Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,91

smiling.

Dante chuckled. “Well, it would have been a perk.”

“Unbelievable. Why didn’t you tell us this?” Diego’s voice held the demanding quality I was beginning to like.

“There is such a thing as loyalty and quite frankly, we have become concerned about yours. Both of you.” Dante looked from one of us to the other.

“So this was a fucking test and smack in the middle was an innocent woman’s life, someone who was used as a pawn,” I said between clenched teeth.

“We were also aware that you wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.” His answer was directed at me alone.

“Because of the doctor’s resemblance to Teresa, the only woman I’ve ever given a damn about, the one you knew was being targeted by a particularly dangerous man from a previous assignment. And you refused to provide that information to your loyal operative in time to save her life.” When he didn’t answer right away, I bristled, closing my eyes for fear of reaching for my gun. “And you wonder why I’ve questioned my loyalty to an organization that doesn’t seem to give a damn about the people who work in the trenches.”

“I’m sorry about Teresa, Jack. I did try and save her,” Dante said in a conciliatory manner.

“Fuck you,” I huffed.

“Was Mancini involved in any of the incidents we experienced?” I demanded.

Dante shrugged. “That I honestly do not know. However, it has become clear to the board that the Mancini crime syndicate does have several established connections within Brazil, so it is entirely possible.”

“That still doesn’t answer all the questions. We now know how she was located given the damn necklace Michael had given her but why was she pushed into the clutches of the Serpent’s hands in the first place, especially if Michael was destined to take her as his wife?” Diego interjected.

“All good questions,” Dante said, smiling.

“So you know. There are always consequences for choices made, Dante, even the ones determined by members of the Specialists.” I hissed after uttering the words.

“Understood, Jack, which is why I’m prepared to make both of you an offer.” Dante sat on the edge of his desk. “As far as your questions, because of secrets and lies.”

As he began to provide additional information, all I could do was shake my head.

There were few things that surprised me in my life. Finding out about just how far-reaching the tentacles of the Specialists truly were wasn’t one of them. They had their hands in various legal and illegal businesses in order to obtain financial wealth, not just taxing operatives to collect fine pieces of art from criminals. That only added to their level of control over some of the most ruthless criminals in the world. They were still determined to cut down as many of their enemies as possible.

What did surprise me was learning that the correct authorities in Brazil had been contacted, those not on the Serpent’s payroll, and were currently in the process of shutting down his gold mining operation. At least that would save lives. As far as Diaz, Diego would have to wait to confront his former enemy, although I no longer believed his need for revenge was as strong as it had once been.

That had more to do with the gentle touch of one beautiful doctor.

What I did believe was that Diaz would ultimately get what he was owed given his horrific behavior. That and the bloodshed we all expected to occur even after the Serpent had been arrested. A man like Fernando would never allow scum like Diaz to invade his territory.

While Dante didn’t seem to care how we handled the doctor, we would also have to wait to deal with Michael Mancini, at least for the time being. It would seem he’d disappeared as expected. Chicken shit. Although a trip to Spain this time of year would certainly be enjoyable.

We would be leaving within twenty-four hours to finish our assignment.

We’d left the secure facility with our private information as well as two interesting offers from the board of directors. While I wasn’t inclined to second guess the reasons we were asked, I also had no desire to think about the future at this point. We had work to do, an assignment to finish and until Michael Mancini paid for his sins, I wouldn’t rest.

Nor would I dare to leave Lindsey on her own.

She was the ultimate precious flower, the beautiful girl who’d pulled me from the horrific pit I’d fallen into. I would avenge her abduction in my