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“Don’t push me on this, Carmella. I’m sending you to your father’s with Gio at least for the night to ensure your safety.”

“Now I’m not even safe in this brand-new fortress you insisted on purchasing? And what the hell are you doing in here?” As soon as I pressed the button, the hidden door swinging open, she gasped. “What in the hell is this place?”

I yanked an already prepared duffle bag full of weapons, ammunition, and explosives into my hands. “The previous owner was a man who understood danger. He did what he could to protect himself and his family. That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”

“Oh, of course he was in danger. How could I forget?” Her laugh was flat. “What is going on? You had a text. Who was it from?”

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.” I strapped on a holster, shoving my Glock into the leather holder.

“I want the answers, Alejandro. The truth. Remember? We agreed.”

I spun around to face her. “I don’t have time for this argument. You’re going to do as I say.”

“No, I am not.” She moved around me, brazenly grabbing another weapon and the correct magazine of ammunition.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“If you’re not going to tell me what’s going on, then I guess I’ll need to go with you to find out. I assume you’re leaving.”

I was incredulous, more so than I’d been around her. “You’re not coming with me and that’s final.”

“The last I checked, I was a big enough girl to make my own decisions. You’re not playing the barbaric caveman shtick. It’s not going to happen.” She shoved the second weapon behind her back and under the waistband of her jeans.

“Gio is taking you back to your father’s house.”

“I think you are well aware I have methods of escape that even floored the great Alejandro Banderas. So I suggest you tell me what’s happening. It’s my life too. You want my trust so badly, well, guess what? It needs to be earned.”

Damn her tenacity.

She folded her arms and everything about what I’d been taught by the syndicate indicated providing her with any information was a bad idea. But the man from before, the one who’d admitted that female agents were often more effective than their male counterparts, weighed the situation differently.

With Louis killed, a compromise on the books, either I would be recalled within twenty-four hours or eliminated by the very regime I’d worked hard to infiltrate. As usual, there was no middle ground.

No gray area.

I moved toward her so quickly a flash of terror appeared in her eyes, but she quickly hid it. I kept my voice low, never blinking as I offered a limited explanation.

Fuck. I was in a no-win situation.

“My sister is in danger. She’s been compromised. Whether or not the Feds will come for her or the asshole enemy we’re facing just doesn’t matter. I’m bringing both her and my niece to safety. That means I’m bringing them here. It’s probably not a good move on my part and possibly something that will get me killed. But I’m not going to stand by and watch them suffer or lose their lives. Not going to happen. I’m also not dragging you into this shit. I need you safe and the only way I can ensure that’s going to happen is by taking you to be protected under your father’s watchful eye.”

Her eyes darted back and forth across mine. “No. I’m not letting you do this alone. You need backup and from what you’re telling me, you’re not interested in admitting you have a family to any of your soldiers. Let me help. You obviously realized I know what I’m doing. We do this together.”

“Not happening,” I was ready to walk away when she placed her hand around my arm.

“Please let me do this with you. There’s a child involved. You know how I feel. I can help, Alejandro. Maybe it’s time for you to trust me.”

Goddamn the woman and her incessant need to be a part of everything. At this point, time was of the essence. I had no idea if by the time I got to Maria’s house, it would already be too late.

I crowded her space once again, immediately cupping the side of her face. The tremendous concern in her eyes threatened to pull my attention straight into hell. I needed to concentrate and keep a cool head and this beautiful woman had already sent warning shots across the bow.

“You could be a liability, Carmella. Plus, your father might castrate me.”

“I can take care of my father.”

I placed my index finger across her lips. “You need to learn when to shut up and listen. I didn’t say no, but you will follow my directions. To the letter. I’m well trained in search and rescue maneuvers. You aren’t. One wrong move and we could both be killed. Do you understand?”

“More than you know.”

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