Malco didn’t speak, only looked at her as if he were trying to get inside her head. “A risk on love? Where did you get the inspiration?”
It was clear he was teasing her, but Frida also knew he was a strategist, and if there was a chance for her suggestion to work and make its way to Emme and Shane, Malco would tell her.
“Kidnapping someone wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do, but I think you make a good point. What about we eat quickly and get your idea to the team? I think time is of the essence, and if we want to stop the recruiting, your idea may be the only solution.”
How he took her suggestion in stride, like she was a valued member of his team, was almost overwhelming. No fighting or arguing, only acceptance and consideration.
Frida leaned forward and sealed the deal with her handsome warrior with a kiss, one last moment of peace before they unleashed a storm Frida hoped they’d all survive.
Chapter Seventeen
“So, let me get this straight, you want us to infiltrate the gang compound and extract this list of teenagers?” Shane was looking at him and Frida as if they had lost their minds.
“Yes, hear us out.” Malco looked to Frida and nodded for her to go on.
“If we extract the kids, we gain twofold. The kids are safe, which is our ultimate goal, but we also gain witnesses that can testify as to what’s going on inside the gangs.”
Shane glanced at Emme and then Knight. “Go on.”
Frida looked to Malco and felt a blush creep along her cheeks. “If we can get JaKheel to turn and give us what he knows, we can nail Kasten, Pool, and have the tools to dismantle the Blood Razors.”
Knight shook his head. “He’ll never testify. They’ll kill him before he gets a chance, why would he risk that?”
“For love,” Caitlin said as she stroked the head of the beast at her side.
Frida nodded at her correct assumption. “Exactly. From what we know, he and Danie were in love. If we extract him and tell him about the baby and offer them a new life with new identities, I think he’ll take it.”
“That’s a huge risk,” Knight said.
“We know that, but do you have a better idea?” Malco looked at Shane and Knight and waited.
“Mason, what do you think?” Shane asked the calmest member of the team.
“I think it can work. People will risk anything for love.” Malco knew he was referring to the woman he loved and the lengths he’d go to for her.
“What about the other kids? They’re still at risk and we can’t offer them all new identities.” James put his booted feet up on the table, and Malco watched as Caitlin rolled her eyes at him, and he smirked.
“We can keep them safe until the trial, and then they won’t need protection as they won’t be testifying. JaKheel should have everything we need to bring them down,” Malco explained.
Shane leaned back in his chair and assessed the team. “This is going to be a huge undertaking for the entire team. We need to hit all the compounds at once, and that means splitting the team up, which I don’t like. So, I’m calling a vote on this.”
He glanced at Emme, who nodded. “Those in favor?” Malco watched as every member of the team raised their hands.
“Okay, that’s a go then.” Malco felt his breath leave him, not realizing he’d been holding it.
“We need to do some recon first and find out everything we can about the two compounds and what we’re walking into. These guys will be tooled up to the eyeballs, and I’m not losing anyone on this.” He turned to Emme. “Can you make some calls and arrange for safe houses for these kids and speak to our contact about getting Danie and JaKheel into WitSec?”
“Knight, you take Alex, Mercy, Nick, and Malco. Mason, you take James, Caitlin, Cain, and Wolf. I want recon done so we know their every move. I want to know when they take a shit, when they eat, every God damned thing.”
“We should bring Ward in on this, he has influence with these kids, and it could help us when we have to talk to them.” Malco looked to Frida and nodded at her assessment.
“Good idea.”
Shane turned his gaze on Frida. “I like that. Can you and Malco go and talk to him now?”
“Yes, I need to check in with my assistant afterward, but we can go now and catch him before the center gets busy.”
He and Frida walked to the car, and he smiled at her as they got in.
Frida tilted her head and smiled back. “What’s with the grin?”
“We make a good team. I like working with you.”
“I like working with you, too, but I don’t shine as a private investigator. My stage is the courtroom, and that’s where I’ll punish these bastards for what they’ve done to these families.” Malco looked at her with soft eyes. “I know you will, Frida. You’re a warrior of a different kind, but the work you do is so important to the freedom of this country and the futures of these kids.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” The sexy blush hitting her cheeks made him want to pull over and kiss her until the heat on her face was the same all over her sweet body, but he knew it would have to wait.
They arrived at the Youth Center, and he pulled over, parking the car near the entrance and noticed the only other vehicle in the lot belonged to Ward.
“Do you think he’ll go for it?” Frida cocked her head at him in question.
“I hope so.” They exited the car and walked together to the entrance. As they entered, they saw a few kids playing pool in the rec room, but they were younger. The older kids seemed to be out of sight or not out of their
