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“Just do it, Kezlin. I have a feeling there’s more to her than meets the eye.” She got up and walked towards Jared. “We’ll probably be back late, so I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Make that a couple of days from now.”
Paxton frowned at Jared. “This is a quick trip for one purpose, Bates. We’ll be back today.”
“I don’t get much time to go out to Sea Ranch. I intend to make the most of this trip. Besides, I’ve got a communications room set up there, so we can keep in contact and have your daily meeting via satellite. Besides, if you really wish to find out more about Mia Kunz, what better way than to befriend her? She might open up to you.”
“I hardly think so, Bates.”
“Then think about this. She lives almost three hours from where the action is. Doesn’t it make you wonder why Bastian bought her a house so far from where he lives? Why is he hiding her in a small community where his presence would stick out like dog’s balls? She must be lonely. I’m sure she’d be more than happy for some female companionship.”
“I hate to agree with him, Paxton, but he has a point,” Knox said in a quiet voice. “We can dig as deep as we want but making a personal connection with her would be an invaluable source of information.”
“Alright, you made your point. Let’s hit it. I just gotta make a pitstop to pack a bag.”
Jared stepped back and waved Paxton through the door.
She bestowed a Mona Lisa smile on him. Inside, she wasn’t as confident about the trip. Living with Jared Bates in his house, just the two of them...
She banned all thoughts from her mind as she marched to her SUV. They were both grown-ups— hard-assed military professionals. He might be twice her size but she’d kick his ass if need be.
But you won’t.
“You’re right, I won’t,” she muttered to herself as she got into the car. They were sexually attracted to each other. The submissive inside her yearned for his domination. If this was the opportunity to explore that possibility further... then so be it.
She had always chased her dreams and desires. She’d found it with Rex years ago. He had been gone for a long time. It was time to reach out and take what Jared Bates offered.
Paxton glanced in the rearview mirror. The black Hummer followed a couples of yards behind her.
“You already admitted you want him, Paxton. You’re cutting off your nose to spite your face by playing hard to get.” She listened to her voice echoing back at her. “It’s time to take the plunge... but this relationship will be on my terms. If what I want isn’t what he’s after, then this trip will be the ideal opportunity to set the record straight.”
“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re investigating Marco Boneiro?” Paxton glanced at Jared as he started the Toyota Land Cruiser. They had landed at a private airfield just outside of Sea Ranch five minutes ago. The flight had mostly been spent in polite conversation getting to know each other although she was aware that he probably already knew everything about her. She, on the other hand, was left frustrated since he didn’t offer much information about himself.
“I already told you that we’re trying to find intel that would enable us to put the five Mafia leaders behind bars.”
“Yes, but I also know that the American Mafia isn’t active in drug smuggling and sex workers like they were in the eighties. They’re concentrating on legal activities to fund their illegal business. From what I could find, it seems that the FBI now focuses more on homeland security and less on organized crime since the September 11 attacks. No, Bates, there’s more to it than what you’re letting on.”
Jared glanced sideways at her. He should’ve known she wouldn’t let go until her curiosity was satisfied.
“You’re right, to an extent. In the twenty-first century, the Mafia has gotten a lot smarter about gaming the system. Their criminality extends to and includes murder, gambling, tax fraud schemes, loan sharking, extortion, stock manipulation schemes, infiltration of legitimate businesses, corruption of public officials, and labor racketeering. The majority of their activities are confined to Chicago and the Northeast but with Boneiro here their presence has gained momentum in California over the past thirty years. The Chinese Triads, Mexican drug cartels and the Russian Mafia have invaded their territory for many years but they are still the dominant criminal organization overall.”
“Is that why they’re not interested in pushing drugs and sex trafficking anymore?”
“They’re after bigger, faster returns. The Mafia has been regrouping from the RICO Act turmoil during 1990. In exchange for assurance of being protected under the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program, dozens of mobsters testified and provided information that led to the imprisonment of hundreds of mobsters. We’re expecting a possible resurgence. They’re tapping the country dry, Paxton. The FBI estimates that the Mafia earns over a hundred billion dollars a year— all tax free. They’ve gotten clever over the years and are outsourcing many of their work to motorcycle gangs and other criminal syndicates.”
“And that’s how they avoid getting on the FBI’s radar and not be prosecuted?”
Jared nodded.
“Okay, I get it but you’re gunning for Boneiro specifically. Why?”
“You're not going to let it go, are you?”
“Nope. I’m curious by nature, so c’mon, Bates. Spill it.”
“It’s highly classified intel, Paxton. As a professional, I’m sure you can understand why I can’t disclose any of it to a civilian.”
“And here I thought our relationship had been moving forward.” Her look seared him with reproach. “I’m slightly insulted.”
