Page 48 of Fast Vengeance

Did he suspect that she and Brock were involved? Whether he did or not, it didn’t matter now. “I’ll do whatever I can to assist you in finding Agent Hamilton.”

He gave a tight smile. “Thank you. I realize this puts you at risk. Rest assured, we’ll make sure you have adequate protection the entire time.”

She nodded, appreciating the reassurance, but she was only concerned about Brock right now. Even with all she’d suffered from the cartel, she was absolutely going to Mexico. “I’m ready.” Ready to go into enemy territory and do whatever was necessary to save Brock.

“Good. I’ll get you the flight info as soon as I’ve got it.”

Victoria’s heart pounded as she left the room and headed for the elevator. She hoped the plane would be ready soon, because she couldn’t stand waiting when Brock was being held captive.

Rounding the corner, she stopped when she saw Oceane standing there with her cell in hand, looking sad. “You all right?”

“Yes. No. I’m not sure.”

Victoria pulled her into a hug, squeezed her fiercely. “Thank you. I know it’s a totally inadequate thing to say in light of the risks you’re taking to do this, but…thank you.”

Oceane nodded, returning the embrace. “You love him.”

“Yes.” She didn’t even consider pretending otherwise with Oceane.

“Even though you’re leaving tomorrow.”

“I’m not leaving tomorrow,” Victoria said as she pulled back.

Those pretty blue-gray eyes focused on her. “You’re not?”

She shook her head. “I’m flying down to Veracruz with you tonight.”

Oceane’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes. They want me to assist with the investigation from there, because of my background.” Her lips curved in a humorless smile. “I’m considered a bona fide insider expert on the Veneno cartel because of my investigative work and my insider knowledge gained during captivity. They also thought you’d be more comfortable if I went along, plus it’ll only cost them a plane ticket. But I don’t care about why they’re sending me. I just want to help Brock any way I can.”

A relieved smile spread across her friend’s face. “I’m so glad you’re coming.”

“Me too. I just wish we were on the flight down there already. For Brock, every minute counts.”

“Yes.” She reached out for Victoria’s hand, squeezed. “We’ll get him back. I swear it.”

Victoria prayed it was true. Because the alternative would destroy what was left of her soul.

****

Brock’s teeth chattered as he came to in complete darkness. His head pounded and there was a bitter, metallic taste in his mouth.

Whatever they had injected him with was wearing off, but he was groggy as hell and his hands and feet were bound to the chair he was on. He was shirtless. They had removed the hood but he still couldn’t see anything.

Snippets of what had happened came back to him. The Taser. The sting of the needle. Being locked in the trunk.

Jesus, he was freezing, his entire body wracked with uncontrollable shivers. Did they have him in a damn freezer?

A door opened, letting in a tiny amount of light. Quiet footsteps sounded outside the room, then three silhouettes appeared, backlit in the doorway.

Brock sat up straight and steeled himself for what happened next, fighting the lingering fuzziness in his brain. But maybe it would be a blessing. Maybe it would help numb whatever they planned to do to him.

The blinding beam of a flashlight seared his retinas. He slammed his eyes shut and turned his face away from the light, but just as quickly forced them open and squinted at the man holding it. At first the image was blurry, then it slowly took form and came into focus.

His heart sank like a block of concrete.

Manny Nieto stood in front of him, flanked by two big men, one of them his head of security.

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