For the next few days Ryker worked on getting a team of men together, he then remembered Talia saying that her sister had called her informing her of her parents. To make sure that he was searching the right area he asked Talia to see her phone.

"What do you need that for?"

"I'm onto something and I need to see it for a minute." She handed him her phone and curiously watched while he searched through it "When did your sister call and from what number?"

She took her phone back, looking through her call history "If I remember right it was from an unknown number." She kept scrolling and stopped when she found it. "This was her right here, it's an unknown number."

He took the phone back, placing it in his pocket. "Come with me." He said taking her hand.

"Where are we going?"

"To get some answers."

They got in his car and left bringing her to his office. While they walked in he held her hand as he started walking towards his office. He felt her stop and turned to her "Why are you stopping?"

"I thought I saw someone that I knew."

He turned to look to see where she was looking and all he saw was people that he worked with. "Who was that?"

She pointed over to his boss "I've seen him before."

"My boss? That's Mr. Porter. I'm sure that you've seen him at your work, he's gotten us coffees before."

"Oh, that could be."

They went inside his office, she sat down while he logged into his server. He had a program that allowed him to search phone records. He pulled her phone out of his pocket and looked at the time and date. While he dug into the call history, he wasn't able to come up with the phone number and ordered the location of the call.

"So now we wait."

"For what now?" She was curious as to what he was doing, so she walked over to him and sat on his lap. "What are you doing exactly?"

"Something that I should have done a while ago."

"What's that?"

"Searching for the location that your sister called you from. I have an idea but I want to make sure. He's got a block on the phone number, either he's got it blocked or it's a throwaway phone."

"Oh."

Mr. Porter walked into Ryker's office without a knock smiling as he walked in. "So this is the fiance that I've heard a lot about." He says walking in towards the two.

Talia looked up and got stiff when she looked at him "Do I know you from somewhere? She asked him.

"I don't think so, although I have been to your work and ordered a bunch of drinks before." Mr. Porter said with a grin.

"What can I do for you?" Ryker asked aggravated that he had just walked in without knocking.

"I wanted to meet the girl that you are about to marry." He looked at Talia who was looking at him strangely. "You're a beautiful girl and he's one lucky guy." He said giving her a wink.

"So what's the status of Hannah's case? Have you found the guy or found out where he's at?" Mr. Porter asked curiously. "I would like to get this case over with soon, he's been on the run for far too long."

"Believe me I know, I know..."

The longer his boss stood in his office the more frustrated he got, he didn't care for the looks that he kept giving Talia, and was feeling a bit uncomfortable. His computer made a noise and looked at his screen, he saw that the search he ordered came back and got antsy wanting his boss to leave.

"Well I should get back to work, is there anything else that you needed?"

"No, that'll be all. I'll get out of your hair for now." He started walking towards the door then stopped in the doorway as he held onto the door "Oh and Ryker?" He says before walking out "I'm giving you one more week." He demanded before shutting the door before he could say anything.

Talia looked at Ryker "One week?"

Ryker didn't say anything and opened the message. Talia looked on to see what he was up to, she looked at the map and saw Tampico and a star with a circle around it. "Bingo." He said with a smile.

"Is that where my sister called me from?"

"It appears to be... Looks like my trip is going to be sooner than what I had originally planned."

Talia looked at him confused "What trip?"

He helped her off of his lap and stood up clicking the print button, he walked over to his printer and waited for the map to print. "Ryker? I'm asking you, what trip?"

He grabbed the page after it had printed and logged out of his computer "We have to hurry." He says grabbing her hand. They left the office in a hurry, Ryker even ignored Marcus on their way out.

Marcus stood their calling out for Ryker when he was rushing Talia out. He then ran outside running after them "Hey Ryker! Stop man!"

Ryker opened the door for Talia having her get in, Ryker then turned when he heard Marcus calling for him. "Not now Marcus, I don't have time for chitchat right now."

"Where are you heading off to in a hurry?"

"Never mind where I'm heading off too, you stick to your job and I'll stick to mine." He walked away, unsure of what to think anymore. He wasn't sure who he could trust anymore. Seemed like everyone he was learning about lately had to do with this cartel that was out to hurt Talia. He even got a vibe from his own boss after Talia kept staring at him.

While they drove back home, he noticed Talia quiet. Everything that he asked her she never responded back to him. "What's the matter?"

She turned her head quickly and gave him a dirty look "You're seriously asking me that?" She snapped, still upset that he hadn't answered her yet about the trip. He had a feeling why she was upset and started to rub her leg.

