I wanted so badly to talk to her, but was grateful, in that moment, for my tendency to overthink before speaking. I’d always done it, and had been criticized for being too careful, but in this moment, it was my greatest asset. I would never again see my ability to remain aloof as a criticism. I took that extra beat, and instead of blurting out her name, instead of asking the obvious question, “What the hell are you doing in the middle of my op?” of Ella Guzman, I waited. My mind was racing, but I locked down, making sure nothing showed on my face.
For her part, she replaced her sunglasses and climbed the steps, her colleague keeping pace, until they both were standing in front of me.
“Good morning,” I greeted both women. “I trust your trip was uneventful.”
The woman standing beside Ella took off her cat-eye sunglasses and regarded me. “You’re Colter?”
“You know I am,” I told her, sounding bored, squinting. “And you are?”
“I’m Maria Elena Ortiz,” she said, and then put her hand on Ella’s shoulder. “And this is my associate, Lucia Diaz.”
My gaze met Ella’s. “Pleasure to meet you both.”
She gave me a curt nod.
“Would you like to come inside, out of the cold?” I asked Maria Elena.
“Yes, please,” she said, taking a step forward, only to have the heel of her shoe catch on an uneven paver and twist.
Ella moved, the men who came with them moved, but I was closest, so I offered my arm for her to grab hold of if she needed it. I had learned, years ago, that sometimes the instinct to offer help could come off, at first impression, as an aggressive motion, and even threatening. I was exceptionally careful with women and children because in the line of duty, they were the ones I’d routinely seen beaten and bloody.
But her hands gripped my bicep and forearm, and her dark eyes met mine as she regained her balance. Sliding her hand into the crook of my arm, obviously not intending to let go, she waited for Ella to join us, and then we began the trek into the house.
“I need all my men inside with me.”
“Of course,” I agreed, letting her set our pace, with Dallas in the lead and holding the door open for us, then slipping in after and handing that job off to another agent.
Turning to Ella, she barked out orders in Spanish. One of their men collected their coats, and then I escorted everyone to a sitting area near the fireplace, where they made themselves comfortable while their men hovered near, but not close enough to overhear, our agents doing the same, allowing the same amount of distance, and I asked what I could offer them to drink while trying to figure out how to separate them so I could get Ella alone.
“I would love some coffee, if you have something that didn’t come in a can from the grocery,” Maria Elena replied, her face tight with tension.
“We do,” I gambled, certain that the kitchen in a house that looked like this would be stocked just as lavishly. Turning to Dallas, he gave me a nod, and I turned back to the two women, taking a seat on the leather couch across from them. “While we wait, I’d like to know that Lane is safe.”
“She is,” Maria Elena replied. “She’s close by at the house in Southern Highlands.”
I nodded. “Why the delay from yesterday to today?”
Maria Elena took a breath. “There were some last-minute changes with our personnel.”
“And why was that?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” she told me.
I leaned forward, holding her gaze. “I’m here to negotiate the best deal possible between my boss, Brig Stanton, and your boss, Ruben Suárez, for the quickest, safest return of Lane Stanton,” I explained. “Now that we’re here, let’s cut to the chase. I understand that even after Lane comes home, you will always have Mr. Stanton’s family and friends in your crosshairs. To make certain that there are no more instances like this one, we will accept a business proposal as long as everyone remains safe, and it is accomplished with the utmost secrecy and discretion. And of course, if it benefits us financially.”
Ella crossed her arms as her eyes narrowed to slits, speaking for the first time, done with Maria Elena acting as her intermediary. “We were led to believe that Mr. Stanton only wanted the release of his sister and was willing to negotiate a deal that would benefit Ruben Suárez. It would seem he is the one holding all the cards, as it were.”
I shrugged. “I don’t work for Mr. Stanton alone.”
Maria Elena gasped. “That’s not what we––”
“No.” Ella’s hand shot out, snapping her fingers at the woman like one would signal a dog. “Say nothing.”