****
Genie ran a hand through her free hair. Her nerves had been frayed ever since Rafa had dropped her off at the office. Diego phoned from the hospital, and her boss decided he and Rafa would follow up, just in case Drake was at the hospital. She begrudgingly agreed, especially after Winters reminded her of the paperwork she and Rafa let pile up over the last twenty-four hours.
“Genie!”
She jumped, and then cringed, rubbing a hand across her chest. Her ribs were still a bit sore from the blow she took at Flores’ house. If she ever got her hands on whichever of the murder suspects hit her—
“Whoa, whoa. Are you okay?” Familiar hands kneaded away the tension in her shoulders. “I’m sorry. Did I scare you?” Rafa came around and leaned against the side of her desk. Genie didn’t look up. “Eugenia?”
Genie licked her lips and met his eyes, hoping she hid any trace of her pleasure from his touch. He had to stop doing that, or she’d never want it to end. “What did Diego want?”
His eyes assessed hers. She wondered how well he could read them. “What’s wrong?”
He read well.
“How are Diego and Flores?”
He blew out a loud breath and took his seat across from her. “They’re not happy.”
“Well, what’s the timetable for the operation? This should be all over in a few days.”
“What operation?”
Genie’s lower lip dropped. “Wait, what do you mean what operation? I thought we were—”
“It’s not happening.”
The operation wasn’t happening. Diego and Flores were going into protective custody and the men after Diego were wandering around free. How were they going to catch them? She felt her ire against Compton rise. “Explain.”
Rafa described the almost knockdown, drag-out fight Winters had with Compton over the operation Genie and Rafa had suggested. Diego would be bait to catch Huera and Montenegro. But now… now…
“How did Diego take the news?” Genie asked.
“Well, that’s why he called. He needed someone to convince Compton who we were dealing with. But Compton didn’t want to hear it. He kept saying how this wasn’t California and the FBI did things their way. After that, I really can’t remember because I think I zoned out.” He gave her a quick grin.
Genie shook her head and swallowed a laugh.
Rafa released a sigh of exhaustion. “I don’t think I got through to him at all, but he claims everything is under control.”
“Meaning?”
Rafa shrugged. “Meaning who knows. Winters was furious, but we’re not the lead investigative agency anymore. It’s out of our hands.” Rafa groaned loudly and dragged both hands through his coiled hair. “As soon as we got back, Winters took a car to meet with the mayor to give him an update. Seems the news coverage has caused some concern among the public.”
“No kidding.” She had fielded a bunch of calls herself from concerned family and contacts, all wanting assurance the suspects would be in custody soon. Well, she was working on it… Well, technically not anymore. Poor Rafael. It meant a lot to him to put away these thugs. She watched him rub at day-old stubble on his jaw and lines of exhaustion and frustration on his forehead.
Rafa glanced at the mound of paperwork on her desk. “How’s the documentation coming?”
Genie sighed. “I think you’ll need to re-read my work. I have absolutely no idea what I’ve been typing these last few hours.”
Rafa chuckled.
Chapter Fourteen
Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Page 32
