by Piper Stone
But for a few hours, we would be safe.
I checked the lock for the hidden room as well, breathing a sigh of relief that everything was exactly as I’d expected. I would never forget how I’d laughed at my father’s insistence every safe house have a secure and hidden room. I’d thought the idea alone was overkill, a waste of time and money. Perhaps my father had been right after all. I had learned a hard lesson with regard to Javier. There were always people waiting for the king’s power to be sabotaged. Then the truth regarding loyalty would be revealed. This particular situation would prove the theory.
Finally satisfied, I moved toward the front door. There was nothing but the indication the caretaker had indeed performed his job recently.
Panic.
The intensity of the unusual feeling wrapped its claws around my heart, leaving me unable to breathe easily at first. Savannah hadn’t remained exactly where I’d commanded her to. As I moved through the forest, my mind had difficulty processing that she would have dared defy me. Did she not understand what was at stake? Could she not comprehend the kind of danger she was in?
Fury reared its ugly head as I stormed back toward the house and the moment that I noticed her sitting on the front porch, I almost lost it. I grabbed her arm, yanking her into the house. I took the time to engage the security system as she struggled in my hold.
“Jesus. Let go of me!” she insisted, managing to jerk her arm free and tumbling backwards several feet.
“You didn’t follow my rules. I told you to stay right there! Right. There,” I huffed, locking the door and raking my hand through my hair as I calmed my breathing and my anger.
“You were gone for ten minutes. Ten. What the hell was I supposed to think? I had no way of knowing whether something had happened to you.”
“And what were you going to do if that had been the case? What weapon do you have to take out an assassin?” With two long strides, I’d closed the distance, looming over her as I fumed. “You’re a stupid little girl if you think you’d have a chance against any of Calleja’s soldiers. They would enjoy tearing you apart after using you in any and every manner they so desired. Do you understand me? Do you?”
While she stood her ground, her eyes narrowing, I could see the slight quiver of her lower lip. I allowed my gaze to fall, noticing the dirt covering her arms, the smudge on her face. The woman had been through hell and back.
“So you’ve told me more than once. Would you like to go into graphic detail about how they’d use me? Would that make you feel any better, or do you prefer simply punishing me again because I was actually worried about you?”
Her words cut through the bullshit and the anger. Hissing, I backed down, even taking a step away. “You just don’t understand what we are facing.” I would never have expected to hear that she cared. How the hell could she after what I’d put her through? This entire situation was getting out of hand. I wasn’t going to stay on the run for long, which meant I needed to find a truly safe location for her to stay until Alviro and his men were taken out. The only problem was I had no idea where that would be.
If my brother had found out about her, I had to guess that one of Calleja’s soldiers had managed to as well. I could put nothing past him. Nothing.
“What we’re facing is your enemy, Rafael, and from what I can tell, one that has gotten to you personally since this jerk is responsible for the death of your brother. I get it. I really do. I’m not a stupid woman, no matter what you think, and I am certainly not a little girl. Before I dared to come onto the porch, I made certain that I did a quick five point search of the area surrounding the house. When I approached the building, I remained low to the ground as I checked into the windows. Funny how I didn’t see you inside,” she snorted before continuing. “The truth is, if you did trust me enough to provide me with a weapon from the SIG Sauer that you carry to a Beretta 9mm, I would not only know how to use it, you would find that I am a crack shot, and can hit a target in all the deadly places. Wanna try me?”
I lifted a single eyebrow as I tipped my head. Not only did my cock ache for the woman, but the level of respect I had went up several notches. “Curiously enough, I believe you.”
She shook her head. “Well, isn’t that just fabulous? And I fully realize that you won’t be able to trust me with a weapon since in your mind, I might be working for this great enemy of yours. I also might be the assassin hired to take you out. Isn’t that the case? Every man has a weakness, Rafael, even you. You simply hadn’t been prepared for the intense feelings that my appearance has caused. Perhaps Calleja knows you better than you think he does.”
While I knew she was goading me, her idea was ironically on track. Alviro would use whatever weakness he believed I had, including the fact my family meant everything to me. He’d seen that after Javier’s death, certain behavior I’d displayed likely noticed. “Perhaps you are right. I believe I can trust you, Savannah, although there is no need for you to have a weapon of your own at this time.”
“Trusting me could be the nail in your coffin.”
I gripped her jaw and cheek, bringing her closer. “How do you know so much about the life of a criminal?”
She laughed, her eyes dancing. “My stepfather was a cop, one brutal bastard who never played by the rules. One thing the swine did manage was to teach me a few things about surveillance, weapons, and the criminal mind. I never forget details, although I certainly wasn’t able to use any of my... skills during my near attack on that dirty, rat-infested street. At least I knew the asshole had a blade in his hand.”
“Now, you have me curious. How did you know that?”
“Let’s just say I’ve heard the sound of a blade being dragged across brick more than once.”
