Page 28 of Kyle

I made my way into the small kitchen and both Declan and Kyle were leaning against the counter, matching mugs in their hands, and they were deep in conversation. Yet both of them were staring at me intently.

“Should I come back? I don’t want to interrupt.”

“You’re not. We were talking about your friends, Donny and Camilla Rivera. When does their flight get in?” Declan asked.

“Tonight. They’re staying at a hotel near the airport,” I told them. “I don’t mean this to be snarky, but I’m assuming they passed your background check?”

Declan smiled and the gesture transformed his whole demeanor. He didn’t look so mean and opposing.

“They did. It seems they do a lot of good work around the world. Do they have a plan for the girls?”

“It depends. If it’s safe enough they would like to keep the children they rescue in their home countries. But in a case like this, they’re not sure. They’ve been in Timor-Leste before, they have some contacts with orphanages in Tutuala. It’s a small village about two-hundred and fifty kilometers east of Dili. If there’s room, that’s where they plan to take the girls.”

“And if there’s not room?” Kyle inquired.

“Then they’ll smuggle the girls south into West Timor, the Indonesian part of the island.”

Declan and Kyle both looked like they approved of the plan.

“How soon will they know?” Kyle continued.

“By tomorrow when they get in contact with their people.” Kyle looked at Declan and something passed between them. “Did something happen?”

“Declan made breakfast. Come grab a plate and we’ll sit and talk.”

Kyle turned and grabbed a plate full of eggs and toast off the counter and followed Declan into the living room.

I scooped a small amount onto my plate, suddenly not very hungry, and trailed behind the men into the other room.

I’d barely sat down when Declan started. “Garrett sent back info on the men from last night.”

“Okay.” I placed the plate on the table in front of me, the smell of my breakfast now churning my stomach.

“It’s what we expected, most were rich businessmen, one’s a politician, one’s a professor,” Declan answered.

“I’m sensing there’s more.”

“One of the men is an American and he has ties to a large trafficking organization. That’s concerning in itself but considering there’s been talk of this group making a purchase from Cambodia it leaves us wondering if this man is preparing to make purchases from several countries in the region.”

I was grateful I’d already abandoned my eggs because bile was burning my throat.

“Amisha’s gonna sell them, isn’t she? They’ll be gone and we’ll never find them again.”

“That’s what we’re thinking,” Kyle confirmed.

“Our team back in Maryland caught a lucky break and they’re working on gathering intel on the Cambodia purchase.” Declan paused and looked over at an unhappy Kyle. “We may have to move up the rescue of the girls.”

“Okay.” I couldn’t keep the approval out of my tone.

“That means this mission just became more dangerous,” Declan warned. “We wanted time to recon. But if Preston Lockhart is here to make a buy, we can’t wait. That also means the Riveras need to be ready to move tonight. It’s gonna be a snatch and grab with a quick hand-off. Then we’re out of the country.”

“We? You mean all of us? I can stay and help Donny and Camilla.”

“No way,” Kyle snapped. “It will be too dangerous for you to stay. You’re with us.”

“But I can—”

“Anaya, you stand out. The rebels are still attacking villages and we’re going to be pissing off a lot of people in power when we take out Amisha. I’m not leaving you behind.”