Free Obsession by Sharon Buchbinder

shrugged and crossed her legs.
    Thank God that distraction was gone.
    “I have a debt to pay to an old friend. She called it in. And, as a mother, my heart goes out to Angie. Who wouldn’t want to help her save her baby from that lunatic?”
    “I agree. I would love to see the child back with his mother, but again, I don’t get why I need to be involved in this. I’m a bean counter now, not a fighter.” What was she hiding from him? Was she going to take off with the money, books, and incriminating evidence—run to a country without extradition agreements? She never did anything without a reason. There had to be something in this for Isabel.
    She threw her hands up. “I want you to get into that loco preacher’s compound, get the baby and while you’re at it, bring back his gold.”
    Alejandro knew his mouth was hanging open. “You can’t be serious.”
    She frowned. “As a heart attack.”
    “You and I both know the legends of the hidden Jesuit gold aren’t true. People have torn up churches, tunnels, roads, caves, and mines. There’s no treasure in those hills.”
    “I’m not talking about the Spanish expulsion of the Jesuits. That’s ancient history. And, you’re right, that’s never been found.”
    “Then what?”
    “Angie asked that stinking bag of bones where the gold was. That crazy old man must have it hidden in his church, or commune, or whatever he calls it.”
    “How do you know she wasn’t saying that just to sweeten the pot, you know, to get you behind her rescue mission?”
    “Did she look like she was trying to play me?”
    Alejandro recalled Angie holding the pitiful wreck in her long pale arms, her beautiful copper hair tumbling across her luminous face. “She’s a lawyer, trained to interrogate people. Angie knows how to get what she wants.”
    She shook her head. “My gut told me otherwise, and it never lies to me. That’s why I’m still alive.”
    “Who’s going to mind the store, keep the books?”
    She laughed. “My poor husband was so bored after he moved here, he started taking online courses. Just finished some accounting courses toward his MBA. I think he can handle the books while you’re gone. And if he screws them up, you can fix them when you get back.”
    “Okay, okay, but please tell me you don’t expect me to go alone.”
    She stood, stretched, and yawned. “Don’t worry, I’ll send my best guys with you, plus you’ll have my two favorite arm-twisters, Tio and Pepe.”
    “When do we start planning?”
    “Right now.” She opened the door and waved at the big brothers standing guard. “Oh. One more thing.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Angie’s going too.”
    Heat rushed up his neck and face. No. Not good. A terrible idea . He couldn’t travel cross-country with that woman. The risk of getting involved with Angie was greater than being shot by a crazed cult member. He flashed on the scene in Raul’s office, her wild red hair, flushed face, and exposed breasts demanding his undivided attention. Out in the wilds, trekking through rough and cold wilderness, the temptation to abandon his “No sex with women on the job” rule would be strong. No, rephrase that: Ir-re-sistable . How could he keep his distance from a smart, sassy, sexy woman—especially one who made his blood buzz when she laughed? There was more to lose here than his life. He could lose his heart .
    Alejandro shook his head. He had to stop this runaway train. He couldn’t allow this to happen. Bad enough he’d have to abandon his undercover ATFE assignment of monitoring the books, keeping an eye on Izzy, and passing information along to his handler. But taking a civilian along on a potentially suicidal rescue mission? That was an unacceptable risk. He couldn’t have Angie’s death on his conscience, too. Esteban was already living there night and day, haunting his memories and dreams.
    “We don’t even know where we’re going, or what we’ll encounter. Copper Canyon is a vast