Chapter 16
N avarro
Family.
The sense of togetherness, the extension of one’s self.
An ache remained in my heart where it had been for twenty years and would remain for the rest of my life. I’d failed her once. That would never happen again.
“Maya. It’s Navarro. How are you, baby?”
She giggled and I took a deep breath. It was always good to hear her laugh, especially when there’d been so many times when she hadn’t made a single sound. “Fine.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. Are you eating well?”
“Mmm… Some. Pudding.”
Her favorite. “Chocolate. How could I forget?”
“Nope. Butterscotch.”
“Oh, you changed on me, you evil girl?” I laughed as she gasped, yet as always when I talked with her, my anger simmered just below the surface. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
“I’m not evil.”
I was so damn proud of her. And so furious how her life had turned out. I rubbed my jaw, which ached from clenching it all night long. “No, of course not. I was teasing. Do you remember what that means?”
I could almost feel her brain absorbing and processing what I’d told her from a couple thousand miles away.
“You’re a jerk,” she muttered. When I made a noise, she giggled again. “Teasing.”
Now I allowed a full belly laugh. “You are so right. I need to go, sweet girl, but I’ll call you later. I’ll come visit soon. Okay?”
“Okay. Muah.”
The sound as she blew me a kiss tore at my heart. I ended the call, staring at my phone for God knows how long. Long enough I wondered why I’d lost track of time.
Because the past was crushing down on me.
The shrink I’d been forced to spend way too much time with had told me toward the end of our sessions if I didn’t face the tragedy head on, one day everything would come roaring back and there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to handle the chaos it brought to my life.
Maybe the pompous asshole with the thick glasses had been right.
Sighing, I shoved the phone into my pocket and placed my hand on the warm glass. The sun was rising in the sky, a reminder that the day would be busy.
And I have yet to decide what the hell to do with Fallon.
Time had no meaning when inside a mansion with no soul. I’d awakened less than two hours later, prowling the halls of the estate while trying to rid my mind of various demons from the past. They’d lingered longer than usual, the images also much more vivid than I was used to.
At least today I’d finally make good use of the kitchen staff. I’d ordered a late breakfast to be delivered to the room. I’d need to awaken Fallon soon. I was determined to learn more about her and her family prior to meeting with Eduardo.
I’d also asked one of the female estate employees to purchase some clothing for Fallon.
Heading to her hotel could prove a mistake.
If any aspect of her story was true, someone knew she was here.
Now, if the room was trashed, she wasn’t working with anyone.
If no one had touched it, that could very clearly mean she’d come to Mexico to establish a trap.
Either way, I had to know, but she also needed something other than her dress.
Hearing footsteps, the echo in the hallway just outside the office perked my senses, but I remained staring out the window, enjoying the view.
At least the Mexican drug lord had good taste in outside décor.
I stood with my hands in the pockets of the sweatpants I’d pulled on, searching the area outside where I’d been for at least thirty minutes.
Maybe I was looking for answers.
Maybe I was searching for reasons why I’d been spared.
Just as someone entered the room, another vision shifted from the darkened reaches of my mind to the forefront.
“I need to talk to you, Navarro.”
I stared at Rafael, the Torres Druglord smiling at me kindly, but I sensed something was wrong. “Sir?” There were several soldiers in the room, every one of them carrying a weapon.
Jago stood off to the side. A year older than me, we’d grown close since my father worked for Rafael.
The powerful man closed the distance, placing both his hands on my arms. I had an urge to jerk them away. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
“What happened?”
“It’s your brother.”
“What happened to Lucian?” My older brother was my hero, someone I looked up to. He was everything I wanted to be, ruthless yet kind. Everyone said he’d be somebody in the Torres Empire.
Rafael closed his eyes briefly. “Son, there’s no easy way to say this. Your brother is dead.”
Bristling, I rubbed my eyes as the memory began to fade. I’d managed to shove that day and so many others mostly into a padlocked box. I’d taught myself how to take off the edges although I’d never forget that my family was destroyed, taken from me when I was only seventeen.
