Page 53 of For The Days We Can't Forget

We stormed into the company, meeting Ben already there, rummaging through the files about theAlacráns. “I’m sorting the locations, the bases we already found, trying to anticipate where they’re going.” He had a map over the table and was checking coordination. “I’d take these places out.” Hepointed to some of the circles we’d made. “They’re too far away, it’d be hard to take that long a trip with a toddler. They’ll need a short stop first.”

Mia leaned over as well. “These are also out.” She indicated some others. “They’d have to cross too many towns to get there, it’d bring attention to them and increase the risk of them being caught on camera. There are some on the other routes, but they’re more deserted.” Her phone vibrated over the table, so she slid her finger over it. “Aaron, you’re on speaker.”

“Some security cameras spotted the vehicle. Andrea was also seen at a gas station. They’re going north of your way.”

I watched the map again, noticing he was indeed avoiding the places Ben and Mia had discarded. “We have three possible bases. Can you filter them?”

“Send me the coordinates, I’ll check the feeds leading there.”

I recited the location and waited for him to do his part. My anxiety was skyrocketing. I paced the room like a caged animal, my breathing was heavy, and I had the overwhelming urge to break something in the office.

Mia watched me with sharp eyes. “If you can’t control yourself, you won’t come with us.”

“Like hell, I won’t!” I exploded. “That’s my daughter we’re looking for. The cartel hasmy daughter. After attackingmy mother and my woman. Nothing can keep me away from this.”

“I’ll shoot you with a horse tranquilizer if I have to.” Her voice was hard, and I had no doubts she’d go through with her threat. “You’re too involved, and we can’t have you jeopardizing this because you can’t control yourself. Sofia needs you sharp and effective, not an emotional and impulsive father. You’re experienced and one hell of an enforcer, souse your training, Delgado! If you want to kill Matias after this, go ahead, but put your head on the game first. Otherwise, you. Won’t. Come.”

I wanted to snap at her, but I couldn’t. She was right. I was no good to my baby in my state.

“I really don’t need to hear you planning on killing Matias.”

“Don’t worry, Aaron,” Miaappeasedhim. “We’ll make it look like self-defense.”

Ignoring Aaron’s heavy sigh, I tried to control my breathing, and when that wasn’t enough, I began to pray quietly. When that didn’t work, I did it again. And again. Until I could get my bearings. With a clear head, I reached for our safe to load us up, passing along the weaponry we might need.

“Found it! He’s going to the second base, near the hills. I’ll meet you there. I’m also sending a couple of agents to stay with your families. Let’s go.”

Since I didn’t have my car, I drove Mia’s, while she studied her maps and notes on what we knew about the base we were heading to as Ben followed us in his car. We sped up to where they were, and I prayed we could get to them on time. We were in constant communication with each other and Aaron, who tried to collect more information about the place we were about to raid.

“Matias and Andrea are a couple of hours ahead of us.” I gripped the steering wheel. “Even if they make any stops to deal with my crying baby, that won’t be enough for us to catch up to them.” My heart constricted at the thought of her being afraid, and that fueled my resolve to kill that fucking man.

Mia pondered my words. “Not if we take shortcuts.” She pulled the map again, opening it on her lap. “We’ve already confirmed they’re trying to avoid cameras. Although with Big Brother, he won’t be able to just vanish,” She was mumbling more to herself, and I didn’t want to intrude in her line of thinking. “We already know they’ve been watching us, so it’s reasonable to consider Matias thought this through. If that’s the case, he already knows the best routes to take to avoid being seen, even if they take longer.” She activated the Bluetooth and called the guys again. “Aaron? Can you outline the roads with the least number of cameras surrounding their base?”

“On it.” We were past the point of questioning her whys.

After a few more minutes, he recited the highways and towns adjacent to them. She inspected the map again, tracing the roads with different bright pens—who brought a fucking case with colorful plans to an assignment? Mia, that’s who.

“Change of plans. We’re taking an alternative route.”

“Improvising sounds risky.”

“Everything about this is improvised, Aaron,” she countered. “We need to take their advantage away. They’re taking longer to get to where they want because they don’t want to be seen. That’s the first thing on our side right now, we need to use it. If we take the route I’m tracing right now, we might intercept them.”

Aaron could play it safe if he wanted to, but I wasn’t about to lose my baby girl because I didn’t take enough risks. “Let’s do it.”

“I’m also in,” Ben spoke up.

“Then guide us, Bryant.” When I had a little more time, I’d nurture the gratitude I felt for having such loyal friends.

Ben and I sped up, following Mia’s instructions, and cut the time of travel almost in half. The father in me still thought we took too long, but my professional side knew we made good time. It was time to get my head fully in the game. My baby needed me, and I wasn’t about to screw that up.

We were approaching their base when I felt my ears tingling, and my heartbeat sped up. We slowed down a bit to recon the area, and Mia instructed me to follow through a narrow clearing.

We were already able to see the front gate when I spotted the vehicle we were looking for. “Found them!”

The son of a bitch noticed me earlier than I wanted. He reversed and sped away from the gate since we were in the way. My relief that they hadn’t been able to enter their property yet was short-lived when he began to run away with my daughter.

The first shot rang from behind us, proving my worst assumption: taking my daughter back could be fatal.

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