Cornered

by Turner, Linda; Weaver, Ingrid; Miller, Julie

  “My mother’s pretty sharp,” she told him, “and I imagine Roberto Sanchez is, too.”

  “You got that right. The man hasn’t evaded arrest all these years by being stupid. There’s not a hell of a lot of people he trusts.”

  Checking his mirrors, he suddenly pulled over on a busy downtown street and nodded to the small office building located in the next block. “That’s his office,” he said as he put the car in Park and cut the engine. “According to the information his wife gave you, he always parks in the parking lot next door, right?”

  She nodded. “He drives a silver Mercedes convertible.”

  They could both clearly see the Mercedes parked in the lot down the block. It was right in the front row and the only Mercedes on the lot.

  Sitting back in her seat, Josephine sighed in relief. “Good, he’s still here. Olivia said he told her he would be late tonight because he has a business dinner immediately after work. She thinks he’s meeting a woman.”

  “Time will tell,” he said as he, too, settled back in his seat. “Powerful men like Sanchez aren’t known for their fidelity.”

  The words were hardly out of his mouth when the front door of Sanchez’s office building opened and the man himself stepped outside. Recognizing him not only from the photo his wife had left with Josie, but also from seeing his picture on the news, Wiley quickly started the car. “Looks like it’s showtime.”

  Twenty seconds later, Roberto Sanchez pulled out into the traffic and headed west. When Wiley waited another twenty seconds before he followed, Josephine frowned. “What are you waiting for? We’re losing him!”

  He only smiled. “There’s an art to tailing someone, Josie girl, and the first rule of thumb is not to get in a hurry. You don’t want to run up on someone’s butt.”

  “But you don’t want to lose them, either,” she argued. “And that’s exactly what you’re doing. He’s turning!”

  “Hold on, hold on,” he drawled easily, speeding up and changing lanes. “I’ve got everything under control.”

  Ten seconds later, he took the same turn Sanchez had and spied him half a mile ahead of them. Wiley shot her a triumphant grin. “See…what’d I tell you? Trust me. I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Returning his attention to his driving, he stiffened, swearing. “Damn! Where’d he go?”

  “He turned right into the parking lot of the bar on the corner,” she said dryly. “You were saying?”

  Far from chagrined, he only chuckled. “I knew there was a reason I brought you along.”

  Fighting a smile, Josephine rolled her eyes. The man had an answer for everything. “You brought me along because you didn’t trust me to stay in the office alone,” she said dryly. “So now what?”

  “We’re going in that bar.”

  He drove past it without checking his speed, and Josie felt her heart sink as she got her first good look at the place. “It’s a dive. How are we going to go in there? The second we step through the front door, everyone inside will know we don’t belong there.”

  “No, they won’t. Because we won’t look like we do now. I’ve got some wigs and stuff in the trunk.”

  Josephine couldn’t believe he was serious. “You really think that’s all it’s going to take?”

  “That and a little makeup,” he said confidently. “Of course, if you don’t think you can pull it off…”

  “Oh, no you don’t!” she said quickly, making him laugh. “You’re not getting rid of me at this late date. I can pull off anything you can. Let’s go.”

  She didn’t have to tell him twice. Grinning broadly, he headed toward the nearest fast-food restaurant, where they could each use the public restroom to change.

  Ten minutes later, Josephine stood in the restaurant’s restroom and studied herself critically in the mirror. There was no question, at least in her eyes, that she still looked like a librarian. And there was no way that a librarian would ever step foot in a sleazy bar. If she wanted to look like she belonged there, she was going to have to make some major changes. First, she had to get rid of the jacket.

  Sitting in a booth across from the restrooms, Wiley checked his watch and scowled. He’d changed into a faded black T-shirt and rough work boots, applied a fake tattoo and a shaggy black mustache, then slicked back his hair, all in the time it took to order a hamburger and fries. And Josie was still in the restroom! How long had she been in there? Fifteen…twenty minutes? A complete makeover didn’t take that long! What the devil was the woman doing?

