Page 45 of Her Protector Daddies

I sent him a withering glance. “Okay, sure. But my point is that even we can see that it’s not like him. This guy cleans up problems within twenty-four hours, and here we are, weeks later, with the robbery still high-profile news in all circles. I think he wants to flex just how unphased he is by what Marcus did. To show everyone that he’s untouchable.”

Aubrey nodded along slowly, pausing to tuck a few stray curls behind one ear.

“If we could get eyes into that party, eyes on the deal,” I said. “Not only will we get an idea of what’s going down at the party, but a man like Andrés is so fucking cocky. He’ll be bragging about how much he doesn’t care and if we’re lucky, we’ll get details about the deal and his new associates, and maybe?—.”

“—Maybe he’ll slip up about what’s so important about what Marcus stole,” Aubrey finished for me.

“Exactly,” Tyler smirked. “The guys basically hosting a look at me I’m still on top event for some kind of drug deal. That’s a bruised ego if I ever saw one. He might slip up if we can ask the right questions and lean into that defensiveness.”

“You know the chances of that are slim.” Aubrey pushed up from where she was leaning against her desk and moved around to take her seat. “But given what you told me earlier, eyes inside that party do feel like the best move.”

Her brow remained pinched as she settled both her elbows on her desk, and it was only then that I noticed an uncertain look in her eyes that made my gut flip uncomfortably.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, dryness sweeping across my mouth.

“Have you gotten any closer with Marcus?” she asked, ignoring my question.

“No, Ma’am,” Tyler lied immediately. “We’ve heard nothing so far.”

An unspoken agreement passed between Tyler and I. Marcus currently wasn’t a reliable lead and we didn’t want to scare him away too early, not until we had something concrete to use.

Aubrey’s deflection didn’t go unnoticed, though and I continued to press her. “Captain, what’s wrong?”

The uncomfortable twisting sensation in my gut was growing with every passing second and I got the distinct feeling that she had already made a decision before we even stepped foot into her office.

“Major Crimes had an inkling that something was going down with Andrés,” she said, threading her fingers together and laying her hands flat on the desk. “And given what you’ve told me, it confirms most of what we suspected so the idea to put eyes in the party was already on the table.”

I knew immediately that I wouldn’t like whatever she had to say next.

“We want to put Selena?—.”

“No,” barked out of me without hesitation. “Not a fucking chance.” There was no way in hell I was going to let them put Selena in a position of danger. Not when she was clearly already a target for Andrés.

“Captain, you can’t be serious.” The restrained anger in Tyler’s voice was much more controlled than my own, but I didn’t care.

“Hear me out,” Aubrey said, raising one hand to silence us.

Anger, like rising bile, flooded my throat but it was only through a pointed gaze from Tyler that I was able to stay quiet. I could hear her stupid plan and then curse her out.

“Andrés is after Selena, that much is clear but they’re after her because of - we theorize at least - what Marcus stole. Either because she is the only direct link to him or because they want to use her as a bargaining chip. If we put the word out on the streets that she’s seeking revenge on her father, I’m confident Andrés will bite.”

My brow dipped and something caught in my mind while one hand flexed against my thigh. Captain Watts was the last person I ever would have guessed to be willing to put a civilian in danger.

“You’re confident?” I remarked sharply.

Her eyes narrowed at me as she continued. “As you said, he’s cocky and he’ll happily use Selena to get to Marcus. Planting the seed that she’s after revenge, that they have something in common, will prompt Andrés into seeking a partnership.”

“Sure,” I growled tightly. “He’ll let her into that party, use her to get Marcus and then kill her right after.”

“This is insane.” Tyler rose to his feet, his shoulders shifting uncomfortably. “There are far too many unpredictable, moving parts for someone inexperienced and untrained to be put in a position like this. Selena could get hurt.”

Could? Andrés doesn’t have a forgiving bone in his body and Selena would simply become a direct witness. And Andrés didn’t let witnesses survive.

“I’m sorry.” Aubrey swallowed hard, a visible sound that irritated me immediately. “The Chief already asked for it. He thinks it’s a fantastic idea.”

“The Chief?” What the hell was he getting involved for?

“Bailey,” Aubrey snapped slightly. “You have to understand, we have been after Andrés for decades and now we finally have a chance to get someone in with him. I know this isn’t the smoothest idea but we’re past the point where we can take chances. We’re the law here, and Andrés walks around like he’s untouchable.”

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