Chapter Nineteen
Armando’s critical gaze moved over the inside of Hawthorn’s Steak House, his features giving away nothing. In contrast, Diego appeared bored, sipping a glass of wine as he scanned the menu.
“You’ve done well for yourself, Nathan.” Armando’s generous compliment didn’t match his severe expression.
Tracker smiled, studying the two Quintero men. Something had changed since they’d left Julia’s house to attend their meeting. His gut told him whatever they were involved in would impact his life, as well as Julia’s and many others.
He’d yet to get a report from Agent Delphine. While Julia and Tracker kept Armando and Diego busy inside her home, Jaeger had placed a tiny GPS unit under their car.
The plan had been simple. Follow the Quinteros and observe. But Tracker knew Delphine well enough to understand the agent wouldn’t be content to sit a block away, wondering about the topic of the meeting. He would’ve gotten closer.
A short text had hit Tracker’s phone as he pulled into the lot at Hawthorn’s, leaving more questions than answers. He learned the Quinteros had met with Burn, Mario, Zahir, and Rasul. Nothing more. A meeting between six men who’d cut off your head on a whim.
They led organizations dealing in prescription and illegal drugs, human trafficking, money laundering, and extortion. The DEA and FBI had been looking for ways to bring down all three organizations for years. Information the agents and sources such as the Brethren discovered was never enough.
One bureaucrat after another squashed their work, asking for more…always more. Wrath and Grayson had discussed and argued about it many times.
“Thank you, Armando. It’s taken me a long time to accomplish what you see here.”
He knew how the Quinteros, who employed thousands of people, ran millions of dollars in illegal products, and lived in fortified fortresses, saw him. Insignificant and unworthy of Julia. Tracker would admit the second was true. He’d never be good enough for her. Believing the first would be a definite mistake.
“Tori, Dylan. I was afraid you weren’t going to be able to join us.” Julia stood, hugging her sister and smiling at Moses. Her sister had told her his given name after the two had spent a day touring Liberty Lake on his bike.
“Good evening, Father.” Tori walked into his waiting arms, then hugged Diego. “I apologize for not being able to join you at Julia’s earlier. The interview couldn’t be rescheduled.”
“How did it go?” Julia asked as the two sat down.
“Very well. They offered me a position at the same salary as the other clinic. The difference is this one focuses on large animals. A majority of local ranchers use them.”
“And?” Julia prompted.
A broad smile broke across Tori’s face. “I accepted. My first day is next Monday.”
“Excellent news, Victoria.” Armando’s comment was aimed at his daughter even as his gaze remained fixed on Moses.
“I’m sorry, Father. I forgot my manners. This is Dylan Wright. Dylan, my father, Armando Quintero.”
Standing, Moses walked around the table, clasping the older man’s hand. “Sir.”
“And this is my brother, Diego,” Tori said.
The two exchanged stark expressions. “Diego.” Moses extended his hand, waiting a couple beats before her brother accepted it.
“Victoria has never mentioned you, Mr. Wright,” Armando said as Moses returned to his chair.
“We just started seeing each other, Mr. Quintero.”
The conversation slowed while the waitress took their orders and refilled wine glasses. When she left, Diego leaned back in his chair, focusing all his attention on Tracker.
“How long have you been out of the Navy?”
Shrugging, Tracker rolled the stem of his wine glass between his fingers. “Several years.”
“Tired of protecting your country?”
“Not at all. I’d put in my time and found the need to move on.”
Brow lifting, Diego hid the brief flash of curiosity. “I find it hard to believe a man such as you could fit into a quiet role as a restaurateur. After traveling around the world to take out terrorists and rescue hostages, it is quite a change.” Setting down his glass, Diego leaned toward Tracker. “I believe there is much more to why you are no longer a SEAL, Nathan Kincaid. A private mercenary group perhaps?” A self-deprecating grin appeared before he chuckled. “Then again, Father has always accused me of having an overactive imagination.”
The atmosphere around the table chilled, Moses and Tracker passing silent messages between themselves.
“Stop it, Diego.” Julia’s low, fierce voice surprised everyone. No one more than herself.
She never showed her temper, hiding behind a serene façade. A pretense she’d perfected through all the years living with the controlling Quintero men, fighting for a place in medical school then a pediatric residency, and learning to live without Nate.
Her entire life had been viewed through a screen of forced calm and faked tranquility. She now sat at a table with a family who might not be what they seemed. Between her own research and Nate’s files, she’d been trying to deal with the possibility her entire life may have been a lie.
The frustration building over years of doubt began to surface. But Julia knew it had to be contained in order to discover the truth about her adopted family.
“We are Nate’s guests. If you have unresolved issues with him, please settle them later. I would very much like to enjoy the little amount of time we have before you leave for home.”
Her voice and words said much more, leaving no doubt Diego had to be the one to bend because Nate was back in her life.
A buzzing sound in Tracker’s pocket indicated a call. Pulling it from his pocket, he checked the ID, then excused himself. She watched him walk around the corner toward his office in the back, wondering at the urgency of the call. Suspecting it had something to do with her family. Hoping it didn’t.
“Tell us about your new job, Juliana.”
