Dominance Never Dies (Masters and Mercenaries #11)(39)

Hutch was staring at him. “This doesn’t make sense. What’s the story you’re chasing after, Mia?”

“I’m meeting with a source who has information on voter fraud in the last election,” she lied without batting an eye.

Fain shook his head. “As your bodyguard, I have to warn you that this is ill advised. Until we can figure out who those people were and who sent them, we need to get back to the States. No story is worth your life. I’m pulling the plug on this. I’ll call your brother the minute we land.”

Hutch sighed. “I hate to say this, but I’m with Asshat.”

Fain rolled his eyes. “Nice to know. We also have the added problem of needing to get this guy to a hospital. They’ll want to know how he got a bullet in his thigh.”

“He doesn’t have one anymore,” Mia pointed out.

Hutch stared at Case. “Do you honestly not care that Michael could get an infection? I know she cleaned it and stuff, but he needs to see a real doctor.”

“It’s not that bad,” Michael said, sobering a bit. “I won’t be able to run for a few days, but I can walk. I’m not the problem here. Fain is right. There is zero chance that the Case Taggart I know calls a cartel in to clean up for him and lets the woman he’s involved with walk around with a target on her back. What the f*ck is going on, Case?”

Mia sat up straight and after brushing his cheek with her lips, she stood up. “This story is very important to me. I’ve talked to Case about it. I’m going through with it whether or not the rest of you come with me. Mr. Fain, you can call my brothers, but I’m an adult and if you do, you’re fired. I will ensure Mr. Malone gets the care he needs once we reach Cartagena. You and Mr. Fain can join him at the hospital. I hope Case will come with me, but I don’t need an escort.”

Oh, she so f*cking needed an escort. “I’ll be with you and you know it, but maybe it would be for the best if we sent Michael home with Hutch and Fain.”

Hutch stood up. “Sounds good to me, man. You know how foreign food upsets my stomach.” He was smiling, saying all the right things. He left his computer behind, but Case watched him slip his phone into his pocket. “I’m going to the bathroom, then I’m taking a nap. Wake me up when we need to change planes.”

There was no way he was taking a nap. He’d worked with Hutch long enough to know exactly what he’d do.

Case reached out and grabbed Hutch. “Don’t you dare call Ian.”

Michael managed to pull himself up. “If he doesn’t I will. Something’s fishy here and you’re keeping us in the dark. I want to know what’s going on and I want to know now.”

Damn it. He’d meant to avoid this. He wished he could kill the pilot again.

“I have something on him, okay?” Mia put her hands on her hips. Her eyes went steely. “I’ve got something on Case and I’m using it to make him help me. He’s embarrassed so you don’t have to bring Ian into this. And as long as Case there goes along with my plan, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

She was sweet, but he could tell her it wasn’t going to work. “Don’t bother. They know me too well.”

“He would already have you locked up,” Hutch said with a grim smile. “He’s chasing your tail, hon. He can be led around by his dick but he wouldn’t give in to blackmail. Try again.”

“Is this about Hope McDonald?” Michael asked quietly.

“The senator’s daughter?” Fain asked, his gaze sharpening. “You think she killed your brother.”

They’d covered so much of that up. “Theo died while performing his bodyguard duties.”

“Bullshit. Theo Taggart died around the same time as the senator. Everyone in the business knows the senator had Tennessee Smith burned. There is zero chance that Ian Taggart would hire out his brother to protect the man who ruined his friend. Rumor has it the senator was dirty as hell and connected to a group of businessmen who call themselves The Collective.” The words came out of Fain’s mouth like accusatory bullets. “McKay-Taggart isn’t the only group with connections. They’re just the group that doesn’t play well with others.”

So Fain’s boss had his ear to the ground. Case wouldn’t be telling him anything he didn’t know. “Theo was still killed on a job.”

“He was working for Ten Smith. Does this job have something to do with Smith?” Fain asked.

“No.” He didn’t like Fain asking about Tennessee Smith. His old boss kept a low profile. “Ten has no idea what’s going on.”

“I doubt that,” Michael said. “The real question I have is does Big Tag know what we’re doing?”

“He knows exactly where I am.” Case didn’t have to lie about that. He’d told Ian exactly where he was going.

“Then you won’t mind me calling in to let him know what happened to Michael. It’s what we’re supposed to do when a team member is injured. We call back to base,” Hutch said all too reasonably.

When had Hutch gotten so slavish to the rules? “We’re handling it. Erin just had her baby. Everyone’s trying to take care of her and TJ. I’ll put Michael on a plane back and you can join him.”

Mia moved in behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We won’t be more than a few days behind you. No one has to be worried. I’m going to talk to someone, get some intel, and Case and I will fly back. We’ll keep a low profile and everything will be fine.”