Page 59 of Embedded
“I’m not saying you aren’t capable of doing this, Nicole,” he continued. “If we can take down the Perez family, then June’s death wouldn’t be for nothing.”
I tilted my head as his words sank in. “Do you think there’s a connection?”
“I’ve no idea. I mean, nothing points to that, but there’ve been a few things lately.” He huffed. “If there’s even the smallest possibility, I mean, she was?—”
I dried my tears and looked over at him. “I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know it wasn’t directly my fault, but I’m worried it was because of my involvement in everything and with getting Chase out. I can’t help but wonder if it was me they were after. Or, God help us, Chase.” His expression told me there was something there.
He shook his head. “Look, Nicole, I know I said earlier that I didn’t think there was a connection, but the truth is the guys are looking into it. Pooling every resource. I just didn’t want you to feel exactly what you’re feeling now.”
“Oh, no, I feel so, so awful.”
“I know you do. Look, the likelihood they’d find us here is slim to none.” He gave a me a hug.” Maybe he was right, but it still didn’t make me feel any better.
“I’m still sorry for everyone’s loss. She was pretty amazing.”
“She was.”
I nodded a few times and screwed my head back on right. “All right, let’s do this for June.”
“For June.” He pulled my hand up and kissed the back of it softly.
***
The Blackstone team, Chili, and I took the chopper from Montana to Wyoming. Dark Water took a commercial flight to Rosarito. Our trip was long and dead quiet. The guys were like zombies, and I knew they grieved for June and wished they could have been there when she was laid to rest. It was only the urgency of the situation that made them leave, and I knew it hurt.
Cole and Mark were inseparable and often exchanged glances when they thought no one was looking. It was bittersweet to witness, but I was so glad they had each other to lean on. The bond all these men had made my heart swell.
The second part of our journey was a flight to New Mexico, then a drive in a convoy to mid-country where a semi-truck waited for Chili and me. The guys were dressed in their camo, helmets, and full tactical gear, ready to slip over the border once it got dark. This was where we would part ways.
As the guys scanned the truck to ensure it was clear then checked with the local police about the route we were about to take, Paul pulled me aside to talk.
“You remember everything?” He towered above me, somehow looking much larger than ever. His gear must add at least seventy pounds, and I wondered how his chest was healing. It was pointless to ask; he’d just brush me off. “Nicole?”
“Mm? Yes.” I tried to focus, as the last forty-eight hours had been a lot, and now I was about to walk into another nightmare. I hoped I had it in me.
“Tell me again,” he ordered.
I concentrated before I answered him. “Chili is going to offer me to Bruno and explain the baby’s gone. Bruno will, of course, scan us for bugs. Chili has one he’ll activate after the first scan so you can have eyes and ears on the initial meeting. Grim Gates will arrive shortly afterward and will drop the tiny cameras somewhere for me.” I hoped the fake confidence in my voice would satisfy him. “How will I know where he’ll put them?”
“He’ll let you know,” Paul assured me.
“Okay.” I needed to sound like I had everything under control. In truth, I was far from prepared to be alone with Bruno again, especially after I shot him. I tried not to think how furious he’d be with me for that. I knew I’d have to do what I could to get Bruno to cool down and see me again. I swallowed hard and knew, more than anything, I had to look like I had things under control long enough for Chili to hand me off. I didn’t want the guys to pull me out before we even got started. I thought of Chase and how he deserved to grow up in a world where he wouldn’t always have to live terrified of being kidnapped or killed.
“And what else?”
“I look for the maid with the hummingbird tattoo on her forearm. She’s working with us. I let her know where the cameras are, and she’ll plant them where the cleaners won’t find them. If I get into trouble, I flick the lights on in the bedroom that overlooks the church three times to signal Trigger’s men to get me out.”
“Lastly?”
“Dig when I can, don’t trust anyone, and hopefully get an opportunity to head outside. At that point, I make this signal,” I reached up and held my hair back from my neck with both hands as if I was really hot, “so you know I have something to share. Don’t risk trying to share anything with you using the planted bugs. It would be too risky and could make them suspect something. It might out their location in the house.”
“Right. Good. Remember, the house is riddled with cameras, and he’ll probably have someone watching you all the time. But if something really significant comes up and you can’t get outside to give the signal, I guess it might be worth a shot.” His lips tightened as he thought of that. “What else?”
“If I need to leave in a hurry, try to get to the garage. At the back, there’s a classic Mustang stored there, where the maid will hide a phone for me.”
