“I’m fine.”

She didn’t believe him, especially seeing the way he slowly pulled his arm back. She wanted to question him further, but she finally noticed what had made him stop—Jose's truck.

Steve reached under his thin jacket and retrieved his handgun. “Take this. Safety is on.” He pressed it into her hand. “You know how to use it?”

She nodded. “I go to the range every month.”

“Then you won’t miss.” He unlatched the rifle and grabbed the extra ammunition stored in the rack. “If you see a chance to grab Camila, you take it and you run. You get in this Jeep and you leave.”

“I’m not leaving you behind, Steve!”

Steve brushed his scarred knuckles along her cheek in the tenderest way. “Camila is the only priority. You and her getting back to the estate safely is all that matters.”

“Steve...” She tried to argue, but he silenced her with a loving kiss.

“Let’s go.”

She stared at him, frozen in place as he climbed out of the Jeep and disappeared into the haze of heavy rain. He was truly willing to die to protect her and Camila. He was willing to risk everything for them.

For me.

For my daughter.

She touched her tingling lips as her heart swelled and thumped madly in her chest.

I love him.

And I can’t lose him.

Refusing to let Diego or Jose or anyone else take her daughter or Steve, she hastened out of the Jeep. Steve had disappeared into the dense vegetation along the road. She could barely make the shape of him out up ahead and off to the left.

Not wanting to draw attention to him or to the gun she carried, she slipped it into the tight waistband of her jeans at the small of her back. She kept her gaze focused forward and away from Steve, hoping she could make it look as if she had come alone.

And then what?

What do I do if I find Camila?

What if I find Diego first?

Kill him. End him. Never let him threaten us again.

The thought of taking his life no longer bothered her. She’d always been so conflicted about it. Even after all the terrible things he had done, she’d been unable to let her brothers kill him.

Another mistake.

If she’d let Rafa handle things his way, none of this would be happening now.

But that also meant Steve wouldn’t be here in Mexico.

No second chance for them to connect.

No second chance for something more than a one-night stand.

A bloodcurdling scream tore through the rainstorm. Dina’s heart sank. It was a young girl’s scream.Camila.

No longer caring about stealth, she raced toward the sound. Lightning arced across the sky. Thunder clapped. Raindrops fell so fast and hard she could hardly see in front of her.

None of it mattered. None of it slowed her down. She was laser focused on saving her daughter.