Page 14 of Kyle

“I figured,” she sighed.

“He just slammed Anaya and ground her into the dirt. You have any idea what happened to him? I’m gonna need something if I want to run interference between these two.”

“No. I’ve never looked into his past, beyond what I did when I okayed his clearance for the CIA. But, admittedly, the dossier I had was complete bullshit, or I would’ve found our connection.”

I couldn’t imagine how Violet had felt when she found out the brother she didn’t remember having sat across from her as she interviewed him for a long-term undercover mission with the CIA. Talk about a kick in the teeth. And what was worse, Declan had remembered her. He had known Violet was his twin sister and had chosen not to disclose the information to her.

“And since Zane hired him?”

“Zane may have a real file on him, but I’ve never asked, and I’ve never looked into him. It feels like a violation of trust. When my brother’s ready, he’ll tell me.”

“Maybe it’s time—”

“No,” Violet snapped. “He’ll bolt. He’ll never forgive that kind of betrayal and we’ll all lose him.”

Fuck it all to hell, she was right. But I was desperate. I hated seeing the pain in my friend’s eyes and I didn’t think Anaya could handle another blow. And she certainly didn’t deserve it.

Back to square one.

“I’ll keep my eye on him.”

“I’d appreciate that. Zane said he’d fly over if you need him. He’s worried, too.”

“We’re fine. How’s the investigation going into Omni?”

“Good. Tex and Garrett hit pay dirt. Ashaki Maloof got to Emilio Ruiz and convinced him she’s his best way out of Omni. Emilio is still seething his daughter was targeted for a kidnapping attempt. I think he’s feeling vulnerable and that’s why he wants to extradite his family from Omni ties.”

Ashaki Maloof was an undercover CIA agent. The team was still on the fence about her, on the outside she looked way too cozy with the bad guys. Which was the point of undercover work, but even to the trained eye it had looked like she turned. Then there was the fact she’d disappeared and had failed to check in. Now she’d resurfaced and had dumped intel.

Emilio Ruiz was also worrisome. He was up to his ass in Omni business. And he may’ve been disgruntled that someone in the organization had arranged for his daughter to be kidnapped, but the man was far from stupid. He was the second wealthiest man in his home country of Mexico, he didn’t find success by making off-the-cuff decisions based on emotion.

Then there was Omni. There was no way the group would allow dissension in their ranks. The secret group was comprised of the richest men in the world. They’d infiltrated the government and made behind the scenes plays that would further ensure their businesses and power would grow. It was doubtful Emilio would seriously try to leave the organization. If he felt vulnerable now, if he left, he’d be feeling something else entirely. Or typically, he wouldn’t be feeling much of anything considering he’d be dead.

“And Tex and Garrett verified Maloof’s intel? Ruiz isn’t dumb, he’ll understand if he tries to fuck over Omni, he and his family won’t be breathin’ for very long.”

“Tex verified but no one’s running headfirst into this blind. Ashaki’s intel is good, but Harry Landry screwed up and we hit gold.”

Harry Landry was a dirtbag of the highest order. He peddled in drug and flesh. Thad’s wife Emerson had dealt with him in the past but unfortunately she’d left him alive when she was done with him.

“What’d he do?” I asked.

“Arranged a shipment of girls on an unsecured line. You’ll never guess where from.”

“If you tell me Timor-Leste, I’m going to tell you it’s a setup.”

“Nope. Cambodia. Don’t be surprised if Zane reroutes your flight home. You and Dec are the closest.”

“No goddamn way. We’ll have Anaya with us.”

“She’ll catch a flight back to the States first.”

There was zero chance I was leaving Anaya to fly home on her own after this was over. Not only would the rescue dredge up painful memories for her, it would be dangerous. Even if we took Amisha out, there would be a lot of people who would be unhappy about their steady stream of income and girls getting cut off.

“Not happening. I won’t leave her unprotected.”

“Kyle—”

“No. You can tell Zane that Anaya stays with us. Period.”