“Right,” Ale agreed.
Phillips continued to eye Ale. “Any other updates we should know about?”
Great. He can read me too? Ale struggled to control his rising temper. First Trujillo, and now his boss. What did he have stamped across his forehead? “I’ve got a secret?” Before he could dwell a second on her, Ale squelched thoughts of Audrey and the trouble she and Angel encountered today. If Mel was doing her job — as she was so capable — Phillips would already know about the tail she’d lost today and the possibility it was Trujillo’s men. Phillips continued to wait for an answer. He’ll want my input on the situation. He didn’t have anything. “Ah, nope.”
Phillips smirked. “How succinct.”
“You know I don’t like to waste time.”
“No, you don’t.” Phillips’s gaze refused to relent. “Do we need to discuss Ms. Hughes?”
I’m already thinking about her all the time, and now you want to discuss her? How’s that going to help? Choosing not to speak, Ale simply shook his head.
Phillips laughed loudly. “The look on your face, Santiago, like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar — caught.”
Brooks’s eyes darted between the two men. “What’s this? You’ve got something going on with the witness?” He directed his question at Ale.
Heat burned the flesh of his neck and face, and he resisted the urge to wipe the sweat gathering at his temple. Think cool. “She’s the sister of the dead witness, and no,” Ale said through gritted teeth.
“A few of Trujillo’s men found her, her nephew, and one of our agents at the kid’s school,” Phillips offered.
“Trujillo wants the kid?” Brooks asked, his eyes widening in amazement.
Ale found a space on the wall and leaned against it, crossing his arms. “He says the boy is his.”
“Anything we can use for leverage?”
Brooks had to be out of his mind. Using the kid to get a known drug trafficker? It was enough he got Angel’s mother killed; there was no way he’d agree to Angel’s participation in the operation. Ale eyed Brooks evenly. “No.”
“Not yet,” Phillips replied at the same time.
Ale’s stare shot to Phillips. “Seriously?” he spat.
Phillips held up his hands, yielding the fight. “No options are off the table. We may be able to use knowledge of the kid’s whereabouts in exchange for Alba, if we don’t get Alba during the raid.”
Ale curled his fists beneath his biceps. Remembering the look on Trujillo’s face as he’d spoken about the boy the other night in the garage — he’d use deadly force when it came to his son. They couldn’t negotiate with a cold-blooded killer. If they used Angel… How would he explain it to Audrey? No doubt she’d be against the idea. The woman would sooner hail a cab and take her chances on the road with her nephew than consider Phillips’s suggestion. “I’d say that option is off the table. Besides, you’d never convince Ms. Hughes.”
Goosebumps pricked Ale’s flesh as he eyed the sly grin on Phillips’s face.
“Who said anything about me convincing her?” Phillips asked, his grin widening.
Brooks inhaled sharply before putting a fist to his mouth. Ale read shock and humor in his eyes. “You do have a thing going on with her,” Brooks whispered, as if happening upon some exciting secret.
“If he did, it’d be against protocol.” Phillips’s hard eyes matched his stern tone.
“So, how’d you expect me to convince Audrey?”
“Turn on that Santiago charm.”
Ale let the sarcasm drip from his mouth. “Oh, so getting involved with a witness is okay, as long as the ends justify the means.”
“Don’t be so self-righteous, Santiago. No one’s asking you to do anything more than to get her to say ‘yes.’ And considering it’s you, I doubt that’ll be a problem.”
Embarrassment heated Ale’s face. Not because his boss’s words were true, but because he’d just been prostituted for the mission. Given his encounters with Audrey already, there was no doubt she’d say yes, yet, putting her in the position where she’d have to make the choice felt a bit — over the line.
“How far out are Ms. Hughes and the boy?” Phillips asked.
Ale cleared his throat, hoping to distract his audience from the nuclear fallout radiating from his face. “They should just be a few minutes behind me. Mel’s bringing them in.”
“Good. When they get here,” Phillips pointed at him, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards, “you start on Ms. Hughes.”
Ale rolled his eyes before fixing a hard stare at a snickering Brooks. “It’s too tough a sell.”
“Alejandro—”
“No.” Ale returned his gaze to Phillips. “Remember her sister, Lana?”
“The boy will have zero involvement. He’ll be safe.”
“And I’m sure Ms. Hughes will use that line as her argument against the plan. We couldn’t keep Lana safe. How are we supposed to keep her son out of danger?”
