“Sounds good to me.” Steff rejoined Cynthia on the couch as Jag made his way over to the intercom.
“Hello?”
“Jag, it’s me Fox.”
The tension still remained as he buzzed his friend up. He didn’t need to ask Fox to ensure he was the only one who entered the building. He knew his friend would make sure that was the case.
He was by the door when the knock came, and he opened it up. “You made good time.”
“I was in my car when I called.”
Jag studied his friend, he wasn’t giving anything away, which didn’t surprise him. Out of all of the guys he’d served with, there had been a reason why Fox was their team leader. He was stoic and never let his emotions show. “Come in. Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m good.” Fox came in and stopped still when he spied Cynthia. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.” A light pink hue bloomed across her cheeks, and she ducked her head shyly.
“Do you have some news, Fox? Is that why you’re here?” Steff came to stand beside Jag, and he slung an arm around her shoulders.
“Sort of. May I sit?” Fox asked.
“Sure.” Steff indicated the couch where Cynthia was still sitting.
“I should go,” Cynthia stood.
“I think you should stay,” Fox uttered.
“Why? Is someone after me too?” Cynthia’s eyes widened with fear, and she looked ready to run out the front door. Beneath his fingers, Steff’s shoulders tensed.
“How about we all sit, and Fox can explain everything?” Jag rubbed his hand up and down Steff’s back.
He led Steff to the oversized lounge chair, where he sat and pulled her down so she was seated on his lap. His body immediately responded to her close proximity, and he mentally questioned his actions. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her away because he couldn’t control his bodily reactions.
He pulled on the mental strength that had got him through BUD/S training to will his dick to settle down.
“I’m sorry for frightening you both,” Fox started. “I didn’t mean to, but I think it’s best that you both hear what we’ve found out so that you can be prepared.”
Everything Fox was saying suggested whoever had sent the parcel to Steff was related to her and Cynthia’s kidnapping. Even though Cynthia hadn’t received a package yet, didn’t mean she wouldn’t in the future.
Steff clutched his hand, her nails digging into his palm. Because of their shortness, they weren’t causing him any pain.
Did she know what she was doing?
It didn’t matter. He could take anything she dished out. He would take her pain so that she wouldn’t have to face it.
“What are you saying here Fox?” Jag prompted him to continue when it looked like he wasn’t going to.
“Cass was able to get a hit on the van that the courier got into. It’s registered to a shell company. One of the former directors was Gomez Ramirez.”
“But he’s dead,” Steff blurted. “Cass and Teresa told me that today. Cass also said that whoever is running the cartel nowwants nothing to do with anything the previous drug lord did or was involved in.”
With being so close to her, he picked up on her increased heart rate and quickened breaths. He pulled her back against his chest, lowering his head to her ear and whispered, “You’re safe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
As if aware that Steff was spiraling, Fox didn’t say anything else, and after a few minutes, Steff’s breathing returned to normal.
Jag nodded slightly, enough for Fox to see that it was okay for him to continue. “You’re right, Steff. Cass has been keeping an eye on things with the cartel. She’s got her own personal reasons for doing so. She still believes that her assumptions are correct, but there are always members loyal to the previous hierarchy who believe there should be some retribution for what they perceive as a slight against them.”
“Why me, though? What’s so special about me that they’ve decided to make me their target?” Steff’s despair called to him, and Jag wished he could take it all away from her.
