CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
I wanted to go home. I was exhausted, I missed Hugo, and I was in desperate need of just curling up with Mia in bed and hibernating for days.
Where has she gone, by the way?
I knew she was talking with Edward, and that was fine. But I was high on adrenaline and post-assignment worry. I was also tired of the distance between us, and if her reaction to me during that day was any indication, we were ready to fix our issues and move forward .
I knew their impromptu meeting must’ve been important, so I was trying my best to give them time. But we spent too long apart for my taste. I had half a mind to just say ‘ screw it ’ and pull her back to me. Edward could talk to her another day.
As I considered indeed going after her, Shane stepped down the stairs into the atrium carrying Delilah in his arms, bride-style.
He threw me a tired, yet relieved smile, and I strode closer tentatively to make sure she was okay, yet considerate enough not to make her uncomfortable. I stood in front of them to ask her, waiting to see if she’d read my lips or if Shane would translate it.
She nodded in reassurance, and I was relieved to see she was somewhat fine, although she most likely had a new trauma to add to the pile of baggage the cartel had given her.
“Where is Mia?” Shane asked.
Before I could respond, I felt my phone vibrating, indicating a new message. I fished it out of my pocket and frowned. “That’s weird.”
The guys approached us as Mr. Dawson and Edna were walking into the atrium.
He stared at the destruction in a mixture of worry and wonder. “This will be a clusterfuck to deal with.” Noticing my uneasiness, his brows turned into a vee. “Is there something wrong? ”
I opened and closed my mouth and shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure. A while ago, I worked on a new software for Mia and the team. I was looking for a way to make the investigation easier. While I was on it, I researched every property involving the cartel and set new researches for each of them, trying to find their owners. Two of the properties they raided came up with layer upon layer of shell companies. Until now.” I pointed at my phone. “I just received a notification indicating that the last compound—the one where we rescued Delilah and the other girls—is in the name of Gretchen Tucker. I don’t recall seeing that name in the investigation before.”
Delilah meandered within the atrium under my brother’s protective gaze.
Edna and Mr. Dawson scowled, and he rested his hands on his hips. “Why does that name sound familiar?” He touched Edna’s arm. “Is that—”
A strangled cry interrupted him, leaving us on edge. Shane sprinted to Delilah, who started shaking like a leaf and hyperventilating. My brother tried to calm her down and ask her what triggered her, but nothing seemed to work.
Sobbing in desperation and struggling to breathe, she pointed at the wall. At Edward Landon’s photo.
Mr. Dawson stepped closer. “Why is she crying at— Gretchen !” He stared back at Edna with wide eyes. “Gretchen Landon. She’s Edward’s wife. ”
She cursed loudly like a sailor, and I wasn’t sure if I should be scared or impressed at the tiny woman. “Gretchen Tucker is her maiden name!”
Aaron shook his head in confusion. “Wait! So, if the property belongs to them—”
“He’s ‘ The Badge ,’” I concluded, already feeling my stomach churn.
Mr. Dawson turned sickly pale. “Where the fuck is he?”
My eyes rounded, and I felt like throwing up. “Mia!” I pointed at Delilah and shouted at my brother. “Stay with her!”
Then I raced for Mia, not even checking behind me to see if the guys were following me. I knew they were.
I sped up through each hallway, bursting open every door on the way, until I saw them through the glass front wall of the waiting room.
Where Mia was fighting for her life.