Chapter 8 #2
One of the other marshals said, “Former head of a cartel.”
As if that was the point here.
Butler said, “If he wants to finish the treatment before he’s taken away and actually have a shot at kicking this, he knows he can’t mess with her or hurt her. We gave him a whole lot of stipulations, and he promised to adhere to every single one. Otherwise, he doesn’t get this doctor’s help.”
That might have to be enough to satisfy Luca, even if it still presented a risk. But he got the feeling he would be looking out for Kira as much as he was for threats against this guy while he was here. “Got it.”
Butler stuck his hand out again. “We appreciate it.”
The marshals took off, leaving him in the quiet hallway.
Luca eased toward the door and listened for a second, hearing the low murmur of conversation.
Hallway clear. His tablet was patched into hospital security, so he dug it out of his backpack and checked that everything was normal from the security guards’ point of view.
In addition to that, he’d added his own cameras in this hall and the room itself, as well as the closest entrance and the nearest elevator.
Things were about as covered as they could be.
Now all he had to do was stay at this post until he was relieved by Hammer for the next shift. Not the first time he had pulled an all-nighter for a mission. Maybe later, Kira would be up for hanging out a little. Like getting a drink to break the monotony of hours of observation.
He could use the time to persuade her they’d make a great team. And even though he didn’t think she should do what she’d said and quit her job to become his sidekick, that would mean spending time together.
Something he was definitely interested in.
“He’s a good man.” Kira didn’t know why she felt like she had to defend Luca, but the words were already out.
Dr. Torres stood on the opposite side of the bed, holding the patient’s wrist and looking at his watch.
Francisco Abalos had tanned skin, dark hair threaded with plenty of gray, and a gray shadow of beard around his mustache that was likely scratchy to the touch.
A slight yellowing of the skin was the only noticeable indication that he suffered from a rare type of anemia.
Francisco’s breaths were shallow. He rested his head back against the pillow. “Powerful men are often complicated.”
“Speaking from experience?” She went for an easy smile, but this man was a dangerous criminal. Even if the Marshals believed he would give them what they wanted, it would never erase the pain Francisco had caused others.
Dr. Torres looked up.
She’d overstepped? That wasn’t the read she got from Francisco. Kira’s stomach clenched for a second, and then Francisco chuckled. The laugh turned into a cough that seemed to tax him.
“Sorry.” She grabbed the water cup beside the bed and offered him the straw.
He took a sip of the cool water. “Powerful people don’t apologize.” He smiled at her. “It’s refreshing to meet a beautiful woman who speaks her mind.”
She didn’t consider herself anywhere near on the same level as this man, but didn’t mind being someone he considered equal to Luca. That was a nice idea. Even being in the same category made her feel good.
For all the doubts she’d had and the reasons she’d wondered if she was wrong about him, deep down, Luca was a good guy. He cared about people. She didn’t believe there were any underlying motives to Luca’s words or his actions.
Really, it was her own fear that kept her from trusting him.
“Dr. Torres requested you,” Francisco said. “Once the Marshals provided him with a list of available doctors, he took only minutes to assess the names and declare that he wanted you to assist him.”
Kira lifted her gaze to Torres, a guy who talked only about his work and took everything very seriously.
“My work requires expert assistance.” Torres didn’t seem in the least bit flustered to be pointed out. “There can be no mistakes.”
“It’s a remarkable procedure.” Kira needed him to know she was impressed, but not in order to butter him up. “You’ve done some incredible work over the years, and to participate will be a unique experience for me.”
“One that you won’t be able to divulge to anyone.”
Kira nodded. “I understand. Just participating and assisting will be enough.”
“Markedly different from some of your other work. Hopefully the slower pace won’t be a source of frustration.”
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Francisco said, “And the chance for us to get to know each other better.”
She looked at Francisco and saw the gleam in his eyes. This wasn’t a guy she worried would try to hit on her. At least, not other than just for fun. “I’m sure that will happen, considering we’ll be spending a lot of time together. However, I’m here in a professional capacity first and foremost.”
“A woman who lives behind a polite mask. How intriguing.”
Kira smiled at him. Luca might be a guy who liked solving puzzles, but Francisco was the kind who lived for a conquest, even if it was about ruffling her feathers.
“That means you have plenty of secrets yet to be discovered.” His eyes gleamed.
“When I come by later, I’ll bring a deck of cards. We can find out what secrets you have that are yet to be discovered.”
Francisco tipped his head back and laughed, causing him to gasp for breath.
Dr. Torres frowned.
“Sorry, Doctor,” Kira said.
Francisco patted her hand. “Don’t apologize, remember?”
She wondered if that was his philosophy concerning all the horrible things he’d done.
A quick web search before she came here had yielded plenty of news articles and social media posts.
Lengthy descriptions of friends or loved ones who had been caught in the web of his sins, innocent lives destroyed by the cartel.
This man, the charmer, could’ve fooled her if she hadn’t known who he was.
But she also shouldn’t forget what he was capable of.
He was able to turn vicious in a split second and was only here to get his treatment.
If he had to tell the Marshals everything, then it was only for a ticket to better health or for the protection the Marshals offered from the current head of the cartel.
A man like this, in a position where he was vulnerable? He wouldn’t want anyone to know that he was scared the procedure might not be successful. She shouldn’t take anything he said at face value.
In short, he was everything she tried not to be—and hoped Luca wasn’t. She wasn’t anything like him, even if she was responsible for a terrible thing happening. Francisco wasn’t anything like her father either.
It was a good reminder that she shouldn’t judge herself too harshly. But giving in a little would lead to trusting Luca, maybe more than she should.
