Page 22 of Stalking His Target

How much does she really know about what her uncle does for a living?

Is it possible she’s completely ignorant?

I’m worried about yesterday morning. She was definitely trying to get at something with all those questions. It’s possible she’s on to me. But if she was, why would she invite me to come to Mexico with her?

Too many questions. Not enough answers.

My insides are all twisted up, and my skull is wracked by the world’s worst migraine, pain caused by the barrage of thoughts rampaging through my mind. It’s all I can do to act cheerful. I had to make up a story about how flying always gives me a headache, just so I wouldn’t come off as nervous during the trip.

But I am nervous. Because today is the second most important day of my life.

I used to think the most important day of my life was when I joined the agency. But I was wrong. The most important day of my life was when I first set eyes on Layla. When I fell in love with her. When I knew it was my purpose to guard her with my life. But the outcome of today will determine whether or not that dream is possible or if our relationship will crash and burn.

We’re greeted on the tarmac by two black SUVs and four grim-looking men wearing tailored maroon suits. They give me a quick pat-down and demand I hand over my cell phone.

“Mr. Hernandez likes his privacy” is the explanation given. It’s clear there is no discussion to be had.

So I put on my clueless and compliant American act and do as I’m told. I have my secret ghost phone and single-shot ghost gun in a hidden compartment in my luggage. Neither show up on any modern scanners or x-rays, so unless they’ve got a mole from the CIA working with them, I should be fine.

“You’ve got to be on your best behavior,” Layla tells me, her voice shaking as we get in one of the trucks. “My uncle is…a very serious man.”

“Don’t worry.” I smile, acting overly sincere. “So am I. When I want to be.”

“I’m serious, Taylor!” She’s clearly doing her best not to show how on edge she is. “Just try to show him how great of a guy you are, and everything will be fine.”

“Why wouldn’t everything be fine?” I ask. “He’s just a nice avocado farmer, right?”

Layla pauses, cheeks red, and glances at the two men up front, then looks back to me. “Right.”

Once we’re out of the city, the landscape starts to open up. It’s mostly desert with patches of cactus, shrubs, and rocky terrain. Pillowy white clouds hang in the sky, and if I wasn’tso jittery about today’s mission, I might be able to enjoy just looking out the window at the scenery.

I need to tell her.

I need to just put my cards on the table and let her react.

But that’s impossible.

Not only would that jeopardize the mission, but Layla would never love me again.

I’ve backed myself into a trap of my own making, and there’s no way out.

Despite the air conditioner, I’m sweating. I wipe my forehead on the back of my sleeve. Maybe there’s some way I could tender my resignation and just never divulge any of this to Layla. I could just act like the clueless construction-worker boyfriend, then go back to Texas with her and get a totally different job.

Maybe I could sell furniture or kitchen appliances.

But leaving the agency would mean betraying my father.

What would he think of me if I just let the cartels go unpunished like that?

He’d be ashamed of me.

The drive to her uncle’s compound takes just over a half an hour, but it feels like half a day of torture. His place is an enormous, gated mansion with lots of brilliant grass, three fountains, and millions of dollars’ worth of luxury cars parked in the circular driveway. Layla squeezes my hand as we pull up to the front door.

I turn and look at her and am nearly overwhelmed by the intense feelings that hit me like a hammer to the chest. No matter how long I’m with her, she always floors me with her beauty, her innocence, her countless qualities that overwhelm me daily.

“I love you, you know that?”

Layla frowns and nods slowly. “I know that, babe.” She didn’t say it back. There’s definitely something going on with her.

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