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“Oh, Paul. She really loved you and sacrificed so much so that someday you could have a relationship with your child. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.”

I sniffed and quickly dried my own tears with the back of my hand. I grieved the loss of Talya all over again. My heart wanted to slam that door shut, but I couldn’t because I had a son to save.

“I think Cole should see this.” Ivy pointed a soft pink painted fingernail to the addresses scribbled on the bottom of the letter.

“Yes, he does need to see it.” Filled with a sense of urgency, I jumped to my feet and took the letter she held out. “Thanks, Ivy.”

“Thank you, Paul, for letting me in to share this with you. It’s a big step.”

“I’ve gotta go.”

“Yes, you do.” She laughed as I ran out of the room and down the long hallway.

“Abby?” I called as I entered the kitchen.

“It’s June.” June was Abby’s sister and just as loved as anyone else here.

“Hey, June,” I kissed her cheek as I snagged a chocolate square from the cooling rack, “have you seen Cole?”

“He’s downstairs with Frank and Daniel.”

“Thanks.” I handed off the chocolatey goodness to Olivia as she came through the door with Hudson then raced by them.

“Yes! Another!” I heard her squeal as I disappeared down the stairs.

Savannah stepped in my path, and her big brown eyes twinkled. “I know now isn’t the time,” she held up her hands, “so I’ll say it really quick, then tuck it away for later when everything sets in that you have a son.”

“Okay.” I glanced around her shoulder, knowing every second counted.

“You will not be raising this child alone. He’ll have endless family who will love him with all our hearts.

We’ll take the lead from you on how you want to do it, and if you’ll allow it someday, we’ll speak very highly of his mother, even though we never met her.

Because,” she stepped closer as her words smoothed my panic slightly, “if you loved Talya that much and she gave up so much, even her own family, just to keep your child away from a life of crime, she must have been an amazing woman.”

“She was.” I smiled. “Ruthless and stubborn but—" I shrugged, and Savannah’s eyes lit up even more.

“I’m so sorry I never got to meet her. Something tells me she’d have fit in here.”

“If only she wasn’t part of a Cartel,” I joked darkly. She looked down, and I knew something else was bothering her. “Out with it.”

“You sure it’s wise stepping over that border again? I mean, the last time you did that, you died.” She made a face as if to say you know what I mean . “I’m still shocked Cole agreed to this.”

“He didn’t really have a choice because he knows I’ll go with or without the guys.

I wouldn’t risk it if it wasn’t for my son.

” Son . That was so strange to say. “Anyway, my appearance has changed a lot since I lived in Mexico. I’ve bulked up, I’m cleanshaven, I even had some tattoos removed and cut my long hair into this crew cut.

” I grinned at her as I pointed to my head.

She laughed. “It’s definitely an improvement.”

“Besides, Savi, most of the men who knew me are dead, and I had very few encounters with the ones who are left. I know the risks. I know they’ll kill me if given the chance, but I also know that if they get to him first, it’s over.”

“I understand. Just promise me you’ll come home safe, both of you.”

“You have my word.” I leaned in for a hug. “Thanks, Savi, for getting ahead of the storm, and when that moment hits me, I’ll remember your words.” I pointed to my head.

“Okay, one more thing.” She handed me a small black bag. “It’s a few things you might need when you find him. Diapers, clean outfit, stuff like that…you never know.”

I looked inside and thought how helpful and thoughtful she was. “Thanks, Savi.”

“Of course.” She smiled. “That’s all. Now, off you get,” she teased and let me continue toward the main conference room.

“Sorry, Paul?” Tommy Gear, Ty’s team member from Dark Water, stopped me on the steps. “I can tell you’re busy, but can I just…” He hesitated then put out his hand for a shake. “I’m leaving for Washington soon, and I wanted to say it was a real pleasure to work alongside you.”

I shook his hand to clear the current situation from my head and granted him a warm smile.

Gear’s sister, who sadly spent her life in a wheelchair, had taken a turn for the worse.

Frank offered to refer her to a doctor in Washington and helped move her and his mother there.

After much consideration, Gear decided to join Eagle Eye’s team and move to their new safe house that just finished being built.

As much as Ty didn’t want to see him leave, he needed to go.

No soldier could do his job to its full potential when his head was worried about his family. I sidestepped that thought.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Gear. You’re a hell of a soldier, and you’ll do great under Frank.”

“I appreciate that.” He waved. “I’ll let you get back.”

I hurried down the stairs and avoided a Nerf gun for the third time that day.

“Holy shit, dude,” Mark’s stunned tone told me he just heard the news, “this is so crazy. Paul’s got a son.” I caught Mike’s look toward Cole as he shook his head in shock.

“And he’s how old?”

“One-ish,” Cole answered.

“It explains a lot.” Frank pointed to the muted TV that replayed Jerry Canos’ video of everyone scattering into the city.

“If Talya really is,” he paused and glanced at me as I entered, “gone, and her parents didn’t know until now they have a grandson, they’ll fight tooth and nail to get to him before anyone else.

He’s the first-born son in a drug lord’s family.

He’d be worth everything to them, and to a lot of others. ”

“I know we ship out tonight and what we have to do, but we’re going in blind here. I mean, do we even have a place to start looking?” Keith asked.

“Actually, we do.” I held up the letter and made my way over to the computer that was projecting onto a massive screen.

I wanted to leave immediately but I knew we couldn’t jump in headfirst. This would be a very dangerous mission not only for me, but for my son, and I needed to keep a clear head.

We had no idea how many people we were up against. “Talya wrote me a letter and told me her plans.” I typed in the address in Mexico City.

“She had planned to be here,” I tapped the screen, “until the baby was born. Here is where a copy of his birth record is hidden.” I dragged my finger across the screen.

