Page 49 of Operation: Silent Angel
“Yeah,” Briana said. She kept her voice quiet and continued, “I already heard from Christy this morning. They’re all okay. Bella had a video chat with her parents last night. She and the other girls have provided a lot of details about the men who abducted and trafficked them. Sounds like a few more people were involved other than Ruiz. Christy is still trying to reach her dad. We didn’t tell them what Ruiz said about him.”
“Good call,” Yvette said. “We don’t know if Ruiz was telling the truth. He did lie about a lot. No use going down that road yet.”
Briana shook her head. “I know she’s worried about him. It’s not good that he’s not returning her messages.”
“There are a lot of reasons he could be silent,” Yvette said. “He may have lost his phone or had it taken from him. He could be in a place where it’s not safe for him to reply, or Ruiz could have been telling the truth. We’ll probably clue Moreno in that it is a possibility later today before we fly out.”
Mac sat his full plate onto the table and took his seat across from Yvette. He noticed that the two younger team members also wore their bathing suits beneath their clothing. “You heading to the pool after breakfast too?”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to enjoying the pool without having to focus on the target,” Briana said quietly. “I want to just lie in the water and float for an hour and then stare at the beach and ocean over the infinity edge for another hour.”
Yvette chuckled. “I’m all about just lying in the water too. So peaceful. But we’re headed up to the Jungle Pool.”
“We may have to check that pool out too,” Roth said. “Briana and I have talked about coming back here for a real vacation at some point to really enjoy it.”
Yvette just smiled. She wouldn’t tell them that she and Mac had as well. Roth and Briana finished their breakfast and bid them farewell for now, eager to go enjoy the pool for a few hours. After Mac and Yvette finished eating, they took a leisurely walk, hand in hand, to the Jungle Pool. Yvette had to admit that it felt good to openly show affection.
In the water, when they were shrouded by the foliage, she swam up to him and kissed him. When she pulled back, she placed her lips to his ear. “You are flying out with us today, aren’t you?” She realized only then that she hadn’t asked, and he hadn’t said if he was or not.
“Yes, why wouldn’t I?” he replied. “I need to accompany Ruiz and see what Shepherd has arranged for him.”
“And your status with Interpol?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I guess I’ll find out. I’ll reach out to my contact after everything with Shepherd is wrapped up.”
Yvette knew that should buy him some latitude with his Interpol contact.
“I really don’t want to talk about any of that right now.” He snuggled more closely to her. “This is all I want, to hold you.”
She embraced him and held him close.
Mike
Yvette sat in one of the swing chairs in the lobby as Mac checked out of his room. At the counter were the three other male team members, all checking out as well. Garcia and Mother had departed, bringing Ruiz with them, driving the borrowed vehicle to meet up with the two DEA agents who would circle back to the hotel and give them all a lift to the remote dirt airstrip to catch their flight back to the U.S.
Her gaze shifted to Madison and Laura Lee who stood just outside of the lobby with their bags. The rifles and cases had been left in the panel van, but their suitcases had other equipment and weapons in them. The two women who’d been sent to entertain Ruiz stood with them, dressed in more appropriate clothing borrowed from the team. They would be returning to the U.S. with them.
Sweat trickled down the back of Yvette’s neck, reminding her that it was still really hot out. She would have loved to be backfloating in the pool with her arms around Mac. She was quite sure he wouldn’t remain with her long after they returned home. She already missed him.
Briana took the swing chair next to her. “I’m regretting putting jeans on. I am so hot and the AC in that van wasn’t great when we got in.”
Yvette silently groaned. Her jeans were uncomfortably clinging to her legs, adding to the heat getting to her. She knew once they reached altitude in the plane, she’d be thankful for the long pants. “Sounds like we’ll have a pleasant drive,” she said sarcastically. “I wish I would have pushed to fly back commercial.”
Briana grinned at her. “You still could. But what fun would that be?”
Yvette returned her smile.
She wasn’t smiling as they all climbed into the panel van. Seating was on the floor, and the thirteen of them in the back barely fit with all their bags. She wasn’t superstitious, but thirteen was never a lucky number.
“So, who had you record me?” Ruiz asked the women.
Garcia, seated beside him, leaned into his face. “I told you to remain quiet. You will not harass either of the young ladies.”
“Besides, it no longer matters. You’re out now,” Mac reminded him. “There will be no retribution.”
“I bet it was Carlos,” Ruiz said, ignoring them both. “That fucker would want to try to pull one over on me. He’s lucky I’m out or I’d make him regret it.”
“Enough, seriously,” Mac reprimanded him. “Shut up and let it go.”
