11

 

Cara looked at Gage as if expecting a simple explanation. But nothing about their situation could be considered simple. Still reeling from having Cara stretched out across his lap, Gage stood, picked up his cane, and stepped outside to regain perspective.

It had been too long since he’d held a woman, felt that kind of softness. More than that, he hadn’t realized how much he needed to be needed until she’d clung to his chest. Cara unsettled him, yet fascinated him. To make matters worse, he’d contemplated kissing her. Probably would have if she hadn’t pushed away.

Allowing himself to explore his attraction to her was probably the worst idea he could entertain. With a man like Mercado after her, Gage could afford no distractions. Aside from that, she was Jonas’s sister. Instantly sobered, Gage forced himself to refocus.

As he overlooked the vast Atlantic Ocean, he remembered the hours he’d spent under Mercado’s control, convinced he was going to die. He thought of ways to explain to Cara what happened, but the words would not come easily.

During the time inside Mercado’s compound, he’d made peace with God, or so he thought. Since he’d had to live with the outcome, the peace he’d once found had evaded him and his faith had wavered. In the months of recovery, his conscience prodded him to turn back toward God, but unanswered questions lingered. Why was a merciless killer still walking free, while he could barely walk at all? He looked down at his leg, and his brows drew together. Life wasn’t fair. This wasn’t fair.

“I didn’t deserve this.” Gage’s voice cracked. He hadn’t meant to say the words aloud, but since he had, he might as well start from there. “You’d think God would make a special effort to protect those who spend their lives helping others, wouldn’t you?”

Cara stepped beside him, warmth and compassion filling her eyes. “How do you know He hasn’t protected you? You are still alive.”

“The only reason I’m still alive is because Mercado thinks I’m already dead.”

She lifted a brow and leaned a hip against the wooden railing. “He did this?” She glanced at his leg.

“With his own hands. And the help of a sledge hammer.” Gage ground his teeth against the painful memory as if it was happening all over again. He’d never forget. Never.

Cara didn’t look at him with pity as so many others had. Rather, a steadfast determination shone in her eyes. “Who is this monster?”

“He’s a ruthless drug smuggler who wants to dominate the supply of cocaine entering the United States. If he aligns himself with the Serrano Cartel there will be no stopping him. He’s already orchestrated the torture and murder of hundreds of rival cartel members.”

Cara shivered and hugged her arms around her middle. “What does Jonas have to do with all this?”

“He’s working as a mule for Mercado.”

“He’s what?”

“He transports cocaine across the border, into Mexico and then to the U.S.”

“No.” Cara shook her head. “He would never do that. He is not a criminal.”

“It’s all right.” Gage hurried to reassure her. “The drugs are being destroyed before they hit the streets.”

“Who does he really work for?”

“The Drug Enforcement Agency.” Gage waited a moment for the implications to sink in. “I used to work out of the Bogotá office. He still does.”

Cara paled as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Let’s sit.” He guided her to one of two rocking chairs adorning the porch.

She sat with a hard thump, and he eased into the other chair.

Gage’s bent knee protested, but he ignored the pain. “A few years ago, the DEA teamed up with multiple federal agencies to commence Operation Vanquish, which was meant to take down both the Serrano Cartel and all their international counterparts. Several high-priority targets were identified. Mercado was one of them. I worked the money laundering side, while Jonas went in as a mule.

“We’d been on the case for a couple of years when Mercado discovered I was an agent. He tortured me for days before Jonas got to me. I was barely still alive.” Gage’s leg throbbed as he remembered the horror. “A few days ago, Mercado identified another undercover federal agent who was sent in to replace me.” He’d never met Marc Duley, but he knew him by reputation. The man was an honorable family man who’d left behind a wife and two children. The thought made Gage want to retch. “Mercado shot him, execution style in a small village outside of Cartagena.”

“A small village?” Cara’s eyes grew wide. “I followed Jonas to a village. Mercado thinks I witnessed him murder a federal agent?”

Gage nodded. “You pose a huge threat. It’s a risk for him to enter the States again to conduct business until he knows you’re not able to testify against him.”

“That explains why he wants me dead. But, why didn’t Jonas just tell me all this from the beginning?”

“At first, he thought the less you knew, the safer you’d be. But, circumstances have changed.” Gage didn’t want to cause Cara more distress, but she had to know how grave the situation had become. “Mercado suspects you followed Jonas into the village. If he discovers you two are related, he’ll use Jonas to get to you.”

Cara gripped the arms on the chair so tight her knuckles lost all color. “Then he’ll kill us both.”

“He’ll try. Jonas is one of Mercado’s best mules, or so he thinks. If Mercado discovers the truth, there’s no telling what he’ll do. Especially since he’s already taken out two agents.”

“Why hasn’t Mercado been arrested for what he did to you? You can testify against him. What about Agent Duley’s murder? Jonas was there. He can testify, too.”

“We can, and we will testify against him, but not yet. For now, Jonas has to remain undercover. His objective is to obtain the written accounts of the drug smuggling operation. When Mercado falls, we’re taking the entire cartel down with him.”

“That makes sense. But, how did Mercado find out you and Agent Duley were federal agents to begin with?”

Gage shifted, uncomfortable with the way things went down. “I was forced to blow my own cover to protect an informant. I tried to escape the compound, but I didn’t make it out before Mercado did this to me.” He gestured toward his leg. “Anyway, I don’t know what tipped Mercado off to Agent Duley. That’s something Jonas is looking into.”

“Jonas could be walking straight into the lion’s den.”

“Yes. He is. But, there’s no time to send in someone else.”

“Jonas wouldn’t be in such danger if I hadn’t flown to Columbia.” Tears welled in her eyes. “This is my fault.”

“That’s not true. Jonas was in danger long before you even knew where he was and what he was doing.”

Cara let out a humorless chuckle. “I suppose him calling his job a mission was his way of being as truthful as possible, without giving away too much.”

“Clever.” Gage lifted a corner of his lips. He’d always liked Jonas. Even from the beginning, Gage’s instincts told him he could trust the man. He also liked the fact Jonas looked out for his own. He’d like to think any brother would go to such lengths to protect his sister, but he’d come across many in his day who wouldn’t. “He’s a good man.”

“Smart too. He’s earned two college degrees, including a Masters in Psychology. Why would he sign up for something this dangerous?” Cara looked toward the ocean as if searching for answers.

Gage had an idea as to why. He shared some of the same reasons. “Countless lives will be saved if Mercado and his affiliations are destroyed. Maybe Jonas wants to feel like he’s making a difference with his life. Maybe he really wants to help people.”

“Sounds like he is a missionary after all.” She rubbed her forehead. “I’m all for helping people, but I can’t lose him. He’s all the family I have left. Is that selfish?”

Gage wrapped his fingers tight around his cane to prevent reaching for her. “Jonas wanted you to know so you could prepare yourself for the possibilities.”

She shook her head as a new determination shone in her eyes. “Mercado has done enough damage already. I won’t stand idly by while he gets away with murder.” She nipped her lower lip. “What can I do to help?”

His stomach churned as he recognized the look on her face. Jonas often wore the same expression when confronting adversary. Jonas never backed down, and Gage feared Cara wouldn’t either. “I’ll tell you exactly what you’re going to do. You’re going to stay as far away from Mercado as possible.”