Page 69 of Savage Ruin
I slide my gaze to Raider, and he nods.
I hate not being able to handle this myself, especially since Mateo’s not experienced in dealing with dangerous situations. Grayson could handle himself, but he speaks very little Portuguese. If Raider wasn’t going, it would be a no go, but I know he’ll get him out alive. “Okay, but any sign of danger and you’re out. Got it?” I tell Mateo.
He smiles at Henley. “Oh, believe me, I won’t take any chances.” His lips buzz her mouth.
“How much money does he need?” Henley asks suddenly.
“It’s the one thing he didn’t ask for,” I reply with a grimace. Wait a minute. It hits like a ton of bricks. He needs an exit plan but not money? “When I was a kid, they caught him stealing. Once a thief, always a thief?”
“I’ll work with Jameson’s team to see if they came up with any aliases using the facial recognition or the fingerprint scan. If he’s hiding something, he’s likely not doing it under his own name,” Henley points out.
With her past, she would know.
Zane clears his throat. “Sterling’s going to Mexico to help Cruz set up some surveillance. The mission is turning into something bigger than we thought. He’ll be back in time for the yacht party, but our time in Miami is limited. We can give you another week or so, but we can’t leave Cruz hanging. You understand, right?” Zane looks at me steadily.
I walk over and clap him on the back. “You’ve got to take care of your family,” I assure him. “We appreciate any time you can give us. Let me know if we can help.”
He shakes my hand. “You’re a good man, Thiago. Take after Marcos.” With a few goodbyes, they head out.
I look at Grayson and Mateo with new eyes. I’ve been protecting them all my life, making sure they had everything they needed while simultaneously taking care of anything life threw at us. Tonight, they picked up the reins beside me. The burden of guilt I’ve been carrying all my life eases. Maybe I don’t have to take on everything.
Mateo stands up and comes over to me. “Are you okay? I know you’ve been preparing your whole life for the day when he would come. I understand it now. He looked like an evil old man, but I’d say his days are numbered. One way or another.”
Surprised, I contemplate his words. He’s right. These are his last days. “Are you sure you want to go down there? It’s incredibly dangerous.”
Mateo smiles grimly. “I’m proud to be able to finally do something for you and our family. It’s about time, don’t you think? We’ve got your back, Thiago.” He points to Grayson, Henley, and himself. “And remember, I have years of martial arts under my belt, but more than that, I have the greatest weapon of all.”
“Raider,” Mateo and I say at the same time.
The fact he knows Paulo Costa Fontes is telling.
“Take care of her while I’m gone,” Mateo orders me. He gives me a tight hug, then grabs Henley’s hand and pulls her along to help him pack.
Once all this is done, we need to figure out how this relationship with Henley is going to go. Can we all live here together, or is it asking too much?
CHAPTER33
HENLEY
Thiago’s not in his office at SEI when I drop by. I text him and he replies with an order to stay put. I snort. The man needs to learn how to ask instead of dictating all the time. Thiago’s office is sparse and boring. Unlike Grayson’s, there isn’t one personal item in this room. With a sigh, I lay the photographs I’m carrying on the pristine glass coffee table and drop onto the leather couch.
Mmm, this couch is so comfortable.
Lips caress mine, slowly waking me from my nap. I blink. Thiago chuckles. “You seem to have a thing for my couches.”
I blush. “Good nap couches,” I reply.
“Hmm, good for a lot more than a nap,” he teases. “Although I haven’t tested it out myself. Maybe we should take advantage of this rare moment of quiet.” He continues to place kisses on my neck and by my ear.
The offer is so tempting, but when I find myself sliding farther down into the couch, I stop and groan. “We need to talk about your father.”
He jerks up. “That’s a mood killer.” He sweeps his hair back with his hand and straightens his jacket. “What have you got?”
“Jameson’s team is good, really good, and they have legal access to a few areas I don’t. We might have found your leverage,” I tell him, spreading out the three photographs on the table. “This is Ronaldo Hernandez Silva. Your father.” I point to the second image of a man in a beard wearing a Panama hat. “This is Roberto Costa Fontes. I’m assuming the cartel makes him travel with that alias when he’s doing business for them.” I point to the third photo, where it shows a man with a cane wearing a New York Yankees hat and polo shirt. “Meet Ron Silva from New York City, who goes to Switzerland every three years for vacation.”
“Based on the patterns, our guess is he travels to Africa to exchange money for diamonds on behalf of the cartel. On his way back, he detours to Switzerland to put the diamonds in his boss’ account. While he’s there, he makes a separate deposit of his own. Based on the bank footage, he enters and leaves the bank by himself. The bodyguards wait outside,” she explains.
“He keeps his account in the same bank?” Thiago questions, disbelief ringing in his voice.
