by India Kells
Undone, she took his head in her hands, solidly planting her gaze on his. “You’re a protector, the most selfless, dedicated, honorable man I know. A warrior in your own right, never doubt that. A foot or leg, missing or not, doesn’t make the man. And I wouldn’t trust any other man as much as I trust you. I’m falling for you, Malco.”
The words were said before she could think about them, but that didn’t make them any less true. Only surprising.
She could feel herself blushing, but she didn’t look away, embracing the feeling that was so new. Men had led her entire life, surviving them, fighting with them, proving herself among them.
Malco Aguilar had been the very first with whom she could be herself on an equal footing.
The man before her stayed silent for so long, Frida felt doubt creeping in. Maybe he didn’t feel the same; maybe she assumed too much of the connection she felt.
As she was about to apologize, her words were swallowed by Malco’s mouth. The kiss went from sweet to sultry in a second, his arms tightening hard around her as if he wanted to fuse their bodies together.
Lungs burning from lack of air, but not minding it one bit, Frida leaned into him until he finally let her take a breath.
“I’m falling for you too, babe.”
As simple as that, everything was out in the open now. He put his forehead against hers, staying silent for a moment. The moment was perfection until Malco kissed her temple. “You have a way of turning a man’s heart inside out.”
“Only yours.”
His rare smile melted her heart. “As much as I would like to say those words, again and again, naked, we have more serious matters to attend. Raincheck?”
“Raincheck.”
Frida reluctantly stepped away to get her coffee cup and refill it. While she did, Malco didn’t touch her but remained close.
“So, before you were interrupted, what were you thinking about?”
Of course, he wouldn’t let that pass.
“I thought that maybe we should adopt a new tactic.”
Malco took her hand and led her back to the couch, sitting beside her, his leg touching her knee. That simple contact bolstered her courage to continue.
“On one side, we have corrupt cops and a corrupt DA. On the other, the Blood Razors. And the kids are in the middle of the firefight, those still under Ward’s care and those now trapped in the gang. There’s no way the Agency can take down everyone on their own. We have to choose our battles and focus on what makes sense, especially since we don’t know who we can trust within the force.”
“I agree. We’re spread too thin as it is.”
Frida nodded. “I think we should focus on cleaning house, so later on, they can take care of the gangs themselves.”
Another nod, so she continued. “What I need to prosecute Kasten and Pool is proof. The link to the money is good, but I need more. And I need witnesses.”
“Let me guess, you’ve thought about that too.” There wasn’t sarcasm in his tone, only admiration.
“The kids from the center. Many of them were probably taken against their will. What if we get them back?”
Malco frowned. “What do you mean? Pluck them out of the gangs?”
“I would’ve said kidnap, but we can use whatever word you wish.”
“Who are you, and what have you done to straight-arrow Frida Montalvo?”
“I know, you’ve corrupted me, but hear me out. If we try to reach them, the gang is bound to know. If we get them out of there and promise them protection, maybe even a new life, we’ll have solid witnesses.”
“Are you thinking about Tycen? He may have some information, but he’s certainly not high enough on the food chain to know anything worthwhile.”
“I agree. I was thinking of a riskier gamble. One on love.”
Malco put his mug down. “Love?”
Frida swallowed hard. “I want to take a risk on JaKheel, Danie’s boyfriend. What if he really loves her and he learns she’s pregnant with his child? If he stays part of the gang, Danie will become a liability. If we offer them a new identity, a new chance at life? The Agency has the power to make them disappear after the trial. Once we cut all ties between what Kasten and Pool are brewing with the gang, Bullet won’t need so many kids and will leave them alone. And if the police returned in force, he’d have other things to concentrate on rather than whatever schemes Kasten put in his head.”
Malco didn’t speak, only looked at her as if he were trying to get inside her head. “A risk on love? Where did you get the inspiration?”
It was clear he was teasing her, but Frida also knew he was a strategist, and if there was a chance for her suggestion to work and make its way to Emme and Shane, Malco would tell her.
“Kidnapping someone wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do, but I think you make a good point. What about we eat quickly and get your idea to the team? I think time is of the essence, and if we want to stop the recruiting, your idea may be the only solution.”
How he took her suggestion in stride, like she was a valued member of his team, was almost overwhelming. No fighting or arguing, only acceptance and consideration.
Frida leaned forward and sealed the deal with her handsome warrior with a kiss, one last moment of peace before they unleashed a storm Frida hoped they’d all survive.
Chapter Seventeen
“So, let me get this straight, you want us to infiltrate the gang compound and extract this list of teenagers?” Shane was looking at him and Frida as if they had lost their minds.
“Yes, hear us out.” Malco looked to Frida and nodded for her to go on.
“If we extract the kids, we gain twofold. The kids are safe, which is our ultimate goal, but we also gain witnesses that can testify as to what’s going on inside the gangs.”
Shane glanced at Emme and then Knight. “Go on.”
