Chapter 7 #2
“I guess you’ll need to trust me. I can tell you that Eduardo is a panic-driven man for good reason.
That’s why his security is topnotch. Well,” I said as I scratched my head, “with a few notable exceptions. He was gunned down just outside the gates we drove through by soldiers working for the same brutal leader who ordered those men to take you off the street. These are dangerous times.”
“You’re sharing this with me why?”
“To reiterate my earlier point. If what you told me is true, you’re in way over your head and you’ve already ruffled feathers.
The men who attacked you didn’t do so randomly.
They found you in the club and were there to take you to wherever their drug lord is holed up.
I assure you that you wouldn’t have enjoyed his company any better than mine. ”
At least it seemed she was listening to me. “Why kidnap my sister? Why threaten me?”
“A very good question and I believe you have at least a general idea. Maybe we’re getting somewhere. What was the threat?”
She licked her lips and remained stoic, having no intention of telling me every sordid detail.
“Fine, Fallon. What I’m trying to tell you is that you’re much safer being in this estate than anywhere else in the city.”
“You’re offering me refuge?”
“I’m offering you a chance to find out what happened to your sister.
However, doing so means you’ll need to accept that this is a secure compound whether or not you’ve identified insufficient mechanisms. There are cameras in every room, many of which you aren’t aware of.
There are trip wires throughout the grounds, infrared in several locations.
There are also heat sensors and booby traps.
As I said, Eduardo is panic driven and spent millions on security, including the use of some barbaric tactics hiding all throughout the estate. There is no means of escape.”
We’d go into the trust factor later.
Her jaw clenched as much as the grip on her glass. When she wrinkled her nose, I noticed freckles and couldn’t help but smile. They softened her appearance, highlighting that she was much younger than me.
“Now that we have that settled, you mentioned you have proof of my involvement. Why don’t we start there. Am I to assume you have a hotel somewhere and that’s where I’ll find whatever you believe is positive affirmation?”
I did so adore her laugh. “Like I’d share with you where I’m staying.”
I purposely walked closer. “You’re staying here, Fallon. I thought I was very clear to that point.”
She sighed. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because apparently, you have no other choice.”
With her lips pursed, it was obvious she was debating her choices.
While she was doing so, all I could think about was stripping her of her dress and forcing her to dance for me.
The moment of intimacy we’d shared had been highly seductive, the entire crowd disappearing in my mind one by one until there was no one left but the two of us.
How dreadfully romantic.
Something I was not.
She slipped her fingers into the bodice of her dress. When I reacted as I would with a typical enemy, she narrowed her eyes. “Do you need to frisk me to ensure I’m not wearing another weapon?”
“Perhaps I should.” When I advanced, she took a purposeful step away.
I wasn’t certain what to expect, but when she pulled a photograph into her fingers from her bodice, I was notably shocked. “Proof.” Her face held contempt as she held it out for me to see.
Her actions were not nearly as surprising as when I glanced at the content of the picture. The photograph had been taken in vivid color with two people depicted: a young woman and me. I had my arm around her throat and she was in obvious distress.
My anger flared. Who the fuck was doing this shit?
“Positive proof, Navarro. That’s my sister, Brooke.
My baby sister who’s never even had a parking ticket in her entire life.
And that’s you wearing an evil smile as you drag her away from her home, a lovely little apartment she decorated herself and was so proud of.
She worked very hard to get where she was and finally after everything she’s been through, it seemed as if she was finally going to enjoy the life she deserved.
And you took it away from her, destroying her home in the process.
Why? Greed? Payback because my father turned into such a slime bag?
Or just to get your kicks and add to your harem? ”
True anger usually defied logic. She’d allowed a few additional clues to slip, but I’d also seen her mask of bravado crack. What I’d picked out of her soliloquy was that her father was the key.
I flicked a glance in her direction. Her mouth was twisted, the rage from before appearing more confident as if she’d caught me with my pants down.
In a way she had.
Only not in the way she was thinking.
“Now maybe you can see why I wouldn’t trust a single thing coming from your lying, conniving mouth.”
“Be very careful, my unbridled guest, that you don’t accuse the wrong man of misdeeds.
” I stepped closer, crowding her space. She was as frightened of me as she was electrified.
The stunning girl was hiding something from me.
“Just so you know. Secrets and lies have a way of coming back to bite you no matter how far and how fast you run.”