Against Orders by Nancy S. Thompson

Author:Nancy S. Thompson [Thompson, Nancy S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

REINA

The captain and I combed through our stacks a second time, more carefully now that we knew the gravity of the situation. We even scoured the remaining boxes in the storage room. I returned to the villa and grabbed an array of highlighters and Post-it tabs from my father’s office, which we used to color-code the documents according to type, date, and the people involved. From there, we painstakingly organized everything into a horizontal timeline across the floor, with vertical branches above and below. It was mind-numbing work that took endless hours. We were so engrossed, we missed lunch and dinner. It wasn’t until we’d arranged almost every last letter, memo, document, and photograph that we realized how hungry and tired we were, but we were reluctant to stop our momentum.

I ran back to the main house and packed up some food and coffee. When I got back, I found Ky crawling back and forth along the timeline with papers in his hands and mouth, mumbling to himself as he rearranged documents. I cleared the table, spread out a cloth, and emptied the basket of food then called the captain up to eat.

We’d just taken our seats when a knock sounded at the shed’s front door. I cursed myself for not relocking it when I returned, and although neither of us granted entry, the door swung open, and a man barged in. We both recognized him as a member of Diego’s team, though he wasn’t around as often as the rest of the squad, and we’d never spoken or been introduced.

He took several steps closer, stopped and scanned the room, then glanced at us before zeroing in on the long line of documents and photos on the floor.

“It’s four in the morning. What the hell’s going on in here?” he asked, his American accent surprising us both. With his dusky skin and dark hair and eyes, we’d assumed he was Spanish, like the rest of Diego’s crew.

Kynan sidestepped in front of the man, his hand raised, almost touching him. “I’m sorry. You can’t be in here.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Lasette personally cleared me to be wherever I deem necessary.”

He tried to skirt around Ky to get a better look at the documents, but the captain moved in front of him, and this time, he did touch him, with both hands to his chest. The man didn’t force his way in any farther. He simply looked down at the captain’s hands then back at Kynan, who, even at his impressive height, stood several inches shorter than our intruder. Unintimidated, Ky dropped his arms, but didn’t give an inch.

“What’s your name?” The calm in Ky’s voice belied the lethal threat beneath it.

“My friends call me Tuck.”

Ky snorted. “Well, I’m not your friend, so…” He glanced at me before glaring back at the man. “What does Mr. Lasette call you?”

“Mr. Attia,” he answered, emphasis on the title.

The captain sighed, his patience worn thin. “Okay, look, Mr. Attia. As a villa employee, I’m sure you’re well aware that I alone hold complete authority here.

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