Page 41 of No Mistake

Chloe nodded. “OK.”

“How is he?”

“He’s doing a little better. His temperature is down. The antibiotics are starting to do their job.”

Tracer kept his voice soft. “Tell me, honestly, do you think he will be able to make the meeting on Thursday?”

“Honestly? He shouldn’t be going anywhere. The wound is new, the stitches could rip, he still has an infection. But,” she said with a nod, “he will be alert and somewhat mobile with assistance, so if that’s all you need...”

She looked away and he cursed under his breath, knowing exactly what she was thinking. If Vitelli was well enough for the meet, they wouldn’t need her anymore. Damn, she looked so young and vulnerable. He had a sudden urge to give her a hug and reassure her everything would be OK. He got up and turned to leave, surprised at the emotion he was feeling for her. Tracer would not see this woman murdered. He might not be in the service now, and had done some questionable things, but he hadn’t forgotten what he stood for.

As he reached the door he asked, “What’s your full name, Chloe?”

“Chloe Summers.”

He left closing the door. First thing he needed to do was find out who the team was at the house and why they were involved. His gut was telling him it was something to do with the doctor.

Dialing a familiar number, his contact answered on the first ring.

“I need everything on Chloe Summers. She’s a surgical resident at Kings Medical in LA Everything you can get. Also, see if you can find out if there’s a connection to a SEAL team led by Dexter Dawson. They appear to be here in LA. Last I knew, SEALs didn’t operate on US soil. Don’t think that’s changed. Call me back.”

Twenty minutes later, he got the information. And it wasn’t good news. Chloe was the sister of Sophie Summers. Dr. Sophie Summers of Westside. He knew that place all too well. He had been treated at that hospital after his leg injury. Dawson and Baxter would know Sophie. Had she gone to them for help after realizing her sister was missing? The confusing part was that apparently Dawson and his whole team were no longer in SEALs. Disappeared. Files sealed. Had they gone private? He somehow doubted it. Those boys were loyal to the service, to their country. No way a whole team just left like that. They must be on some special assignment, one that had brought them to LA looking for Chloe or Vitelli, or both.

The last thing Tracer wanted was to get into a war with any of those boys. Damn Perez. He even managed to fuck up getting a doctor. Tracer had to get this deal to happen and get Luis Vitelli back to Mexico. It would get him closer to his target. Not to mention, if Tracer failed, the head of the Vitelli Cartel would put a price on his head. That’s how he did business. There was no room for failure. But now, he also needed to ensure Chloe got out of this alive and Perez did not succeed in finding the sister and dragging another innocent woman into this mess.

SOPHIE COULDN’T SLEEP. Agent Adams hadn’t called, which meant there was no news. Her imagination was conjuring up vivid ugly pictures of what her sister might be going through. She’d tried to read, watch TV, anything to stop the horrible movie replaying in her mind. But nothing was working. For the hundredth time, she wished Ryan was there. Her conversation with Kelly repeated in her head about him being a decent man.

Why had she pushed him away? Ryan had been nothing but a perfect gentleman toward her. Insistent on helping, he’d offered to stay to support her. Instead of accepting, she’d run away like a frightened child to be alone. Again.

Climbing out of bed, she walked to the kitchen to put on the kettle for a tea, annoyed at herself. God, how she envied Chloe’s confidence when it came to men, relationships, sex. Sophie excelled at being a doctor, could handle intense situations, and deal with the big personalities at the hospital. But when it came to her private life, she was an emotional wreck. Had it always been that way? She had never been comfortable around boys, but she’d dated over the years. Mark had changed everything. She wasn't sure she would ever fully trust a man again.

A noise outside got her attention. It was four in the morning and still dark. Switching off the kettle, she listened. It was probably just a cat or something, but her stomach tightened. There it was again. It sounded like something or someone was in the back yard. Should she take a look, call the police?

Walking back into the bedroom she grabbed her phone, just as it lit up with a text message.

Ryan: Hi Sophie. I know it’s early, and you’re probably asleep, but just wanted to see how you were doing. I’m here if you need anything . R x

A rush of warmth spread through her. Despite the way she treated him, he was still concerned about her. Hearing another noise she quickly typed back.

Sophie: I’m awake. Couldn’t sleep.

Ryan: I know it’s hard, worrying about Chloe.

She hesitated for just a second before replying.

Sophie: It’s not just that. There’s a noise outside my house, probably just a cat but it’s making me nervous.

Ryan: I’ll take a look. Sit tight.

Sophie: What? Where are you?

Ryan: Out front. I’ll check outside.

Sophie stared at the phone. Outside? What was he doing here? She waited for what seemed like an eternity, her eyes fixed on the phone, willing a message to appear. Finally, the three little dots appeared.

Ryan: It’s all clear. Didn’t see any cats but it probably was one.

Sophie sighed, feeling some of the tension leave her body.

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