No Remorse_A Manhunters Novel

by Skye Jordan

  Bella was singing something Everly didn’t recognize. “If she could slow down and learn to focus, we could work on her speech, on structured learning, because you’re right, she is very smart.”

  Lucia brought out a huge platter of nachos the likes of which Everly had never seen. Three kinds of tortilla chips had been piled with carne asada, black beans, cheese, olives, tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole. Steam rose off the meat, filling the air with the delicious scent of spices.

  “That looks amazing,” Everly told Lucia.

  The woman beamed with pride. “Gracias, mija,” she said, setting three small plates and a cup of milk on the table. “Enjoy, enjoy.”

  “Thank you, Lucia.” Hix called to his daughter. “Bella, nachos.”

  The girl cheered and ran over. She picked up a chip, then ran off again. Hix sighed and rested his forearms on the table. “Can you get her to sit still to eat without a fight?”

  “Give me three, four days.” Good thing her stay wouldn’t last long enough for her to fail.

  With no utensils forthcoming, Everly used her hands to add nachos to her plate while Hix reached for his phone. He hit one button and said, “Hey, can you bring me a contract and an NDA? Thanks.”

  “NDA?” Everly asked, popping a chip with meat and beans into her mouth. Spices and flavors burst on her tongue and delighted her taste buds.

  “Nondisclosure agreement.” He pulled nachos onto his plate. “What’s your salary requirement?”

  She shrugged. “Considering I’ve spent the majority of my life working for free, I’m sure whatever you paid your last nanny would be fine.”

  “We can start there, reassess in a month. You can take the in-law unit on the southwest corner of the house.”

  Everly’s hand froze with a chip at her lips. “In-law unit?”

  “It’s nicer than it sounds. It’s right over there.” He gestured toward the left. “It’s got the same glass walls as the rest of the downstairs and opens to the pool deck. I’ll show it to you when we’re done eating.”

  “Are you saying you expect me to live here?” That could prove problematic for intel sharing with her team.

  Hix met her gaze and wiped his hands. “Yes, and while we’re on the subject of what I expect, we’ll have to go over quite a few rules, first and foremost, fraternizing with anyone on staff—including the men on my teams—is strictly prohibited.”

  Everly rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her clasped hands. “I’m not sure, but I think I should be offended.”

  “You’re a beautiful woman, and my men are…men. They can be damned persuasive when they want to be, and as soon as they see you, they’ll all turn into Prince Charming. Attraction is normal and healthy, just not between employees. I don’t want anything to interfere with Bella’s well-being.”

  “I see.” She picked up a chunk of steak and ate it off her fingers. “Go on.”

  “You’ll fill out a daily report, document your activities with Bella, what she ate, what activity she had, any improvements you’ve seen, that kind of thing.”

  Everly’s lips curved. A soft laugh escaped her.

  “What?” he said, stone-cold serious.

  “Your military is showing.”

  The hint of a smile ghosted his mouth. “No doubt.” He ate another bite, then said, “If you’re taking Bella out, as I mentioned, you have to clear it with me first and go with a security escort. You’re not to invite anyone onto the property. Choose your friends outside of work carefully. Sunday will be your day off. At all other times, you will be on the property caring for Bella, which includes her recreation, her education, and her physical and emotional needs.” He paused. “Ready to run away screaming yet?”

  “Keep it coming. You’ll know when you’ve crossed the line.”

  He laughed. Just one quick puff of humor, but still, that millisecond flash of a smile confirmed what she’d first thought—a full grin from this man would drop her to her knees. Despite his buttoned-up affect, Everly felt attraction sizzle between them.

  Too bad she wouldn’t be staying long enough to tease it out.

  “This will be your home, so feel free to use it as such during the time Bella is asleep or otherwise occupied with staff. Put in your request for anything you want from the store with Lucia. She’ll pick them up on her daily run. Swim, hike, lift weights, watch movies, raid the fridge, surf the internet, read at will. Keep your phone on, charged and with you at all times, so I can always reach you. Breakfast at seven a.m., dinner at six p.m. Then bath, story, and bed for Bella by eight p.m. The rest of the night is yours, but it must be spent on the property.”

