“Sharing DNA with McKenna doesn’t make Cora a mother.”
Beckett turned back to the pool, the harsh sun reflecting off the water. And in that blinding light, it was hard not to face the fact he had screwed up.
But he reminded himself if he hadn’t come to Mexico looking for Cora, Mya would’ve met her cartel contact today, and she may have died.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he found himself mumbling, unsure if A.J. would buy into that.
“Not only is our pregnant sister’s husband in danger, but do you have any idea what that voicemail from Emily did to Liam? Your actions are sending his family to Chile and—”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated, doing his best to keep calm, to not let guilt cut him in half. He needed to keep it together to push through and figure out what in the hell was really going on.
“You promised me you’d never see Cora again. That you’d never let her get to you. No matter what.”
“I know, and Cora may not even be alive.”
“Regardless, you should have come to me. I should’ve been the first one you called.”
“And if I had, you would have refused to help. You would have talked me down. And Mya would be dead.” No matter how Beckett looked at it, there was someone alive because of his pursuit for McKenna’s mother. “We have to trust Elaina on this.” Was he crazy for putting his faith in a twelve-year-old? Yesterday he would’ve said yes. After his call with Emily, not anymore.
“Mya Vanzetti?” A.J. paused to let it sink in. Beckett forgot A.J. didn’t know all the details of what had happened since Beckett had arrived in Mexico. A.J. had most likely gotten a bullet point version from Liam, who’d gotten it from Carter. Fucking bullet points. “She’s there with you? I’m confused.”
Beckett quickly filled him in, then pointed out, “You see what I mean? It’s fate or whatever you want to call it.”
“Liam didn’t tell me about Mya or what happened to you all yesterday. I assume he doesn’t know. He was just in a panic to leave here for the airport.”
“And where are you now?”
“By the Black Sea. That’s all I can say,” A.J. shared.
Ukraine? Turkey? Somewhere around there, Beckett assumed, doing something important.
“I’d be on that plane with Liam if I could, but we’re down a sniper now. The second our mission is done, you know I’m on my way.”
“You don’t need to explain. Or come. We’ll be okay.” We have to be okay.
“Gray’s sister will use her Agency contacts to try and find out what she can about this billionaire. Natasha will send you what intelligence she can find as soon as your jet reaches Chile. And knowing her, before your wheels touch the ground,” A.J. added, and Beckett was grateful they had a connection to the CIA for help. “How’s Ella?”
“Ella’s Ella. She’s tough. More worried about me than Jesse.”
A.J. huffed a laugh. “Sounds like she and I are on the same page.” He paused. “And are you okay?” Another pause. “I should have led with that, I’m sorry.” A somberness filled his brother’s tone this time.
“I’m trying to be.” When he looked back inside, Sydney was peering his way, and his chest constricted as they made eye contact. But I’m pretty sure I’m about to get my heart broken again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
IN THE AIR
“Do we know where Jesse is staying in Chile?” Beckett asked Oliver, sitting next to him on Carter’s luxury jet. “I assume he won’t be staying at the billionaire’s mansion.”
“Probably a hotel in the city, but we’ll track him down. And Carter will do his best to book us rooms at the same place,” Oliver shared.
Beckett turned his attention toward Sydney, alongside Mya, at the other side of the cabin near the cockpit. Their seats faced his way, but Sydney and Mya were studying something on an iPad. Most likely researching their new target, The Guarded One.
Oliver must’ve followed his gaze because he said, “Wouldn’t surprise me if Mason Matthews tracks Mya’s phone to Chile and shows up unannounced.” He cursed under his breath. “I’m still pissed he ever let her go to Tulum in the first place. Girls’ trip or not.”
“If you were in his shoes, you think you could stop a woman like Mya from doing what she wanted?” Beckett figured she was a hell of a lot like Sydney in many ways. For one, risking her neck to make contact with a cartel member if it saved others’ lives. However, based on her actions in the jungle yesterday, it was clear she had no real training, military or otherwise.
“I don’t know,” Oliver grumbled, tossing his hands in the air. “That woman aggravates me to no end. Not sure how I’ll work with her.”
“Mmhmm. I’m sure it’ll be unbelievably hard,” Beckett deadpanned. When Oliver narrowed his eyes and pinned him with a WTF look, Beckett added with a wink, “I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to handle it.” Oliver mumbled something and rolled his eyes.
Oliver nudged him with his elbow. “Why don’t you talk to Sydney? You can have some privacy in Carter’s bedroom.” Ah, he was playing dirty now.
Oliver knew exactly why he and Sydney couldn’t disappear into the bedroom.
Gray Chandler.
“Why would I need to talk to her?” The plane had reached cruising altitude, so Beckett unbuckled his seat belt.
Oliver did the same, then stood and braced a hand overhead, peering down at Beckett. “Gray’s a big boy. He’ll be pissed for a bit, but he’ll get over it.”
You don’t get over a woman like Sydney. “And Mason, you know him, right? Will he get over Mya working with Falcon for this op? Or joining the team on a more permanent basis?”
“He’s also a big boy. When he doesn’t have his head up his ass allowing Mya to make reckless decisions like taking a solo trip to Mexico,” he growled and swung his focus Mya’s way again. If the guy’s jaw were any tighter, it’d snap.
“She was with Sydney. Mason knew that,” Beckett reminded him, defending a guy he didn’t even know. “But yeah, I’ll talk to Sydney when we land. If there’s time.”
“Well, that bedroom has seen plenty of action from our team,” Oliver said when resetting his focus on Beckett. “Griffin and Savanna. Jesse and—”
Oliver let go of his words when Beckett scowled.
“Riiiight. Ella’s your sister.” Oliver grinned. “So, we’ll just pretend I didn’t mention that bedroom, and I’m going to walk away now.” He tossed a thumb over his shoulder and retreated in that direction.
Good idea. Beckett stood a moment later and decided to use the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom rather than the one near the cockpit, which would require him to walk past Gray.
The moment he opened the door and caught sight of the bed, Beckett was slammed with the memory of Sydney’s moans and sighs as he worshiped every inch of her naked body, bringing her to orgasm three times mere hours ago.
“Can we talk?”
His pulse kicked up at the sound of Sydney’s soft voice from behind him. Better that than his dick standing at attention.