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His eyes flashed for a moment, then he shook his head when he realized this was her way of getting past all the mushy stuff. “And you’re the biggest pain in the ass I have ever met.”
Her heart rolling over in her chest, she shoved his shoulder. “That’s probably never going to change.”
Holding her gaze, he shook his head, his eyes glinting with humor. “Typical Karasu.”
She managed a shaky laugh, her chest suddenly aching. Volk was a constant and she loved him like a friend, and damn if it didn’t hurt.More than anything, more than her next breath, she wanted it to go back to the way it had been before…before Preacher and her obsession with him. She was satisfied being the ball-busting, lethal weapon she had honed herself into, but now, with that damn SEAL, she wasn’t sure of anything.
Except running Ja to ground, and…she wasn't sure if she wanted to kill him or bring him to justice. Killing him would be much easier and the world would be just a bit safer.
She shivered, not from being cold and wet, but from all the feelings welling up inside her, and she thought about Preacher and how she had left him just standing there pouring out his guts. The ache returned with a vengeance. Feeling as if her blood had turned to ice, she gave him the finger, and some of that ice thawed when he laughed.
“I’m going to take a shower. Make me something hot to eat and run this license plate for me. He was in the car when I caught up to him.” She stripped off her clothes in the bathroom and got beneath the hot spray. She closed her eyes, needing to be by herself to deal privately with the ache around her heart, to try to come to terms with the rest of her life. To try to get rid of the persistent lump in her throat.
When she came out, there was a hot stew on the coffee table and Volk was on his computer. She folded down to the floor and dug into the stew, noticing the empty bowl near him. She met his gaze, and he had that cat who ate the canary look on his face. She tensed. “You found something?”
“Yeah, the car belongs to a crime lord, the one who took over for Darko—Novak Jovanovic.”
“And you hacked the GPS?”
“Yeah. I know where he went.”
5
Our Lady of Peace,Baltimore, Maryland
Deacon Jason Bailey looked over the list of twelve of Our Lady of Peace parishioners who had signed up for the upcoming pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgen de la Candelaria in Copacabana, Bolivia. The pilgrimage was a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion. As the main administrator of the church, Jason took on the responsibility of handling every detail of the journey from ensuring parishioners had their passports to the accommodations, transportation, and itinerary for the trip. It would be a holy journey, one Father Theo Charles and Bishop Timothy Jordan had been planning for some time as a homage to the Mother of God.
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. JEREMIAH 6:16
Jason was at a life crossroads as well as a spiritual one. He’d served this parish in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland since he was thirty-five. He was up for retirement next year and both his pastor and bishop encouraged him to make that transition, but Jason wasn’t sure, even at seventy-two, that he was ready to finish with his service.
That’s why his own personal reasons for the pilgrimage would solidify his devotion to ministering. Several opportunities were available to him but being part of Our Lady of Peace was high up on his list.
They would head to the airport tomorrow for their trip to Bolivia. It would be a long journey, but they would all be together to celebrate their dedication to worship at the shrine. He would pray and come to a final answer for how he would serve going forward.
* * *
Delgado Asociados,La Paz, Bolivia
Maria Delgado put the finishing touches on her presentation for the representatives at Heath Global who would be arriving tomorrow for their meeting with her as head partner at her firm Delgado Asociados. It was her father and founding partner’s wish to expand their portfolio worldwide and this was their first foray into the market. Her father had passed last year, but she knew he would be so proud of her for following through on his plans. She was excited to be working with Heath Global, a monster player in the world, working internationally with law firms like hers to deliver legal services wherever they were needed.
At a knock on the door, Maria said to enter, and her assistant came in. The woman walked in and smiled. “Your son is here for his meeting.”
Her oldest and right-hand man, Jorge walked in looking sharp and professional in his navy blue suit.
He smiled at her assistant and took a seat as the office door closed. “Exciting day tomorrow,” he said in Spanish and Maria nodded.
“Everything we’ve worked for is coming to fruition. We’ll celebrate with family after the Americans leave the day after tomorrow.” She slid her presentation toward him across the polished wood of her desk. He took it and glanced down with a smile.
“Francesca has everything in hand for our celebration and our staff is on top of every whim the Americans could generate. The hotel is also ready and waiting.” He reached out and clasped his mom’s hand. “I’ll go over this again, but I’m sure it’s flawless.” He tucked the packet in the briefcase he’d set beside his chair. “Have you eaten today?”
Maria made a grimace, her affection for her oldest so big she could barely contain it in her heart. He was always looking out for her. “No.”
“Then we will break for some much-needed fuel. We can’t get run-down before our big collaboration agreement tomorrow. It’s going to change our lives.”
* * *
Port of Miami,Miami, Florida