  She took another bite, nodding, a slow grin starting in her chest but continuing to her face.

  “What now?” he asked.

  “This is starting to sound more like an all-inclusive vacation than a job.”

  Another whisper of a smile touched his lips, but the appearance of Decker, papers in hand, reestablished the serious tone of the conversation. He set them on the table, nodded to Hix, then looked at Everly and offered his hand. “Welcome aboard, ma’am.”

  She shook his hand. “Everly, please.”

  “Everly,” he confirmed. “If you need anything while Mr. Hix is training or working, please ask me or any of my guys. We’ll take care of you.”

  Warmth tugged in her chest. Everly had to remind herself this was a job. When this was over, she’d never see any of these people again, and even if she did, she’d be considered Hix-enemy number one.

  “Will do,” she told him. “Thank you.”

  He nodded, grabbed a few nachos, and returned to work with Mirabella following on his heels, engaged in a nonstop monologue about something nonsensical.

  “This is the employment contract and a nondisclosure agreement. Please read everything before you sign it. I’m very serious about the rules, and I have a zero-tolerance policy. Any violation, regardless of the reason, and you’re gone.”

  Right. Reality check.

  “I understand.” Everly met his gaze directly. “When do I start?”

  An hour later, Everly sat across the table from Gianna Bliss—a boss’s boss of sorts—at Café Loco. Roman and Ian sat at their own table, close enough to participate in the conversation, far enough away to appear unrelated to the women.

  Everly had been followed to the restaurant by someone trained in surveillance. She hadn’t seen anyone come in after her, but whoever it was could still be watching. And while she was doing what she’d told Hix she’d be doing—meeting a girlfriend for dinner and returning later that evening with the signed papers—she didn’t need the watchdog returning with an alternate scenario.

  After the waiter took their drink order and disappeared into the kitchen, Everly said, “I’m in, but he’s suspicious. You’ll need to put backup on the ground for my references and employment. I have a feeling he’s going to verify everything in detail, if not personally, in person via one of his men.”

  “Already in place,” Roman said. “We’re tripling our normal efforts. Real, live, breathing references, coworkers and friends of Everly Callaway, aid worker, are in place.”

  Gianna put a cute little shopping bag on the table. “Burners.”

  Everly peeked inside. “Aww, you shouldn’t have.” Holding the smile, she asked Gianna, “Why was our team brought in on this? It’s not exactly the kind of thing we normally handle. I mean, I’m all for backing up friends with a little muscle now and then, but if you really just want to get the kid back, you could have gone with a few mercenaries and a waiting jet. Seaver is on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Surely she could have handled this with a few phone calls.”

  “She tried that,” Gianna said, letting out a long breath. “Eight months ago. It went badly. Hix escaped with Mirabella from Mexico and came here. She only found them again a few months ago, and found out that while Costa Rica participates in the Hague Convention on paper, they don’t enforce it. So even though Seaver has cus
tody in the United States, they won’t get the girl back unless they physically fight for her.”

  “And if he ran once,” Roman said, speaking to everyone, but looking at Ian, he’ll run again.”

  Likewise, Everly kept her gaze on Gianna when she asked, “So is this an asset mapping assignment or a retrieval?”

  “Both,” Roman confirmed. “While you’re evaluating how to get the girl out safely, you’ll also be mapping his assets in case your cover is blown and he runs again. Everything he owns is hidden through a wily chain of shell corporations. Sam is ferreting out his financials.”

  “He’s got a team of guys there now,” Everly said. “Looks like they’re doing some training on the property.” She met Gianna’s gaze directly. “How confident are you in your intel?”

  “Very. Why?”

  Gianna’s answer wasn’t a surprise. She was a cautious woman. As cautious as she could be when she headed an interagency task force aimed at catching the shadiest criminals. She enlisted the help of Manhunters when a situation required finesse, secrecy, anonymity, raw power, or plausible deniability. But this was different. This was a personal favor for Gianna approved by Everly’s boss, Roman.

