Chapter 5
Io needed quiet. A place to mentally review the intel Archer had handed her before she’d inserted into Puerto Jardin. She’d need some of that information when she worked with the Special Forces team.
The safe house was large, but nowhere felt private—every room carried footsteps, voices, interruptions.
Then she’d found the building next door.
It must have been a chapel once. The altar was gone, the icons stripped away, but the pews remained—rows of worn wood and silence.
No choir loft, no higher level. She chose a strategically advantageous seat with a view of the door and the front of the building.
Know the exits, control the angles, never let anyone get behind you.
It was ingrained now, more than a habit.
Bonus points for making it harder to find her.
The door creaked and Io stiffened. Was there no privacy anywhere? Someone was looking for her, there was no other reason to come into the chapel. She didn’t worry about being unarmed. If the safe house had been breached, she’d have heard more than a door opening.
The footsteps were tentative, so Io ruled out the men she’d met. None of them would tiptoe. That gave her a strong suspicion.
Ayla came through the vestibule, looking around as she edged forward. Her hair remained straight from their twin switch, but she’d changed back into her own clothes.
For a moment, Io simply sat there. She didn’t move, didn’t call out. Then she relented. Her sister might need something.
“Over here, Ay.”
Ayla gasped and pivoted. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Yeah, she guessed that. “You found me,” Io said, keeping resignation from her tone by sheer dint of will.
The chapel was intact, but dust coated the floor. Ayla picked her way toward the pew. “Scoot over,” she said, without enough force to make it an order.
Io slid down the pew.
“What did you need, Ay?” she asked when her sister sat without speaking.
“To talk with you.”
More arguing then. Great. Io needed her thoughts organized before the briefing, and instead, she’d be soothing hurt feelings. She should have found a better hidey-hole.
“I wanted to apologize,” Ayla said at last. “The things I said were unnecessary, but I was hurt, so I lashed out.”
This was unexpected.
“Oz and I talked. He offered some theories on why you didn’t tell me about getting married.”
“Theories?” Io asked, despite herself.
“Primarily one. Oz thought you were embarrassed about how quickly things fell apart. That made sense. You excel at everything you do. You always have.” Ayla shrugged.
“Pretty good theory.”
“And I lecture,” Ayla admitted softly.
“Oh, yeah, you sure do.” Io regretted it instantly, but Ay laughed.
“It’s because I worry about you.” Ayla took her hand. “You’re not just the only family I have left who cares about me, you’re my twin. I don’t know how I’d survive losing you. So I lecture and fuss and annoy you because I want you safe. I want you happy.”
“I’m not your only family anymore.” Io squeezed her hand. “You have Oz now. You have a baby on the way. They’re your family.”
Ayla nodded. “They are. But you’re my sister. I’m not going to forget about you.”
Tears pricked, and Io blinked them away. She didn’t cry. “I know that, Ay. I know.”
They sat quietly before Ayla asked, “What happened between you and tall, dark, and tattooed?”
Io remained quiet and just held her sister’s hand.
“Aside from Oz, I spent the most time with Baggs. You called him Cal. That’s his real name?” Io nodded. “He seemed like a good man. Did you know he speaks Russian and Spanish?”
Io huffed out a laugh. “I know. He speaks at least half a dozen languages.”
“Just like you. What happened? Why aren’t you still together?”
Io sifted through possible answers, then chose the simplest. “Because he couldn’t accept me as I am. He wanted someone content to work at a bank or a bakery or a florist while he went out and did his job. Someone safe. Someone predictable. Not me.”
“I wish you had a job that requires less traveling, too, but I know you. You’d feel smothered in an office. You inherited Mom and Dad’s craving for adventure. Did he know what your real job was when you were dating? Because I didn’t know until you vanished and I flew down here.”
“You’re scolding, Ayla.”
“Sorry. Did he know? That matters.”
“Cal knew from the start. I didn’t hide anything. He didn’t mention having a problem until after the wedding.”
“Did he really think marriage would change your personality?”
“It looks that way.”
“He’s a total dork. A hot dork, but still a dork.”
Io laughed. “I love you, Ay. You’re the best sister ever.”
“Love you, too. Any chance you two can compromise?”
The humor drained. “I offered him a compromise. He turned it down. He basically said it was his way, or I should go back to the US because we were over.”
Ayla stiffened. “I was wrong. He’s not a dork, he’s an asshole. We’ll find you someone better. Someone who appreciates your spark.”
Io didn’t argue. She couldn’t. Not when the word still abraded places she didn’t want to examine. Her spark. Right. That was the first thing that attracted people to her and the first thing they tried to smother. “I’m still married, Ay.”
“We’ll take care of that when we’re back in Los Angeles. Rachel in PR had a great divorce attorney. I’ll get his name.”
Io’s free hand went to her chest, settling over the chain that held her wedding rings. “Let’s talk about this after we solve the Russian mobster issue.”
“You’re right. One problem at a time. Just know that I’m with you all the way. Always and forever.”
“I know. You got on a plane for me. If you could do that, you’ll do anything.” Teasing helped lighten the mood. She needed focus, not brooding.