He took a deep breath and looked back over to her. "I'm going to Mexico to go look for Christopher/Topher whatever you want to call him hoping to find Victoria, I also hoped that while being there I would find Salina."

"You were just going to leave me here and not say anything?" She huffed.

"I was making arrangements for you to stay with someone while I was gone, but now I'm not so sure. I'm not sure that I can trust anybody at this point."

The moment he parked the car Talia opened the door getting out upset. She couldn't believe he was going to go to Mexico after what happened to her family. She was also upset that he was going to leave her behind with people that she didn't know.

"If anything I could have stayed at Andrea's place." She yelled out to him as she slammed the door. He hurried to the door catching her in the entryway.

"Talia listen to me." He begged "I like Andrea but what can she do if someone like Topher comes around, better yet Dante? He knew you two were friends, and knows where she lives. I cannot risk it."

"Then take me with you." She said turning around as she got right in his face.

"No.... Sorry I can't do that."

She took a deep breath and put her hands on her hips "If you truly cared about me you would bring me with you."

He inched closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders "Talia.. think about it. I do care about you. Going to Mexico isn't safe."

"Neither is being here.. especially without you." She gave him the sad eye look, more like the puppy eyed look. It broke his heart. She was right, either way she's not safe. At least in Mexico he can keep an eye on her.

He threw the keys he had in his hand on the floor and backed her up against the wall, causing her breathing to hitch as she stared into his eyes "Do you know how beautiful you look when you're angry?"

"I'm sure I look like a warewolf." She said sounding serious. She then smirked when she saw him smile at her. He leaned forward giving her a kiss, when she kissed him back he knew that she wasn't as mad at him like she made it out to be as she kissed him with passion and urgency. When she let out a soft moan he knew for sure she was trying to act tough and to get her way.

"You're right." He says as he pulled inches away from her. "Either way you're not safe. So let's go pack our bags, grab your passport and let's go head to Mexico."

Talia smiled and jumped into his arms, giving him a big hug "Thank you!." She says giving him a hard kiss on the lips. He felt good to see her happy, but also worried about her as well. If something happened to her he didn't know what he would do. He promised to keep her safe and away from harm, and that's what he intends to do in Mexico.

While Talia was packing, Ryker called his team of men that he put together and gave them the details that plans had changed. With his boss only giving him a week, he needed to act fast and hoped that his instincts were right.

Wanting to stay away from a commercial flight, Ryker ordered a private plane to fly them to Mexico. He knew if he had booked a flight with their names it would be easy for them to get caught, he knew they needed to be under the radar and this was the best way to do that.

The next day they arrived in Mexico, they rented a car under a surname and drove to the US embassy. Ryker wanted to let them know what was going on and wanted to make sure Talia would be safe if they happened to come across any issues.

"We already expected you both." A lady behind the counter said to Ryker. His expression changed thinking that they were caught already. She then giggled "I see your expression, I guess they didn't tell you."

"They?"

"We received a phone call this morning, and was informed of the details."

"By who?" Ryker got suspicious and squeezed Talia's hand, waiting to hear a name that shouldn't know that they were in Mexico.

She looked down at her paperwork and lowered her glasses "Looks like Clint Schmidt was the one that called and had everything set up for you."

Whew he thought releasing his hand from Talia's. Clint was one who he had hired to come and help them in Mexico, he and Ryker had been friends since they were toddlers, he was one that he could trust with his life. He was also part of the SWAT team, Clint had owed him favor and helped round up a bunch of guys.

"Is he OK?" Talia asked worried.

"Yes, everything will be just fine. He's a guy that I would trust your life with." He smiled, assuring her as he wrapped his arm around her.

They took a five hour drive to their hotel destinatation. He wanted to be close to where they needed to be, but yet far enough away to stay out of harm's way, and keep her out of the spotlight.

When they arrived at the hotel they were greeted with open arms, the staff explained to them that they had the hotel secure enough for them and when Ryker went out on his mission that they would make sure that Talia was protected.

When they got to their room, Talia felt even more safe as she noticed the armed guards surrounding the level. Ryker shook their hands introducing Talia, and gave them instructions about what to look out for, even showing them pictures of the men he was after.

After getting situated Talia sprawled out on the bed, she was tired, nervous, and yet somewhat excited hoping to find her sister alive. "I really want to go with you when you go to Topher's."

Hope you're enjoying the story! Make sure to comment and vote, it's really appreciated!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Will Ryker allow her to go with? What will he find when he finally comes face to face with Topher?🤔🤔🤔