  She shook her head. “Just a feeling.”

  “What kind of feeling?” Roman asked.

  “Can’t quite pin it down yet.”

  “There’s no question on the intelligence,” Gianna insisted. “Everything’s in the file: the legal papers assigning the Seavers custody, Hix’s military record showing his dishonorable discharge and a dozen egregious offenses.”

  “Is that why custody was given to the Seavers?” she asked.

  “Hix is a criminal. That generally renders someone unfit to be a parent.”

  “According to the file, he was granted custody of the girl initially,” she clarified. “He left the military to raise her. Special forces soldiers don’t just leave the military. I see that as a real sacrifice. It also seems that the Seavers were only granted custody after they sued Hix again, after he left the country.” She glanced at the men’s table. “Doesn’t anyone else see a problem between the intel and the facts?”

  “What kind of problem?” Gianna wanted to know.

  “Inconsistency, for one. If he was dishonorably discharged, why did a court give him custody in the first place? If they thought he was guilty of a crime—or crimes—why wasn’t he ever court-martialed? The offenses cited were significant. Gunrunning to opposing governments rises to the level of treason, yet Hix was never tried for any crime. For two, it seems a little chicken shit to file for custody after he’s left the country. The Seavers had to know how hard it would be for him to defend himself from Costa Rica. He certainly wouldn’t feel safe bringing the girl back to the US after the Seavers tried to steal her once before.” She cut a look at the guys. “Tell me if I’m way off here.”

  “The Seavers love that child,” Gianna said. “They may have made some mistakes in their attempt to keep Mirabella safe, but they cared for the girl while their daughter was in drug rehab and after she died.”

  “Until Hix came home from doing his patriotic duty and took over.” Everly shook her head and glanced at all three of them. “I take issue when the rights of soldiers are overlooked while they’re out fighting for our freedom. And I’m having a hard time seeing the reason behind ripping this kid away from her biological parent, in a country where we have no enforceable legal standing.”

  Clearly frustrated, Gianna looked at Roman. “It looks like we might need a different undercover.”

  Everly’s hackles rose. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “If I’m sent to do a mission, I’ll do the mission, regardless of my personal feelings. You may be used to working alone,” she told Gianna, referencing her background as a CIA operative, “but we work as a team. That’s what these meetings are for, getting clear on the what and why so there’s no second-guessing when we go in. I’ve met him. I’ve spoken to him. I’ve seen him with his daughter and his employees. And I expect more from you than a snap judgment on my assessment.”

  “Everly,” Ian said. “Easy.”

  “No,” Gianna told Ian. She exhaled and offered Everly a contrite “I apologize. You’re right.”

  “Hix is painted as a manipulative narcissist out for personal gain in the shape of money and power,” Everly said, still annoyed. “But that’s not what I observed this afternoon, which brings me back to my initial question: How good is the intel?”

  Gianna paused before she answered this time. “I can tell you that the intel came from the highest level of the DOD, and that I trust the source.”

  Everly’s sixth sense kept firing warning shots across the bow, but without any solid information or proof to the contrary, she had to fall back on her experience with Gianna in the past. The woman had always been forthright and scrupulous.

  “Okay, then,” she conceded. “His true colors will eventually show.”

  The waiter brought their drinks, and Everly paused until he was out of earshot to continue. “I’m signing an employment contract and an NDA tonight, and I start work tomorrow. It’s a tightly controlled live-in situation, which will hinder communication and the flow of information. Given his experience, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a com twenty-four seven. It’s hard to see, but it’s not always invisible.”

  “We’ll set up regular check-ins,” Roman said. “You can use the burner, email, and messaging. Sam’s got you set up on secure Wi-Fi.”

  “The faster we get her out,” Gianna said, “the less you’ll have to worry about communication. What’s the security look like on the inside?”

