"Man, how much longer would it take?" – Cruz was pacing impatiently. Some important drug dealer from L.A. came to cut deal with Sanchez. Sykes was his name, or something like that. Sanchez couldn't do it so he asked her to take care of it. It wasn't the first time she was replacing him. He trusted her or maybe was still testing whether he could?

Since Kelly's death she really committed herself to this business. Sanchez respected her and demanded it from his guys. In fact most of them treated her seriously and obeyed her orders. Now she was standing in the abandoned warehouse waiting for that idiot from West Coast that apparently had problems with using watch. Maybe she should explain him how to do it the moment he appeared?

Or maybe it was a set-up? No, it couldn't be, she double-checked everything. She even called LAPD and tricked them into sharing information that they had on that jagoff. Where the hell this jagoff come from? She never used this word before and why now? Never mind, probably heard it from one of the Sanchez's guys. But back to the subject, making cops believe that she was cop herself, from New York and worked on this case was a piece of cake. Just like eluding Bradley. Toying with him and sending on wild-goose chases was indeed fun. But now he had some back- up and it might become harder.

Especially the officer that Bradley introduced to her as Sergeant Boscorelli was intriguing. He might cause problems, she was well aware of that. He was staring at her like a cat ready to swallow his prey. Deep down something was telling her that it wasn't just a normal, healthy criminal- cop relationship, that there was something more to that. Beside he seemed oddly familiar , she just couldn't piece this together. When she touched his cheek it felt like electricity running through her hand. Subconsciously she wanted to be close to him. When their eyes met it was impossible to break this connection. She had to do it in order to regain control of herself. That's why she backed away and moved toward the counter. It gave her some space and opportunity to cool off. "The attraction was palpable. And more importantly, mutual. "- she thought, unaware of the fact that she was grinning.

" I see that Sanchez sends me a nice welcome present before completing the deal. Mixing pleasure and business, isn't it? Hey babe, tell your boss to show up and we will have some fun later."-a man wearing white, expensive suit appeared. Judging from appearances he was smug, over-confident and didn't know how dangerous it could be to piss Cruz off.

She definitely intended on "having some fun with him". She would show him how deadly crossing her path could be.

"My boss had something more important to attend to. I am the one cutting the deal with you. Accept it or leave. And don't call me babe or next time you will do it in soprano. Clear?"-she told him in calm, business – like voice.

"No need to be so harsh. But this way you are even sexier."- he moved toward her but was stopped by one of the Sanchez's goons. Sanchez ordered them to make sure that she was safe and they would do anything to protect her.

"Ok, I got it, I will keep my distance, just don't touch me again. Is he always so protective of you?"- Sykes was rubbing his probably sprained wrist.

"Only when I am told to."- the bodyguard answered laconically.

"Beside it was just a warning. Trust me you don't want to piss him off ."- she said looking at him.

"I think that we should really get to know each…."- For Cruz's taste he was behaving far too unceremoniously.

"Quit chatting and get down to business. You have something for me and I have something for you. So let's exchange with our briefcases and hope that we won't meet again."- she pushed a small briefcase toward him. He did the same. She took it and headed toward exit.

"How do you know I didn't cheat you?"- Sykes had incredibly smug expression on his face.

"It's simple."- she stopped few inches away from him and eyed him. " If you had tried anything you would be finished in this business. And Sanchez would personally make sure that you were swimming with fishes in your lovely, hot Pacific Ocean." With that she turned around and left.