Ransom in Rio

by Theresa Lynn Hall

  “Wait a minute. I’m losing you. None of this is making sense now. How could this have gotten Jace killed? I know for a fact we don’t do business using Bitcoins.”

  “Jace was sent to Cozumel on vacation, but someone knew he was going down there. Do you know exactly why your father sent him to Cozumel?”

  Lexi flew from the bed and began to pace the room erratically. “Oh…please tell me this is a nightmare that I’m going to wake up from. If Dad sent Jace to Cozumel, that means he sent me here for a reason too. Tell me the truth. Am I in danger?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know yet. I don’t even know why Jace was killed.”

  “I hired you because I wanted you to tell me the truth. You're not telling me every…” She stopped pacing and turned to face him. “What if they know we’re here? If they think I’ve hired you and that you’ve been snooping into something they don’t want us to find…”

  “Probably. Whoever they are.”

  “Well, what now?”

  “I put in a few phone calls to a friend of mine. He’s with the Texas Rangers. He’s talking to the FBI.”

  “Phone calls? My brother is dead, and I could be next. Who knows about the rest of my family? How can I feel safe when all you can say is that you put in a few phone calls?” She covered her face with her palms. “I really wasn’t ready to hear this.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Neither of them spoke. He was more afraid for her than he wanted her to know. There was something he’d left out of the details. Ramos Furniture wasn’t the company she thought it was, and her entire life had been a lie. How in the world was he supposed to tell her that?

  5

  Lexi pulled away from Brayden to wipe her cheeks with the back of her hand. She couldn’t break down now. Too much was at stake. She had to think about her family here in Rio. She didn’t want Sofia and Pedro to know anything. Not yet.

  “We act like nothing is wrong. I’m here on business, and all they know is that you’re here to help me. I told them you’re my intern.”

  The look he gave her said it all, but he was polite enough not to say anything. “I know you’re a little old to be interning, but I said you were making a midlife career change.”

  “I can play along,” he said.

  Tonight was the Magic Ball. They would get dressed up, go with her family, and try to act as if nothing was wrong. Tomorrow she would take care of the business she’d been sent to do before heading back to Texas. There was no way she would stay the three weeks her father had insisted on.

  “I don’t want any of my family to find out what’s going on.”

  “You can count on me.”

  “Good. And tonight will be fun. I guess.” She bit her lip. “On second thought, probably not, but we’ll fake it.”

  He grabbed her hands. “It will be fine. Sit down.” He pulled her to the edge of the bed and sat next to her. “I need you to think about names or anything you can give me that could help me figure out who would’ve gone to Cozumel to meet Jace.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. How would I know? No one I know in our company would do such a thing. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “I just need names so I can start somewhere.”

  “Will my father be investigated too?”

  “Of course.”

  Something wasn’t adding up, but she was too emotional to figure it out. Too many big agencies were involved now, and she knew he wasn’t telling her the real reason.

  “Why? Has he done anything wrong?”

  “Not that we can find, but we need to talk to him.”

  “Whoever has betrayed us, my family, our company…they deserve to get what Jace got.”

  “You don’t mean that. Don’t talk like that. At least not in front of me.”

  She covered her face. Who was he to tell her what to say or feel?

  He touched her arm. “I know you’re angry and hurt, but don’t let it harden your heart. Trust me, I’ve been there.”

  She took her hands from her face and turned away from him to stare out the window. “How? Did someone murder your brother too?” Her words were colder than she wanted them to be.

  “No,” he said, his tone icy. His hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. He took her hand and placed it on his forearm so that her fingers touched his scar. “See that? That is a constant reminder to me that I need to forgive.”

  She pulled her hand away as if he’d burned her.

  “I watched a best friend die a few feet from me. I watched another die in my arms. I’ve lost more than you’ll probably ever lose in your lifetime. I know what hate and anger can do. It did it to me.”

  “I’m sorry, Brayden. I didn’t realize.”

  He lifted her chin with his index finger. Their eyes met. “I’m not mad. I’m just proving a point. Don’t let it eat you alive.” He dropped his hand, but continued to stare into her eyes. “God tells us we should forgive. Mark 11:25 says, ‘And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’”

  “I don’t think I remember how to pray anymore.” It wasn’t a lie. She could utter a few words now and then, ask God for things when she needed them, and even tell people they were in her prayers. But something in her heart felt a disconnect. Like the words weren’t reaching anywhere.

  He tapped a finger to his chest. “You talk to God from your heart. Plain and simple.”

  She nodded as if she agreed, but her heart wasn’t listening to any of it. She was angry that someone had taken the life of her brother. That her family was dysfunctional on their best days. That the business her grandfather had built from the ground up was being infiltrated by thugs who were using them for corruption. She was more than angry. She was vengeful.

  “Look, I need time, that’s all. I’m just not there, yet.”

  He nodded, but she could tell he didn’t believe her. She didn’t know if time would help the hurt or not, and if she had to be honest, today she didn’t care. His pep talk was having the opposite effect on her than he’d probably intended.

