Page 78 of Burning Justice

They’d considered him a threat. Now they were going to help him?

Kane wasn’t sure he would be comfortable with that if it were him. But that was why he was here. “Hi, Rodrigo. It’s good to see you free.”

The older man’s brows rose. “Am I?”

“Depends.”

“On?”

Kane eased the door shut. “If you trust the Feds to keep you safe. Or if you want to take a chance on the guy who’s been protecting your daughter for two years.”

“I know what you are to her. I saw it.”

Kane didn’t want to be nervous, but this was her father. He was pretty sure he was supposed to ask for permission under normal circumstances. “And you disapprove?”

Rodrigo shook his head. “Quite the opposite.”

Kane relaxed a fraction, thankful he didn’t have to be so nervous now. “She’s in the hospital getting checked out.”

“Good. She hit that table pretty hard,” he said.

Kane hadn’t seen it, but he’d heard the whole conversation after the call he’d made suddenly connected. It had taken him a minute to realize they didn’t know he could hear and she wasn’t talking to him. Then he’d used it to give the others with him intel on entering the boat and taking down Elias.

Things could have ended far differently.

Kane said, “My friends and I have been watching out for her for two years. That has to count for something when I say that I have a way you can disappear. I have a friend. He’s connected. I mean to the top.” Crispin was…Kane didn’t even fully understand what the guy’s job was. Not officially. “This won’t be witness protection. It’s a job, if you want it. A life, and the understanding that the US government will be protecting you. Off the books.”

“In exchange for me continuing to create deadly substances.”

“I was instructed to be clear that the job is optional, but it is in the country’s best interest to ensure your safety. You can work for the sake of the stability and peace of the world, or you can not work another day in your life. That choice will be up to you.”

Crispin had discussed it with Kane, Hammer, and Saxon when they’d turned over the canister to him. Kane had pointed out that it was safer to know where the guy was and what he was doing.

“You will likely be monitored. But that goes both ways. You get to feel safe, and so does President White.”

Rodrigo’s eyes flared. “I’ve always liked that guy.”

Kane smiled.

“And if I accept this offer? The FBI will let me go and I disappear?”

Kane tipped his head to the side. “We have to sneak out the fire exit. There’s a car in the alley waiting for us.”

Rodrigo chuckled. “This is the life my daughter has chosen?”

Kane felt his cheeks heat. “I guess so.” He coughed, not really sure what that was supposed to mean.

“Very well. I’ll choose it also.” Rodrigo stood. “I choose life, Mr. Foster.” He held out his hand.

Kane shook it. “Welcome to the family.”

The older man chuckled.

Kane sent a text. A minute later, Crew and Tristan came in the front door of the Anchorage FBI office, arguing loud enough Rio stepped out of his office and went to go see what the fuss was about. It also drew the attention of two admin staff members and another agent.

Kane and Rodrigo hurried down the hall and used the exit door, climbing into the back of the rental Toyota. Hammer hit the gas, and they peeled out of the alley. “Hospital?”

“Drop me off.” Kane looked at Rodrigo. “Would you like to say goodbye? It might be a while before you two see each other again.”

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