But it felt good, sitting with her sister, holding her hand, knowing she wasn’t alone.
The door creaked again, and irritation flared. For fuck’s sake, the whole team wasn’t even here and it was like Grand Central Station.
Of course it was Cal. And unlike Ayla, he spotted her immediately.
“Io, can we talk? Alone?”
Ayla stood and glared. “If you think I’m leaving my sister alone with you—”
Sighing, Io rose. “It’s okay, Ay.”
“You don’t owe him anything. Anything.”
“I know. It’s okay. Go find Oz, and give him the update. You know he’s waiting.”
Ayla hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ll be fine. Please?”
“Okay.” She headed for the door, pausing to give Cal a glare that should have shriveled him.
When the door thudded shut, Io sat again, staring at the empty space where the altar had once been.
Cal moved silently, but she felt him. He sat beside her. She held her position, refusing to shift even an inch. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he still got under her skin. He was tight. Coiled. He was going to try to manage her, not talk to her.
“What the hell did you tell your sister? She used to like me.”
“The truth, Cal. I told Ayla the truth.” Io didn’t wait for him to steer the conversation. “Why are you here?”
“I thought we could talk.”
Something in his voice made her stiffen. “What do you want?”
“What makes you think I want something?” he asked lightly.
“Don’t bullshit me. I know that tone. What do you want?”
A long silence, then Cal said, “BD is planning an op briefing after dinner.”
“I know. He sent that kid to tell me. Rusty.”
“Hardly a kid. He’s only a few years younger than you.”
“He seems younger.” She leaned back. “Come on. You’re not usually indirect. What did you want to discuss?”
“Your part in the op.”
Io went rigid. “Damn it, Cal, I don’t want to argue.”
“I don’t either. I want you to agree to me playing your hired bodyguard.”
She blinked. “Wait. What? You’re not going to insist I sit on the sidelines?”
Cal leaned back beside her, shoulders brushing. “I tried to talk BD out of using you.”
“Of course you did. No luck?”
“None. He pulled rank.”
Io mulled that over. “Considering your insubordination in the kitchen, you’re lucky he didn’t send you on a fifty-mile run. Uphill.”
She saw his smile from the corner of her eye.
“I was so far out of line,” he said, “I’d have been grateful for the run. BD cut me a lot of slack. He also made it clear that I’ve used up all his patience.”
“He’ll reprimand you if you cross the line again.”
Cal shrugged, his arm brushing hers. The shivers that went through her were familiar, unwelcome, dangerous. She ruthlessly squashed them before they could take root.
“You’re on the op. He’s using your idea and assigning someone to play the mercenary-bodyguard. I want the role. I want to work for you. But I need your agreement.”
Now she understood. “I don’t think working together is a good idea. You’ll get in my way, try to bubble-wrap me. I can’t operate like that.”
Nodding, Cal said, “The Big Dog already extracted a promise that I wouldn’t interfere. He made it clear you’re in charge and whoever plays your bodyguard is your subordinate.” He hesitated, jaw tight. “I know it won’t be easy for me. I’m not pretending otherwise.”
“So BD didn’t assign you.”
“No, not yet. He said I wasn’t getting the job unless you agreed. He gave me until the briefing to talk you into it.”
This was more like the Cal she knew.
“Why do you want the assignment? If you can’t hide me away, all it’ll do is raise your blood pressure. We’re better off if I work with someone else.”
A long moment. Then Cal spoke softly. “This is a good team. They’re capable, honorable, trustworthy. But Io? I can’t trust anyone else to watch over you. They might kill to protect you, but I don’t know if any of them would die to keep you safe. I would. That’s why I want to be your partner.”
Her heart stuttered before she forced herself to breathe. He meant it, and that was the problem. To him, dying for her was his duty. To her, it was another weight she refused to carry. “No. I don’t want you to die for me. I’m not agreeing.”
Cal took her hand and Io fought the instinct to pull free.
“I wish you’d reconsider. The odds I’ll need to sacrifice my life are small. And look at it this way—I’m on this op even if I’m not your partner. I’ve been working it for weeks. This way you can keep your eyes on me and make sure I stay safe.”
A familiar tightness curled under her ribs. Of course he’d frame it like that, turning his death into a tactical advantage, turning her into the one responsible for preventing it.
Her lips curved anyway, the expression more armor than amusement. “Clever argument.”
“I thought so.”
“We still have a major issue. I’d have to trust you not to interfere, and I’m not sure I can.”
“I know. BD said even if you agreed, he’d replace me in a heartbeat if you whispered a complaint. He wasn’t bluffing. If I get in your way, tell him and you’ll work with Ski. He’s a good guy. Intense, but that won’t bother you.”
Io didn’t speak, thinking it through.
She was used to working alone. She didn’t want a partner. But the players here were dangerous, and she couldn’t monitor every angle alone. She needed someone watching her back. It was either Cal or a stranger.
Neither option thrilled her. But she needed time.
Slipping her hand free, she stood. “I’ll think about your offer.”
She didn’t look back.