  Frustrated, he couldn’t help wondering if they’d already lost Sanchez. Just because the man was probably meeting his lover at the bar didn’t mean the two of them would stay there for any length of time. Right this minute, they could be walking out the door!

  Rising from the booth, he strode over to the women’s restroom and knocked sharply on the door. “C’mon, Josie! We’ve got to get out of here.”

  “I’m coming,” she called. “Just a second.”

  “We don’t have a second,” he retorted, trying to keep his voice down so half the restaurant didn’t hear him. “We’re running out of time—”

  She jerked open the door and whatever he was going to say next was lost forever. “I’m ready!” she said brightly. “What do you think?”

  She could have knocked him over with a feather. Stunned, he just stood there with his jaw on the ground.

  Grinning, she laughed in delight. “I take it I surprised you?”

  Surprised? That didn’t begin to describe what he was feeling. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “How did you manage this?” he said hoarsely. “I didn’t even recognize you.”

  Her brown eyes danced with triumph. “I just applied a little more makeup and took my hair down. Do you think I’ll stick out like a sore thumb?”

  Oh, yes, he wanted to tell her. She would stick out, all right, but not because she looked like she didn’t belong there. He didn’t know how she’d done it, but by letting down her hair, teasing the top, and changing her makeup, she’d somehow completely altered her appearance. When she’d walked into the office for the first time—was it only yesterday?—she’d been neatly dressed in linen slacks, a simple white blouse and wire-rimmed glasses, and she’d had librarian stamped all over her. There was, however, no sign of that woman now.

  She had, no doubt, tried to make herself look like a hard-edged woman who frequented bars, but she’d failed miserably. She’d taken off her jacket, and with her hair loose about her bare shoulders and her mouth soft with lipstick, she looked feminine, touchable, kissable. Why hadn’t he noticed before now how pretty she was? he wondered, stunned.

  The blush that she’d brushed on her cheeks emphasized her high cheekbones, and her eye makeup, though deliberately extreme, seemed to make her eyes bigger, darker. And then there was her dress. It wasn’t skintight, but it still managed to hug the curves of her breasts and hips in a way that somehow made him drool. Had she looked like this yesterday? She must have, but somehow, he hadn’t noticed. It must have been those librarian clothes, he told himself. They’d hidden her figure. What else was she hiding?

  Grinning, she waved her hand in front of his face. “Wiley? Hello? Are you in there?”

  He blinked and was shocked to feel heat steal into his face. What was she doing to him? “Of course I’m here,” he growled. “You look nice.”

  Another woman might have been disappointed with such a weak compliment, but she’d seen the look on his face, and there was no question that she’d surprised him. She’d struck him dumb, she thought, swallowing a giggle. That was the only compliment she needed.

  “Thanks,” she said, flashing her dimples at him. “You look pretty good yourself.”

  Pleased with her own gross understatement, she prayed he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. How could a man who was already breathtakingly sexy look even sexier just by pasting on a fake mustache and a tattoo?

  “Thanks,” he said roughly, making her wonder if
he could read her thoughts. “Let’s get going. Hopefully Sanchez hasn’t left.”

  He didn’t have to tell her twice. They hurried outside to the car and headed back to the bar, where they both sighed in relief when they saw Sanchez’s car still parked in the parking lot. Josephine expected Wiley also to park in the bar’s lot, but he found a place on the street, instead. “Just in case we have to make a fast getaway,” he said when she lifted an inquiring brow.

  Her heart lurched at that, and suddenly, fears she hadn’t allowed herself to consider before reared their ugly head. What was she doing? she wondered. She didn’t know anything about being a PI! What if Sanchez discovered they were following him and pulled out a gun? He was the head of the Mexican mafia—he probably didn’t leave his house without a weapon. If he confronted them, she didn’t even know what to do!

  “Josie? You’re awfully pale all of a sudden. What’s going on?”