Her father’s voice brought her attention back to those around the table. She noticed Dylan focused on where Nate disappeared, seemingly curious about the call, the same as her.
“The job is fine, Father.”
“Only fine?”
Flashing a glance toward Nate’s office, she nodded. “It’s wonderful. The doctors have been quite welcoming, and the patient load is much better than in San Diego. I have time to meet friends for dinner, such as tonight.” She smiled at Tori, knowing her sister understood.
It was then Julia spotted Dylan’s hand covering Tori’s. Suppressing the surprise, she shifted her attention back to her father. “Nate and I were talking about planning a visit to Monterrey as soon as I can get time off.”
The joy she expected on her father’s face didn’t come. “We will discuss a visit another time, querida.” His gaze locked on Nate approaching from the back.
“Apologies. It was a call I had to take.” Sending a private look at Moses, he sat down, taking a swallow of wine. “How long do you and Diego plan to be in Liberty Lake?”
“A week. Perhaps more.”
“Then you have time for Julia and me to show you around.” Taking Julia’s hand under the table, he squeezed lightly.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Nathan, but it will be difficult for us. We have much planned during this trip. Perhaps another time,” Armando said, his features impassive, the same as they’d been most of the evening.
His evasive answers made Julia uncomfortable. Her father always welcomed visits from his daughters, always making time for them. He and Diego had traveled all this way to see her and Tori’s new homes. At least that was what she’d thought. Once again, a seed of doubt developed, swelling with each evasive answer. Her blood chilled. This wasn’t the father who’d raised her.
The remainder of the evening continued with soft conversation and praises for their meals, ending with dessert and coffee. Thick, rich coffee, the kind her father pr
eferred. Through it all, Diego said little, spending the time studying Nate and Dylan with a critical expression. Julia found herself wondering what passed through her brother’s mind.
Could he be capable of doing what she’d read about in the news articles? Had she always been so blind to his true nature? To her father’s and Antonio’s?
Stomach clenching at too many questions without answers, she hadn’t noticed everyone standing until Nate’s hand squeezed her shoulder.
“Are you ready to leave, Jules?”
“Yes.” Rising, she kissed his cheek, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
Making certain the others were out of earshot, he leaned down. “I’ll take you home, then I have to meet up with Moses. But plan on me returning as soon as I get business out of the way.” Brushing a kiss across her lips, he took her elbow, guiding them outside.
Before she had time to say goodbye to anyone, Julia saw her father and Diego drive out of the parking lot. Dylan and Tori stood next to his truck, staring after them, the same as her and Nate.
“Get in the truck, Jules. I need to talk with Moses.” He jogged away, not seeing her confused expression as she watched the disappearing rear lights of her father’s car.
Julia couldn’t recall a time her father had so abruptly dismissed her. No goodbye, no request to see her tomorrow. Nothing to indicate if she’d be seeing them again before he and Diego left for Monterrey. Then there was his dismissal about her and Nate flying to Mexico to visit the family. Cold and distant, as if distancing her from his life.
Until now, she’d never mentioned her suspicions about their family to Tori. Whenever they discussed their adopted parents, it never went too deep. Birthdays, holidays, vacations, and fashion, all favorite topics of their mother and two older sisters. When visiting Monterrey, Julia and Tori spent most of their time being chauffeured to high-end boutiques and restaurants, pretending to enjoy the time with the other three women.
The pretense had gone on for years, ever since they’d been old enough to be included in the long shopping trips. They weren’t close to their older sisters, but they did love them. The same with their adoptive mother, although the majority of her love went to the two oldest. The girls who were hers by birth.
Before she realized how far she’d walked, Julia stood next to Nate. Tori sat in the passenger seat of the truck, reading the texts on her cell phone. Placing a hand on Nate’s arm, she captured his attention. When he broke from his conversation with Moses, he looked down at her.
“It’s time to include Tori in on what you’ve told me, Nate.”
“No.” Moses crossed his arms, glancing over his shoulder at Tori, then back at Julia. “She doesn’t need to know. Not yet.”
Nate settled an arm over her shoulders. “He’s right, Julia. There’s no need to draw her into this.”
Stepping away, she placed fisted hands on her hips, facing off against them. “She’s my sister. My family. Tori deserves to know as much as me about the possibility of our family’s involvement in illegal activities. She’s smart and strong, and may even already suspect something.”
At Dylan’s raised brow, she dropped her arms. “Tori has always kept abreast of what’s happening through social media and news reports. Much more than me. Once I started doing my own research, it was a shock to see how often my father’s and brothers’ names were associated with cartel activity.”
“You never discussed any of this with Tori?” Nate asked.
“No, and she never mentioned it to me. We, well…we don’t talk about the family much beyond upcoming visits. Since graduating from high school, we’ve both been involved in getting degrees and establishing our careers.” She sent an imploring look at Nate. “It’s important Tori know now, and not be blindsided with it if the allegations are ever proven.”
“You know they will be, Jules.”
“So you say, Nate. I’m still not certain what you’ve shown me is more than a wishful DEA trying to go after my family.” She drew in a breath, looking around Dylan to see Tori still studying her phone. “It’s time she knew what might happen.”