“It’s just a backup plan,” Brooks interjected. He put out both hands between the men as though breaking up a fight. “I intend for the raid to be a success. If we have to use the kid to draw out Trujillo, fine, but I have a lot of eyes and ears on the streets. I’m sure we’ll get Trujillo one way or the other.”
Ale met the glare of his boss with one of his own. For years, he had the run of the operation. Why, all of a sudden, did his boss feel the need to exert his authority? Didn’t he trust him to do his job? Didn’t anyone trust him anymore? Even if he was lying? Pushing himself off the wall, Ale marched toward the door.
Phillips’s firm hand gripped Ale’s bicep as he passed. “Don’t think I don’t see what’s going on here,” Phillips whispered harshly into Ale’s ear. “You rushing to see Ms. Hughes, leaving the garage and any chance of a break in this case. Keep your emotions on lockdown, Santiago. You can take the girl to bed after the op.”
Steel eyes held Phillips’s insistent gaze. Fury at the reprimand, and the crass insinuation, coursed through Ale. If he were still the juvenile who disrespected authority, he’d have punched his boss in the face. But he’d grown up and moved past that phase of his life into the self-controlled — except with Audrey — man he was today. A patient man who could hold his temper and restrain his emotions until the opportune moment. He respected Audrey and tried hard not to treat her in the callous way others have allowed him to. Breathing heavily with nostrils flared, his unblinking stare continued until Phillips relented with a release of his arm and a step back.
Ale tore past the agents in the room and slammed the door on the way out. He stood in the middle of the office — one hand on his hip, the other covering his eyes — not caring if he attracted the attention of his coworkers. A couple of deep breaths later, his anger dissipated, but a new frustration swelled.
His boss was right.
Keep your emotions on lockdown… He hadn’t done a very good job of that lately. His mouth had a mind of its own, seeking out Audrey’s almost every time they were together. If Mel hadn’t been in the apartment earlier, Ale didn’t doubt he’d have tasted Audrey’s lips. Again. The thought of her in harm’s way — if anything had happened to her, or Angel. Lana’s death… The idea of Audrey suffering the same fate had him going out of his mind with worry.
Take the girl to bed after the op… He wouldn’t be a man if he hadn’t considered Audrey in his arms. She’d indulged him a few kisses, but he had a suspicion the woman was chaste. On lockdown herself. Ale’s lips tilted upward as he remembered how she ran out of the kitchen a couple of nights ago. He’d finally met a woman who could resist him. She wouldn’t let just any man in, and the value she placed on herself was something he cherished.
“Alejandro!”
Dropping his hand from his face, he eyed Mel, Angel, and the woman wreaking havoc with his emotions. Hair strewn around her shoulders, her features strained, Audrey looked troubled. So different was she from her sister. Lana had flaunted her looks with bleach bl
onde hair, blood-red lipstick, and flashy-colored nails. Audrey possessed an understated beauty — a guarded honor that would drive a man wild with need to unlock every mystery within her. With each step she drew nearer, the blood in his ears pounded louder. So much for lockdown.
“Where’s the boss?” Mel asked when she approached.
Recalling the last conversation he’d had with Phillips, Ale grunted. “In the conference room.”
“You want to get these two set up in the lounge? Phillips wanted to see me when I arrived.”
“Sure. Wait, what about?”
Mel shrugged. “I have no idea. I briefed him about the tail we had at the school. He must want more details about that.”
Ale held the eyes of his lovely partner. She was as forthcoming as she wanted to be, nothing more. Mel had her secrets, but he trusted her. “What else could it be?”
Narrowing her eyes on him, she put her hands on her small waist. “I don’t know. What could it be, Ale?” She cast a glance in Audrey’s direction before returning to him. “Something you haven’t said? About Lana?”
Ale’s head snapped back. Whoa, Lana? He expected her to say “Audrey.” For a second, he’d suspected Mel had put two and two together just like Brooks and Phillips. Ale stared at Audrey. Had she and Mel been discussing Lana? Would that explain Audrey’s behavior in the apartment? She was distant. Almost icy. As if he’d done something to her. What did it have to do with Lana? “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
Mel’s lips twisted downward. “Yeah, I’m not buying that line.”
“Melody—”
“Look.” She held up a hand to silence him. “Whatever is going on between you and Audrey, I don’t want any part of it. But, she has the impression you and her sister were involved.”
