Page 23 of Ravaged Hearts

I winced as I hesitated with my answer, because all I wanted to do was spill my secrets and accept full blame for this nightmare. Then I felt Vaughn’s arm curl around my shoulders. He drew me against his tall, hard body, and the reassurance of his hold was the only thing stopping me from breaking down and confessing every one of my sins.

“She didn’t say anything because I told her not to,” Vaughn said in a harsh tone. “And because I didn’t think they’d be stupid enough to come back. It doesn’t matter now, anyway. The cartel wants Hope dead, so I’m taking her far away from here. If they come looking, tell them she’s gone.”

Javi snorted. “You think that will stop them from turning over every home in the village looking for her or from questioning the people in the community until someone gives her up?”

The cartel would use whatever means necessary to flush me out, just like they’d tried to today.

“No,” Vaughn replied. “That’s why I’m sending you backup.”

“What kind of backup?” I asked. I thought his team was busy on other missions.

Vaughn dragged a hand through his hair. “A general in the Mexican Army owes the team a favor. It’s a big ask, but if anyone can make it happen, it’s Brandon. We’ll request they bring in a unit to provide protection until we can sort something else out.”

I turned to face him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my eyebrows had merged with my hairline. “A general in the Mexican Army owes you a favor?”

“Long story. His daughter was kidnapped, and we were able to help out.”

Sometimes I forgot that Vaughn did crazy black-opsmissions for a living. It was hard to reconcile this version of him with my tattooed control freak.

Javi narrowed his eyes on Vaughn. “Whoareyou?”

“NotHope’s cousin.” The two men stared at each other while an uncomfortable silence brewed between them, but thankfully, Javi didn’t push Vaughn for a better explanation.

“Time to go,” Vaughn said. He held out his hand, and I took it.

Then we left Javi’s and the village center.

I didn’t know if I’d set foot here ever again.

10

VAUGHN

We sped out of Playa de la Palmera just as quickly as we’d arrived, stopping at Daphne’s briefly to explain the situation.

I credited the doc’s experience as a trauma surgeon for her handling our shocking update with such a level head. She’d cussed me out for taking Hope to meet with la Mano Roja, then quickly moved on by helping us collect a few belongings to take to Montana while giving reassurances that she and the dogs would manage without us.

Hope demanded Daphne contact us if she suffered an MS flare-up. And I’d make sure the army knew this house was a potential cartel target and to post a roadblock preventing threats from reaching it.

The plan wasn’t foolproof, but it was the best I could offer. Right now, getting Hope out of the country was my priority.

Hope told me Titan didn’t travel well in a car and would likely need sedation for the long plane journey. She also figured the sudden relocation to the ranch would overwhelm her anxious pup. Our next moves were uncertain, which meantwe might not be able to give Titan the care he needed, so he’d remain with Daphne.

After quickly changing out of our bloody clothes and saying our goodbyes, Hope and I were back in the truck, headed to the airport again.

In the passenger seat, Hope wrung her hands in her lap. “Running like this doesn’t feel right.”

“I know. But you’re more use in Montana, where we can work with Brandon and Sage to find your father. With the intel we gained from Miguel last night, we can run a search on Manzanillo, which means we’ll need you to eyeball any possible compound locations.”

She exhaled a heavy breath. “I suppose so.” When I glanced across, I found her staring at her phone screen. On it was a selfie of her and Mari giving the peace sign with their tongues out.

“That’s the last photo we took together.” She scrolled through others, zooming in on Mari’s smiling face. “Apart from Dee, Mari was my first real friend here. She was no angel, but she took me under her wing when I started working at Javi’s and was always kind. You know, she never asked about my scars. Not because she didn’t care. She was allowing me the space to tell her in my own time.” Hope sniffed and rubbed her nose. “I never did, of course. I wanted to, but the less she knew, the better, right?”

“No good would’ve come from sharing that story.”

“I know.” She pressed the phone into her lap like it hurt to continue looking at it. “It’s happening again. More people are dying because of me.”

“Hey.” I reached across and took her hand. “None of this is your fault.”

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