“There are some serious thoughts happening in that pretty head of yours,” Francisco said.
She smiled politely. “It’s been a long day so far. I should get some rest at home so that I’m alert when I come back.”
“Too much time spent with a powerful man?” Francisco motioned to the door.
Kira said, “We met a long time ago and reconnected recently.”
Francisco touched a hand to his shirtfront. “I’m heartbroken.”
She laughed a little. “I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.”
“My illness will be listed as the cause of death, but we’ll both know it was heartbreak that killed me.” He winked at her.
“It was very nice to meet you,” Kira said, smiling. “I’ll be back later.”
He reached out a hand, but Kira pretended not to notice it as she turned away.
Of course, Dr. Torres saw it. Hopefully he’d respect her keeping those professional boundaries from the outset.
They didn’t know each other, but she needed to build a rapport quickly with the doctor so that he’d trust her when he couldn’t be with the patient.
Kira eased the door closed, turned, and found herself face-to-face with Luca. “Hey.” Her cheeks warmed.
“Everything go okay in there?”
“He’s an interesting guy.” She kept her voice low so that neither of the men in the room behind her heard their conversation. “That’s for sure.”
“Interesting?” Luca didn’t seem to like the word she’d chosen. “He’s a dangerous man who will try to charm you.”
“He already did, but don’t worry. Apparently, I’m a heartbreaker.”
Luca frowned.
“It’s all good. I’ve got it under control.”
“This is a guy who controls everyone around him, and he does it without mercy. He only plays at emotion or affection. And forget about friendship. Everything is a game to him. People are possessions.”
Oh boy.
Kira touched his arms, just above his elbows. “Luca, it’s fine.”
He led her to the two waiting chairs beside the door. “I have to know that you understand what kind of man this is. You can’t let your guard down, Kira. You have to stay alert at all times. He might seem nice, but this is the kind of man who slices up little children in front of their parents.”
“You think I haven’t met bad guys before?” She touched the scar on her forehead. He’d been there, he knew. But there was even more he didn’t know about her and the things she’d seen or done. “I know what I’m doing.” She was well aware of exactly how careful she needed to be.
“I know you’ve met insurgents.” He took her hand and held it in his gently, as if he was trying to comfort her.
“This guy? He’s on a whole other level you can’t even imagine.
He’s a mass murderer wrapped in a con artist. A good-looking guy whose job it is to get you to let your guard down so that he can be the one with all the control. ”
She dipped her head for a second, realizing she’d have to let him know a little something or he wouldn’t believe she was all right.
She should ask him to just trust that she knew what she was doing.
In reality, what she needed was to guard her heart from being broken all over again.
If she asked for trust, she’d have to take her own advice, or she’d be a hypocrite.
“I know what kind of man he is.” She drew her hand from his and rubbed them over her knees, locking her arms straight.
“Because I’ve met a man like him before.
I know how easy it is to get sucked into their web, twisted around, then suddenly realize how far gone you are.
How you’ve changed everything about yourself and what you want, just to align with their ideals. ”
“Ex-boyfriend? Or husband?”
She shook her head. “My father.” Luca didn’t need all the details. All he needed to know was “He wasn’t a nice man. Then he was dead. End of story.”
Her dad hadn’t been charming or attractive like Francisco.
But he had been ruthless. The way he’d been able to get everyone around him to do his bidding had been both fascinating and terrifying.
People who were willing to lay down their lives for the cause he told them was absolute and the chance for a quick payout.
In the end, what did that get him but death at the hands of armed police in London?
She pushed the memories away. “I know what I’m doing.”
Luca tugged on her fingers, interlacing the tips of his with hers. “I’d like to hear more of the story sometime. Not right now, but eventually.”
She stared at their hands, liking the way his fingers looked with hers. The warmth of his touch. The strength in him and the way he remained so gentle at the same time. She let out a breath. “I don’t like talking about it, but it’s part of who I am.”
“I’d like to know all about you. And if you want to know about me, I’m happy to tell you anything.”
She glanced at him and saw the sincerity in his gaze. “Eventually.”
Someone cleared their throat.
Kira felt her cheeks flame all over again. Luca twisted around but didn’t let go of her hand. “Hammer.”
“You’re going to introduce me as Rowan though—hold up.” The big man came over to stand in front of her. “I know you.”
Luca tugged her to her feet. Eventually meant she needed to meet his friends officially, and that time was looking like right now. “You two should probably formally meet.”
She tipped her head to the side, smiling at Mr. Team Leader, and held out her hand. Everything Mack had told her about Hammer and his return to Renegade rolled through her mind. But he didn’t know that she already had the whole story. “Dr. Kira Yassan.’’
He held it almost as gently as Luca, placing his other hand on top so that she spotted a gold wedding band on his left hand. “Rowan Wallace.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kira smiled politely.
“Finally.” He let go of her hand and glanced at Luca. “Been holding out on me, bro.”
Luca cleared his throat. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Kira shifted away from the two of them as far as Luca’s hold on her hand allowed. “Well, I should go get some rest, or I’ll be worthless next time I’m on shift.”
“Hmm. I’m thinking that’ll probably be about the same time Luca comes back on duty.”
Kira said, “Hopefully you aren’t missing anything important at home.” By all accounts, he was involved with his son’s rodeo competitions, catching up on everything he’d missed.
Rowan shook his head. “They’re having a movie night. I’m trying to convince my son I don’t actually like popcorn, but he doesn’t believe me.”
Kira started to go and realized Luca was still holding her hand. “See you later?”
“I’ll walk you to the elevator. Hammer’s got this.”