  “I think I’ll go back to my room. I’m not in the mood for doing much today. Please let me know if you need anything. I will be in the main house the rest of the day.” He didn’t try to stop her as she walked out of the open bedroom door.

  ****

  Dim light shone through the blinds as he buttoned his tuxedo. He hadn’t talked to Lexi since he’d let her walk out that morning. The burning desire to reach out and grab her, pull her to him and kiss her until her pain subsided almost got the better of him. Instead, he reminded himself that he was here on business. She had hired him to help solve the death of her brother. Nothing more.

  He’d spent the entire day on the phone or computer working on her case. Luke had called him to tell him DEA was now involved in the case. Brayden had to admit, using a furniture store to smuggle drugs was pretty smart.

  A soft knock sounded on the bedroom door. “Brayden? Can I come in?”

  He gave himself one last glance in the mirror, smoothed his hair around his ears, and grinned at his reflection. He was actually looking forward to this Magical Ball.

  “Coming!”

  He opened the door and froze. His mouth was agape, and although he willed it shut, at that moment his body had a mind of its own. Lexi stood wearing an ornate green and gold mask covering her eyes along with the emerald dress she’d bought the day before. He remembered seeing it on the hanger, but had no idea what it would look like on her. For his own benefit, he hadn’t tried to imagine it. Now he could see that a little preparation on his part might have helped soften the impact. She was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen.

  “Here. You’ll wear this one.” She handed him a black and gold mask similar to the one she was wearing.

  A laugh escaped before he could catch himself. “No. Uh-uh. Not happening.” He handed it back to her.

  Even with
half her face covered, her green eyes sparked with feminine persuasion. He reached out to take the mask back. “Seriously? I’m going to look like Batman.”

  Laughter filled the room. He had only heard her laugh a few times since he’d met her, but he loved the sound.

  “It’s a tradition. You’ll look like everyone else in the room.”

  He put it on and grinned. “How’s that?” He inhaled sharply. “Eww, it stinks in this thing. How old is it?”

  She wrinkled her nose and giggled. “Sorry. I don’t know how old it is. My aunt gave them to me and said for us to wear them.”

  The mask was the least of his concerns. What worried him the most was getting through the night with Lexi by his side. Not as his employer, but as his date. How had this happened? He replayed the turn of events since their first meeting and reminded himself of her circumstances. It validated his need for professionalism and reminded him that his first and only priority tonight was to keep her safe.

  As if she’d read his mind, she pulled off her mask and stared at the floor. “I can’t forget the reason you’re here. My aunt thinks having a little fun tonight might take my mind off Jace.” She ran her fingers over the emerald green jewels hanging around her neck. Her eyes stared off into space, and he wondered exactly what was going through her mind.

  “That’s a beautiful necklace.”

  She blinked and bit her lip. It didn’t take a detective to see she was hurting.

  “My aunt gave me this to wear tonight. She told me I could keep it. It’s been in my family for many years. I remember my grandmother wearing it on special occasions. She always said it looked like my sparkling green eyes. I guess she thought giving it to me tonight would take my mind off things, and I could enjoy myself.”

  She’s right, Lexi. You can’t think about it twenty-four-seven. It will drive you nuts.” The urge to touch her cheek swelled deep inside him. He pulled off his mask and threw it on the nightstand, then thrust his hands into his pants pockets.

  A small sigh escaped her. With a slight grin, she looked up at him. “I’m game if you are.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Not every day a guy gets to dress up like Batman and go out in public.”

  “True. Enjoy it. After tonight, it’s back to work—for both of us.”

  ****

  The long ride to the hotel was anything but boring. Brayden and Tio Pedro were getting along great to have just met. Even Tia Sofia commented on how much Pedro liked him. Lexi couldn’t remember her dad getting along with any of the men she’d dated. Then again, she hadn’t really dated very many men. The last guy she’d had a serious relationship with made her realize she wasn’t cut out for long-term. She was better off devoting her time and attention to her job. At twenty-six, she wasn’t in a hurry to find a husband, but she knew at some point she needed to prepare herself for a lifetime of being single.

  Her uncle whistled as he turned into the drive of the hotel. Magnificent colored lights illuminated the enormous building, luring its visitors inside for a night of celebration. The valet parked their car as they walked up the steps into the Copacabana Palace. They entered the building and followed other party-goers down the red carpet which led to the Golden Room. Her grandparents had relayed stories of how they’d eaten dinner with famous people and danced into the wee hours of morning. She knew that wouldn’t be the case tonight since her aunt and uncle were far more conservative than her grandparents had been.

  Samba music blared as they approached the ballroom. Golden lights flickered off mirrors and the elaborate decorations hanging from the tall ceiling. She followed behind Pedro as they wove their way through the crowd of costumed partiers. As they passed several tables of masked couples, something brushed against her hand. Startled, she turned around as Brayden grabbed her wrist tightly. He smiled down at her, but he couldn’t hide the tension in his lips. She knew he wasn’t thrilled about being here and grabbing her wrist was only business.

  “We’re not wearing those masks. I want us to be able to find each other,” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded in agreement.

