Page 14 of Lethal Vengeance
My fist slams down on the couch, but the muffled response is less than satisfying. Sheer frustration drives me to do it again anyway.
I didn’t intend to reveal as much as I did, especially Armando’s involvement, but once I met them, it felt like the only fair thing to do.
Fair.I snort, angry at myself. I lied. I don’t have another team confirmed. If they don’t do it, I’ll have to ask Armando for more time, which is the equivalent of admitting failure. And if that happens, it could set my plans back months.
My head flops back onto the pillow so I can stare at the plaster ceiling. They’re two floors above me, close enough to listen in on their conversation, but somehow I stop myself.
Which ones will vote for the mission and which ones against?
Sterling ignored most of the conversation. His focus remained on the schematics while he tried to figure out whether the logistics would work. Analytical nature, I conclude. If he thinks it can work, he’s likely to vote for the mission.
Cruz is against. I snort softly. It makes sense. He’s been watching me for the last two weeks, and I’m clearly not the poster child for innocence. Although I’m not in the organization, I take jobs from an important player in the cartel, and I’m only doing this mission for the promised reward. All that kind of blows trust out the window.
Raider is an unknown. Based on the few words he did say, he’s cynical and adamantly opposed to doing Armando’s dirty work. I can’t tell which way he’d vote.
Zane is their leader and protector. He’s concerned for two things—his men and the girls. It’s what I’d expect from someone in his position. He could lean either way, but my bet is he’ll be in favor of the mission. Could he trust the rescue to another team knowing their motives would be driven by money?
Two for the mission. One against. One unknown. It could go either way.
Maybe I should go ahead and put out feelers to my second choice. It’s better to be safe than sorry. If Zane’s group doesn’t move forward, I’ll need to present an alternative to Armando. I shoot off a text to ask for their availability.
Zane and his team aren’t what I expected. Well, Cruz is, but only because I’ve had two encounters with him. Raider spoke very little, but he doesn’t seem the type to follow anyone. Dressed in a pressed button down shirt and sharply creased slacks, Sterling looks like he’d be more at ease in a chic London row house than a slightly worn apartment in northern Mexico. Zane is exactly the type I’d expect for a rescue operation. Military background with a keen eye for trouble. He wanted to show me to the door sooner, but he cares too much for the world.
Standing in the middle of the room was intimidating. Not one of them is shorter than six feet, and I bet all of them are well-versed in martial arts. Intimidating, but protective too. It felt like a towering wall of strength around me, or maybe that’s wishful thinking. Regardless, it was comforting. Probably why I couldn’t stop giving them information.
I pick up my phone. Almost eleven. One hour to go. Enough time for a nap. I pull the blanket from the back of the couch and snuggle into it. After staying at the club for a couple of hours, it was early morning when I got here. My sluggish brain is screaming for a nap. After setting the alarm on my phone, I let my eyelids drift close.
* * *
When I knock,Raider opens the door. I wait for him to invite me in, but instead he stands and stares, intently searching for something.
He’s dangerously beautiful. Dark-haired and complected, with strong, masculine features, he’s almost model perfect. Even his height and build, tall and lean, fit the specifics, but I don’t think he could play the role even if he wanted to. It’s not in him.
His gorgeous eyes give it away. A clear sign to anyone who gazes into them. A piercing light blue, they’re almost hypnotic; the danger in them is so extremely enticing. A killer hides behind his pretty facade.
A thousand lifetimes ago, he would have scared the shit out of me. From the time I was born, I surrounded myself with rules and plans. The more people I lost, the worse I became—mapping out every step to reach my goals and eliminating anything in my way. Raider would have been deemed a threat and avoided at all costs.
He’s dangerous, but there’s something recognizable in his darkness. It calls to me like a beacon in this insane world I’ve constructed.
He steps back, and I blink.
What the hell am I doing?
I pass through the doorway, slowing only for a second to breathe him in when I pass. Even the spicy scent surrounding him is entirely masculine. Butterflies caress my lower stomach, making me inhale sharply.
Needing to create distance between Raider and me, I rapidly cross the room to Zane. Stopping before him, I take another deep breath to replace the smell lingering in my nose. I look up at Zane, but he says nothing. The tension in the air is heavy, like a wet blanket. I’m guessing the vote wasn’t unanimous.
Zane’s eyes dart from me to Raider and back. Then, to Cruz. A pained expression crosses his face before he returns his gaze to me. “We’ll stay and rescue those girls. We know there are gaps in your story. Heed my warning. If you put my team in danger, or if your agenda deviates from mine, I’ll do whatever is necessary to get my team and the girls out safely. I’ll leave you hanging. Do you understand me?” The formidable scowl on his face has me automatically agreeing. This is a man I don’t want to piss off.
“I understand,” I reiterate. I’d originally intended to lead the mission, but clearly that’s not happening. This is his domain, and he’s really, really good at it. I remind myself I chose them for a reason.
A weight falls off my shoulders, making me roll them in relief. It’s kind of nice to have someone else take the lead. I clasp my hands together in the most innocent pose I can think of and wait for him to continue.
A gleam enters his eyes, but when I tilt my head to consider what it means, it’s gone. Maybe he’s anticipating the mission.
“We’ve studied the information on your flash drive. While it gives us a decent amount of intel, it’s not enough to accomplish the task.” He confirms what I initially thought. “Sterling is going to map the water and sewage tunnels beneath the city. From this street to the facility.” He points to the map in front of him. “Since you’re familiar with the area, you’ll go with him to help guide and translate.”
When I look surprised, he waves a hand. “His Spanish is rusty.”