Tracker didn’t like it. Neither did Moses. Both for different reasons.
For Tracker, the more people who knew, the bigger chance Armando and Diego would learn of the continued investigation, and his part in it. Moses had another, more personal reason. Over the short time he’d known Tori, they’d become friends and formed a bond, one he wanted to explore further. Once she learned of his original reason for being in her life, he doubted she’d want anything more to do with him. Tori might not even give him a chance to explain.
“If you’re certain, Jules.”
Body relaxing, she expelled a relieved breath. “I am.”
“All right. Meet us at Tori’s house, Moses. This might go better if she’s in her own place.”
Moses shot an uncomfortable look between them. “Are you sure this is for the best, Tracker?”
“No, but it’s what we’re going to do.”
Chapter Twenty
“You’re always welcome here.” Tori shoved the front door open. “It’s just that Dylan told me he and Nate have a meeting they must attend.”
“We still have the meeting, but this is important, Tori.” Moses closed the door behind them, following the others into the living room.
“Does anyone want coffee, a beer, or…”
When they shook their heads, Julia touched her sister’s arm. “Sit down, Tori. We have to talk.”
Gaze moving swiftly over them, she looked back at Julia. “About what?”
“We’ll explain everything once you sit down.” Placing a hand on the small of her back, Moses guided her to a spot on the sofa. He took a seat beside her, threading his fingers through hers.
“This won’t be easy to hear,” Tracker began. “It’s about your family.”
The muscles in her throat worked, but she said nothing, hand tightening on Dylan’s.
“How much do you know about your adopted family?”
“As much as Julia. Father told us about our birth parents. The men met in college, became close friends. Sometime after graduating, Barclay Stanifer, our birth father, went to work at Grupo Quintero. Our parents died in a plane crash when I was one and Julia was three.” She shifted to look at her sister. “What’s this about?”
“There’s a chance the Quinteros aren’t who we thought.”
“A chance?” Tori asked.
“Yes, but I can’t tell you how much of one. All I’m asking is you listen to what Nate has to say.”
“If you think it’s important, then all right.” She squeezed Dylan’s hand, taking a couple slow breaths to calm herself. “Whenever you’re ready, Nate.”
Thirty minutes later, Tori stood, excusing herself. Watching her walk down the hall, Julia turned to Nate.
“She never asked any questions. Showed no reaction at all to what you said or the images in the files.”
“As if she suspected what you were going to tell her, Tracker.” Moses’s gaze never left the hall where she disappeared.
A moment later, Tori returned holding an album. Sitting down, she glanced at Dylan before opening and turning it around. Julia gasped at the photograph on the first page. It showed her father, handcuffed, being led down a hall.
“I’ve been collecting information for almost twelve years.” She sent an apologetic glance at Julia. “Before you and Nate were together.”
Leaning in, Moses, Tracker, and Julia studied the articles, images, and interviews. Tori had compiled a history of the Quintero family since she’d been in high school. When they reached the last page, she closed the book.
“What made you decide to start collecting all this?” Tracker asked.
“A conversation I heard between Father, Diego, and Antonio.” Tori rested her back against the sofa. “I was fifteen. Mother had told me to get Father’s permission for something I wanted to buy. She said he was in his office, but to knock f
irst. But the door wasn’t closed. I heard a heated discussion between our father and brothers. Diego was arguing they needed more information about something. Father and Antonio thought they had enough to make a decision. It seemed to be just another conversation about Grupo Quintero.” She looked between the men. “They were always talking business when the women weren’t around. I’d turned to leave when Antonio said they had to eliminate someone before he talked.”
Sitting up, she rested her arms on her legs. “I stood there, frozen in place.” Tori locked her gaze on Julia. “They were talking about murdering the man who’d been doing some legal work for them. They were planning to kill someone, Julia.”
Shifting to sit next to her, Julia put an arm around Tori’s shoulders. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“I hurried away to find you. Mother said you were spending the night at a friend’s house. I stayed in my room, trying to decide what to do.”
“You should have told me.” Dropping her arm, Julia stayed next to her.
“No. It was better you didn’t know. There was nothing either of us could’ve done. I never considered approaching Father about it because he’d get angry and deny the conversation took place.”
“So you decided to start investigating the family on your own,” Moses said.
“Yes. The Quinteros were always generous. We had our own laptops and printers. I knew to hide my searches, at least enough so Father’s security team wouldn’t notice. They never would’ve suspected me of checking into the family. I’d hoped my efforts would turn up nothing. I mean, maybe I’d heard them wrong.”
“But you weren’t wrong, were you, Tori?” Moses asked.
She shook her head. “Most of what I found was from American news articles. Father had been questioned several times about various crimes. He never went to trial.” A derisive snort left her lips. “It seems people who were to testify disappeared. Nothing could ever be proven.”
Reaching over, Julia lifted the album from her sister’s lap and opened it. “You kept searching all these years.”
“What I’d learned made me uneasy, but I had to continue. I didn’t trust any of them to tell me the truth, yet they were my family. The people who took us in, adopted us when our parents died. It was a relief to leave for college.”
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