Page 82 of Shadow Undercover

Thin Man and Bulky veered to the hallway on the right, leading Trace and Bridget away from the entrance.

“Infrared tracking,” he murmured to his team leader. Nico and Ben would have to utilize the satellite link to track him and Bridget inside the house.

“Copy.”

They walked a long corridor covered with ornate frames and more oil paintings. From the schematics Bridget found, the flunkies were circling the central courtyard toward the back of the house. Another entire wing of the house had been built back there, encircling a second, smaller courtyard with a water fountain and rock garden.

The men strode into the second section of the hacienda, one with more security. Bulky swiped an ID card through a scanner. Seconds later, the lock disengaged and Thin Man opened the door.

Bulky folded his arms across his chest when Trace moved closer. “No armed visitors. Boss’s order.”

Trace eased Bridget behind him again. “He’ll have to make an exception. I don’t go anywhere unarmed.” He smiled, more a baring of his teeth than a real smile. “No offense, but I don’t trust anyone except my woman.”

Thin Man scowled. “Why should he grant you a special privilege?”

“Take your boss the message. He has two minutes to respond or our negotiation ends.”

Bulky laughed. “You’ll be dead before you go twenty feet.”

Trace glanced at his watch. “One minute and forty-five seconds.”

Thin Man ordered his buddy to watch them as he rounded a corner and disappeared from view. Fifteen seconds from Trace’s deadline, Thin Man returned, eyes glittering with anger. “Come with me.”

Trace waited until Bulky followed his friend before trailing the men. They continued along the corridor until they reached an office with a set of double doors, a heavily-armed guard on each side of the door.

Thin Man glared at Trace. “If you try to harm the boss, your girlfriend dies first. Your death will be slow and painful.”

“Better men than you have tried and failed to kill me. You will never know when I have you in my crosshairs. Breathe wrong, even look at my woman wrong, and you’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”

The double doors swung open. A tall, well-built man with dark hair and eyes stood in the doorway. “Enough, Fernando. I have important things to discuss with our guest of honor.” His gaze slid to Bridget, eyes brightening as he took in her appearance. “Who is this lovely woman?”

Trace watched for signs that Hugo recognized her and saw nothing except a lascivious creep ogling Bridget. The muscle in his jaw hardened. “Mine.”

Amusement lit the criminal’s face. “Of course. I would still like an introduction so I’m able to greet her by name.”

“Bree Ramsey, meet Hugo Torino, the new head of the Torino organization.”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you think I wasn’t aware of who solicited my services? I’m careful and thorough. I wouldn’t respond to your request if I didn’t know your identity. After all, law enforcement authorities are eager to toss me in jail or plant me six feet under. They don’t appreciate my marketable skills.”

“How did you uncover my identity?”

“A friend with superior hacking skills.” Trace’s lips curved. “Don’t bother trying to track him. You won’t succeed.”

Hugo glanced at Bulky who nodded and left the room.

Trace squashed the guilt at most likely signing the death warrant of Hugo’s computer tech. The tech had aligned himself with Hugo. The job perks came with a serious risk. Looked like the gamble didn’t pay off this time.

The crime boss invited Bridget and Trace to enter the room. “Fernando will remain in the room since you’re armed.” He shifted his attention to Bridget. “We haven’t searched your girlfriend for weapons.”

“No one touches her but me. Bree isn’t an operator. The skills I appreciate most from her don’t have anything to do with weapons.”

Hugo smiled as he slowly completed a visual inventory of Bridget’s body. Only iron discipline prevented Trace from plowing his fist into the smug criminal’s face.

“Eyes right here,” Trace snapped.

“Ice it down, Trace,” Nico murmured.

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