  Once they reached their table, Brayden was quiet. Too quiet. She noticed how he scanned the room. She fidgeted in her chair and fluffed the skirt of her dress. He was making her nervous whether he meant to or not.

  “Would you like a drink?” he asked

  “No, I don’t drink alcohol.”

  He grinned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean alcohol. I meant a real drink. Like water, sweet tea, lemonade.”

  “Oh, I thought you meant…”

  “It’s OK,” he interrupted. “I can see the confusion since we’re surrounded by it. But don’t worry, I don’t drink either.”

  “Wow. It’s not every day I meet a man who doesn’t drink. In the world I come from, it’s as natural as breathing air.”

  “Don’t misunderstand me. I didn’t say I never had. I just don’t. There was a time when I did—overdid—and I’m not all that proud of it. Let’s just say it was a dark time in my life, and I had strayed pretty far from my faith.”

  Something stirred in her. She didn’t know why she felt embarrassed. It wasn’t like she hated when people talked about their faith, but she didn’t want him to ask about hers. She looked down at the floor and hoped he didn’t notice how uncomfortable she’d become.

  “Have you ever been to a fancy party in Rio before?”

  Thankful he changed the subject, she smiled. “No, you?”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “Me?” He laughed. “You’ve seen how I normally dress. My idea of fancy is wearing a new pair of cowboy boots to the movie theater. Nah, I’ve never been to one of these in my life. Heard of them, though. I’m not that unsophisticated.”

  She giggled. “I’ve heard all of the stories from my family.”

  “I do know this much,” he leaned in towards her, “this table we’re sitting at doesn’t come cheap.”

  She lowered her head and nodded. “I know. My family spares no expense to rub shoulders with the socially elite.”

  “You don’t seem anything like them.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  He stared at her for a second. “You’re welcome.”

  ****

  Lexi was completely unique. She was elegant, beautiful, modest, humble…he could go on forever, naming the good qualities he saw in her. But she was also elusive. And that, among other things, kept him at a safe distance. He’d uncovered a lot of bad things about her family. So far, nothing to incriminate her or her brother. Still, he didn’t want to give in to any attraction he had for this woman. He’d been burned before by falling for a beautiful, elusive woman who turned out to be something more than she’d first let on. One divorce for him was enough.

  “Do you like dancing?”

  His heart sank. He despised it. “Do you?”

  She laughed. “I asked you first.”

  “Oh sure. I dance to this all the time,” he said. “Samba is my jam.” He bobbed his head to the rhythm of the drums. “Want me to teach you how?”

  The look of horror on her face was comical. He grabbed her hand and said, “Come on.”

  He had no idea what he was doing, but this beautiful woman had been through a lot lately and he’d bet she hadn’t had fun in longer than she could remember. He knew all too well the pain she probably felt over the loss of her brother and the survivor’s guilt—being able to live when a loved one couldn’t. If he wasn’t able to help her find her brother’s killer, at least he could help her forget it had ever happened—even if it was for only one night.

  Brayden pulled her to the dance floor. He had been watching others on the dance floor and figured he’d just do what they were doing. Besides, these people were all about having a good time, so no one would care how stupid they looked.

  He danced around her, moving his feet in short, rapid steps to the music that reminded him of his favorite Mexican food restaurant back in Texas. He noticed a smile creeping across
her face as if she were afraid to laugh at him because it would hurt his feelings. He spun around and accidentally bumped into an elderly couple. They gave him a piece of their mind in Portuguese and didn’t seem to care if he knew the language or not. Unfortunately, he understood every word.

  Lexi laughed over the music, and he hated that the song ended so soon, despite his aversion to dancing. He led her back to the table and sat to catch his breath.

  She picked up a napkin and blotted the tears coming from her eyes. “Oh my goodness! You’re insane,” she said.

  “I can’t believe that old man had the nerve to call me that.” He acted shocked.

  She looked back at the couple still dancing wildly for their age. “They’re cute.” She turned back to him with a confused look. “Wait. How did you know what they said?”

  Great. Here come the questions.

  “I worked here for a while. A murder investigation.”

  “I see. You’re a man of mystery, Brayden McCoy.”

  He only smiled. He’d bet a million dollars her life was a bigger mystery than his. It was that thought which snapped him back to reality. Even if she didn’t know her life was in danger, he knew it. He had to quit playing the part of her date and remember that he’d been hired to come here for a reason. Not only was he working for her, but he was also working for the FBI now by sharing information on anything he could dig up on the Ramos family.

  He snapped back to reality. “I’m starving after all that dancing.”

  She laughed. “I bet you are.”

  His gaze was fixed on her face, and he hated himself for thinking it, but at that moment he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. And somehow he thought she knew it.

  ****

  Lexi melted into Brayden’s blue eyes. The looks he’d been giving her throughout the night were breaking down her walls and making her forget why she was in Rio in the first place. For the first time since Jace died, she was actually enjoying herself. She had to remember that this man was working for her. She was paying him to be here. And since he had to be here, he was just making the best of it. Nothing more. But for some reason, every time he looked at her, she felt…something. She refused to try to figure out what it was. Putting a name on it meant dealing with it, and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with more emotions.