AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The acronym was that of a shell corp whose assets were in Mauritian offshore accounts. One theory was each of the letters stood for the code name of the partners, who were believed to be big players in a human trafficking ring. Mithras, or M, was the man killed in Malta. The coalition was currently pursuing another suspect,Pharaoh. Thus far, no others had been identified.
Was the offer something I really needed to think about? Wasn’t the role of commander something I’d aspired to? And while I earned a good salary as an independent contractor, I was paid per assignment.
“Are there benefits?”
“All the usual—paid leave, insurance, retirement.” Merrigan’s eyes opened wide. “You’re seriously considering it, aren’t you?”
Her hopeful expression faded when I shook my head, but just as quickly changed again when I said, “I’ve decided to accept.”
5
TRYST
To my surprise, Kade and Merrigan returned to California the same day they arrived at my ranch. After Jaicon and I said our goodbyes, I sensed there was something on her mind she wasn’t ready to confide in me. Rather than push, I asked if she’d like to join me to check how Cariño was adapting.
“I’d like that very much,” she responded, but instead of looking at me, she appeared to be studying the horizon.
Rather than walk, I suggested we take the golf cart. The entire way, Jaicon surveyed the ranch as though it was the last time she’d see it. I took my hand from the wheel and brought it to my chest, rubbing the flesh above my aching heart. I wasn’t ready to say farewell to this woman, yet I had nothing to offer to entice her to stay.
As I was parking the cart, one of the cowboys who worked with the equine rehabilitation program, Tex, came out of the barn. “How is the mare who arrived yesterday doing?” I asked, catching Jaicon’s raised brow from the corner of my eye. “By the way, we named her Cariño,” I added.
“Fittin’ name,” said Tex. “And she’s doin’ okay. One of the most skittish horses I’ve seen, but it’s to be expected.”
“How long do you plan to keep her in the barn?”
Tex shrugged. “I was thinking I’d bring her into the corral today. See what she does when she’s got some room to move around.”
“Would you be able to do so now?” Jaicon asked. It was the most engaged I’d seen her since before she and Merrigan went off on their own to chat.
Tex looked at me. “It’s your decision.”
“If it doesn’t interfere with your plans, then by all means.”
“Fine by me. Give me a minute to get the other horses into the pasture, then I’ll bring her out.”
We walked over to the split-rail fence and waited.
“Jaicon, I—” I began at the same time she said my name.
“Go ahead,” she said.
“No, please, you go first.”
She sighed, and her eyes scrunched. “You’re probably wondering about my meeting.”
“I will admit I’m curious.”
“While it won’t change my immediate plans, I’ve been offered a new position with K19.”
“I see.”
“Do you?”
I smiled. “I do not, actually.”
“I asked Merrigan if she told you.”
“And?”
