Egan was thankful Daniel McMaster hadn’t asked too many questions. He knew there would be hell to pay in the future, but at least Katherine and his unborn baby would be safe. As a DEA special agent in charge, McMaster had a lot of resources at his disposal. One of those resources was the ability to hide high-value assets or witnesses. There was no doubt in Egan’s mind that McMaster would use his power to ensure the safety of his daughter and future grandchild. Egan wished he could have explained everything to Katherine prior to requesting her father’s assistance, but there was no time—and, to be honest, he wasn’t exactly sure how he would explain the situation. It wasn’t the easiest thing to admit to your wife that you were a hired gun for a drug cartel. This was especially true when your wife’s dad had made a career out of arresting cartel members.
Egan made his way back to the basement. He found Hunt in the room at the end of the small hallway, staring at two computer screens. When Hunt glanced back, there was a murderous rage in his eyes.
“They drugged the girls,” Hunt told him. “Do you know where they went?”
“The Black Tosca owns another safe house in Hypoluxo. Hector planned on taking Leila and . . . what’s the name of the other girl again?”
“Sophia. She’s Tony Garcia’s daughter.”
“Tony Garcia?” Egan asked. What was Pierce’s daughter doing with the daughter of the head of one of the largest crime families in Florida?
“That’s what I said, Cole. It’s a long story, one I won’t share with you either, so please continue.”
“Hector’s original plan, before you rampaged into Pomar’s condominium, was to keep the girls here. When he realized you were coming after him, he left a crew behind to ambush you.”
“You included?”
Egan shook his head. “No, I was hired to track you down and kill you,” he said simply.
Hunt’s eyes penetrated deep into his, but when Hunt said nothing, Egan added, “You gave me a second chance, Pierce. When those assholes took me in Gaza, I never thought I’d see the light of day again. I fully expected to be tortured for weeks on end. I later learned that the brass ordered you not to come after me. But you did. I hope you’ll give me the chance to repay you.”
And maybe, just maybe, redeem myself for all the stupid shit I’ve done since then.
“Okay.”
“Okay? Okay what?”
“Tell me where the girls are. You don’t think they brought them to the Hypoluxo safe house?”
“I was supposed to call Hector the moment I put you down. Obviously, I didn’t, so it makes no tactical sense for him to go to Hypoluxo. He’ll have to assume that I’m either dead—”
“Or that you’ve been turned,” Hunt interjected.
“Yeah, that too.”
Egan hoped his father-in-law would move in quick to protect Katherine. Because if Hunt was right and the Black Tosca had even a soup?on of suspicion that Egan had betrayed her, she’d move mountains to destroy him and everyone he held dear.
“So where’s Hector headed if he ain’t going to Hypoluxo?”
“To Mexico. He’s taking them to San Miguel de Allende.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Palm Beach County Park Airport, Florida
Hector briefly considered hijacking a vehicle, but they were so close to the airport that it wasn’t worth the risk. He sat behind the wheel, started the engine, and redlined the Ford through the red light at the end of the off-ramp. He sped onto the on-ramp across the intersection. Less than three minutes had elapsed since they had been pulled over by the cops.
In the back, one of the girls woke up and started to moan. It started with little sobs every few seconds but quickly grew in intensity. It almost sounded like an injured animal. Had one of them been wounded? Had a stray bullet hit one of the girls? He hoped not. The Black Tosca wanted two healthy and uninjured children.
Within minutes, if it was not already done, all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies would learn about the slaughter of the six highway patrol officers. Then all bets would be off. A massive search operation would be launched, and the police would seal off all the major roads leading to the bus stations, cruise ship terminals, and international airports. He doubted Palm Beach County Park Airport would get the same treatment, but he didn’t care to wait and find out. The sooner they were in the air, the better.
“Check on the girls,” Hector said, keeping his eyes on the highway. Now wasn’t the time to get distracted. “See what the commotion is about.”
Leila woke up with a start. She opened her eyes, but her vision remained a dark blur. A face slowly coalesced next to her.