago?

"Felix, I need to ask you something," Ryan said. "And I apologize ahead of time if it upsets you, but your answer could make a significant impact on this case."

"Go ahead." Her eyes were closed but her body felt far from relaxed.

"I've been wracking my brain about the woman you saw murdered. We still don't know why she returned to Chicago and ended up in the home of the people she had been running from. How much do you know about her?"

"I met her at a party, the same one I met Donovan at. I found out later she was involved in the criminal activities, but I never worked with her directly. Andy was the mastermind behind all that. I knew she had ditched the group only because Andy went through a bout of moodiness, and when I asked him what was wrong, he confided in me that Jenny had gone to the cops and ratted out a couple of people Andy knew. He was worried she was going to turn him in, but she never did."

"Did you ever suspect he was being unfaithful?" Ryan hated himself for bringing up painful memories, but the information could help save her ass.

"No, but maybe I should have. We led pretty separate lives. He traveled a lot without me, work-related trips. At least, that's what he told me."

"Is there anyone you can think of who might know whether Andy and Jenny were seriously involved? One of the assholes, maybe? I'm just trying to figure out the reason she was killed. If she was still working with these people from her place in Alabama, and she was as valuable to the cause as you are, why would they kill her? Maybe she was simply lured to her death for betraying them. If we can find a link, it will bump up your survival rate."

"Well, Andy is always trying to impress Carlos. Andy may have bragged to him about getting something on the side. If I play it right, I could get Carlos to spill a few beans. You know, call him up crying and ask him if Andy had a secret affair with Jenny. I could tell him I need confirmation so I know how hard to hit Andy when I see him. That would probably work."

"It sounds like Andy and Carlos are rivals."

"You could say that. Carlos has always wanted me as his girlfriend, in spite of the nasty shit he says to me. I've noticed he uses foul language as a way to deal with his feelings. If I convince him I'm ready to ditch Andy, it might loosen his lips."

"Would you be able to talk to Carlos without giving away your intentions? If he suspects you're playing him that will put you at a higher risk and we'll have to scrub the mission. I'm not letting you ride into the woods with nothing but a bullet proof vest separating you from death."

Felix sat up and sealed his mouth with a kiss. She took her time, grazing his cheek with her fingertips as their tongues fought for supremacy. He could kiss her forever.

"I'm willing to try anything if it means I get to kiss you again when this is all over." She climbed off the couch, retrieved her phone, and set it on the coffee table in front of them. "Should I put it on speakerphone?"

"You better not. Just hold the phone out like you did when you talked to Donovan. I was able to hear fine."

She nodded and tapped the speed dial number for Carlos, taking in a deep breath as she put the phone next to her ear.

"Well, well. I did not expect to get a call from you. How's my favorite puta?" Carlos had a smooth voice with a Spanish accent, and Ryan's hatred for the man grew.

"Please, don't call me that, Carlos. If we're going to work together again, I don't want weird shit between us."

"So, you have finally come to your senses. I feel hurt that it took Donovan's threats to convince you when I have tried for three days."

"He didn't call me a puta. Listen, Carlos, I didn't call you to be insulted. I wanted to ask you something that has been bothering me ever since I left."

"You know I have never turned you down when you have asked me for something."

Felix's shoulders tensed, and she appeared to be hiding a blush behind her hair. "I've had suspicions that Andy and Jenny were fucking around on the sly. It was one of the reasons I bolted, besides being freaked out by a dead body in my bed. Did Andy ever tell you anything about an affair? I want to know how hard I need to deck him when I see him."

A deep roll of laughter echoed out of the phone, and Felix held it away from her ear. "Ah, chica, I was wondering when you would finally figure that out. Maybe if you had accepted my affections, you would not be in the position you are in now."

"Why would I accept your affections? All men are assholes."

"No. We are not all assholes. Some of us are pricks." Carlos chuckled but Felix just shook her head, looking annoyed.

"Tell me this, then. Why did Andy kill her if he was fucking her?"

Ryan wasn't surprised by Carlos' silence. Even assholes knew when to share and when to keep their mouths shut.

"You ask difficult questions."

"Why does everything have to be so damn complicated with you people? I can't even ask a question without feeling threatened."

"It is all about threats in this business, like your boyfriend and his dead lover. He had to prove his commitment to the cause. I guess you are the better lover, eh?"

"What are you talking about, Carlos?"

More silence. Ryan held his breath, hoping Carlos would spill.

"All you need to worry about is you are still living and she is not."

Felix looked at Ryan. Her face had gone pale, and he figured she was working hard to keep her lunch down. The girl had a weak stomach. "So, you're saying I'm important to the cause?"

"Yes, or you are better in bed." Carlos laughed, causing Felix to scowl. It was clear she wanted the conversation to end. "This life is not so bad, Felix. Have you not enjoyed the benefits of unlimited wealth? As long as you play the game, you can have anything you want. And if you are tired of Andy and his cheating ways, there is a place in my heart that I have reserved just for you."

"Even though you consider me a puta?"

"So, I have a temper. I would never use it against you if you let me take care of you."

"Don't you think that would make for an awkward work environment with Andy?"

"Andy is estupido. He does not appreciate what he has."

"But he chose me over Jenny."

"You are the better choice. Donovan's choice. You will be working directly under Donovan now, and he will make your life a pleasure. I must go, but I will see you tonight. I want to be there when you kick Andy in his testicles, as you did me."

The phone went dead, and Felix stared at the screen a while before reclining against Ryan, her body slowly relaxing into his chest. "Why are men pricks?" she said, although he figured the sentiment was more for herself.

"It's not our fault. We're just drawn that way."

A weak chuckle escaped her. "You're quoting Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Good movie. If only real life bad guys used animated machine guns like Christopher Lloyd."

Ryan nodded, wishing he didn't feel like one of the bad guys. "We should probably get going. Harris is an impatient, humorless man, and he's anxious to fill us in on his grand plan for taking down the bad guys who are after you. I'm sure you'll be glad to see Carlos behind bars."

Felix seemed hesitant to agree, and it immediately triggered Ryan's radar. Was there more to the story? Was she withholding information about Carlos? "Felix, I get the feeling there's something else you need to share."

Felix climbed off the couch and walked to the window. She tended to gravitate there when she was being thoughtful. "I've been helping Carlos funnel money into his family's account in Mexico. Not even Andy knows about it. I promised Carlos I wouldn't tell anyone. It's stupid, I know, but his family is very poor and he cares about them a lot. It's his only redeeming quality."

"Shit." Ryan hadn't meant to curse out loud, but Felix heard it and turned to look at him.

"Is that a problem?"

"Probably not, but it's one more thing to tie you to these criminals." Ryan met Felix at the window, handing back her phone. "I don't like the idea of you meeting these men in a deserted forest at one in the morning. It's fucking insane, but having you talk to Carlos has reassured me a little. If Donovan thinks you're worth keeping around, I don't think it's a point and shoot and let's go have a beer situation." Felix shivered, and he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I'm sorry, Felix. I shouldn't have said that. Listen, you don't have to go through with this. I can arrange to have you flown across the country, across the world if that's what you want. You can start a whole new life."

Felix gave a determined shake of her head. "No way. Donovan is looking for my family. He knows my name and my background. He'll find them and threaten them if I don't cooperate. I'm in this, not just for myself, but for my family."