A slight smile crossed my face from her exasperation. When a haunted look crossed hers, I knew her expression was from whatever she’d endured, not some training she’d received from her stepfather. “Most women would have fallen prey within two minutes. The fact you were instantly aware you were being followed bought you a few minutes.”
She huffed once again, looking away. “Is there a bathroom in this place? I feel extraordinarily filthy.”
“Down the hall you will find everything you need including a change of clothes.”
Her eyes flashed before she nodded and headed in the direction of the bathroom. She stopped short, shooting a glance over her shoulder. “You don’t have to watch me. I’m not going to try and get away. I’m well aware that you have a top-notch security system, although I assure you, it can be eradicated by the right person. I might be confused, pissed off, and terrified of what you will do, but I’m not stupid. I have no idea where I am and certainly have nowhere to go.”
Few women surprised me and this one did. I admired her tenacity and will to fight. I only wondered what other skills she might possess and how she was going to utilize them. That was for another conversation.
I moved into the communications room, closing the door behind me. The small space had been set up as a comprehensive office with secure computer equipment allowing contact to anywhere in the world if necessary. At this point, I wanted to know exactly what was happening on the front lines as well as what Jorge had found out about Savannah’s background.
In order to try to get one step ahead of the asshole, the information was more vital than ever.
“Are you freaking safe, boss?” Jorge asked after answering on the first ring.
“For the moment.”
“The damn word on the street isn’t good. Seems like the Los Charlines are planning some serious shit. The shipments are locked down, but our suppliers are getting antsy.”
“You can remind them exactly who they are doing business with and if they don’t like the terms of the deal, they can attempt to negotiate with me. However, they should also be told that I never negotiate.”
Jorge chuckled. “I’ll tell them exactly that, boss. I have some additional information for you on the girl.”
“You mean, Savannah Tyler.”
“Um, yes, sir. From what I can tell, her aunt does own a little galleria called Artemanz on the strip in A Coruna.”
“And who is her aunt?” I asked absently.
“A woman by the name of Lucia Martina.”
Perhaps Savannah was here for exactly the reason she claimed. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“I checked her out. Nothing raises a red flag. The galleria has been in the woman’s name for years. There’s some shit with Savannah’s stepfather though. I just emailed you a file,” Jorge stated, his tone full of caution.
“Her stepfather is a cop,” I retorted. There were always connections, especially with a man like Calleja. I was finding my way through the snake pit.
“How did you know?”
“A discussion with Savannah. What’s the issue?” I fired up the computer.
He hesitated. “I don’t know much about the American police but if they are anything like the corrupt CNP, they shoved some shit about the guy’s background under the rug. He even has commendations up the ass.”
“What the hell are you trying to tell me, Jorge?”
“What I’m telling you, boss, is that Savannah’s sister, Lily, was murdered and it would appear that Savannah accused her stepfather of the crime. Happened only a few months ago.”
Fuck. No wonder the girl had left the country. “And he was never charged.”
“No.”
“How did he die?” I asked as I navigated toward the email, pulling up the one Jorge had sent.
“He’s not dead, boss, although from some of the shit I read about him, I’m surprised. Seems like the guy is a real asshole. Get this, he just transferred to the Atlanta Police Department. He’s now a captain.”
“I’m curious. How did Savannah’s sister die?”
Jorge muttered in Spanish before answering, “She was knifed.”
I glanced at the information, studying Captain Creed’s file. As Jorge suggested, the man was true scum. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say he’d placed Savannah in harm’s way as well. “You did good work, Jorge. Now, I need you to concentrate on finding the fucking informant with the information on the meeting.”
“Coming close, boss. Coming close,” Jorge hissed. “Can’t wait to get my hands on the motherfucker.”
“You don’t touch him, Jorge. The asshole belongs to me.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Make sure everyone on the street searches for any sign of Calleja. He’ll show his ugly mug sooner or later.”
He laughed this time, snorting in his usual manner. “The hunt is on.”
As I’d done before, I checked the local news source for any indication of the attempted arrest. As anticipated, the press had likely been tipped off prior to calls made to the proper authorities. What were the chances that the authorities would attempt to implicate my father and brother in some way? There was one way of finding out.
My father had spent a great deal of time developing and nurturing friendships, as he liked to call having influential people on the payroll. While certain crackdowns as well as changes within the law enforcement system had occurred, the family still owned several top-ranking officials in every local department as well as certain members of parliament. Several of them owed us favors. At least I should be able to find out what our family was dealing with.
The call would be brief.
“You had to know I’d be calling,” I said casually.
“And you shouldn’t have, at least not right now. It’s too hot.” The president of the senate was a cautious man, one with a stellar reputation. If anyone found out that he had ties to the Galicia mafia, the loss of his job would be the least of his worries.
I chuckled in a husky manner, waiting for a solid ten seconds before answering. “And I suspect I know who’s behind these bogus warrants, but I need confirmation, Felipe, or I will enjoy providing a story for the various newspapers. As I believe you remember, many details about your involvement with my family have been collected over the years.”
