Page 54 of Rebel Protector

She had to be so careful. Chrissy was Ramirez’s wife, while she—Becca—was nobody to him. If he thought she was a liability…

Surely her father wouldn’t sanction?—?

It didn’t bear thinking about.

God, she wasn’t ready to leave. Not like this. Not with everything hanging in the balance. But what choice did she have? The clock was ticking, and the situation was closing in around her.

Then she remembered Fernando.

Shit, she had to warn him. The last thing she wanted was to drag him or the other staff into this mess. Her life was crumbling, but she wouldn’t let innocent people be caught in the crossfire. They didn’t deserve that.

She stepped under the water, hoping it would wash away the fear and the anxiety. The suds twisted down the drain, carrying the scent of Dom with them. She watched the bubbles disappear, and it hit her how final this was.

That last piece of him, gone.

Becca took a ragged breath. This was not the time to get emotional. Sentimentality was a luxury she couldn’t afford.

She could fall apart later, sob on the plane, or bury her head in a pillow once she was miles away. Right now, she had to hold it together.

She scrubbed her skin harder, determined to wash away the emotional grime as easily as the dirt.

This was happening, and she had to get herself together. Stepping out, she felt marginally more in control. She dried herself off, dressed in comfortable clothes and flat shoes, nothing that would draw attention. Outside, the sun was blazing down. It was going to be another scorching day. Already, the air was heavy with heat, the kind that pressed down on your shoulders, but that could be the anxiety.

She’d have to ask Carlos for a lift. That’s what made this so nerve-wracking. Would he know something was up? Would he sense something had changed in her?

Everything had to look totally normal. She couldn’t take anything with her. Blinking back tears, Becca walked around the room one last time, touching the things she knew she had to leave behind. Scarves, beads from the market, handmade dishes from that charming little village, her favorite shawl—the vibrant red and gold one she wrapped around herself on colder nights.

All of it had to stay. If she took anything, Carlos would know she was running.

Alek would come after her, she knew that.

When she wasn’t there to meet Carlos for her pickup, they’d launch a search party. The first place they’d look would be the airport. If she wasn’t quick, they’d find her before she even made it past security.

Becca stood in the center of the room, her heart aching at the thought of leaving her little collection of memories behind. But that was just it—memories were all they could be now. Tangible reminders of a life that no longer fit her, not when her very freedom was on the line.

“There’ll be time for more later,” she thought, but the words didn’t lessen the sting.

She grabbed her bag and passport, mentally checking off each item on her list. The most painful thing was the one she couldn’t physically pack. She’d wanted more from her father. Always had. But deep down, she knew he’d never be the man she needed him to be. Dom had helped her realize that. No matter how much she loved Alek, or how many times she hoped things would be different, he just was not capable. He’d pull her down with him if she let him.

As much as it hurt, she wasn’t going to be collateral damage in his mess.

Not this time.

It was time to let go. And that terrified her more than anything else.

Becca wasat her desk promptly at nine a.m. She forced a smile when Alek strode into the office, his presence filling the room like a dark cloud.

“Morning,” she chirped, keeping her voice light.

“Becca, I need you to book me, Ramirez, and Dominguez on a flight to Bogotá this evening,” he said, not even glancing in her direction as he headed straight for his study. “And book the light aircraft to fly us to Cartagena first thing tomorrow morning.”

Her stomach flipped. So, Dom had actually convinced him. The handover of the merchandise to the cartel was happening. She swallowed, struggling to keep her voice even. “How long will you be staying?”

“Two days,” he replied curtly.

“Same hotel?”

He nodded, unlocking the door to his office and tucking the key into his jacket pocket. “And bring me my tea,” he added, disappearing inside.