Page 39 of Extraction

“This is our fight,” he corrected me. “If you want to get the answers yourself, fine, but you’ll need to figure out a softer way to approach the subject.”

I nodded and huffed out a deep breath. I knew Cole was right. We were a team, but I still struggled to get my head back on right, especially here in the field. I had been on my own for so long. I handled situations very differently when I was Eric Noah.

“Old habits die hard,” John mumbled behind me as if he could hear my thoughts. “Don’t forget who you are and that you always have been Blackstone. Don’t forget your roots, brother.”

“Look at your pants.” Mark scowled at Keith. “They’re ripped. I can’t take you anywhere.”

I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath again, and headed inside. I needed a shower and time to think.

As a team, we mingled with the locals during the evening, carefully showing Talya’s photo to people. We asked if anyone had seen her or the child, but we came up empty. Mike had stayed behind to follow up on some leads with friends of his wife. Catalina knew the area well and had given him some numbers to call. He also kept an eye on Nicole, who apparently never left the hotel.

I checked in with Chili and Frank, but still nothing. It was maddening. I paced the room so much I swore I wore out the carpet. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I headed down to the restaurant. I was desperate for something to do. I was going out of mind without answers. The morning couldn’t come soon enough. It felt as though the Cartel were closing in, and I prayed they were no closer to finding my son than we seemed to be.

“Table for one?” the waitress asked, and I nodded. Her sympathetic glance made me aware I was showing my exhaustion and lack of hope. I mentally kicked myself and smiled. I ordered a beer and glanced at the menu. I had to eat something.

“I know, Jack,” Nicole’s voice came from the booth in front of me, “but if he wants the

footage, he’ll have to be fine with some of the faces being blurred.” I strained to hear her better. “I can’t tell you who they are.” She paused. “It’s confidential. Look, I was almost killed today, my body hurts like hell, I’ve pissed off one scary-ass man, Bruno wants me…” Her voice cracked, and I heard her sniff. “Look, if he wants this footage, then he gets blurred faces.” I heard the phone hit the table with a thud. “Shit,” she huffed.

“You look like you could use a drink.” A man with a heavy French accent stood from the table next to her booth. Clearly, he didn’t pick up on her social cues, because even I could hear she was way past the point of being friendly.

“Thanks, but I still have some wine.”

He didn’t seem to be fazed by her rejection. “Maybe you’d like some company.”

I heard the clicking of a keypad. “My boyfriend will be here any moment, but thanks anyway.”

“Here’s how I see it.” The man eased into the seat across from her, and I lost sight of him. “You’re a beautiful woman, and you’ve clearly had a bad day on your vacation, so I will do you the favor and wait with you until your boyfriend arrives.”

“Wow,” I mouthed as I sipped my beer. I had to hand it to him; he was ballsy. My waitress started to come over, but I caught her eye and held up the menu then shook my head with a smile to let her know I wasn’t ready yet.

“Tell me, ahh…” He fished for her name but continued when she didn’t offer it. “Why are you here tonight? I hope it is for pleasure and not for business.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m really not interested in company.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I know, but this is me declining your flirting. Like I said, I’m waiting for?—”

“Your boyfriend. Yes, I heard you the first time. I’m simply asking what you’re here for.”

“There’s a difference between being confident and being cocky when one approaches the opposite sex. One is intriguing, and the other is a turn-off. Can you guess which one you are?”

“Answer my question, and maybe I’ll leave.” His tone made my hand tighten around my glass. I spotted two men watching them. Everything clicked then. He probably didn’t want them to see he was being rejected.

“Work. I’m here for work.”

“What do you do?”

“You want to know what I do?” I could hear the fire crackle through her voice. “I find very bad people and make friends with them to get information. Then I use it against them later. I do very dangerous things at my own expense for other people’s gain. I’m wrapped up in something so big and so ugly I don’t see a way out, and now a lot of people are going to get killed.”

The man laughed loudly, and I could only imagine the murderous rage Nicole felt. “I love how American women are so dramatic.”

I pushed my beer away, stood, and loomed over the man.

“Sorry I’m late, honey.” I tried to control my own temper as I rested a hand on her bare shoulder. “There was a problem, but we got it fixed.” I stared at the man whose mouth was now twisted as he eyed his friends. Do the smart thing and leave.

“No problem.” She looked up at me, relieved. “I’m glad you’re here now.”

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