Free For the Good of All (Law of the Lycans Book 7) by Nicky Charles

mystery of Stone was entirely fascinating to her. A gazillion questions about him swirled in her mind.
    For example, why was his usual beverage water rather than alcohol? Not that it mattered. In fact, a man that stayed stone cold sober was a real plus.
    A thought struck her. Stone was stone-sober. She tried to hold back a giggle.
    “Something amusing you?” Stone looked at her with his usual impassive expression as she placed the glass of water in front of him.
    “No. Not at all.” She snickered again and then hurried away before she burst out laughing at her own joke.
     
    Reno waited until Stone’s crazy witch girlfriend was out of earshot before speaking. She might just be curious but this situation was too delicate to take any chances. Satisfied that she was busy on the far side of the room, he continued with his explanation.
    “I’ve arranged for you to fly into the neighbouring country of Mercosta. From there you’ll take a jeep to Cantala. It’s a small country, barely a blip on the map. From our point of view it’s important because it’s home to the jaguars, some of the most ancient shifters in the Americas. They claim they can trace their ancestry back as far as the Maya civilization.” Reno paused and checked Tina’s location, not putting it past her to be working her way closer to them. So far, so good. “From a human standpoint, it’s less significant. It’s too small to have any political clout on the world stage. Most of the country is impoverished and underdeveloped with a high crime rate. Drug trafficking is its main claim to fame right now.”
    “Sounds lovely.” Stone murmured.
    “It has its pluses. Great beaches, jungles, mountains, waterfalls. It has its share of tourists; those brave enough or stupid enough, depending on your point of view. It could be a must-see destination if the area ever stabilized. Duffy was even commenting on that in one of his last communiqués.”
    “The one he made right before he disappeared?” Stone asked wryly.
    “Yep.” Reno sighed. “Too optimistic in my opinion. Now we have to get him and his family out of there.”
    “Any idea where they are?”
    “Best case scenario is that the drug lord who took over the area is holding the family at the Lycan Embassy. Worst case, beyond them being dead, naturally, is that they’ve moved them into the jungle and you’ll have to track them down.”
    “Once I find them, I’ll smuggle them out or...?”
    “If you can’t get them out, you’ll signal us and we’ll have a chopper swoop in. The island of Santa Marietta is just across the channel. There’s a spot there we have access to if need be.”
    Stone nodded. “Anything else?”
    “I’ll bring you up to speed on what we know about the area.” Reno spread out a map and the two men began to study it.
     
    Tina glanced towards Stone and Reno. She couldn’t hear what they were saying or read their lips.
    Fudge sticks.
    All she wanted was some vicarious excitement in her life, was that too much to ask? Apparently. With a sigh she headed to the back of the club. She needed to get more napkins from the storage room in the back.
    As she passed by Gwyneth’s office, the other woman twisted in her chair and called out to her.
    “Tina?”
    “Yes?”
    “Are you done behind the bar?”
    “Yep. I’m just going to get some more napkins.”
    “Good. You can leave early if you want. Not many customers tonight.”
    “Thanks.” It wasn’t like the older woman to do favours. Tina turned to go before she changed her mind.
    “I won’t pay you, of course.”
    Tina held back a snort. She’d known it was too good to be true. Once again, she turned to leave.
    “Wait.”
    “Something else?” Mentally, she rolled her eyes. She should have been faster getting away. Now Gwyneth was going to ask her to do something horrible like clean the bathrooms.
    “Be careful.”
    “With the napkins? They’re only made of paper, Gwyn. I really don’t think I can damage