“Staying feels like getting them killed,” I replied, gritting my teeth as she flinched. “Diego Silva made it clear today that he’s willing to hurt innocent people to control you. The longer you remain, the more danger is created.”
“Carlos asked me yesterday if I thought his nephew would be proud of him someday.” Her voice caught slightly. “He was so worried about providing for his family.”
I felt something twist in my chest at the pain in her voice. “It’s not your fault. Carlos died because a violent criminal decided to employ murder as a tool of psychological manipulation. Nothing you did or didn’t do would have changed that outcome.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because I’ve seen men like Diego Silva before. They don’t need reasons—they create justifications. If it hadn’t been the dinner invitation, it would have been something else. It was more of a power play with his son than it was anything else.”
She nodded slowly, and I could see her processing the shock in the systematic way of someone with medical training. Compartmentalizing to function despite the horror.
“What happens after the extraction?” she asked.
“Debrief, threat assessment, protective protocols as necessary,” I said.
“And the clinic?”
“Will hopefully be forgotten once you’re gone. The Silva cartel’s interest appears to be personal rather than territorial.”
Another half-truth. Mateo’s pride had been damaged when Lauren rejected his advances. Then felt foolish when his father had to work the problem for him. Men like Mateo and Diego Silva didn’t forget slights, especially from women who refused to be intimidated. They might take it out on the village.
But Lauren needed to focus on immediate survival, not long-term threat scenarios.
“Go pack,” I said gently. “Like I said, one bag. Essential items only, and then help with performing a final triage of the clinic’s patients. Focus on what you know how to do.”
As she moved toward her quarters, I caught sight of the determination in her stride. Dr. Lauren Valentino was stronger than she knew, but strength wouldn’t be enough against what Silva could bring to bear. She could not stay here if she wanted to survive.
I rejoined my team, checking our tactical preparation one final time. Weapons loaded, communications tested, extraction route confirmed. Everything that could be controlled had been controlled.
But in operations like this, it was the uncontrollable variables that usually determined success or failure. And the Silva cartel was the ultimate uncontrollable variable—violent men with a fuck-ton of resources and a personal fixation that made them unpredictable.
In three hours, we’d find out if our preparation was enough.
Chapter 9
Lauren
The packedbags lined up against the clinic wall looked like gravestones in the dim light. I pressed my palms flat against the examination table, trying to stop the tremor that had taken root in my hands. I could still see Carlos’s blood all over them, even though I hadn’t touched him.
Logan emerged from the back room, radio in hand. “Helicopter’s on schedule. Departure in ninety minutes.”
Ninety minutes. The number felt both eternal and impossibly short.
“I’ve finished the patient transition protocols and have set everything up with Mariela,” Sophia said, checking her watch as she sorted medications into labeled containers. Mariela, our local nurse, would have to do the best she could. “Mrs. Rivera has enough insulin for two weeks, and I’ve left detailed instructions for the diabetic patients. What about the Quispe family—should someone check on them after what happened to Carlos?”
My stomach clenched. “I’m sure the village has already gathered round them. We don’t have time to do any crisis counseling. Let’s focus on the people we can physically help.”
Sophia took a deep breath and nodded. “Agreed. There’s nothing we can do to bring Carlos back.”
And whose fault was that? I could hear Logan’s voice in my head saying the blame belonged with Diego Silva alone. But let’s be honest…would one dinner have hurt me? I could’ve been boring and drab, and Mateo’s interest in me would’ve passed quickly.
And Carlos would still be alive.
“Miguel will need his mining wound dressing changed in three days.” I forced the words out, trying to do what I could in the time I had left. “And Lucia Vasquez isn’t due for another two weeks, but first pregnancies can be unpredictable.”
“I’ve prepared instructions for all the expectant mothers. You know how quickly things can change without proper prenatal care. I’m going to put those in the boxes.” Sophia walked out the door.
I nodded absently, my thoughts fragmenting between patient protocols and the image of Carlos crumpling to the dirt. Diego Silva had pulled that trigger so casually, like he was swatting a fly. I could’ve stopped it. I could’ve?—
