Black Jack (Advantage Play #5) - Kelsie Rae Page 0,10

little sister?”

Shit.

5

Jack

The blood drains from my face before I lie straight through my teeth. “I met her when I was undercover.”

“And?” Embry presses.

“And we fell in love. She didn’t know I was an agent until I showed up on her doorstep a few weeks ago. I broke down and came clean about my past and––”

“How’d she take it? The fact you worked for the FBI?”

Worked.

I don’t miss the way he says it in past tense, but I don’t really blame him, either. The evidence that I’m innocent isn’t exactly in my favor, and my engagement to the key witness that proves my innocence is just the cherry on top of my messed up situation.

Clearing my throat, I answer, “Not great.”

“I can imagine. Aren’t you the enemy to them?”

Them. The mafia. The bad guys.

It’s funny. Now that time has passed, I’m not sure things are quite as black and white as I’d been led to believe. They were the only ones that had my back when my world blew up. And they’re the only ones who are trying to help me fix it.

“She came around to the idea after a little while,” I rasp, praying he can’t see the sheen of sweat collecting on my hairline.

“That was convenient for you.”

“She and her brother aren’t exactly close, which I found out during my time undercover. She always tried to distance herself from her connection with the mafia and only bothered to attend events when her brother held shit over her head. She didn’t want anything to do with it, though.”

“Interesting.”

I can’t tell whether or not he believes me. His expression is stone cold and makes my pulse rival a jackhammer.

“Dominic disappeared shortly before you did,” Embry divulges. “Did she know where he went?”

I shake my head. “No. Like I said, they aren’t exactly close. We both assumed Dominic was dead or taken into custody.”

“Her record is clean,” he notes.

I smile tightly, unsure what the hell he expects me to say.

“When’s the big day?”

No freaking clue.

“Soon,” I answer.

“And will my wife and I get an invitation?”

I nearly choke on my own spit. “I’m sorry?”

“To the wedding. We’d like to attend.”

Shiiit.

Swallowing past the golf ball in my throat, I answer, “Uh, yeah. Of course.”

“Good. You’re free to go, Connelly.” He waves his hand at the door again like a fly’s in his soup. “But remember to be careful who you trust.”

I hold his knowing stare like my future depends on it.

“I will.”

6

Bianca

The sun is warm as it hangs in the sky, kissing my cheeks in a way that’s almost comforting. I’ve been here for almost thirty minutes. What the hell is taking him so long?

I drum my nails against the hood of the car before standing on my tiptoes to sneak a peek at the exit. But even my three-inch heels don’t give me the vantage point I’m looking for. Annoyed, I pull out my phone and start scrolling through the endless mind mush that people call TikTok. My lips tilt into a smile when the cute little deaf dog learns she’s going on a walk and starts dancing around the living room like it’s the happiest day of her life.

Then I frown. Because I’m jealous of a stupid dog that can’t hear.

Boots crunch against the gravel that’s spread out along the parking lot and exit of the prison, distracting me from my completely insane response to a video online.

And there he is.

“Took you long enough, Jacky Boy,” I call out.

“Sorry, baby. Thanks for picking me up.” He closes the distance between us before snaking his arms around my lower back and kissing me like his life depends on it. My spine bends backward as my mind tries to process what the hell is happening.

Baby?

Since when am I his baby?

I can’t decide whether or not to push him away, but I do have to give him props. I was right with my initial assumption. He’s a good kisser, and the half-assed attempt during my first visit definitely didn’t do him justice. Between his strong hands digging into my hips and the way his muscular torso presses against mine, I can see the appeal.

He smells good too. It’s not like he’s doused in cologne, but his natural scent is a heady concoction and tickles my senses, making my mouth water. I’ve never liked kissing. Or sex for that matter, but the prelude of a kiss can be so…telling. And as his tongue slips into my mouth, teasing me, tempting me to take this to the