“Really?” Cole squinted at the location. “Interesting.”

I nodded. “So, then Talya planned on living with him here.” I typed in another address. “But she did say that if she got into trouble they’d go to a place special to her.”

“Which is?” Frank asked.

“I’m not sure yet. It was somewhere we went years ago.

I can’t quite remember, but I’ll do a little digging, and I’m sure it’ll come to me.

At least it’s a start. Talya was a smart woman.

If she thought danger might come, she’d make sure she had options.

I figure if she saw it coming, she’d go to the third location, but if she didn’t—” I eyed him with a worried look, and John put a hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s not go there yet, Paul.”

I nodded at my friend and pushed back the fear.

“Damn,” Mark whistled, “she sure was one determined lady to do all this to keep the little guy hidden.”

“It’s impressive.” Cole studied the map. “Smart lady to give us a direction.”

Movement at the door had Frank quickly blur the screen as it slid open, and Savi looked in.

She glanced around and locked eyes with her husband.

“Excuse the interruption, but Benjamin Bale is here and has something to share with you all. He thought it might be important, seeing as you’re leaving tonight. ”

“Okay.” Cole flipped the file in front of him closed while I switched off the screen.

Ben’s walk looked painful, and the torture the Cartel had inflicted during his captivity was evident.

“Forgive me, but I wanted to share this.” He held up a tiny chip, and Mark held out his hand to inspect it further.

“It’s from my camera. I hid it before they destroyed it.

As you might know, the teams we’re paired with train us to hide our footage in any way possible.

Lucky for me, the monsters who searched me didn’t check under my busted dead toenail. ”

Mark’s face paled, and he dropped the chip on the table like it scalded his hand. “My bologna sandwich isn’t agreeing with me, suddenly.”

“Maybe it's because you eat bologna,” Mike scoffed as he pulled out a small device to project the images into the computer.

“Have you guys gotten any word on Nicole Winter?” You could see by his expression he was worried about her. They’d have had each other’s backs in the line of work.

“Not yet.” Cole answered.

“Okay,” he let out a small breath, “she’s got a reputation of being a badass, and at the risk of her kicking the crap out of me later, it’s important to know she’s actually a big softy.

” His voice cracked at the end. “She runs with the big sharks but wears her heart on her sleeve. You have to gain her trust before she’ll let you in.

I’m only telling you this because when you’re over there, if you see her, she might need a ride home. ”

Cole started to shift through the papers in the folder. “What about the team that was assigned to you? I don’t see where they came home.”

“They were executed.” He rubbed his shoulder.

“I believe I was the target, and that meant they had to be killed.” His eyes glossed and he stared at the floor.

Something passed through Cole and Frank.

Apparently, that knowledge hadn’t been reported to Washington yet.

“One of them was only twenty-two and had a pregnant wife back in Kentucky. I don’t believe Nicole knows that they were killed and might be trying to head to the next pick-up point. ”

“Excuse me.” Frank raced out of the office with his phone to his ear.

“Ben,” I pulled his attention over to me, “what can you tell me about the Cartel activity in Mexico City?” We had our intel, but insight from a war correspondent’s photographer would be invaluable.

“It’s riddled with Cartel, worse than before, thanks to Pedro Perez, who just resurfaced after a few years. There are rumors that his son Bruno is alive, but I haven’t seen that firsthand.” I gave a quick glance at Cole. “If Bruno Perez is alive, that’s going to be a real big problem for Nicole.”

“Why?”

“Because she just spent the last six years gaining the trust of Sully Sanchez, who I now know was in the pocket of Bruno Perez. And if you know anything about Bruno and the type of women he likes, well, Nicole has been at the top of that list.” He looked pointedly at Cole.

“Your wife, to give you an example, would be just his type of woman, Mr. Logan. I hope for her sake she doesn’t go on your missions. ”

“She certainly does not.” Cole didn’t miss a beat to clear that up.

“Good, because his last few girlfriends were found at the bottom of the ocean but not before he crushed in their faces. He’s a horrible human.”

“Has he had a run-in with Nicole before?” I was curious to know how much trouble she might be in if we did cross paths.

“Yeah, once before, when she was still new at her job. She wouldn’t talk much about it, but whatever happened, it left a mark. She barely slept for a week after that and had these crazy nightmares. I just pray he’s gone.”

“It’s a good thing we’re aware of all this.” John glanced at Cole. “Thank you, Ben. We’ll take a look at your footage and let you know if we have any questions for you.”

“Of course.” He moved slowly toward the door but stopped. “I’m sure whatever you’re working on now doesn’t have to do with finding Nicole, but if she’s still missing in a few days, do you think they’ll send someone out there to find her?”

“If she’s as resourceful as you say, chances are she’ll pop up soon.” Cole gave him a reassuring smile. “But of course. Frank’s already on it.” He pointed to Frank outside the unfrosted doors.

“Thank you.” He disappeared through the door.

Daniel flipped the screen back on. “Nice to know correspondents and their videographers still have a good friendships like back in my day.”

John opened and closed his mouth then decided to speak.

“Going back to tonight’s mission, and I totally agree it’s of the highest priority.

” He nodded at me. “It’s about family.” The guys all hit the table with their fists to show their support, and the lump found its way back to my throat.

“We all know that every one of the borders will be swimming with Cartel, the airspace will be on high alert, and Jerry Canos made our faces public after the Castillo hit. Now we could potentially be up against Bruno Perez, and he’s a major problem.

I just want to throw it out there that if we do get our hands on this boy first, how in the hell will we get him back here? ”

I spoke up. “I have an idea. I’m just not sure you’re going to like it.”