Page 20 of Dangerous Obsession

“Look, I know you have feelings for her.” He held up his hand when Viking opened his mouth. “And I also know it’s none of my business what you do in your personal life. But she is very important to a lot of people and has been through some pretty bad shit.” He rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with the personal nature of their conversation. “Just be gentle with her. Okay?”

“Count on it.” She was very important to Viking, too, and he was going to win her over.

Didn’t matter how long it took; he was going to make her see that she could trust him not only with her life but with her heart, too.

“If things heat up, you let me know and we’ll be there to back you up.” Cole clamped his big hand on Viking’s shoulder. “And I know this goes without saying, but be careful.”

“Always.”

Cole nodded and lowered his hand. “Drive safe, and good luck.”

“Thanks.” Viking watched him walk away, then turned and jogged to the locker room.

Just under twenty minutes later, his wet hair soaking the shoulders of his shirt, he was in his truck ready to head to Georgetown. This time of night, the worst of the traffic would be gone, and he should be able to make it to her place in about an hour.

Before taking off, he sent a quick text to Marigold letting her know when to expect him.

Viking:Hey there, it’s Viking. I should be at your place around nine o’clock. Can I pick anything up for you?

Marigold:Whatever,accompanied by an eyeroll emoji.

He chuckled and watched the dots on his screen blink, indicating she was writing something.

Marigold:No, I don’t need anything. But thank you for asking.

He smiled, knowing that last part had to hurt a bit, and replied,You’re welcome. See you soon!

He put his truck in gear and headed out.

The drive time gave him an opportunity to go back over each step of their most recent mission. He couldn’t erase the image of those poor girls as they’d helped them out of the truck and escorted them into their safe house. The fear and desolation in their eyes had been enough to bring a grown man to his knees.

Some of them were returned to their families, those who actually had families. Those who didn’t were placed in protective custody at a secure residential facility supported by grants from Every Last Child, Dulce’s nonprofit organization. ELC raised funds to fight against human and sex trafficking and provided follow-on services to the victims.

All of the girls attended classes, and the older ones could get their high school diploma equivalency and learn about personal care, finances, and self-defense. There were also top-notch counseling services provided for any of the girls who chose to accept them. Everything was totally voluntary—nothing was ever forced on them. They’d had enough of that in their young lives. And theywereyoung, ranging in age from seven to seventeen.

Dulce and her foundation were a thorn in the side of the cartels, and AJ Muñoz had thought kidnapping her was the solution to the problem. In doing so, not only did he become the target of Cole’s vengeance, but her father brought the full heat of the US government down on their operation.

As a result, Alejandro Muñoz Sr., at the urging of his youngest and only remaining son, Rodrigo, gave up their human trafficking operation and returned their organization’s full focus back to the illegal drug trade.

Rodrigo was practical and had a brilliant mind for business and was slated to take over the family organization soon. When AJ kidnapped a US senator’s daughter, Rodrigo knew the Americans would take action against his brother. He did nothing to stop it, then blamed the Trianos for his brother’s murder.

Their departure from the human trafficking business created a vacuum, and Hector Triano’s organization was quick to swoop in and fill the void—expanding that part of their operation into parts of Colombia that used to be outside their territory. If they weren’t stopped soon, they would become too powerful for any government to rein in.

Bringing the Trianos down was one of the goals of the Dark Ops group.

Finally, the flashing red beacon at the top of the Washington Monument came into view, and his thoughts shifted to Marigold. She was such an interesting person. Determination, sass, and brains all rolled into one bright, beautiful package. He’d dated a few women, but none had piqued his interest and lit a spark in his gut the way she did.

Viking wasn’t sure what happened with her ex, but he was certain he wouldn’t like it. Assuming she would ever open up and share anything with him.

Like his grandmother used to say, “Anything worth having is worth working hard for.”

Viking was a patient man who wasn’t afraid of hard work. He would do whatever was necessary to earn the heart and mend the soul of a woman with a painful past.

Marigold was worth it.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Marigoldchewedthecrapout of the inside of her cheek as she paced the living room. She hurried back to the front window and peeked out at the street through the blinds, hoping to see Viking’s distinctive black truck rolling up to the curb.

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