Page 72 of Jacqueline's Quest

“He says he’s fine,” AJ replied.

“When Rae says he is,” Asher stated. “We don’t push ourselves around here. Take the time to heal.” He turned then. “All of you.”

Once they had everyone situated in the hospital wing, Murray, Jaqueline, AJ, and Thomas entered C&C. Inside the soundproof conference room sat Duncan Frazier and Noah Hanover. Jaqueline took a seat beside Murray while AJ and Thomas sat together as well. The screen along the west wall came on, and Luca joined them, surprising Jaqueline and AJ.

“Let’s start from the beginning,” Asher said, taking a seat. “We have a rogue member of our team and we need to ferret them out before someone gets killed.”

Luca nodded. “I have been doing a little digging as well. Unfortunately, everything has gone quiet. The last I heard was the information I gave you about Bexley.”

It wasn’t right. Sure, Raul was trying to protect himself and the cartel, especially after the raid and the subsequent attack, but in all the years she’d known about the Nieto Cartel and their dealings, Raul had never disappeared like this. “Do you think someone took him?”

Luca shook his head. “Pueblo or Los Trios would kill him faster than they would take him.”

“I agree,” Thomas added. “He’s gone to ground. Duncan and I can put out a few feelers and see what we can come up with. Raul does have property all over.”

“Unless Los Trios and Pueblos have him,” Jaqueline said. “They might lay a trap for Bexley.”

Murray frowned. “Why though? After everything her father has done to her, don’t you think she’d be happy he’d be gone?”

True. If she was in Bex’s shoes, she would have been happy to see her father rot. However, blood was thicker than water and if Raul manipulated her the right way, she might come running, believing her father could be redeemed after all. “She’s a kid. Eighteen, sure, but her father is her father and—”

“Blood is thicker than water. Be damned the consequences.” Asher frowned.

“It would be plausible for him to come back to Virginia, right?” AJ asked. “Bex is here after all, wouldn’t it be fitting if he showed up?”

“More so if Los Trios and Pueblo are trying to lay a trap,” Murray agreed.

Noah frowned. "Raul would never come on his own. If he even suspects Los Trios or Pueblo, he'll stay away. Not because Bex means anything to him, but due to her knowledge of the cartel. She is a vital piece to his puzzle. I'd suspect he'd kill her before he'd allow her to be captured.”

“I agree with Noah. The knowledge she carries with her... It’s the end of the Cartel or what was left of it anyway. Raul is in the wind and Bex, well, she’s on her own.” Luca shrugged.

“So, how do you trap a rat?” Duncan murmured.

“We have to use Bex,” Murray said. “She has a tail on her already. We know Los Trios and Pueblo have tried to take her, why don’t we put her out there again and snatch all of them at one time?”

“Absolutely not!” AJ shook her head. “She is a child first and foremost. Second, she is scared, alone, broken, and unloved. Pushing her out into the light will cause one of two things. They’ll kill her or she’ll kill herself. I won’t have her kidnapping or her death on my conscience.”

“She won’t be alone,” Noah said.

"Ah, you're here." Asher ushered two people into the conference room, shutting down Noah and AJ's bickering. "Everyone, this is Mateo Aquino and Jamie Escobar, they'll be joining you on your next assignment." He pinned Thomas and AJ with a glare. "I know Thomas is going back to the FBI due to his caseload, but you AJ along with Scotty, are getting an upgrade."

The girl blinked, the confusion filling her features was enduring and sweet. “Upgrade?”

Asher grinned. “To Commander.”

“What now?” AJ stared at Asher in disbelief.

Murray sat back and laughed. “Good job kid. The only one of us ever offered the position was Noah and the asshole refused.”

“Because we only follow Asher’s command. I don’t want a team of my own. I have enough shit to deal with,” Noah muttered.

“Too fucking bad. You’re getting your own team for this next mission.”

The door opened once more and another man who’d been with Asher when they stepped off the plane, sauntered in. He had a smoothness to him and had been too quiet for her liking. He nodded to everyone then glanced at Asher. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” Asher said. “Luca, this is Schoell. He’ll be joining you in El Paso tomorrow. Make sure he’s allowed into the club.”

Luca nodded. “I’ll have everything prepared.”

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