  “Tight. Probably even tighter than I can assess at a glance. The cameras and alarms can ultimately be dismantled long enough for a well-choreographed abduction, but he’s got four ex-military guys on duty around the clock, not to mention a gaggle of special forces guys there training. And the girl’s bedroom is right next to Hix’s, with an adjoining door. He’s never far from the kid. As much as I’d love to make this an easy in-and-out, I know one thing for sure, a grab-and-go would have serious—as in deadly—consequences. This guy is going to fight for her. Hard.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” Roman looked at his watch. “Right now, we need to get Gianna to the airport.”

  “You’re leaving already?” Everly asked.

  “I have another operation that needs my attention,” she said. “But Roman will be able to reach me.”

  “Ian,” Everly said as Roman stood. “Can you stay a minute?”

  Ian remained in his seat while Gianna and Roman exited the café separately.

  Everly put her phone to her ear, pretending to make a call. “I need some pointers for the kid. You were really great with Jamison,” she said, referencing the boy from a past mission. A boy who Ian was in the process of adopting. “Won him over right away. If this is going to work, I’m going to have to get this kid to trust me, and I’m going to have to make it happen fast.”

  Ian sipped his drink. With his back to most of the restaurant, he could talk without notice. “Depends on the kid. Is the girl happy?”

  “Not-a-care-in-the-world happy.”

  “Is the dad engaged?”

  “Overly.”

  “Does she like him, or is she afraid of him?” he asked.

  “Adores him.”

  He stared down at his drink. “You’re right. That’s not the way the file looks.”

  “Thank you. I was starting to feel crazy.”

  “But here’s the thing,” Ian said. “The law is the law. Just because Costa Rica won’t enforce it doesn’t mean it’s not valid. It sucks that they took his kid away. I feel for him. If Jamison was taken from me and Savannah, I might do exactly what Hix has done. But that’s not our call. We’re here to get the kid back to the people the court has decided are the best parents. We’re not judge and jury, and it sounds like you might be rooting for this guy. That’s gonna mess you up when it counts.”

  “I’m not exactly
rooting for him, but I’m not looking forward to pulling his happy kid from her fairy-tale life, either.” She heaved a sigh, focusing her mind back into the black-and-white mode she needed to make this happen. “Okay, what can I do to win over the girl?”

  “If she and Hix are as tight as you think, I’d say the first step is to win over the father.” He shot her a sidelong grin. “Just don’t make the same mistake I did.”

  Ian was currently engaged to a woman he’d worked with on a previous case.

  “I can promise you that won’t happen,” Everly told him.

  He lifted a shoulder. “Then use that pretty self of yours and give Hix something other than his suspicions to think about. Distraction is always a perfect diversion.”

  Everly sighed, lowered her phone, and pretended to disconnect from a call with a murmured “Guess it’s always smart to be on their good side if shit goes down.”

  Roman kept his hands in his pockets as he walked beside Gianna. The quiet, dark streets of Playas del Coco seemed to wrap them in intimacy. One that pulled him to Gianna more than usual, though he was fully aware that was his perception, not hers.

  He was anxious to get her on that plane. He’d been with her only a couple of hours, and he already ached with the need to touch her.

  “Want to talk about it?” he asked.

  Gianna exhaled heavily. At her rented SUV, she paused and leaned her butt against the rear bumper. “I didn’t mean to come down so hard on Everly. It’s just, I really want to do something for the Seavers. Clyde was devastated when Steven was killed. Losing Mirabella on top of that has been so hard on them.”

  Roman loved and admired her compassion. Most people at her level had hardened over the years. Working in office settings kept them from remembering that their decisions affected living, breathing people. Gianna always had one foot in the field, and it kept her connected and compassionate.

  “Everly can handle it,” he told her. “Sounds like you might have a little survivor’s guilt.”

  The moonlight illuminated her frown. Steven had been her colleague and lover. Roman had come to terms with her moving on, but that didn’t make him want her any less. And while they didn’t spend a lot of time together, it was enough to create a constant state of want in Roman.