Frida looked to Malco and felt a blush creep along her cheeks. “If we can get JaKheel to turn and give us what he knows, we can nail Kasten, Pool, and have the tools to dismantle the Blood Razors.”
Knight shook his head. “He’ll never testify. They’ll kill him before he gets a chance, why would he risk that?”
“For love,” Caitlin said as she stroked the head of the beast at her side.
Frida nodded at her correct assumption. “Exactly. From what we know, he and Danie were in love. If we extract him and tell him about the baby and offer them a new life with new identities, I think he’ll take it.”
“That’s a huge risk,” Knight said.
“We know that, but do you have a better idea?” Malco looked at Shane and Knight and waited.
“Mason, what do you think?” Shane asked the calmest member of the team.
“I think it can work. People will risk anything for love.” Malco knew he was referring to the woman he loved and the lengths he’d go to for her.
“What about the other kids? They’re still at risk and we can’t offer them all new identities.” James put his booted feet up on the table, and Malco watched as Caitlin rolled her eyes at him, and he smirked.
“We can keep them safe until the trial, and then they won’t need protection as they won’t be testifying. JaKheel should have everything we need to bring them down,” Malco explained.
Shane leaned back in his chair and assessed the team. “This is going to be a huge undertaking for the entire team. We need to hit all the compounds at once, and that means splitting the team up, which I don’t like. So, I’m calling a vote on this.”
He glanced at Emme, who nodded. “Those in favor?” Malco watched as every member of the team raised their hands.
“Okay, that’s a go then.” Malco felt his breath leave him, not realizing he’d been holding it.
“We need to do some recon first and find out everything we can about the two compounds and what we’re walking into. These guys will be tooled up to the eyeballs, and I’m not losing anyone on this.” He turned to Emme. “Can you make some calls and arrange fo
r safe houses for these kids and speak to our contact about getting Danie and JaKheel into WitSec?”
“Knight, you take Alex, Mercy, Nick, and Malco. Mason, you take James, Caitlin, Cain, and Wolf. I want recon done so we know their every move. I want to know when they take a shit, when they eat, every God damned thing.”
“We should bring Ward in on this, he has influence with these kids, and it could help us when we have to talk to them.” Malco looked to Frida and nodded at her assessment.
“Good idea.”
Shane turned his gaze on Frida. “I like that. Can you and Malco go and talk to him now?”
“Yes, I need to check in with my assistant afterward, but we can go now and catch him before the center gets busy.”
He and Frida walked to the car, and he smiled at her as they got in.
Frida tilted her head and smiled back. “What’s with the grin?”
“We make a good team. I like working with you.”
“I like working with you, too, but I don’t shine as a private investigator. My stage is the courtroom, and that’s where I’ll punish these bastards for what they’ve done to these families.” Malco looked at her with soft eyes. “I know you will, Frida. You’re a warrior of a different kind, but the work you do is so important to the freedom of this country and the futures of these kids.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” The sexy blush hitting her cheeks made him want to pull over and kiss her until the heat on her face was the same all over her sweet body, but he knew it would have to wait.
They arrived at the Youth Center, and he pulled over, parking the car near the entrance and noticed the only other vehicle in the lot belonged to Ward.
“Do you think he’ll go for it?” Frida cocked her head at him in question.
“I hope so.” They exited the car and walked together to the entrance. As they entered, they saw a few kids playing pool in the rec room, but they were younger. The older kids seemed to be out of sight or not out of their beds yet.
“It feels so empty,” Frida remarked.
Malco knocked on Ward’s closed office door and opened it as he called out.
“Malco, Frida,” he said, standing and moving around his desk to meet them. “Is everything okay? Do you have word on Tycen?”
Malco shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, not yet. We do have a plan to get all the kids out, but we need your help?”
“Anything.” Ward was a genuine guy, and Malco knew from his history that he’d pulled himself from the gangs on his own and built this life to help others from falling into the same trap and making the same mistakes.
Malco and Frida explained the plan and waited.
“That’s suicide. Your men will be dead before you get through the threshold.”
Malco swallowed, already knowing it was dangerous, and having it pushed home made him feel worse.
“These are highly trained people,” Malco reassured.
“Yes, and as such, they’ve always worked by a code. These men, boys, have no code except not to die. They wouldn’t think twice about hiding behind women and children. They’ll use that weakness against you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I was one of them and I saw it happen. Your people need to find another way or at least fight by different rules of engagement.”
“Will you help us?”
“Yes, I’ll help you.” Malco felt relief flood him.
“Thank you, Ward.”
“Don’t thank me until it works.” His voice was full of worry when he spoke.
“Where are all the kids?” Frida asked as they left, Ward walking them to the door.
“They’re scared. Most are staying off the streets, they know something is coming, they feel it.”
Malco nodded, knowing exactly what Ward meant he felt it too and as he watched Frida shiver in the Miami heat, he knew she did too.
