Naughty: Nice [chapter 3]

Marcus reached out, his hand covering hers. His grip was firm, grounding, and entirely too comfortable.

Elena looked at the file folder sitting between them. It was labeled Project Kringle —a name so wholesome it made her stomach turn. Inside were the routing numbers that shouldn't exist and the signatures she had forged with a shaking hand just three hours ago. Naughty Nice [Chapter 3]

Elena sat in the corner booth of 'The Daily Grind,' watching the snow turn to gray slush against the windowpane. Opposite her, Marcus was doing that thing with his pen—clicking it in a rhythmic, agonizing pulse that matched the ticking of the wall clock. To anyone else, they looked like two coworkers finishing a late-shift project. To Elena, they looked like a crime scene waiting to happen. Marcus reached out, his hand covering hers

"Maybe not," he conceded with a faint, dangerous smirk. "But the villains always have more fun at the after-party." It was labeled Project Kringle —a name so

Elena felt the last of her hesitation dissolve, replaced by a cold, sharp adrenaline. She pulled the folder toward her and clicked her own pen.

"The choice was made the moment we signed that first contract," he reminded her. He leaned across the table, the scent of expensive cologne and cold winter air rolling off him. "Don't get cold feet just because the lights are prettier this time of year. We’re deep enough that the only way out is through."