Page 82 of High-Priority Asset

“If he’s a marshal like you claim,” she said, “then obviously they know he’s here. Right? If he disappears, that’s only going to cause trouble for you. Let him go and at most, one of your minions gets charged with assault, but I’ll tell Dutch not to pursue it.”

He considered what she’d said. “After the auction, I’ll release him. All right?”

Once the auction started, Emilio would find his safe empty. It wouldn’t take him long to connect the dots to her. After he discovered that she’d erased the drive, he might not hesitate to kill Dutch out of sheer anger. “I’m not waiting. If you don’t uncuff him right now and let us leave, I’ll never give you what you want most.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “And what’s that?”

“For me to call you Father.” She let that hang in the air. The impact on him was immediate and splashed all over his face, but she had to dig deeper. “I remember your secret visits when I was little, how you played with me, always found ways to make me smile, how you used to tell me that you’d give me the world if you could.”

“I thought you’d forgotten.” His voice was forlorn. “I tried to be there for you as much as I could.”

He had. She saw that now and clashing emotions ripped through her.

Isabel put her hand on his chest over his heart, hoping he still had one. “I don’t want you to give me the world. I’m asking for Dutch. You owe him a life debt and I love him.” It was fast and she despised what had brought her and Dutch together, but in her heart, it made sense. Felt right. Good. She wanted to explore the possibilities with him and if she didn’t, it would be her biggest regret. “Let us leave, now, or I’ll never speak to you again. You’ll be as good as dead to me. On my mother’s grave, I swear it.”

His face and posture softened. Emotion clouded his eyes as his shoulders slumped forward. “You are my pride and joy. The one true light in my life. We’ll get through this, Isa.”

The sounds of a scuffle came from around the corner. Isabel and Emilio rushed down the corridor and around the bend to the alcove.

Still hanging from the hook, Dutch had managed to knock one of the bodyguards out. He swung his legs up, wrapped them around Rodrigo’s neck, and using him as leverage, Dutch hoisted himself off the hook. Then he rotated, bringing Rodrigo crashing down onto the stone pavers.

Spinning up from the floor, Dutch pulled Rodrigo’s gun at the same time the last standing guard drew his weapon.

Both men pointed the guns at each other in a standoff.

“Please,” Isabel said, clutching Emilio’s arm, not wanting Dutch to get shot. Though he seemed to have the situation under control.

“Lower your weapons,” Emilio said, stepping between them. First the guard complied, and then Dutch. “You’re free to leave.”

Dutch gave her a questioning glance. She nodded, beckoning to him so they could get out of there. He wasted no time going to her side.

She wrapped her arms around him, needing to hold him for a moment. After a hard, quick hug, she looked at Emilio. “Thank you. Father.”

Emilio nodded and they turned to leave, but then he said, “Dutch, I know the Marshals can’t get a warrant in time to stop the auction. But if you interfere, in any way, there will be the harshest of consequences. I will show no mercy.”

The threat had been issued in no uncertain terms, chilling Isabel’s blood. “Let’s go.”

Emilio would keep his word, but for now, they needed to get out of there. They’d have to deal with the rest later.

She grabbed Dutch’s hand and fled out of the cellar. He was close behind her going up the stairs and again at her side once they cleared the front door.

There were no guards in sight to question them and Dutch’s truck was parked out front running as Max had promised.

“Good work,” Dutch said, gesturing to the truck.

“I had help. From Max.”

They hopped into the truck, Dutch shifted into Drive and hit the gas. They sped down the path toward the open gates and out onto the road. “Either he’s got a crush on you or he’s the FBI agent who’s been deep undercover in the organization for a while.”

“FBI?” Isabel glanced back through the windshield. No one followed. The road was clear.

She sucked in a deep breath, forcing air into her lungs. Her hands were trembling. She felt wrung out and nauseated.

“Thank you for coming to get me, even though I told you not to.”

“I couldn’t leave you behind.” She put her hand on his leg. “I was afraid I’d lose you.”

“You’re not going to lose me. I’ll be with you for as long as you want.” He covered her hand with his. “Did you get it?”