*****043:

Eli was on the patio with the kids where he'd been a few hours ago, protecting my family in my absence. Was that even a true assessment? I approached him, completely dressed and ready to roll. I had to get back to Aubrey.

I motioned for him with a crooked finger and he came to me, sighing heavily, his head lowered, his eyes pleading with me to forgive him, to understand.

I took him into the den so not even an expression would be misinterpreted by anyone else out there.

I just stared at him, with as piercing of a glare as I could. "Que Onda?"

"Yeah, so, the necklace you saw me throw--- was not your necklace, but a duplicate I'd had made before I even filed for custody of Felicity. I had already intended to show it to her and ask where the safe was. Hopefully, she would remember, and be able to lead me to it. I know it's in their palacio. They've never handled the real thing, so this will buy us some time."

I thought about that for a few minutes. So, he'd known all along about the list. He knew the key to the safe was on her necklace and he'd seen the picture and had a copy made. He was planning to possibly get her by herself, maybe at ABCSC, where he'd infiltrated, and when Aubrey had to go to the bathroom or something he'd volunteer to watch the kids and then he'd ask her.

"Who did you throw the fake to?"

Eli looked away. "They were members of the CJNG. He was one of my men and I found out he'd turned traitor, and is working with Surenos XS3. He thought I threw it to him in good faith. But in reality—I signed his death warrant."

"Max's guys will go after him? Let me get this straight Max is the head of the Sonora cartel now? He had Gomez killed right?"

Eli nodded, looking pitifully sorrowful, as if those words actually bothered him, which I doubted.

"Then who are you?"

"I am Roberto Jimenez. I am the School Teacher. I head the CJNG."

"You're the leader?"

He shrugged. "There is not one leader."

"You're a leader then?"

"Yes, Senor. But you are safe with me and your family is safe with me."

"You have the necklace? The one I had in my hand? What do you plan to do with it?" Now I realized even he did not believe that it too was a fake. I had to act appropriately concerned about it.

He dug in his pants pocket and brought out the chain and charms. He held it just out of my reach. "I must ask your indulgence now."

My brows rose.

"Let me take Felicity to Mexico, let me take her to her former home, and pay tribute to her parents. I will bring back her personal belongings, allow her to retrieve prized family photos and her mother's jewelry. In return, I will have her lead me to the safe, and I will turn the list over to the Mexican authorities."

"You don't want custody?"

"I cannot provide the tight knit loving family she has with you."

"You would put her in terrible danger by taking her down there? Not to mention she doesn't know you, and would be scared out of her mind. I think, amigo, that you don't care about her at all. And why would you turn this list over to the authorities? What do you get?"

He blinked long and slow. "That is right, amigo. I would put her in danger, but I can protect her. I am her Uncle, she may not know me, but she is my flesh and blood. I will take care of her. And I will bring her back. I will turn the list over as a bargaining piece. The government has some of my men. I want them back."

I shook my head. "Why don't you go home then? I will skype with you alone and she can watch from the privacy of her own bedroom and guide you. You aren't taking my child out of the country."

"Skype is not enough." He looked annoyed.

"It's all there is. Virtual reality. It is what you get." I crossed my arms over my chest and stared him down.

"If it does not work?"

I blew out my breath and cocked my head. "She's barely five, she hasn't been home in over a year." I looked out to where she and Juan were playing in the sand again. She was completely tuned into him and he her, the gentle breeze ruffling ponytails. "It's a risk you take. The information you seek may not be able to be obtained this way."

He also stared at the children. His eyes were cloudy. "This has turned into one hell of a nightmare."

"You're telling me." I breathed. "Look, I don't trust you, now or maybe ever. You may not under any circumstances take my child anywhere. Even giving her a virtual tour of her old home may be inadvisable. Her welfare is at stake. She is more precious to me than you or your men, or your illegal activities and the list of government officials involved. It's that simple. So, don't get your hopes up."

"You put her at risk of kidnapping."

"I will not be letting her out of my sight."

"Ever? Even you cannot watch her always." He shook his head. "You would do well to heed my words and take my offer."

I blew out my breath again. "Don't mess with me, man."

His eyes were compassionate. "I'm not messing with you, carnal." I knew this was the equivalent of saying we were close-- family, dude. My eyes drifted back to his and I found them pleading with me.

I tried to picture if someone had taken my guys-- the band-- what would I do to get them back?

Anything.

I bit my lips. This is shit. I hate being shitted like this.

I nodded. "Skype only."

"With the possibility of a trip at some future date?"

"Only with me."

He looked away. "Only with you."

"Yes. I told you, she will not be leaving my sight. Or my care, with my directions, and the security that I provide."

"Your terms are steep, Senor." He said this with respect, and I was concerned. If he was who he said he was, he was here-- the highest up in his cartel, acting a part, the lowliest of assignments-- why? Was it that important? He did it out of love? Did he expect me to believe that?

Yes, he did.

Gees, he really did.

*****