Page 66 of Wicked Intention

Lowering his voice, Finn said, “You’re a client. Someone those men have done business with in the past and might do business with in the future. You don’t have that type of relationship with Ramos, and once you hand over the disk, you have zero leverage.Zero. Do you think he took over as head of a drug cartel by playing fair?”

“Of course not, but—”

“No, don’t waste your breath arguing. There’s no way in hell I’m allowing you to take the disk to Ramos.”

“Allowing me?” Zo glared up at him. She was muddy, her clothes and hair were sodden, and exhaustion was etched on her face, but she didn’t back down.

“Poor choice of words,” Finn said, struggling to keep his expression neutral. “I want you safe, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you that way.”

“Listen to your husband, Zofia,” Alvarez said. “He knows best.”

They’d let everyone in San Isidro believe they were married—it was easier that way—but for an instant, Finn feared Zo’s temper was going to get the better of her. The moment passed, but Ski looked like he wanted to laugh. Finn gave him a hard stare.

“Tio Luis,” Zo shifted again to face the man, “you know I’ll do whatever I can to bring Tia Izel safely home.”

Alvarez took both of Zo’s hands in his. “While Izel and I were never blessed with children of our own, we had you in our lives. You, Zofia, are our daughter in every way that matters. Do you believe I would allow you to risk your life? Do you believe Izel would want you to take this risk for her?”

“But—”

“My heart would not survive should anything happen to you.”

Zo deflated, then took a step forward to hug Alvarez. Finn had no doubt the innkeeper meant every word he’d said, but it was also true he’d played Zo like a master. This capitulation was momentary, though, and Finn knew it. His loquita would be turning ideas over in her mind, trying to find a way to ride to the rescue, not only to save Tia Izel but to protect the three old men as well.

He had his own plan ready to go—with contingencies because Zo still managed to surprise him. Finn had some small hope he wouldn’t have to implement it, but the oddswere against him. He’d either have to run it to keep his woman safe or to keep the older men alive.

Stepping back, Zo said slowly, “What if I didn’t bring the disk but negotiated for the location of where I hid it? I’d continue to have leverage then, right?”

Finn’s sigh was drowned out by protests from Señors Alvarez, Garcia, and Otero. So much for the hope that she’d stay out of it. “I’ll go,” he said, his voice slicing through the ruckus.

The four of them went quiet. Zo turned slowly. “What?” Her question held a sharp note.

“I said I’ll go. I can do the negotiating.”

Zo moved until she was toe-to-toe with him and glared. “If you think you’re risking your life—”

He struggled not to grin. “Zo, I’m trained for this.”

“I’ll go with you.”

The urge to smile disappeared. “The hell you are.”

“I’m going. There is no way I’ll stand by and let you take on Ramos alone.”

His hesitation was brief. “I won’t be alone. I’ll be working with my team.”

Captain Nguyen didn’t pause, immediately taking the opening he’d been given. “That’s right, ma’am. We’ll watch out for him.”

“But—” That was as far as Zo got.

“This is the perfect opening to approach Ramos,” the captain continued.

“Yeah,” Finn agreed, but he wasn’t happy. Now he was committed to spending the length of the operation in Puerto Jardin, and it could take months. He hadn’t been briefed on the ultimate goal of the assignment, but it was a safe bet it didn’t stop with Ramos. He would lay odds it included finishing the job from two years ago—taking down Torres and his network.

“No! We will go,” Alvarez said. His two friends nodded,moving to flank him. “My Izel is too important to be used as a pawn to reach some other objective.”

Finn nodded. “Tia Izel is important to me, too, Señor Alvarez.” He’d never been given permission to call the man Tio Luis. “Before I do anything else, I’ll get her safely out of Ramos’ hands. You have my word.”

“The word of a mercenary, working in concert with other mercenaries,” Otero said. “You will put your interests first.”