  Glancing up from her thoughts to discover that Wiley had cut the engine and walked around to open her door for her, she just sat there. “Maybe this is a mistake. You’re right—I shouldn’t be here. I don’t have any training for this kind of thing. Go on without me. I’ll just stay here and wait for you.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” he growled, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet beside him. “Don’t chicken out on me now.”

  “But I don’t know what to do!”

  He grinned. “Just follow my lead. We’re just a couple out on a date. That’s all you have to remember.”

  He made it sound so simple, but nothing felt simple as he took her hand as if he had a thousand times before and led her toward the entrance to the bar. She wanted to run…and she wanted never to let go of his hand. This was crazy! she thought wildly. What was he doing to her?

  They reached the door to the bar then, and Wiley pulled it open so she could precede him inside. The second he joined her inside, he slipped his arm around her waist. Startled, she started to ask him what the heck he thought he was doing, but the words never left her mouth. Across the bar, Roberto Sanchez was dead center in her line of vision. He wasn’t looking at her or Wiley, but he only had to turn his head mere inches to see them. Without saying a word, she relaxed and leaned into Wiley.

  “Good girl,” he murmured. “Let’s grab a seat at the bar.”

  “Whatever you say,” she said quietly. Praying her legs wouldn’t give out on her, she let him lead her over to one of the stools at the bar.

  Roberto Sanchez never noticed. His eyes were trained on his companion. Young enough to be his daughter, she wore a tight, low-cut blouse and jeans that looked as though they’d been painted on.

  The minute they reached the bar, Wiley ordered them each a beer without consulting her, then angled her barstool toward where he stood. Josephine wanted to get a better look at Roberto Sanchez’s girlfriend, but Wiley never gave her a chance. Before she could guess his intentions, he leaned down to kiss her.

  Chapter 5

  Her heart slamming against her ribs, she couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d got down on his knees and proposed. But she didn’t pull back. Follow my lead. His words echoing in her ears, she lifted an arched brow and looked him right in the eye as his mouth came closer to hers. “What are you doing?”

  At her quiet inquiry, he only grinned and leaned down to nuzzle her ear. “Sanchez just looked this way,” he murmured in a soft, rough voice that sent a delicate shiver sliding down her neck. “We have to make sure he thinks we’re not interested in anything but each other.”

  Josephine hardly heard him. Her blood heated, and every fiber of her being seemed to quiver in anticipation. If she tilted her head just the tiniest bit, his mouth would brush her ear. Could she be that daring? There’d been so few men in her life—her experience was practically nil. Did he know what he was doing to her? Would he notice if she leaned into him? Would he realize she was inviting him to…

  What? a voice in her head drawled. Kiss you? Of course he would! The man fairly oozes sex appeal and experience. He knows exactly what he’s doing—which is more than can be said for you! Have you forgotten Sanchez? Wiley hasn’t. The only reason he’s coming on to you in this filthy bar is because he’s working! He’s trying to get the goods on Sanchez so he can put this case behind him. He’s not interested in you. Remember that!

  Focus, she told herself silently. She might as well have told herself to turn green. When she tried to concentrate on Olivia Sanchez and the pain and hurt in her eyes when she’d come to her for help, all she could think about was Wiley and how close he was. Then he looped a casual arm across the back of her barstool and began to play with her hair. Just that easily, her thoughts scattered.

  “So what do you think?”

  Whatever cologne he was wearing should have been outlawed, she mused dreamily as the spicy, masculine sent wrapped around her like an embrace. She couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open when he was this close. What would it feel like to kiss him? Instinctively, she knew he was one of those men who knew how to please a woman. He hadn’t even really touched her and her bones were already melting.

  “Josie? Sweetheart? Why do I have the feeling I’ve lost you? What planet are you on?”

  It was the husky amusement in his voice rather than his words that snapped Josephine back to her surroundings. Part of her was horrified that she’d nearly fallen for what he’d already warned her was an act, but then her sense of humor kicked in. Glancing up at him, she made no attempt to hold back a wry smile. “You’re good, Wiley—I’ve got to give you that. For a minute there, you really had me going.”