I fisted my hand around the handle of the weapon I’d shoved into my waistband before leaving the bedroom. While I doubted that if Fallon decided to kill me she’d use a gun, I wasn’t going to take the chance.
“What is it, Silvio?” I finally asked when he remained silent.
“Sorry to bother you, boss, but I thought you’d like some answers. One of the housekeepers handed me some bags. She said you requested them?”
Sighing, I nodded as I turned around. He was clearly amused at my attire. He’d rarely seen me in anything other than a black tee shirt and cargo pants or the occasional suit. My private time was just that, not a show meant for others.
Another reason I hated this goddamn assignment.
He placed her small clutch bag on the desk, pushing it away by a few inches as if the cloth bag would catch on fire.
I grinned inwardly. He’d never seen me with a woman inside my house since being in my employ.
He’d commented only twice on the fact I’d never spent more than two hours with a woman in my life.
Until now.
My guess is the man was itching to chide me. Twenty-four hours and both my behavior and my world had been rocked. He thought best not to say anything.
“You can leave the bags right there. I’ll take them up to her room later. I assume the other items I asked Maria to find she was able to do?”
I could tell by the look on the man’s face he knew I’d spent the night with her. While I wasn’t in the mood for my behavior to be challenged by anyone, he wasn’t the reason for my bad mood. There were half a dozen others.
“Yes, sir. She purchased what she could. I’ll put them right here, boss,” he said as he placed the items on the couch. He did so tentatively, which allowed me to know he had something on his mind.
“Spill it. I have a busy day and we’re leaving either tonight or tomorrow.”
He seemed surprised. “I’ll warn the pilot.
” He walked closer. With nothing in his hands, whatever he had to tell me couldn’t be but so important.
“I checked on Ms. Baldwin. She lives in Santa Barbara and has for the past several years. She has little money in her bank account. Owns a car, and has two credit cards, which are mostly maxed out. I found her art on the internet. She’s damn good.
” He smiled broadly until he realized I wasn’t interested.
After clearing his throat, he finished his statement.
“She’s from LA where her father and sister currently live. ”
“And her father?”
“Up until about six months ago, he worked for a company called Renfield Industries. Nothing special about them other than they sell landscaping chemicals they produce. They have a decent bottom line but had to lay off about one third of their workforce at the same time. Seems legit. The sister, Brooke, is an elementary school teacher. She’s only been on the job for about eighteen months.
Lives in a hovel of an apartment. Shithole if you ask me and in the wrong part of town, but close to where she teaches. ”
“What aren’t you telling me, Silvio?”
He half laughed and scratched his head. “There’s nothing there that’s odd. Nothing out of the ordinary. I checked her father’s bank accounts. He did take out a significant withdrawal from his savings almost two weeks ago, but no large sums incoming, no other oddities.”
Perhaps he had run away like Fallon had suggested. Who the fuck was really after him and why?
“You need to dig deeper. You missed something.” That much I was certain of.
“I’m telling you their history is squeaky clean.
Birth certificates for the two girls who are almost nine years apart.
College degrees for both from good schools on the West Coast. Her father owned two houses, the one he’s living in purchased fifteen years ago.
Just a basic family.” His eyes suddenly lit up.
“With one exception. Your lovely guest was arrested once.”
I chuckled. “Jaywalking?”
“No, breaking into an art gallery. From what I could tell, the charges were dropped. She accused the owner of stealing her work. There’s a story there, but I doubt its one that will be useful to you.”
No, but it added credence to her personality.
“Interesting, but not useful. What happened to her mother?”
“Nothing unusual there either, boss. She was listed as deceased when the younger child was barely one.”
“Cause of death?”
“A car accident.”
I shifted my attention toward the window, allowing a smile to cross my face.
Everything seemed to add up, but my instinct had never proven me wrong.
“Like I said. Keep digging. We’re heading to the hospital in a couple hours to have a nice, long chat with Eduardo.
I assume there were no additional reports of issues at the warehouse? ”
He shook his head. “All is quiet. Too quiet, if you know what I mean. Including on the street.”
“Not unexpected. Fassi is known for his fact-finding missions.”
