Page 76 of Strike Fast

In the meantime,El Escorpionhad reached out to the legendarysicarioMiguel “El Santo” Bautista through some back channel to set up a hit on Ruiz. Because of his ties to DeLuca and Colebrook through the women in their lives, Bautista had contacted them about the situation, and offered to be part of the op.

That was still something else Reid was trying to process. Why had Bautista volunteered for the stunt on the private jet? Maybe it was some kind of cartel justice or payback. Reid didn’t know what kind of compensation DeLuca had offered the man, but Reid would have given the man everything he owned in return for getting Autumn back safely.

And for the satisfaction of knowing that Ruiz, now in federal custody, was going to rot inside the deepest, darkest hole they could put him in. After they grilled him day and night until he spilled every last dirty secret about the cartel, its operations, and its shadowy head.

“The bad men who did this won’t ever scare or hurt anyone again,” he told Autumn, because it was important she know that. As for Javier, Reid suspected that piece of shit’s dismembered body would turn up over the next few days in a swamp somewhere down south. He hoped that before Javier died the bastard suffered the kind of torture Bautista had once been famous for.

All in all, he was just pathetically grateful thatEl Escorpionhad stepped in and prevented his daughter from suffering the same kind of fate that Victoria Gomez had endured. Or worse.

Releasing a shuddering breath, Reid kissed the top of his daughter’s head, breathing in her soapy, clean scent. Someone had cleaned her up and given her new pajamas. “Just glad you’re okay, baby girl.”

“I was really scared because I was alone in the dark. And they’d tied my hands and feet together behind my back so I couldn’t move, and put tape over my mouth so no one could hear me screaming.”

Oh, fuck, he was gonna have nightmares about that for months. Years. “You were so brave.”

“Then some more men came in and found me. Agents, kind of like you when you’re in your uniform. I was scared at first, because I thought they were more bad men, but then Tess was there.”

Tess.

Reid’s head came up, searching for her. God, he’d been so focused on Autumn, he’d forgotten she was there. He was such a shithead.

He spotted her halfway up the sidewalk leading away from the main entrance. He released Sarah and Autumn and shot to his feet. “Tess!”

She stopped, seemed to hesitate a moment before turning around. Why did she hesitate?

“Wait!” He broke into a jog, his chest filling with emotion as he took in the sight of her there, her face blotchy as though she’d been crying, her right arm secured to her body in a sling, and she was wearing his shirt.

She didn’t move as he ran, looking uncertain. Uncertain about what?

Reid ran straight up to her and wrapped his arms around her, carefully drawing her into his body so he didn’t hurt her arm. “Thank you,” he whispered fiercely, his mouth against her ear.

TESS SLID HER left arm around his waist and squeezed, resting her cheek against his shoulder.

“Don’t thank me,” she said, thrilled to be in his arms but hating to intrude on such a private, family moment. Her eyes were swollen and gritty from crying. She’d managed to hold it together during the emotional reunion until he’d buried his face in Autumn’s hair and lost it, and the sounds of those sobs ripping from him had just destroyed her. “I’m just glad she’s okay and back where she belongs.”

“No, I mean it. Having you there made all the difference. She said once she saw you, she wasn’t scared anymore.”

“I’m glad.”

Reid lifted his head and brushed a lock of hair away from her wet cheek, searching her eyes. “You were just going to walk away?” The hurt in his voice was reflected in his eyes.

“I thought you guys could use some privacy.”

“Not from you. That’s the last thing I want.” He hugged her tight to him, kissed the top of her head.

Oh, damn. She’d thought she was all cried out, but maybe not.

“Tess?”

At the quiet, feminine voice behind Reid, Tess pushed away from him and looked past him as Autumn’s mother approached, holding her daughter’s hand. Sarah Prentiss had light brown hair and a slender build, and her daughter had inherited her delicate features. “Hi.”

Sarah’s brown gaze flicked between her and Reid before focusing on Tess. “I’m Sarah.”

Tess cleared her throat. “Yes, hi.” She stuck out her left hand in an offer to shake, feeling awkward.

Sarah smiled at her, and it transformed her from pretty to beautiful, even with her red, puffy eyes. Instead of shaking Tess’s hand, she grasped it and pulled her into a hug, careful of her bandaged shoulder. “Thank you for what you did for Autumn. She told us all about it.”

“It was nothing,” Tess murmured, uncomfortable with all the thank yous.

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