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RIDGE
When I spoke with Press earlier and told him I intended to bring Seraphina with me, it was Zin who’d suggested we meet at Seahorse rather than the Los Caballeros’ wine caves, and I agreed. It had to be an alternate location, or I couldn’t bring her. I knew as much and never would’ve considered it otherwise.
“You’re sure about this?” Zin’d asked when Press handed him the phone.
“The limitations we face are the same we do with you.”
“I don’t remember a time when we held a meeting with an outsider present.”
“You have a short memory, my friend. I recall it happening less than two weeks ago.” Both Addy and her mother had been at Seahorse with the majority of Los Caballeros after she was released on bail. Shortly after our meeting, she and her mother had boarded a private plane—along with Brix, Press, Beau, and Tryst—and were transported out of the country. While Zin hadn’t been present when the decision to do so was made, he’d known enough not to be there. The same would be true with Seraphina, except I would be the one ensuring she didn’t hear anything that would compromise her status as an officer of the court.
“The DA is like a dog with a bone,” he’d also reminded me. “You have to know one of the reasons he hired Seraphina is her connection to the wine industry.”
“I know no such thing.”
“If you didn’t, you do now.”
I’d had enough of Zin’s warnings about Sera conspiring against Los Caballeros when we were the ones looking for her sister, but there was little I could do to reassure him. Maybe spending time with her today would help.
When we drovethrough the gates of Seahorse Ranch, Sera gasped. “I’d heard about this place but thought people were exaggerating. This is where you ride horses, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“The views are unbelievable.”
I had to admit, Press’ views were pretty damned good. Maybe on par with the ones from my new house on See Canyon Road. Mine, though, were from far above the ocean, whereas Press could walk out his patio door and stick his toes in the water.
“I’ve heard it was built in the early nineteen hundreds.”
“It was, as were several of the outbuildings. However, the main house has obviously been modernized.”
I parked the truck, went around to open Sera’s door, and walked her over to the main entrance. Unlike my place, which had keypad access, Press’ was fancier. I grasped the door handle and waited until a light most wouldn’t notice turned from red to green, then went inside.
“Fancy,” Sera muttered.
“That’s Press.”
“Welcome to Seahorse,” the man himself said, greeting us. “I know we saw each other earlier, but much has transpired since then. How are you, Seraphina?”
“Fragile,” I blurted before she had the chance to respond. “Sorry. I shouldn’t speak for you.”
“It’s okay. It’s accurate. I am fragile. As worried as you would expect me to be.”
“I believe everyone is here. We can get started.”
We followed him into the main room, where the rest of Los Caballeros were assembled. After I made introductions, we were seated.
“Ridge, if you’re okay with it, Tryst has a recent update he’d like to address.”
It was hard for me to remember I was the senior member of our group when Brix wasn’t present. “Of course. Thank you.”
“We’ve called in support from our friends at K19 Security Solutions,” Tryst began. “Through their help, we’ve received intel suggesting Varilla and his crew may be operating out of the port of Yavaros.”
My eyes opened wide. “That’s less than two hours from your place in Alamos.”
“Yes, and I’ve already engaged people there to begin surveillance in advance of our arrival and K19’s. They have been given authorization to immediately act if they see anyone matching Ms. Reeve’s description along with any other individuals they deem to be in danger.”
“I’ll explain who he’s talking about when he’s finished,” I leaned over and whispered to Sera.