“Both you and your father are true bastards, Rafael,” Felipe hissed.
“That we are, President. Now, I only want simple confirmation and nothing more.”
“I’m only privy to certain information, but from what I understand, the tip was anonymous.”
“Why would any self-respecting officer of the law or parliament for that matter take the word of an anonymous tip?”
As he cursed several times, my patience grew thin. “Because, Rafael, there are dozens of photographs and no, I have yet to see them.”
“Of the murders at the restaurant?”
“This goes way beyond the recent murders that were committed in A Coruna.”
“Then what the hell are we talking about?”
“The indictments brought against you last night were just the beginning. From what little I’ve heard so far, there is enough information on your criminal activities involving the Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao ports to send you away for a long time.”
I clenched my fist, fighting my violent urges. “And my family, any of my enforcers?”
There was another hesitation, one I refused to tolerate.
“Tell me!” I demanded.
When he spoke, his voice was strained, the words obviously difficult for him to say.
Exhaling, I took in the information, easing down into the chair.
“Did you hear what I said?” Felipe asked in what seemed like a faraway voice.
“Yes, I did and thank you. I’ll be in touch.” I merely tossed the phone across the small desk and swiveled in the chair to stare out the window toward the ocean water. Loyalty. As my father had told me from the early on, loyalty meant everything to our family. Without it there would be chaos, the inability to run the various businesses without the constant fear of smaller fish attempting to move up the ranks.
Should the worry have been coming from the top down?
I took a few minutes, sitting quietly and staring out the window. Then I eased my SIG from the holster, rubbing my thumb up and down the barrel. I was no longer angry, just sad from the implications of what would be a difficult decision, but one that was necessary in order to preserve the family.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the window, a calm settling in. I would need to quiet the demons in order to complete the task.
After all, it wasn’t every day that a man was required to assassinate someone they believed they could trust.
Chapter Fourteen
Savannah
Fear.
As I sat huddled on the deck, I thought of my favorite quote regarding the wretched feeling.
“Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift.”
The words were truer now than ever before given fear had taken hold of my mind and soul, as well as my heart. I’d fallen into pits of darkness, allowing terror to take over my life prior to leaving the states and going away on a whim. The blindness of believing that I could leave my past behind, shoving the anxiety aside had been childish. There was no running from the deep and almost violent emotion.
However, the near panic I’d felt before was nothing compared to the ravaging emotions rushing through every cell and muscle in my body. The reason why was almost sad.
Rafael.
I’d fallen hard for the brusque and ruthless man, which I was unable to make any sense out of. As my mother would say, I’d fallen from the frying pan into the fire. I could use all the cute sayings in the world, but I couldn’t right this in my mind.
I sat in the corner of the small deck, able to see miles of beautiful ocean with absolutely no one else around. The house itself was nothing special, merely a few rooms with a gorgeous view, but in truth, I could be happy here.
If I had someone by my side.
That wasn’t going to happen, at least not with Rafael. I’d come to terms with who and what he was, even though I’d heard only a fraction of what had to be thousands of st
ories. He would never let me in, sharing any aspect of his business.
Or his life.
And I was the idiot girl to still want him to.
I tensed the moment I heard the door, anticipating some form of punishment or demand, maybe a gun waving from fear of being attacked. When he walked onto the deck in an untucked tee shirt and jeans, his feet bare, I was thrown back into the very moment I’d seen him on stage. He was exceptionally gorgeous, his features captivating from any woman’s standards, but today, he seemed even more so. The now four-day stubble suited him entirely too much, adding to the hungry artist look. I bit back a laugh at the thought.
The man likely had more money than God. Then again, money didn’t buy happiness.
“What kind of art does your aunt sell?” Rafael asked the question so casually that I had to think about it.
“Erotic paintings.” I pulled the glass of wine to my lips, licking the rim. He’d spent the better part of four hours handling business, only allowing me to venture outside an hour before. I’d remained in the same position the entire time, trying to escape into the rippling waves.
He slowly turned his head toward me, a skeptical look on his face.
“I am serious. Very bold and graphic paintings of BDSM-style art. You’d have to meet my aunt to understand the kind of woman she is. Bodacious is what most people would call her.”
“Very... unique. You mentioned you sold a painting?”
“I’ve sold two. Granted, they sell for thousands of dollars, so I was thrilled. That’s why I was going to the bank. The last painting was forty thousand dollars and the man insisted on paying cash, which is crazy. Poor guy. I wonder whether the girl who works in the galleria sent him his prized possession. At least I left his address on the desk.” I laughed at myself. As if that mattered in the least given what might happen to me.
“Art is in the eye of the beholder, my lovely Savannah.”
“Yes, and there are many forms of art, like the subtle strains of Spanish guitar.”
He smiled, much like I’d seen the first night we were together. “My mother’s fault. She wanted her sons to be cultured, well educated, while my father wanted us to join the military prior to coming to work for him.”
