"Forgive me, senora, but Jed Whitlow cannot see through his own ego. It is convenient to let him believe he is the leader of the group. He does most of the work, and he is the conduit to provide the firepower. But once everything is in place, we may find it better to have someone else in charge."

"Like you?" Lorena gave an unladylike snort. "That will never happen, and you know it."

"No, my dear. I was thinking of you. With me as your silent partner. I cannot, ...