“Says the woman built out of pure steel and willpower,” Isabel shot back, flashing her a grin. “Normal people have body heat, Langley. Some of us don’t thrive in emotionally repressed temperatures.”
Victoriadefinitelydidn’t smile. Not even a little.
She adjusted the volume on the surveillance feed, listening to the soft static before switching channels. The rest of theteam was stationed nearby in unmarked vehicles, waiting for movement, but so far—nothing.
And that left her alone in a van. With Isabel. Forhours.
Fantastic.
Isabel shifted beside her, pulling one knee up onto the seat, turning slightly in Victoria’s direction. “So, tell me, Captain.” Her voice was low, teasing. “How long can you keep up the wholeI’m completely unaffectedact before you crack?”
Victoria turned to her, slow and deliberate. “I’m not playing a game, Torres.”
Isabel’s smirk deepened. “That’s adorable. You think you’re not.”
Victoria clenched her jaw and turned back to the lot.Patience. Control.
Silence stretched between them for a few moments before Isabel sighed dramatically. “You know, we could at least try to make this interesting.”
Victoria arched a brow. “We’re working.”
“We’rewaiting.” Isabel corrected. “And I’m dying of boredom. Come on, Langley, humor me.”
Victoria didn’t respond. So, of course, Isabel kept going.
“All right. How about a game?”
“No.”
“Wow. That was fast.”
Victoria kept her expression neutral. “I’m here to work. Not entertain you.”
Isabel hummed, tapping her fingers against the console. “Okay. No games. Let’s talk, then.”
Victoria sighed. “About what?”
“Tell me something about you I don’t know.”
Victoria gave her a look. “This isn’t a first date, Torres.”
Isabel grinned. “No, but you’reactinglike it is, which is honestly more interesting than anything I could’ve hoped for.”
Victoria exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet,” Isabel said, tilting her head, “here we are. In a van. Together. Alone.” She rested her chin on her hand, studying Victoria with that sharp, assessing gaze. “Funny how that keeps happening.”
Victoria’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
She knows exactly what she’s doing.
But Victoria wasn’t playing. Not withthis.Not with something that could derail everything she’d built. She could shut this down. Right now. Set a boundary. Remind Isabel exactly where they stood.
And yet?—
The words wouldn’t come. Because Isabel’s confidence wasinfuriatingly attractive.Because every damned thing she said made Victoria’s pulse tick higher. Because some part of her—some reckless, dangerous part—wanted to know what it would feel like to let Isabel push her past the line.
And that was the problem. She wasn’t supposed to want this.
