The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

“You sure about that?” Garrison asked.

“More than anything,” Antonio agreed although, he had a suspicion Renata had something to do with Pierre’s death whether directly or indirectly. Was it to protect him or to protect something she had done?

“Good, I needed to hear that,” Garrison said. “I need to recalibrate my intel.”

“It would help if you could share it with us,” Martinez said. “Not this classified bullshit.”

“So why are we here?” Antonio asked.

“I want full access to your BSL-4 lab.”

“Absolutely not!” He glared at Martinez. “You told him?” But the expression on his friend’s face was baffled as well.

“You think ordering specialized equipment won’t trigger red flags?” Garrison said. “Even if your business is pharmaceuticals, you shouldn’t underestimate the agency’s algorithms.”

“Noted,” Antonio muttered, then glanced back at Martinez. “He can’t force me to do that. He’ll need a warrant.”

“And you have all the judges in Brazil in your pocket, right?” Garrison said. “How about we detain you here, keep you for the next forty-eight hours on kidnapping charges, huh? Your event is tomorrow night, right?”

Son of a bitch.

“Exactly.” Antonio’s jaw tightened and refused to be intimidated. “And I don’t think you have BSL-4 experience to work in the lab. I won’t allow it. And I’m busy tonight and tomorrow as you’re already aware.”

“Hold that thought.” Garrison was busy checking his phone, obviously exchanging a text with someone. Shaking his head, his jaw clenched as he took a few seconds to type in a response to whoever had messaged him.

“I believe you will be very busy, Mr. Andrade,” the CIA man said after an extended lull in the conversation. Everyone seemed hinged on the gravity of the exchange he had on his phone. Antonio had dealings with Garrison and the man had a perfect poker face. So, a slight displeasure on his countenance could mean something catastrophic had happened. “It appears Renata Gallo has disappeared.”

Antonio burst out laughing. “Nonsense. I just spoke to her a few hours ago.”

There was a knock on their door and Martinez opened it.

Garrison’s man—the ginger-haired one he knew as Hank Bristow stepped in. “Someone tipped Ms. Gallo.”

“What the hell is he talking about?” Antonio demanded.

Martinez lowered his phone. “I’m getting a disconnected service.”

Antonio tried Renata’s two phone numbers as well and got the same response. He didn’t realize how much he trusted her until this moment. The four walls in the room closed in on him. The event was tomorrow. He could easily have his secretary call one of the many event planners to take over. The schedule and guests were on the company server, and, yet, the loss Antonio was feeling stole the strength from his limbs and he finally settled in one of the chairs.

“If,” he said quietly. “I’m not getting any answers anytime soon, I’m walking out that door and to hell with the consequences. Throw me in jail, Martinez. Go ahead. But you know you want the truth about Renata as much as I do.”

“It all leads back to the XZite pills.” Bristow looked at Garrison. “But this is not the place to discuss this.”

Charly had never seen Antonio this agitated. The calm collected businessman persona he wore as a second skin was nowhere in evidence. An excessive display of male testosterone permeated the room and she was afraid the entire space would combust.

She actually sucked in much-needed oxygen when they left the building, and there was the question whose vehicle she would ride in.

“She comes with me,” Antonio said, holding her arm.

“I’m not going to make this a tug of war.” Garrison folded his arms over his chest as he regarded the billionaire. “But in case you missed the point, Dr. Bennett is under U.S. custody now. I have the BOPE military commander’s backing. I can have your state department involved, but I doubt you want that bit of news to get out, not with your company in the limelight tomorrow.”

“You bastard,” Antonio rasped. “You planned this all along?”

“On the contrary,” Garrison scoffed. “We just flew out of Mexico the day before yesterday, after which I discovered you abducted our virologist. We arrived in Rio last night and what did we find? A case of Z-9 series infections connected to your company.”

“Plus the one this morning,” Bristow added.

“Plus the one this morning,” the CIA officer emphasized. “It might be serendipitous that you led us here. Things will be moving fast in the next twenty-four hours and we’ll be out of your hair by tomorrow evening. Latest Sunday. Otherwise the agency faces a logistics problem because we commandeered a Gulfstream from one of the other handlers. Needless to say, he’s not pleased.”

“And Charly?” Antonio’s grip on her arm tightened.

“She’ll be returning to the United States with us.” Garrison’s brow shot up. “Was that even a question?”

Charly held her breath while the man beside her simmered for what felt like an eternity.

“Then, I hope you have enough room for one more in your vehicle,” Antonio said. “I’ll tell Oscar to follow us.” He let go of her arm and slipped out his phone, walking away from their group that had gathered in front of the military building.

Garrison squinted his eyes at the other man. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered, then glanced at Charly, a smile playing on his lips. “Another one bites the dust.”

“Careful, John, or you’ll be next,” Bristow chuckled.

“Heaven forbid,” Garrison shot back.

Charly frowned. “What the hell are you two talking about?”

But the men didn’t answer as Antonio returned. “I guess you know where my villa is?”

To say Charly was desperate for more estrogen was an understatement. She almost hugged Ida when they returned to the house. The housekeeper was none too pleased to see Garrison and Bristow following a thunderous-looking Antonio. The BOPE captain was also with them and it was he who became Ida’s target for questioning.

“What’s going on, Martinez?”

“Can’t tell you,” he said. “Can you call Lena? Tell her I’ll be late.”

“Is Nico in the basement, Ida?” Antonio headed to the