Harrison flashed his military ID as he pulled up to the gate, then had Luciana show her passport.She was still here only temporarily.If she ended up staying in Hawaii, which he hoped would happen, she’d need a driver’s license, nursing license, a work visa to remain in the U.S., and God knew what else.And some of that would only be good short term as well.He wanted her here permanently.His mind worked over that thought.While Harrison hadn’t ever thought he’d want to settle down, he also couldn’t imagine doing life without the woman at his side.
Ten minutes later, they were in a conference room on base.Luciana wasn’t allowed in the secure areas, but the photographs weren’t classified.Once they’d stopped trying to find a paper trail, they’d looked through local surveillance systems in Panama City, running Juan Rodriguez’s photo to get a match.
Several members of his team were with him as he spread the photographs across the table.He stood at Luciana’s side and heard her tiny gasp.
“Do you know this man?”Harrison asked, pointing at the person beside her father.
“Si.I recognize him.The man with the scar.He was one of my captors.”
“That’s Pedro Gomez, one of Santiago Garcia’s head henchmen.”
Wyatt suddenly came rushing into the room.“Commander, we received some additional intelligence.Analysts assess that Pedro Gomez and Luciana’s father were working together behind Garcia’s back.Although her father had ties to Santiago Garcia, he was withholding money from him.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed.“Was Garcia aware of this?”
“Affirmative.Garcia knew that Luciana’s father wasn’t cutting him his fair share.”
Harrison snatched the paper from Wyatt’s hands, scanning over the newest intelligence report.
“Your father’s business dealings with the cartel turned sour,” Harrison said.“He owed them money.When they realized you were in fact his daughter, they were using it against him.That’s why you spotted one of your father’s men at the night club.They were looking for you, probably trying to assess if Garcia was telling the truth.”
Luciana’s jaw dropped.“But my father’s men didn’t say anything.The one I recognized stared right at me but let me leave with the cartel.”
“I’m sorry,” Harrison murmured.
“My father is a hateful, spiteful man.He knew I was being held hostage by the cartel, and he left me there!”Tears spilled down her cheeks, and Harrison pulled her into his arms without thought, despite the fact that his entire team now stood there in the same room.Luciana rested her head on his chest as she cried, and anger coursed through him.He roughly ran his hands over her back, trying to soothe her.The man’s evil knew no limits.
“What else do we know?”Harrison barked.
“Garcia has threatened Luciana’s father with death.He will end his entire empire unless her father gives him what he wants.”
Harrison’s stomach dropped.“What is he demanding?”he asked, his voice urgent.
“The leader of the Gulf Clan wants Luciana.”
Chapter 26