“It will be okay, Frida.” He gripped her hand in his as he turned the car around and they head back to Alliance.
“I hope so.”
Chapter Eighteen
Time ticked by so slowly, Frida wanted to scream. After she and Malco returned to the Agency following their talk with Ward, it was obvious they’d needed to adjust their plan. Not only did storming the castle provide too many risks to the team, but they had to remain anonymous to avoid retaliation or a direct attack from the gang members.
It had been fascinating to see how the experienced and trained agents examined a mission and twisted it inside out, covering all possible and impossible avenues. The plan was to get the young people from the list by checking their habits and kidnapping them when they were at their most vulnerable. And most especially, alone.
That required a few more days of planning and tailing each of them to finally decide where they could pluck them out.
Another hurdle had been convincing Malco to let her tag along, which had failed. In fact, the entire team was against it, especially due to the fact that everything was planned to the minute, and everyone had to be masked and leave like ghosts. However, Mercy had come up with a suggestion so Frida and the team back at the base could be kept in the loop: body cams.
The most sensitive extraction was the one to rescue JaKheel. Danie hadn’t been informed of their plans yet and was staying in a safe house an hour’s drive away. The team also planned to bring everyone to that location once the situation had settled. In the meantime, everyone had to act normal so no one watching them would become suspicious.
The team would need to continue with their normal routines—Mason driving Cleo to get pastries every morning, Sydney and Kingsley training their dogs with Caitlin, and James and Cain running to the taco truck every noon. And Frida didn’t mind riding with Malco at night to his house so he could make love to her until she forgot the danger they were all in.
But now, a major shift was about to happen. Cleo had stayed behind as per Mason’s instructions, safe in the compound. James and Caitlin remained as well while the others were in the field, heading to their targets.
In the conference room, the wall of screens followed each team, but Frida’s attention was on Malco’s body cam.
It was obvious the team were on point and had prepared for every eventuality, but Malco had chosen to be part of the team retrieving JaKheel, which was the most volatile and explosive extraction. The young man didn’t have a routine the team could analyze, going in and out of the compound at odd hours being at Bullet’s beck and call. The only alternative they had was to follow him until they saw an opening.
“Would you like more coffee, Frida?”
Cleo smiled as she replaced her cold cup with a fresh one. “Thanks. At this rate, I won’t be able to sleep for the next several days, maybe weeks, which may be a good thing, because it won’t be easy to close the case, even with strong witnesses. Proving corruption isn’t easy, even if it’s true.”
The purple-haired woman with adorable fairy-like face winked. “But I have no doubt you’ll be successful. All you need are strong witnesses willing to spill the beans, and our team is doing exactly that right now.”
Frida knew her husband Mason was also in the field. “How do you cope knowing Mason is out there putting his life at risk? Doesn’t it bother you?”
Cleo turned her pale eyes to the screens for a moment, and Frida knew she was watching one particular body cam. “I’ve seen firsthand what Mason is capable of accomplishing, how skilled and dangerous he is in his own right. Also, I’ve come to trust every single person in the Agency.”
James smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Well, you’re welcome. It’s always a pleasure to protect lovely ladies such as yourselves.”
Even if the man intentionally dripped seduction, a glint in his eyes shone with deep amusement. With his endless charm and the physique of a model, he naturally drew attention. No wonder he’d got the nickname of Romeo, it naturally fit him. However, even if she admired how handsome he was, her mind constantly returned to Malco and his dark
er charms. He was the first lover who’d seen her for who she was, her past, her broken soul. The more time she spent with him, the more she saw how his own brokenness complemented hers, making her stronger in return—making both of them stronger.
She heard Kingsley’s voice, the team leader in charge of retrieving JaKheel.
“We have a visual. Target is with two men in a car heading west. We’re in pursuit.”
All three went silent, their coffee completely forgotten.
The other teams dimmed in her mind as Frida’s body lurched toward them, toward one man.
The team retrieving JaKheel were divided between two vehicles: Kingsley and Malco in the first, Mercy and Nicholas in the second.
Kingsley’s voice came over the speakers once more. “We’re turning away from them, we’re too visible and don’t want to spook them. Team Two, come forward and take over. We’ll detour and get back behind you in a moment.”
Silence again, except the faint sound of the engine. This time, it was Mercy’s voice that came through, low and stern. James moved forward as she spoke, his body tensing.
“I have them in view. They just parked in front of a gas station. I think we have our opening. One suspect is at the tank, the other is heading inside. The target is outside, leaning against the car about to have a smoke. The doors are closed, there’s no one else in sight—requesting approval to launch extraction.”
Frida’s heart stopped at the request. Everything was about to go down now, it seemed.
“We’re fifteen seconds away. Launch extraction.”
From that moment, Frida was unable to breathe. Surprisingly, everything was silent at first. The team had discussed various methods of extraction and had decided on strong tranquilizers and guns as a last resort.
