DANTE’S POV “I thought I told you to stay where you were…” A woman’s voice cracked across the platform like a whip, so shrill that even my men flinched.
Cara didn’t reply.
She held her brother tighter, burying her face in his hair, as if the slightest lapse could undo all our efforts.
Marco stood besides me, giving me a few feet of privacy to take the call.
I was in pain all over, a dull ache radiating from my jaw, where Ibarra had landed a good blow before I knocked him out.
I wiped the blood from my lip with the back of my hand.
Fernando’s voice cut through the static, low and choppy.
“Glad you’re safe and sound.
Why the hell are you trying so hard to be a hero?
Listen, we’ve got a problem.
The safehouse is compromised.” I tensed up.
“What?” “I’m cleaning it up now.
I’ll send you a new location the second I’m done.” “Fuck,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face.
“Whoever Gabriela put on our tail did a damn good job,” Fernando said.
“Our location was leaked and Julio’s men raided us, but luckily, we saw them coming.” My chest tightened.
“Where’s Rico?” “With Gabriela.
They’re heading to a backup site now.” “And you?
Where are you?” Fernando scoffed.
“What do you think I am, an amateur?
I’m clear.” “Keep me posted,” I said.
“Send the new coordinates straight to my phone.” “Alright.” The line went dead.
I pulled the earpiece out and turned back to Marco, my jaw tight.
“Any casualties?” I asked, handing over the earpiece to him.
Marco shook his head, stepping closer.
“What are the orders, boss?” I turned away slightly.
“The safehouse is compromised.
This dock isn’t safe either.” Marco’s face fell slightly.
“Shit.” “Take command of the team,” I said, gesturing towards the perimeter.
“Secure the perimeter, and make sure nothing catches us by surprise while we wait for news of Fernando.” “Understood, boss,” Marco agreed, turning to leave.
“Oh, one last thing,” I added, pointing to the dark water.
“I shot a man and he fell into the water.
Send men to retrieve the body immediately.” “Understood,” Marco confirmed.
I saw the team split up.
Some men headed towards the slipway, in the direction of the launch, to recover Ibarra’s body from the water, while the others returned to the quays and the edge of the forest to secure the perimeter.
Turning back to Cara, I kept my eyes fixed on her as I approached.
She was no longer holding Danny, they were now standing side by side, their arms entwined for support.
Beside them stood an older woman whose resemblance to Cara was unmistakable, fair-skinned, with copper-threaded auburn hair and a slender, graceful posture that commanded quiet authority.
I couldn’t make out the color of her eyes from that distance.
Off to the side, Julian stood with his arms crossed.
I was still a few meters away, out of earshot for most of the conversation, but as I closed the distance, the end of their exchange was carried by the wind.
“What would I have done if something had happened to you?” the woman gently chided.
“You endangered your life.” “I did it for Danny,” protested Cara with a slight pout on her pretty face, “If I had waited for you to send reinforcements, they would have taken Danny.” The older woman noticed me and stopped.
Cara followed her gaze and her eyes fell on me.
Hesitation crossed her face, as if she didn’t quite know what to say.
Gently, Cara released her brother and pushed him towards her aunt.
She stepped away from them, closing the distance between us.
Her eyes were red from tears, her hair tousled by the wind and the chaos, but all her attention was on me.
She raised her hand, her fingers brushed against my split lip.
A sudden warmth flooded my chest.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
Before I could reply, she composed herself, abruptly letting her hand fall back to her side and clearing her throat.
A slight blush rose to her cheeks.
I moved closer, closing the distance between us.
Reaching out, I gently caressed her face, feeling the coolness of the night air on her skin.
“And you?” I asked in a low voice.
“How are you?” She nodded, staring at me, but a shadow of guilt crossed her face.
“Why did you do that?” she murmured softly.
“Why take such a risk for someone you just met?” I raised her face slightly, forcing her to meet my gaze.
“You’re not just anyone.
And I thought I told you that you’re now my business.” Cara let out a small sigh of surprise, completely speechless.
A slight smile touched my lips.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” “Oh, sorry,” she stammered, her cheeks red.
She quickly reached down, took my hand and began to lead me towards the older woman, her aunt, I presumed.
I blinked, staring at our clasped hands as she dragged me along the docks.
Does she even realize what she’s doing?
Standing nearby, Julian watched us with a dark frown, his arms stiff at his sides, while the woman silently kept watch over the place.
As soon as Cara reached them, her gaze fell upon our hands.
She withdrew her fingers so abruptly that it looked as if she had burned herself.
I smiled slightly, amused by her sudden panic.
She’s cute.
Cara cleared her throat nervously and approached the older woman who was holding Danny.
“This is my aunt, Valentina Beaumont, and my brother, Daniel.
You can call him Danny.” “Valentina,” her aunt added with a slight, polite tilt of her head.
“You may call me Valentina.” Danny nodded weakly, his voice barely a whisper.
“Thank you.” I responded with a brief nod and a smile.
“Dante.” Cara turned slightly, pointing at the federal agent who was standing to the side.
“And you already know him.” I glanced at Julian.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Julian cleared his throat, crossed his arms over his chest, and turned his gaze towards the fog drifting off the bay.
Valentina stepped forward, ensuring Danny was balanced, then held out her hand to me.
“My niece told me about you, and I really appreciate what you’ve done for her.
Those two mean a great deal to me.” She rummaged in her dark jacket, pulled out a thick, elegant business card emblazoned with the logo of Beaumont Holdings.
“Send the damage invoices to this number.
I’ll reimburse you.
Ammunition included.” I looked down at the card in her hand.
“No need.
I did it for selfish reasons anyway.” I looked pointedly at Cara for emphasis.
Valentina looked between us knowingly and smiled.
“In that case, why don’t you join us for dinner at my—” Cara jumped in before the invitation could fully land.
“No, Aunt Val, he’s done enough.
Let’s not drag him into this anymore.” “I don’t mind.
I’m famished anyway, all that running around got me hungry.” I smirked at her and she looked away.
Julian bristled and cleared his throat.
“Don’t I get any thanks?
I played a part in his rescue too.” Valentina glared at him.
“What are you doing here anyway?” she asked, her voice slightly raised.
Julian opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.
“Since you helped Cara this time, you may join us.
But tomorrow I want you gone and out of my niece’s life.” Valentina walked toward Danny and Cara, who were huddled together waiting, removed her dark suit jacket, draped it over Danny’s trembling shoulders, and said, “Let’s go.” Valentina guided Danny and Cara toward the shipping containers that led off the platform, I spotted Marco jogging back up to me.
He fell into step beside me.
“I’m leaving.
Send a man to bring me my bike.
You and the others stay behind to finish searching for the body.” “Understood, boss,” Marco responded, picking up his phone to pass the order.
Walking through the rest of the docks toward the entrance, I couldn’t find a single trace of Julio’s dead gunmen we’d left behind on the quays earlier.
Someone must have cleaned them up.
Valentina?
I thought to myself, staring at Cara walking ahead of me.
We cleared the docks and came out on the entryway.
A fleet of black BMWs stood in line, guards standing in front.
Valentina walked with Danny, a protective arm over him, her jacket resting on his shoulders.
She walked toward the first car and Cara followed suit, but I quickly grabbed her hand and dragged her back against me.
She gasped in surprise, flushing as she turned around to face me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” She glared at me angrily.
I smirked at her and pushed her toward the open car in the middle.
“You’re coming with me, sweetheart,” I said, pushing her into the backseat of the car.
I climbed in after her, and Julian tried to come in after me.
I grabbed the door handle and said, “Get your own ride, Mr.
Federal Agent.” And I slammed the door shut.