Page 45 of Wicked Suspicion

He shrugged. “You know a hell of a lot for an archaeologist. Want to fill me in?”

There was something vaguely suspicious in his tone, but she didn’t blame him. Nyx did owe Case some information. It was important to him to get it, too, or he wouldn’t be quizzing her now. They were at risk this close to the inn and shouldn’t be talking at all.

“My dad trained me with all kinds of pistols and rifles, including assault rifles.”

“Your dad?” The question had depth to it beyond the simple two words. It seemed as if Case didn’t trust her completely.

“My dad,” Nyx affirmed. “He wanted me to be able to take care of myself. He was a chief warrant officer in the US Army before he retired. For most of my childhood, he was Special Forces, a Green Beret.”

Case looked down at her. “That explains a lot.”

Nyx wasn’t certain how to take that.

He didn’t give her a chance to form a question before he said, “Now I know why you weren’t afraid of me at the market, I guess.” He grinned.

It didn’t last long. The front door to the inn opened, and Case went hyperalert. Two men came out. They had a brief conversation, then went their separate ways. It was a long moment before he put his mouth to her ear and breathed, “Stay quiet.”

Nyx nodded. She could do that. Easily. Because Case’s smile knocked all the sense right out of her brain. She was in trouble, and even her strong-willed determination might not be enough to keep her safe.

Chapter 19

Case stayed in the trees behind the inn and waited. The bar had closed about half an hour ago, but he wasn’t ready to move yet. Nyx stood patiently beside him. She didn’t ask questions, and she didn’t chat. Before she told him about her father, he might have wondered over her forbearance. Now he wondered how much training her dad had given her.

Pushing the questions away, he returned his thoughts to the primary issue. Getting inside and retrieving Nyx’s things. Señor Alvarez, the innkeeper, had been in Puerto Jardinese special forces, and last year, his wife had been taken hostage. It was a good bet he’d reinforced his security around the building.

The safest course of action was to use the front door.

He didn’t like it. They’d be exposed, visible to anyone in the area who happened to be looking out their window. Vargas had employees who lived in town, and they’d report Nyx’s presence to the drug lord.

He’d rather go in the back door or through a window, but he didn’t want to try dismantling booby traps with a civilian beside him.

They could leave her things behind, except Case had met Alvarez. He took his guests’ safety seriously. The miracle was that he hadn’t already launched a mission to rescue Nyx. The man was in his seventies. His two friends who’d also been in the presidential brigade were his age or older. Stony, his former teammate, would kick Case’s ass if he allowed anything to happen to the three old men.

So they’d go inside, he’d let Alvarez see Nyx was fine, they’d get her things, and he’d take her to a safe house he’d set up near here.

Front door. He grimaced. “On my heels,” he reminded her in a whisper. He didn’t need to see Nyx’s nod to know she was with him. He could feel her at his back. Case didn’t linger on the street. He went up the steps to the inn. “You need to go first.” He hated that.

Another nod and she reached for the door.

The room went silent. It wasn’t only Señor and Señora Alvarez cleaning up for the night. Señors Otero and Garcia were there as well. The three men had a map on the table in front of them.

Case nudged Nyx forward and closed the door behind them. He didn’t like their backs exposed or anyone knowing someone had entered the inn this late at night.

Señora Alvarez headed toward them. Her expression suggested she was prepared to do battle for Nyx. “You’re safe?”

“Sí,” Nyx said. “My fiancé got me off the compound.”

“Fiancé?” The woman stopped in her tracks. Her gaze went to Case, and she frowned. “He is a mercenary.”

“It’s all right, Izel,” Señor Alvarez said as he stood. “This man is a friend. I met him last year while you were held at the hacienda. He works with Zofia’s husband.”

The relief that crossed Señora Alvarez’s face spoke volumes about what she knew, but in the next moment, it was gone. “Are you hungry?” she asked Nyx. “I can warm up some stew for you.”

“Gracias, Señora Alvarez, but I ate.”

“We can’t stay,” Case said. “We’re only here to get Nyx’s things and let you know she’s okay.”

“Vargas will be looking for her?” Alvarez asked.

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