Page 11 of The Art of You

“Also, as I said before, I’m sure your father would enjoy your company. Well, whenever he gets here, at least.” That light laugh from her had to be fucking tough. I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes.

“Alpha Team is moving in on target now,” Constantine announced over comms. “The second possible target was acquired on my end as well. Hold for more.”

That second target had me sweeping my gaze lazily over to the security camera. Whoever else was watching us now had no clue they were seconds away from coming face-to-face with death.

Carla gestured toward the doors. “So, shall we return to the party?”

“The ambo’s daughter is safe.” At Constantine’s words, Bella squeezed my arm in relief.

I immediately shared the news, “Your daughter is okay. My team has her.”

Carla cupped her mouth, taking a few faltering steps forward. The two guards at her side caught her, preventing her from crumpling to the floor as she let the tears she’d been holding back fall freely. She was a mother before us now, not an ambassador.

“Gracias.Thank you.” Carla swiped at her tears with the backs of her hands, working to collect herself.

“I don’t understand.” The security guard at her left, Eduardo, said something in Spanish, which I roughly translated as,Why didn’t you tell us about the real plan?

Rafael answered for her, also in Spanish. From what I understood, while he’d been in the know about the events tonight, apparently her other guards hadn’t.

“We clear here?” I asked Constantine while her security personnel continued with their heated chat.

“Overwatch took out two men who came for me after I killed their tech guy in the van down the street.” He paused, sounding only mildly breathless from the altercation. “In my defense, he tried to kill me first.”

Sure he did.“Any intel in that van to suggest how many guys they have on-site here?”

“From the looks of it, only three were transmitting from their secure line, including their comms guy in the van. We should be clear, but heads on a swivel just in case.”

“Roger that,” I responded as the doors flung open. On instinct, I protectively hauled Bella around behind me but went at ease seeing my father.

“I just heard the news Lola’s okay.” He went straight for Carla, pulling her into his arms as Rafael shut the doors to any potential eavesdroppers.

Based on the way my father was holding her, with their bodies flush, I had to assume they were more than just friends, which was why she’d gone to him for help when her daughter was taken in the first place.Andwhy he’d turned to me for a private assist, bypassing the Bureau so the ambassador didn’t risk her daughter’s life by working with them.

“Everything is good. Three tangos on-site down, but I’d keep your security detail on alert in case we have any moreassholes outside,” I told my father, even though it was obvious Constantine had already texted him. I just wasn’t sure how much he’d had time to share.

My father let go of Carla and faced me, working the knot of his tie loose. “I made a call to the FBI director and let him know that only one agent was privately tasked with the rescue on my behalf.” He slapped a hand over my shoulder. “But you were not involved tonight. We clear?”

“Yeah, got it.” I didn’t exactly make it a habit of letting my former employer know what I did for a living since technically taking justice into my own hands wasn’t entirely legal.

“The guys are about to hand over Lola to your Fed friend,” Constantine shared.

Special Agent Adelina Cattaneo was the only one I’d pulled in from the Bureau for help. We’d remained in contact ever since I’d turned in my badge years ago, and I trusted her.

“Your daughter will soon be in FBI custody, and you can meet up with her.” I tipped my head at Carla. “You did good. I can see why you’re in the job you are.”

My father drew Carla tight to his side, the same way I had Bella. I quickly read the,Don’t ask,look in his blue eyes. No worries there. Who he dated wasn’t my business.

“Diplomacy doesn’t always work, which is why I’m grateful to have people like you helping out.” Carla patted my chest, then glanced at her security team, shooting the two guys who hadn’t been read in on the mission details what I viewed as an apologetic look.

“You keep anyone alive for questioning?” Eduardo asked me.

“My brothers kept two of the kidnappers alive,” Constantine answered, and I relayed the information.

“Why? You want a sit down with them?” I asked Eduardo.

“These men think they could get away with takingSeñoraAldana’s daughter, so yeah, I do want totalkto them,” Eduardo hissed.

“Well, that’s not up to me.” Something about his tone and the look in his eyes rubbed me the wrong way. “We won’t be babysitting these assholes for too long. You’ll have to talk to the Feds about that.” I started for the door and Rafael stepped around us, beating me to the punch to open up.

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