“We’re going ahead with the plan,” Carter instructed via speakerphone. Sydney looked over at Beckett sitting on the couch inside Gray and Camila’s suite, where they had gathered along with Mya and Oliver. “The only reason we’ll change course is if Hector Lopez hops on a plane for Chile.”
Beckett looked like he’d been to hell, his elbows on his thighs and his head cradled in his palms, and well, he hadn’t come back yet. A fiery inferno of fear, anger, and doubt was eating him alive. Because his daughter had a brother, and that kid was now in the hands of a dangerous Mexican cartel.
Sydney knew Beckett would do absolutely anything for his daughter, evidenced by the fact that he’d come to Chile to save a woman who’d screwed up his life ten times over. It was only natural he’d risk his life for Miles too.
“Is that clear?” Carter asked in response to everyone’s silence. Per Beckett’s request, Sydney had shared all he’d learned from Jesse, and everyone, including their co-leader Gray, appeared to still be reeling.
“Roger that,” Oliver piped up.
“Maybe Beckett should steer clear of Jorge tonight,” Gray offered his opinion for the first time, grabbing Beckett’s attention. “Jorge is willing to give up Cora and her boy, his bodyguard’s son, in exchange for a club. It’s clear Jorge is either not working with a full deck or just plain evil. Maybe both,” Gray continued.
“I won’t risk losing our chance to attend that party Friday.” Beckett stood, eyes on Gray. “I’ll play nice tonight if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Gray held his hands up in surrender, clearly understanding that Beckett would knock down anyone who stood in his way of rescuing Miles.
“Have we learned anything from Martín about Hector Lopez’s movement in Tulum? Any chance Hector has plans to make a move against Martín prior to Friday?” Oliver asked.
Beckett returned to the couch, and Sydney ignored the urge to join him. Offering comfort wasn’t her forte, and she knew he needed her, but the team was discussing their mission, so this wasn’t the time nor the place.
“Martín believes Hector might attempt to come after his men since the cartel learned they took out their guys who were after you in the jungle on Sunday,” Carter shared. “If that happens, he’ll be ready. Plus, Mya’s Marine friends are there for extra support. I’ll let you know if anything changes. Just focus on the plan tonight.”
“Any luck using an alias to get tickets for his twenties-themed birthday party on Friday?” Camila asked Carter.
“I’m still working on it,” Carter answered, then added, “Beckett, Elaina asked me to remind you—”
“The roses,” Beckett cut him off. “I remember.”
Roses? Sydney stole a look at him. His arms and body were tense as he shouldered the weight of the news, and it was taking all his strength to do it.
Carter went over a few more details, more like orders, then he ended the call.
Gray pocketed his phone and swiped a hand through his hair. “Jesse took a chance by meeting you down in that coffee shop,” he began, “but I guess I understand why he couldn’t relay all of that information to Carter.” He cleared his throat as if about to ask something uneasy, but only said, “Are you, uh, okay?”
There was still some awkward tension between them. But he could see Beckett was in pain.
Beckett peered at Gray, realizing the question had been meant for him. “Would you be?”
“No,” Gray answered without hesitation.
“Miles will be fine.” Camila sat next to Beckett. “Elaina said Liam has to kill someone to save a kid. It’s Miles. He’ll be saved.” She looked around the room, her gaze falling on Sydney last. “If you truly believe in Elaina’s gift, you all need to remember her words right now. Let them put your minds at ease.”
Beckett nodded, letting go of a deep breath.
“We can do this,” Mya said, but Sydney picked up on the slight tremble in her voice.
When Sydney’s gaze met Beckett’s, a memory of something he’d said down in that cenote came to mind. I used to hang out at one specific place regularly, and that’s where I met a singer. Her stomach lurched at the thought. Shit.
Mya was right. They’d pull off their scheme, but they’d need to deviate from the original plan. “Mya, can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
“Um, sure.” Mya stood, a look of confusion on her face about the sudden need for privacy. “In my suite?”
Sydney nodded. “We’ll be back soon,” she said, then hurried from the room before anyone could question her. “Wow, you really did make a sheet wall between your beds, huh?” Sydney asked once they were alone, and Mya plopped down on the bed. “You did that to annoy him, right?”
“What do you think?” Mya’s smirk quickly faded when her eyes met Sydney’s. “What’s up?”
“I can’t sing tonight,” Sydney revealed. “I can’t do that to Beckett.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall behind her, tipping her eyes to the ceiling. “He wasn’t just upset because I’ll be offering myself up as bait to seduce Jorge.” Why hadn’t she remembered sooner? “It’s how I’ll be doing it.” Not that he’d said as much, but after the day he’d had today—learning McKenna had a brother—how could she do that to him?
“What do you mean?” Mya asked. A heartbeat later, her mouth formed an O when she remembered Beckett’s confession in the cenote. “Oh, fuck.”
“Cora studied up on Beckett back in LA before conning him. She knew he loved music and got a job as a singer at the club he frequented. First, she seduced him with her voice before she pulled the damsel-in-distress act.”
“And you don’t want him to have to witness you seduce Jorge in a similar way. Use your voice to draw his attention.” Mya stood from the bed. “I get that, but I’m sure he’ll understand. That was over thirteen years ago when she did that.”
“After what he learned about Cora and her son this morning, those wounds are as fresh as if they’d happened yesterday.” There wasn’t a chance in hell she’d inflict more damage upon that man by having him relive his past watching someone he . . . well, cared about, sing for another man tonight.
Mya nodded. “Not only does McKenna have a brother she never knew about, but her mom didn’t abandon him like she did McKenna,” Mya whispered. “Different circumstances. But I can’t imagine how that news might translate to a thirteen-year-old girl if McKenna were to hear it.”
A possibility Beckett was more than likely grappling with—how to tell McKenna about everything.
“Beckett’s just had so much thrown at him. Regardless, I think it’d be a bad idea for him to see me up there singing for Jorge. He told Gray he’d be okay, but I don’t think we should take the chance. He may snap. He’s . . .” Protective of me. “Besides, you’re the one with the theater skills. High school musicals and whatnot. You should do it.” She pointed to her chin. “See my face. People think I’m a cold-hearted bitch six out of seven days a week because of how I always look. I can’t fake-seduce Jorge. He won’t buy it.”