Page 43 of Rebel Protector

“Becca, can we talk?”

Crap.

Becca jerked at the sound of Dom’s voice, spilling coffee onto her wrist. Fernando’s eyebrows lifted, but he quietly stubbed out his cigarette and headed inside, shooting her a curious look as he went.

Dom was taking a risk, talking to her out here where anyone could see them. Where Fernandohadseen them.

“What are you doing out here?” she hissed. “You shouldn’t be seen talking to me.”

“I need to talk to you.” His voice was low but urgent.

She glanced around before nodding, leading him further to the side of the house where the trash bins were stacked. If someone came by, at least they’d be out of view.

“What is it? What happened? Are you okay?” Her eyes roamed over him—disheveled, covered in grime, and clearly exhausted.

“Becca, we were ambushed. Someone leaked our smuggling route to the Panamanian authorities. There was a patrol waiting for us near the Colombian border.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, shit. Are you okay?” She scanned him for injuries, but he seemed intact.

“I’m fine. But it was a close call.”

“Who do you think it was?” She braced herself for his answer, dread building in her chest.

His silence spoke volumes. His eyes flicked to hers.

“It wasn’t me!” she snapped, a flare of anger mixing with her fear. “You think I’d betray my own father!”

His jaw clenched. “I didn’t say you did. But I had to ask.”

She crossed her arms, glaring. “Why would I do that? I don’t even know the details of your damn smuggling operation.”

Dom sighed, rubbing a hand across his face. “I didn’t think it was you. I just wanted to hear you say it.”

Her anger faded, replaced by a knot of anxiety. “What are you going to do now?”

“I need to figure out who tipped them off. Sabotaging the route is one thing, but risking lives? That’s a whole different level of betrayal.”

She scoffed, her heart racing. “You think we’re enemies now, don’t you?”

“I don’t know what we are.” His voice was hard, but there was something beneath it—something raw.

Becca bit her lip, feeling the weight of his words. They were on a collision course, the both of them. And yet, standing here, she couldn’t hate him. Not when all she wanted to do was reach out and hold him.

“I’m not against you, Dom,” she whispered. “But I won’t betray my father, either.”

He stared at her for a moment, eyes unreadable. “You’re already involved, whether you like it or not.”

Her breath caught. This was getting dangerous, fast.

“I’m scared,” she admitted softly, more to herself than him.

“You should be.” His voice was grim. “And that’s why I’m telling you—get out. Leave this place while you still can.”

Her heart twisted at his words. “I ran away once before. I can’t do it again.”

Dom’s gaze softened. “This isn’t running away, Becca. This is survival. And trust me, a Panamanian jail is no place for someone like you.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. “I can’t just leave. There’s more to my father than you know.”