Chapter 21
Donatello
“You and I are going to need to have a conversation after you help bring my sister back safely.”
While there was clear annoyance in Alexander’s voice, there was also amusement. When I’d talked to him earlier, I’d had the rare opportunity of hearing him curse in French.
The man could swear like a sailor. Or more appropriately, like his father. While the occurrence was rare, when he did, you knew how furious he was.
Not that I could blame him. Yes, I’d been quick in discovering where his beloved sister had been hiding, but after that, everything had been a clusterfuck.
And I was to blame.
“I understand, sir. I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you did,” he was quick to snap. “However, you found her. That’s the most important thing.”
“She didn’t make it easy.”
His chuckle was soft. “She never does. Incidentally, this speed date you mentioned is nowhere to be found.”
I’d been forced to tell him what I’d held back. Every scrap of information could be needed to end this ridiculous nightmare. “They went to great lengths to keep an eye on her.”
“We had her house swept. One additional bug in her briefcases. You were right, Donatello. A very sophisticated design. Nothing our security team has ever seen. Designed by a company, only recently put into production and owned by what appears to be a prominent member of the Brotherhood. From what I was told, it’s almost impossible to decipher the bug’s existence. ”
There was the confirmation we needed.
Every business building and every home was swept on a regular basis. New technology was always on the horizon. “I’ll keep her safe.”
“I know you will. We’re leaving in a few hours. With any luck, we should be there very late tomorrow night. We’ll need to rent a vehicle and the trip is around three hours. Just stay where you are and we’ll come to you.”
“We’ll be waiting. Anything happening in Miami with Sinclair and Montgomery?”
“Nothing. As in there is no real sign of the Las Bartas Cartel. They’re currently engaged in a meeting with the leader of the Las Bartas. I’ll be curious as to what he has to say.”
Yeah, so would I.
“Interesting. A wild goose chase?” When I heard noise, I turned toward the door leading to the inside of the room.
Emmeline had yet to return from the bathroom.
I briefly thought about the conversation regarding the gris-gris.
While she hadn’t explained the good will she’d placed over the two of us, I was more intrigued as to why than I’d ever been in any of her spells.
A hateful curse, maybe to make me sick off food or falling down the stairs I’d buy. But something positive? Hmm…
“Maybe and I don’t mind telling you I’m not thrilled. I can’t stand anyone playing games with us.” Alexander was clearly agitated.
That much I knew. “Something odd is happening, Alexander.”
“You don’t need to tell me that. Incidentally, we finally found your photographer.”
I could tell by the tone of his voice the condition. “Dead?”
“Very. A single bullet in his brain. He was found in his darkroom. And there were pictures missing. You could tell by how they trashed the place.”
The admittance brought stiff muscles. “Have you had the time to chat with Southern Comfort and William Dreyfus?”
“I figured you’d want to be in on that conversation, which we’ll do as soon as the two of you are home safely.”
I was surprised. “Yes, sir. Happy to be a part of the meeting.”
“I thought you would. I know how seriously you… take your job. I’ll send you a text when the plane is in the air.”
“Yes, sir.” I could sense he had something else to say, but for whatever reason held back.
“Oh, and let my sister know she’s not going to be able to avoid my call for long.”
Emmeline chose that moment to come out of the bathroom, her eyes locking directly on mine.
But my gaze didn’t stay there for long. She’d taken my advice in trying to blend in, selecting a beautiful, tropical dress, something I’d never seen her wear.
She’d placed her hair in a ponytail, the knot high on her head.
And with her dark sunglasses, her appearance had been altered enough I doubted anyone would recognize the stunning princess.
However, I was placed in a state of shock and I wasn’t certain why. Maybe because I’d allowed myself to pay very close attention to her, where I’d tried to keep my distance in every aspect before.
Impossible any longer.
“My brother the Don?” she asked, daring enough to take a few steps closer.
“Yes, the powerful leader of your family. You know, the man you keep avoiding.” I shoved my phone into my pocket and took long strides in getting to her.
“I’m not avoiding him. I simply have nothing to say to him. Not right now.”
“He cares about you.”
“And I care about everyone in my family. We’ve been through this. I’ll atone for my sins. But not now.”
