Page 53 of Temptation and Treachery
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Take the back.” Kris’s hand went past Kari’s shoulder to hold the door. With the balaclava in place there was less chance of judging his mood.
Rio paused, half expecting an order to get the hell out of the vehicle. After all, he’d just chosen to be with the daughter of one of the biggest cartel kingpins in Mexico. For all he knew he’d get a debrief then he’d be sent on his way. No regrets. He had everything he needed sitting behind him.
Kris took the passenger’s seat and buckled in. Rio pulled out of the parking lot, checking the area along the way.
“This is Angel.” Rio hoped the introduction would set her at ease. “He’s our lead in the U.S.”
“We met. He was the one I talked to the other night.”
Kris pulled off his gear, turning to face her. “Kris. Though at the camp I’ll ask you to use Angel.”
Rio frowned. At the camp?
Kris faced forward. “What’s the plan now?”
“I left the paperwork done, but I need to be debriefed. I’d rather not leave Celeste on her own. So you tell me how you want to do this.”
“Debriefed? Sounds like you may have a few things worked out.”
Rio tightened his grip on the wheel. “I’ll have my resignation on your desk—”
“Hey, hold on a minute,” Kris interrupted. “We end up with a bombshell dropped on us and you resign.”
He glanced back at Celeste, who sat with her head bowed. “I figured with my new family, it was the right thing to do.”
Kris pulled on his seat belt, giving himself room to sit at an angle. “If you want to leave, I understand. If not, the government has a ‘you can’t choose your family’ view on situations like this.”
Celeste looked up at him in the mirror. Her eyes bright.
“You sure?”
“Oh yeah.” Kris scoffed. “Your situation shouldn’t be an issue. Just be prepared to be investigated. Thoroughly and often.”
Rio hesitated. Life with an ICE agent brought more than just danger. There were details he could never share with her. Those necessary silences were more often than not the reason agent marriages fell apart. They would need to talk privately, but he had to give Kris some sort of answer now. He glanced up and locked his gaze on her. She nodded. “Are you sure?” He wouldn’t do it if she would end up hating him or resenting him in the long run.
“I’m sure.” She leaned forward. “This job is your life, and you’re good at it.”
“You’re my life.”
With a tender smile on her face, she squeezed his shoulder as he pulled onto the highway.
“You don’t have to decide now.” Kris interjected. “I was asking in case you needed time off to get settled.”
“The plan shifted, so we’ll sit down and talk about it.”
“Whatever you need.” Kris stressed, “Celeste should be in protective custody, for now.”
“I don’t know where she’d be safer than at camp,” Kari piped in. “And I could always use the company.”
“We can get you to the U.S. to see a doctor. My wife would probably recommend the one she’s seeing.”
“Oh, I’m good to treat the guys, but not a woman?” Kari said in mock annoyance.
“Actually, I have plans for you,” Kris said over his shoulder.
“So we can head home?” Celeste asked.
“You’re okay with staying at camp?”
“Yes, I can deal with being Snow White, as long as you’re there to kiss me awake every morning.”
