Page 59 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Navarro grimaced guiltily. “The reason we called you over is because we found out where Isaacs might be hiding and we’d like you guys to assist us in taking him and his men down.” The agent removed a file from his jacket and placed it on the table. “We’ve been monitoring a property in Queens. Our surveillance suggests Isaacs is using it as his base of operations in New York. Rumor on the grapevine is they have a boat coming to pick them up soon.” He opened the folder and pushed it toward Vlad.

Delphine’s pulse quickened as she studied the photographs it contained.

The building was a three-story warehouse near the waterfront.

“How sure are you about this intel?” she asked the agent sharply.

“Very.” Navarro indicated one of the images. “That guy is rumored to be Santana’s right-hand man. And those”—he pointed at three figures in dark clothes entering through a side door—“are his enforcers.”

“When was this taken?” Vlad demanded.

“Yesterday morning.” Navarro’s expression hardened. “We believe Santana himself arrived in New York five days ago.”

The hairs lifted on the back of Delphine’s neck. She exchanged a startled look with Vlad and Cortes.

That would coincide with the attack at theOro Divino.

Vlad’s next words sent a jolt of surprise through her.

“Give us twenty-four hours,” the incubus told Navarro in a steely voice. “Let us deal with this our way first.”

The agent frowned. “This operation is ours to lead in the first place. There’s no way we’re letting you guys go in there on your own.”

“Vlad is right,” Delphine said with a frown. “Considering they managed to give you guys the slip and attacked theOro Divino, it could be there’s a mole in your agency.”

“She has a point,” Wei Chen murmured in the tense hush.

The lines around Navarro’s eyes tightened.

“I can’t deny that possibility,” the agent admitted grudgingly.

“They’ll be looking out for a large sting operation,” Delphine said. “We’ll have a better chance eliminating them with a small group of people.”

“And a tiger,” Wei Chen murmured.

Navarro drummed his fingers on the table.

“Look, you have nothing to lose,” Cortes said with a shrug. “You can be the backup if you’re that worried about us.”

Navarro made a face. “The only time you’ll ever need backup is if Hell freezes over.”

Cortes smiled flintily.

Navarro deflated, his expression suggesting he was acting against his best judgment. “You have eighteen hours. After that, we move in.” He pushed back his chair and rose. “I’ll be in touch. Good luck.”

They watched the agent leave.

“Is he always that blunt?” Vlad said to no one in particular.

“Yes.” Wei Chen sighed at Vlad’s cool stare. “I truly am sorry about what happened.”

“Save it,” Vlad snapped. “I thought we were friends.” He narrowed his eyes. “You used me.”

“Yes, I did.” The Triad leader met his gaze without flinching. “And I’ll pay you back for it.”

“There is only one way you can pay me back,” Vlad grunted.

Wei Chen steeled herself. “What do you want?”

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