Even with her eyes covered, I could tell she had mischief on her mind. When I tried to remove her sunglasses, she refused to allow me, grasping my hand instead. “Why not atone for them beginning now?”
“Because I plan on getting into an infinite number of wicked things in the time we have left together. Speaking of which. It’s time for my husband to change. We have a honeymoon to celebrate. Remember?”
She walked around me, swishing her dress. I shifted so I could see her, marveling even more than I had before, even if the little lady drove me crazy.
I had a very good reason for her mere presence to be enticing and bothering me.
Because every time she was close, my chest felt heavy, as if I was about to suffocate.
And my fucking hands grew clammy.
Then there was the condition of constantly being aroused when I was near her.
Yeah, I had it bad for the vivacious woman.
Bad enough I had a feeling I was falling in love.
Who knew a man like me could want something so traditional. Now it was all about convincing the family I was good enough for the only girl in the family.
Or…
Just before grabbing my bag and heading into the bathroom, I studied the way the wind rustled her dress. Or maybe I could take the bull by the horns. I did tell the lovely woman she belonged to me. Why not make good on my promise?
By going all out one hundred percent?
* * *
“It’s absolutely gorgeous here.”
Emmeline’s voice sounded much more relaxed than before. “Yes, she is.” By the time she figured out I was talking about her, a full two minutes had gone by.
“Very funny. I’m talking about this beautiful place.”
“Not elegant enough for someone of your caliber.”
“Oh, please. This is perfect. Quaint. Off the beaten path. Just perfect if you ask me.”
The long lunch had been exactly what we’d both needed. And the bottle of wine had been perfect with the delicious Brazilian food.
“I have to admit I could see spending a couple weeks here.”
“You? Mister shoot ‘em up and roll onto the next dangerous assignment? I’d think you’d grow bored to death.”
“First of all, I don’t regularly shoot ‘em up and second, you can’t run at full speed forever. Plus, when you have fabulous company to share the time with, you don’t want anyone else to interfere.”
Leaning over, she tossed her cocktail napkin at me. “You’re incorrigible. But I must admit I never knew you had a romantic side to you.”
“I’m very romantic. Who are you kidding?” I tossed my napkin onto the table, standing and holding out my hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” She stared at my outstretched hand.
“Wherever I want. Trust me.”
Her smile could light up the outdoor space and in truth, it had.
There were several couples staring at me, enjoying being voyeurs to our fake marriage.
As soon as she grasped my hand, I pulled her close and away from the table.
When I spun her around in time to the sertanejo music, she was shocked, gasping loudly enough our actions drew additional attention.
After another twirl, I pulled her close, using a few salsa moves I’d learned for the romantic acoustic guitar.
Not to be outdone, she moved with me, her steps perfectly in time to the beat. With my arm over my head, I artistically spun her around several additional times then yanked her against me forcefully.
Several tables clapped, providing their feedback.
She cocked her pretty little head and gripped my arms. “You truly are a very bad boy.”
“I figured I couldn’t allow you to take all the dark karma vibes yourself. We’ll be bad together.”
“Alright. Deal. I like that.”
“Then let’s take a walk on the beach before we have dessert.
” After I asked if we could take our wine to the beach, and yes, we could, I refilled our glasses.
The restaurant had also been told we were returning.
Was I taking a chance by being seen in public?
Maybe, but at least we were in a public place.
“I thought dessert would be in our room,” she cooed, like the little vixen she was.
I placed the tip of my index finger on her nose. “I guess I could correct my statement. Dessert number one. Come on.”
“We’ll see.” She wasn’t expecting it when I held out my hand and it took a little encouragement for her to accept the gesture.
When we reached the beach, she pulled away so she could take off her sandals, holding them by the strap.
With the sun going down, the sky a gorgeous tangerine in color, the entire setting was perfect.
As we walked across the sand, we both remained quiet.
There’d been such awkward moments between us, but I could tell she had several questions on her mind that had nothing to do with our positions in the Prince family or whether our relationship was right or wrong.
“Just ask.”
She glanced up at me while tugging a strand of hair from her face. “Ask what?”
“Anything you want to. You don’t know anything about me.”
There was the beautiful laugh again, the one that from across the room could turn me into a protective stalker within seconds. “I don’t know anything, huh?”
“Other than the obvious.”