Matthew nodded from his computer. “We need to talk to Rebecca again. If I’m guessing correctly, they hold the children’s auctions close together. They won’t want to hang on to them for very long. Kids constitute a lot more work. Adults can be controlled. Kids cry, make messes, and require constant supervision.”
“She needs to sleep,” Julio insisted.
“She can rest when you get her to Texas,” Leo ordered. “Sparky, you take Matthew down the hall to Rebecca’s room and question her. Bear, stay here. I don’t want you to make her nervous. You can compare notes with Sparky and map it out when she returns. Stormy, take the rest of the team and load up the plane with the supplies. I need a minute with Doc, Kassie, Ivan, and Victoria.”
Julio nodded as the team left, waiting for the shoe to fall. He’d rather follow Sparky to Rebecca’s room, but knew Leo diabolically planned his move. He didn’t want Julio in there, blocking their questions.
Kassie and Doc appeared confused as Leo turned to address them.
“We need to lay out our cards on the table, PITA.” Leo addressed Kassie by her nickname. “Since you’re covering the Texas team, it’s important you understand the risks involved.” He turned and waited for Julio to jump in.
He swiped his hand through his hair and glared at his boss. “Jameson has uncovered a ton of information working for the ring. When we’re ready to extract him, he’ll conveniently get killed. No one will suspect anything and I’ll get a chance to take out my frustrations on the bastard for going dark for weeks without reporting in. While they investigated my background, I did things that were not necessarily legal. Once I get Becca home, I plan to go after them,” he admitted quietly. “I’ll be operating in a grey area. Leo’s worried you’ll catch the fallback. You run a successful hospital, have a family, and have a lot to lose. It’s best if we settle this now. Regardless of your decision, I’m going after them,” he said, determined.
Kassie sat back, her brow wrinkled as she considered his statement. Doc pinched his nose as if thinking, ‘oh, fuck.’ Ivan’s eyes gleamed in anticipation. Victoria only smirked at him. Somehow, she bothered him the most.
Kassie leaned in and whispered to her husband. Doc nodded occasionally as his arm wrapped around her chair.
Victoria rolled her eyes. “Please. Why whisper? We know you’ll give in to whatever Kassie wants,” she said, appearing bored.
“Victoria,” Kassie exclaimed. “It’s Chase’s family legacy at stake. Despite my feelings, I have to consider our children.”
“I’ve raised you better than this,” Victoria chastised. “Do you see Ivan or me running from the law while we run our businesses?”
“It’s not the same. I understand Julio’s position and we owe it to Rebecca and every person in our wards to take these people down,” Kassie argued. “How grey are we talking?”
“Damn near black,” Leo answered for him.
‘Shit,” Doc muttered and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
Kassie licked her lips and glanced at her husband. “I asked Leo to find all of James Stanton’s victims. It’s evolved sinceRebecca’s disappearance. You tapped into a world no one wants to imagine. These are real people and those kids… Do whatever you need. You have our full support,” Kassie assured them.
Leo rubbed his forehead as if suddenly suffering a headache. “PITA, I can’t protect you from this. It means if they’re caught, they’ll discover the transferred funds and link them to you. It can cost you this mountain and everything on it.”
“It’ll never go that far,” Victoria vowed. “Ivan and I will provide the funds. Kassie and Chase will give medical care to those in need. They can’t prosecute a doctor and a nurse practitioner.”
“Technically, they can,” Julio argued.
“I’ll have them deep in Ireland or Russia before your government can even blink,” Victoria smiled, staring icily at him.
“It’s not the point,” Kassie interjected. “We’re responsible for employees, Team Hawk, and Alpha team. What about our friends? You can’t take us all to Russia.”
“Shall we make a bet? We can make this entire town disappear within a day,” Victoria bragged. “You’re right. It’s not the issue. We can ensure they can’t discover the funding. Do whatever you need to do. We have men who can help in those grey areas of yours. They’re growing bored transporting teens to the movies. We can offer it as a bonus for good behavior. They’ll be thrilled to shoot at someone.”
Kassie nodded. “We’ll back you all the way.”
Leo gazed at Doc. “How do you feel about this?”
“Leo’s one of my brothers. I’ll go to the ends of the earth with him. By extension, it makes you one of us,” Doc vowed.
Ivan leaned forward. “All grey areas go through me. Leave them out of this. We’ll keep their involvement minimal and exclusive to medical care. The less they know, the better it will be. If you must decide in the field, I’ll back you.”
Leo seemed to consider this before nodding. “You have your answer. Remember, you still report to me, and I sign your checks. I won’t tolerate you going rogue.”
Julio nodded, appreciating their support. He didn’t want to go it alone. “Thanks. I’m heading back to Becca’s room.”
He felt their eyes on him as he walked out of the conference room. Julio didn’t care. The only person who mattered lay in a hospital bed, shattered, and broken. It was up to him to ensure she felt safe again and remind her of the love they once shared. He’d never let Becca down again.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