“Got it. I’ll keep searching. Let me know when you’re ready to go.” When he grinned, I tilted my head. “Not saying anything, boss. Not a thing.”
I offered a scowl in return. “Have Santos put several soldiers on the ground. I want them finding answers if the Alcarez pricks kidnapped an American woman.”
“You really think there’s a chance she’s alive?”
“For some reason, I do. If so, I want her found. Before we leave.”
“Tall order, boss, but I’ll see what I can do.”
Silvio was good at rousing men to heed my orders. With the mood I was in, no one wanted to cross me at this point.
When he remained in the room, I lifted a single eyebrow. “More bad news?”
He laughed half-heartedly as he scratched his head. “I don’t think you want to hear this.”
“But?”
“But we have issues with Eduardo’s soldiers.”
“What do you mean issues?”
He shrugged and by the expression on his face, I could tell admitting whatever the hell was going on wouldn’t make my day. “They don’t like taking orders from you. Believe it or not, there are several absences today, including two soldiers who were assigned to watch the estate.”
Loyalty was not only respected but required, yet the behavior of Eduardo’s men indicated they’d been made aware their leader wasn’t thrilled with at least one member of the Torres regime.
Namely me.
I walked closer, holding in an explosion of anger.
No one questioned my decisions or my authority.
“I suggest you have a conversation with Santos. Help him understand that while I’m involved with this organization, they will operate as soldiers under me.
Period. If they don’t, they’ll learn my methods of punishment exceed the level of savagery Eduardo purports to dole out. ”
Silvio grinned as if I’d just given him the keys to the city. “Happy to, boss. I’ll take care of it right now.”
Exhaling, I waited until he’d left the room while my thoughts drifted once again to my lovely guest. I headed to where her purse was positioned and the moment I pulled the clutch into my fingers, I brought it under my nose.
Her soft fragrance lingered in the bag. Musk and flowers, vanilla and spice.
The combination was irresistible. My cock twitched in appreciation.
I opened it, peering inside. Besides her wallet, there was a compact and lipstick.
There was also a keycard for a hotel. For a woman with little in her bank account, staying at the Ritz Carlton seemed very suspicious.
The feisty woman was likely keeping more than one secret.
I slipped the card into my pocket. Perhaps I would make a trip to the hotel after meeting with Eduardo. Why not do a little snooping of my own?
As I headed from the room, images of her body writhing under mine shoved aside the earlier horror.
I’d lost so much, but I’d had a family waiting in the shadows, including the patriarch I owed my utmost respect and loyalty to.
However, my gut told me he’d left out several details about the days leading up to when my brother had supposedly betrayed him.
And in turn, destroyed his own family.
I grabbed the bags holding several purchases, heading from the room.
After nodding to the two guards who now stood at the head of the stairs, I returned to the room.
The light coming in from the partially open blinds created a halo effect around Fallon’s face and body.
She was even more spectacular with her hair splayed out across the pillows and her cheeks rosy from whatever dream she was having.
I sensed she was in a deep REM sleep given the way her eyes rolled back and forth under her eyelids.
Unable to help myself, I concentrated on the way her long lashes skimmed her cheeks as she issued a slight moan.
The tops of her breasts were uncovered, the sweet blush of one nipple peeking out from above the sheet. As had happened the night before, my mouth watered.
She certainly had an enticing effect on me.
After placing the bags near the bathroom door, I pulled her phone into my hand.
She’d been smart, establishing a password instead of using the facial recognition software.
Could the hackers employed within the Torres organization eventually crack the code?
Yes, but I had no time to waste and they were all safely sequestered in Barcelona.
I sat down in chair opposite the bed, easing back in the seat and giving a quick glance around the room. The bedroom suggested royalty; I realized the quiet life I’d established for myself in Spain was a far cry better than empty corridors and servants handling every aspect of my life.
It would seem Eduardo needed someone to wipe his ass, let alone cook his meals and clean blood and gore off the walls.
When she made a noise, a subtle yet anguished cry, I leaned forward, whispering my questions out loud. “Who are you, Fallon Baldwin, and why do I have the feeling your presence will destroy my life?”