Chapter 13 #2
I took a deep breath while scrubbing my jaw. Obviously, nothing I’d said had troubled her enough to place any trust in me. Some of that was my fault, yet I placed some of the blame in her lap as well.
Perhaps the uncertainty for both of us remained in the fascinating meet-cute we’d had.
If I were to be honest with myself, I’d say it was the most enjoyable first meeting I’d experienced with a woman.
The notion did highlight my crude, often barbaric way of handling the women I’d allowed into a slender portion of my life.
Namely, my bed.
I opened the door, allowing in the overhead light. She turned her head slowly, not only studying my face, but also allowing her gaze to sweep down my chest.
“Threats aren’t necessary between us, Fallon.
Are they? I believe we have a better understanding of each other.
If not now, we will within a day or two.
The reason I left you alone in that austere room was to handle a problem that could have easily escalated.
I’m in this country for a favor, protecting a man’s hard-earned merchandise. ”
“You mean his drug collection,” she countered.
Every word out of her mouth caused a reaction within me.
This time, it was a slight smirk. “You knew that already, Fallon. You’re highly intelligent and did a certain amount of homework.
It came to my attention that there were enemies prepared to steal millions of dollars of product.
It’s my responsibility to ensure any and all potential thieves are stopped. ”
“By murdering them?”
I laughed. She wasn’t mincing any words. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes,” she spouted off immediately. “No. Maybe.”
“You’re not a killer, Fallon. I’ll leave the details out of the conversation at this point.
What I’m trying to tell you is that the enemy soldiers who broke into the warehouse held not only Eduardo’s guards hostage, killing three, but also terrorized the workers in the building.
They weren’t there for the product, at least not the millions of dollars in cocaine. ”
She darted her eyes back and forth. “Then what?”
I was taking an educated guess, which I hadn’t mentioned to Jago and wouldn’t until I flushed out my thoughts. “First of all, a scientist.”
Her breath was stilted. “For what?”
“That’s what I need to find out.”
“And second?”
I laughed bitterly. “They were there for me.”
“The same people that took my sister?”
“A good guess, but I think there’s something much bigger going on, something that started as long as twenty years ago.” I turned my head, looking her directly in her eyes. The instant flash was another indication she knew more than she was telling me.
My answer was something she hadn’t expected. Very slowly she lifted her arm, brushing her hand across my cheek. “That’s going to bruise.”
The touch of her fingers was delicate yet awakened another layer of deep hunger and need that I wasn’t prepared to handle.
An overt need to possess her.
With the stroke of her fingers and the deep breath she took, it was as if she was thinking of something else altogether.
I took her hand into mine, pulling her knuckles to my lips. Her audible shudder kept my balls tight. There were other words to be said. She needed to process what I’d already told her.
She pulled her hand away, curling her fingers before tugging on the handcuffs. I chuckled as soon as she did before exiting the SUV.
I scanned the perimeter before heading to the other side.
Once Fassi learned his men weren’t coming back, he’d either retreat entirely or there would be an all-out war.
Why I continued to believe this was a personal attack had more to do with the timing and the obvious framing attempt.
What troubled me more than anything was the thought Fallon was being used as a lure.
There was so much more to the story than what she’d told me. I opened the door, showing her the small key to the handcuffs. “Just remember I have this tiny key. If you attempt anything else, I’ll have no trouble and no regrets tossing you in a cage. Understood?”
“I’d like to see you try.” As soon as I freed her wrist, she rubbed the skin and grabbed her purse. I took it from her hand.
“I’ll return this to you by morning.”
“Checking up on me?”
“Absolutely. Since we can’t seem to trust each other.” Santos was waiting just inside, shaking his head as soon as I appeared in the foyer. “Have two of your men stand guard at the entrance to my bedroom. Make certain there are two others stationed below the window.”
Santos lifted his eyebrows but nodded. “ Si, Senor .”
Fallon chuckled, although the rich sound was similar to a purr. A lion’s purr just before the beast devoured her prey. “I’ll be a good girl. I promise.”
“Yes, you will. Whatever it takes for your full obedience I will do. No matter what that includes.”
She said nothing as I led her up the stairs, but I sensed her mind was working overtime. I’d also caught a look in her eyes that was intriguing me. The expression was as if she believed she was running out of time.
If her sister was still alive, it might not be for long.
When I reached the bedroom where I’d been staying, I opened the door.
While I ushered her inside, I remained in the doorway.
She turned slowly, studying me as we’d both done to each other every time we were in the same room.
At this point, there were no words that needed to be spoken.
She knew the rules. She also knew what was at stake including her safety.
Fallon would either obey or face the consequences. Either way, I couldn’t control her entirely.
Owning her was something else.
As I closed the door, the ravenous thought brought a smile to my face.
I jogged downstairs just as Jago and Kruz returned. Two soldiers also passed me on the steps on their way to guard the room.
Both Silvio and Alonzo walked in seconds later.
“The Jeep is safe, boss,” Silvio stated.
“Good.”
Jago noticed her purse in my hand just as I pulled out her wallet, immediately finding her driver’s license.
The state of California issued a license for Fallon Baldwin.
Her photograph was lovely, although taken a few years before.
There were a few credit cards in her name, which at least indicated that portion of the story was the truth.
Unless she was a master forger, which I doubted. Although… She obviously had several hidden talents.
“Silvio. I need you to find out everything you can about Ms. Baldwin.” I handed him the driver’s license. “Also find out everything you can about her father, Charles and her sister, Brooke. I do mean everything.”
Silvio accepted the wallet, nodding. “I’ll see what I can find.”
I glanced from Kruz to Jago before heading into the office. The sun would be up within an hour, yet I wanted a damn drink. It had been a long night. I poured three whiskeys as Jago and Kruz flanked my side.
“What are you thinking?” Kruz asked as he took a glass from my hand.
“I’m thinking that Fassi isn’t in Mexico. He’s sitting this one out, doing nothing more than watching the show, creating chaos.”
“As his father did a year ago,” Jago said, lifting his glass to his lips.
“And a few months ago. This is just one big fucking game to them. Very personal.” I threw that in and Jago gritted his teeth. He’d been thinking the same thing, although it was possible if we were right, the path would lead somewhere neither one of us wanted to go.
“We’re headed back to Barcelona after our conversation with Eduardo tomorrow,” Jago added.
“Your cousin knows more than he’s letting on.” I pulled the vial I’d taken from the warehouse into my hand. “This needs to be tested.” I held it up, studying the smooth powder. My gut told me the substance was deadly.
Jago narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute. Are you thinking this has something to do with the past?”
“I am.”
He took a deep breath as Kruz whistled. “If you’re right,” Jago started, “then your instinct to have a nice long discussion with my father is spot on. I’ve finished with playing games with Eduardo.
He tells us the truth, or not only will he lose our protection, but the bastard could also quite possibly lose his worthless life. Why don’t you return with us tomorrow?”
I thought about the offer and shook my head. “Whatever is going on, Fallon found herself in the middle and not by choice. If her sister was taken, I owe it to Fallon to try and find out where Brooke is being held and rescue her.”
Jago and Kruz looked at each other and I threw out my finger.
“Don’t say a fucking word,” I warned.
“Not a thing,” Jago mused, his eyes indicating he was more amused than usual. “You’re not going to tell me who she really is. Are you?”
“I don’t know for certain she’s not who she purports herself to be and simply got caught up in a dangerous operation.”
“Then why are you helping her?” Kruz asked.
As I took a deep breath, Jago lifted his glass. Both men knew the answer.
Because she’d resurrected something from deep within.
Unbridled, unwavering, and all-consuming need.