Page 113 of With this Ring

“I also want you to check your mirrors constantly. If you’re being followed, call me right away.”

“You’re scaring me, Sasha.”

“I don’t want you to be scared. I want you aware.” She waited for a second. “Do you understand?”

“Yes. But I don’t like it.”

“You’re doing great.” Before ending the call, she thought to ask, “Have you talked to Felix since that man visited?”

“I tried, but he didn’t answer. Then I called you.”

“If he gets in touch with you, please don’t tell him where you’re going.”

“We don’t keep secrets from each other.”

Keeping secrets was how Mrs. Santos had ended up in this situation. Since pointing that out wouldn’t be helpful, Sasha kept the thought to herself. Instead, she said, “Are you packing?”

“Yes.”

“Let me know immediately if anything happens.”

“Okay, Sasha.”

“Be sure to answer when I call you back in a few minutes.”

Mrs. Santos said nothing to that, but a moment later, she started to cry. “I want this to be over.”

So do I.“I meant it when I said you’re doing great. Your husband will be proud of you.”

Without saying goodbye, Mrs. Santos hung up.

Instantly, Gregorio pushed a button on his steering wheel and the sound of a ringing phone filled the SUV.

Before the second tone, Inamorata’s crisp voice echoed around them.

“Got a situation,” Gregorio said.

“I’m listening.”

Within seconds, he’d brought Hawkeye’s second in command up to date. “I want surveillance in place at the Santos house. And Mrs. Santos needs to be moved to a safehouse.”

“Roger that.” In the background was the efficient clicking of computer keys. Moments later, she added, “Code word—snowblind.”

Sasha nodded. How she wished she had an Inamorata on her team. Over the years, she’d learned a lot from the woman famous for her no-nonsense pencil skirts and kickass demeanor. No one fucked with Inamorata.

“Sasha and I are en route to the Santos residence. I’ll ping you when we’re entering.”

No doubt the place was being watched, and an ambush was always a possibility. So they’d definitely need the backup.

More than ever, she was grateful she’d come to Gregorio. The man was competent and calm.

For a moment, a memory teased her mind, but she deliberately shoved it away. She had to be focused on the case and nothing else.

At least they were in this together.

Her sister hadn’t understood Gregorio or what he did for a living. Sitting home, waiting, wondering couldn’t have been easy.

In some ways, it seemed that maybe their relationship had never had a chance.

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