Page 92 of Wicked Ambition

“Yes, I’ve had firsthand experience with that.” BD ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Call me BD and don’t use anyone’s rank. Lives are on the line, Ms. Desmond.”

“Including my sister’s,” Io countered.

BD pushed back from the table, standing to square off with Iona. “We weren’t sent here to be a protection detail.”

“No, you were sent to stop Torres and plug the flow of illegal arms, but you have a problem, one I’d be willing to help you with.”

“What problem is that?”

BD’s voice was soft, but the tone had Ayla moving closer, ready to defend her twin if necessary.

“Torres has become obsessed with the treasure,” Io said calmly as if BD’s glare didn’t bother her. Maybe it didn’t. “If you’re trying to get close to him using weapons as a lure, you’re going to be waiting a long time.”

“So you believe he’s letting his business stagnate while he tries to locate a treasure that disappeared in the 1820s?”

“No.” Io shook her head. “His arms business is well established, and he has a hierarchy in place. It was shaken when his right-hand man betrayed him, and he’s suspicious of his executives, but they’re running things at the moment. They’re simply not going to make any big decisions—it’s too risky, given the purge he executed last year—and that means you’ll be spinning your wheels until Torres is finished with his treasure hunt.”

Oz’s voice was quiet when he said, “Lurch warned us that the treasure was complicating things.”

“I can help you get to Torres,” Io said.

“Why would we need you?” BD’s tone held no inflection.

“Do you think he’ll believe a group of mercenaries know anything about the Lost Treasure? But a group of mercenaries hired by a Paladin League employee…that’s another story.”

BD’s scowl had Ayla moving until she stood side by side with her sister. She crossed her own arms, mimicking Io’s stance, letting him know they were a team.

“Your proposal is to allow you to join our op? That you go undercover with us as someone after the treasure for her own gain?” BD didn’t sound as if he liked the suggestion.

“Torres understands greed. He’ll believe I went rogue when I thought I had a solid lead on the treasure’s location. With all the players after the prize, hiring protection would make sense tohim. You keep my sister safe, and I get you an inroad to the arms dealer. You can do whatever you need to do from there.”

If anything, BD’s glower intensified. Ayla shifted uneasily, and Io’s arm went around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze.

“You’re a pain in the ass,” BD said.

Io’s lips curved. “I’m your key to Torres. How long will you stubbornly insist on your original plan before you concede it isn’t going to work?”

“And your motive is?”

“Keeping my sister safe.” Io gave Ayla’s shoulder another squeeze before she released her. “That’s my only reason for offering to get involved in your op. I won’t allow anything you’re doing, anythingI’mdoing, to harm her in any way. Are we clear?”

“Io,” Ayla warned under her breath.

Her sister squeezed her hand, a gesture meant to reassure her, but BD looked like a thundercloud. One about to unleash a storm.

Instead of waiting for the lightning to strike, Io continued speaking. “Torres has men surrounding the convent. When I left the abbey eight days ago, I was followed. They know I’m Paladin League.”

“How can you be sure of that?” Oz asked.

“I heard my captor talking to someone about it.”

“You said Torres wasn’t behind your kidnapping.”

“He wasn’t.”

“Who was?” BD asked.

“Have you heard of Fuentes?”

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