  His blue eyes dancing with wicked laughter, he leaned close and rubbed her nose with his. “You’re not mad?”

  “Two can play at this game,” she purred, and deliberately reached up to trace his ear with a seductive finger. “How’m I doing?”

  His eyes darkened even as his grin broadened in appreciation. Capturing her teasing finger, he drew it down to his knee, where he held it captive. “You surprise me, Miss London. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet, Mr. Valentine.” And with no more warning than that, she began to slowly slide her hand up his thigh.

  Under her palm, she felt his muscles jump, but he made no move to stop her. Instead, his eyes locked with hers and he growled softly, “Truce.”

  She didn’t move another inch. “Truce,” she echoed softly.

  Never taking his eyes from hers, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out something that resembled a cigarette lighter. A split second later, Josephine heard a nearly silent click and realized it was a camera.

  “Wow,” she whispered, not daring to look at Roberto Sanchez. “That’s cool.”

  “So are you,” he said with a grin. “I owe you an apology.”

  Surprised, she lifted a brow. “For what?”

  “For thinking you would be a liability tonight. You’ve done great.”

  At their table in the corner, Sanchez and his “date” rose to their feet and started toward the front door. Catching sight of them from the corner of his eye, Wiley swore silently. They were headed right for them and there was no time to disappear into the woodwork. Without a thought, he reached for Josie.

  “What—”

  Snatching her into his arms, he covered her mouth with his before she could say another word. All he could think of was he couldn’t let Sanchez get a good look at either one of them, not if they were going to be tailing him for the next few days. Sure, they had taken pains to disguise themselves, but Sanchez had the eyes of a hawk. Little went on within his sight that he didn’t see.

  Thankfully, he wasn’t interested in a couple kissing by the bar. He and his date strolled past without slowing down, and a few seconds later, the door to the bar swung shut behind them. In a distant part of his brain, Wiley acknowledged that he needed to go after them, but he couldn’t. Not yet. Josie filled his arms as if she’d been made for him. When she melted into him, he completely for
got why he was kissing his partner senseless in a rundown bar he normally wouldn’t dream of taking a woman to. When she kissed him back, he forgot his own name.

  Later, he couldn’t have said how long he kissed her for. He just knew he wasn’t ready to let her go when a woman seated at the far end of the bar laughed sharply, jerking him back to his senses. What the hell was he doing? he wondered wildly, swallowing a curse. They were working, not kissing for real. Or least, that was the way it had started out. When had it changed? And how? She wasn’t even his type!

  Abruptly releasing her, he stepped back, only to groan when she swayed and frowned up at him in confusion. “Why did you do that?” she asked huskily.

  “Sanchez was coming this way—I didn’t want him to see your face,” he said in a voice as rough as sandpaper. “I’m sorry if I caught you off guard. Are you all right?”

  “No.”

  A crooked grin curled the corners of his mouth at her honesty. “I know how you feel, but we don’t have time to discuss it now. Sanchez is getting away. C’mon.”

  They rushed outside, but it quickly became apparent that they wouldn’t be going anywhere except home. Roberto Sanchez was gone, along with his car and the woman he’d come there to meet. And they didn’t have a clue where they’d gone.

  “Damn!” Wiley swore. “This is my fault. I lost my head—”

  Josephine’s heart lurched at his words. So she hadn’t been the only one who’d been caught up in the heat of that kiss. Not sure if she wanted to smile or run for the hills, she said, “At least we have a picture of them together. And maybe the woman didn’t take her car. We could wait to see if they come back…”

  She thought it was a good idea, but he merely lifted a sexy masculine brow at her. “So what are you suggesting? That we sit in the car for the next couple of hours and wait for them to come back? What are we going to do while we wait?”

  Put that way, she had to admit that he had a point. Heat stealing into her cheeks, she sighed. “Okay, bad idea. Then why don’t we write down all the license plate numbers of the cars in the parking lot and check them out when we get back to the office? One of them could be hers.”