Page 187 of Beat of Love
And, with a jolt, he realized something else.
He didn’t want to go charging off to Brazil, chasing ghosts.
He wanted his life here.
Brandy-Lyn.
Her kids.
Connor and Nadie.
He wanted a future.
A family.
Going after Kamila would cost him everything.
Make no mistake — she needed to be stopped, brought to justice.
But it didn’t have to behiskind of justice.
There’d been a time when consequences hadn’t mattered to him. When he hadn’t cared what lines he crossed.
But now … now he had too much to lose.
53
Operation Phantom Fall
King Security Command Center, Bulwark, Texas
“Before we connect with Brazil, we need to show you some local footage,” John Smith said, beckoning him closer.
“Footage?”
Smith nodded. “Bones finally confirmed that Carvalho had been in Texas. Six months ago.”
Sixmonthsago?
The wall monitor flickered to life, revealing a wide-angle street view, the entrance to Fred’s Diner on the edge of the left. Though it was night, the interior of the diner was brightly lit, offering a clear view of all the patrons inside.
Rafferty leaned in, scanning the image, searching for Kamila—
But his gaze landed instead on himself and Brandy-Lyn, seated across from each other in a corner booth.
The night of his first NA meeting.
“Carvalho’s outside,” Smith said, pausing the footage. “On the left.”
Rafferty’s eyes shifted, locking onto a lone figure under a lamppost. “Enlarge it.”
It was in profile, but yes, the enlarged view clearly showed Kamila looking into the diner.
“Now watch,” Smith murmured.
The video resumed.
Brandy-Lyn stood a moment later, exiting with Amelia and the girls’ friends.