His dry throat refused to let words out. He and Lana?
“I suggest you clear things up, especially considering you’re protecting her sister.”
Mel left him standing there stupefied.
After a hard swallow, Ale ordered his legs to move toward Audrey and her nephew, who stood clinging to his aunt’s hand, his brows meshed together in confusion and fear. It’ll be over soon, kid.
Audrey inhaled, lifting a firm chin. “What’s the plan?”
Her voice didn’t waver. He wished his willpower didn’t — especially around her. Ale licked his lips. “Ah, we’ll set you and Angel up in the lounge. As soon as I’m done here, we’ll get you two back to the safe house.”
“A couple more days, right?”
Ale nodded. “Right.” She answered with her own nod. Ale inclined his head toward the corner of the suite where the lounge was located. “Follow me.”
****
Audrey kept her eyes on Ale’s broad back as he led her and Angel to the lounge. I get to care. The words had repeated themselves a hundred times since she’d last seen him. What did he mean? Was he referring to his assignment? Keeping her and Angel safe? Refusing to believe he meant her at all, Audrey forced herself to believe he spoke about his duty. He’d seemed genuinely sorry about Penny’s death. Was sympathy fueling his desire to protect her and Angel? Nothing more? He’s dedicated. It’s just the job. He blames himself for Penny, so he doesn’t want to make another mistake.
Penny. How much did he blame himself? Is he seeking revenge for Penny because they were involved? Stop it, Audrey. You’re getting worked up over something you know nothing about. Penny, Penny… What happened?
“Auntie Audrey?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m hungry.”
Audrey looked at the upturned face of a five-year-old boy. Did they ever stop eating? She cast him a smile while opening her hobo. “Okay, hold on.” There had to be a granola bar hidden somewhere. Fingers grasping at all items, Audrey gasped. Penny’s note! The one from the reading of the will. I’d forgotten all about it. She started to pull the letter from her bag when Ale faced them.
“This is it.” He opened the door and allowed them to pass. A couple of couches, a large flat screen, full kitchen — Audrey appreciated the money the US Marshals spent on creature comforts. “There’s plenty of food in the refrigerator. Frozen meals, cereal, and other things in the cabinets.”
“Thanks,” Audrey mumbled and ushered Angel to a couch. “We’ll find something for you to eat, okay, Angel?”
“Okay,” he said while climbing onto the couch. “Where’s the remote?”
Ale chuckled and handed him the remote. “What do you like to watch?”
“Um, I like to watch Animal Planet and football.”
“Yeeaahh. My kind of guy.”
Still grinning, Ale locked eyes with Audrey. She offered a small smile, her mind still on the letter. “I think we’ll be okay, if you want to go back. I’m sure you have a lot to do to prepare for — you know.” Watching his grin fade, Audrey silently scolded herself for being too pushy. Drawing his attention was the last thing she wanted. Once gone, she could read the letter in peace. Instead, Ale’s massive body faced her fully. Cocking his head to one side, he crossed muscular arms on his chest. Audrey swallowed.
“I’ve got time. Wanna tell me what you and Mel were talking about earlier at the apartment?”
No.
“Something about your sister and me?”
She expected Mel to betray their conversation to her partner. Just not so soon. She wasn’t prepared for his answer. If Ale and Penny were involved… It doesn’t matter. I have a boy to raise. Her eyes drifted to Angel, who was bouncing up and down on the sofa, mimicking the movements of the meerkats he was watching on the television. I did such a lousy job with Penny… I can’t have any distractions this time. Her eyes scanned the marshal, taking in his dark attire stretched over sculpted muscle, the Absalom-like hair brushing his broad shoulders. She shivered, flooded with feminine awareness. No matter how tempting. I have to get this right. “It was nothing.” Not true. “I just wanted to know more about your relationship with my sister.” True. “Mel didn’t really have anything to say about it.” True. Two out of three. That was good, right?
“If you want to know something, just ask.”
Funny how his voice lacked the frankness he now seemed so willing to display. He’s hiding something. Whatever it was, perhaps Penny’s letter would explain. If she could get him out of the room… “Thank you, Marshal.”
He cocked a curious brow. “Marshal? You know my name.”
Unable to stop the involuntary swallow, she refused to wipe at her damp hairline. “Yes, I know your name.”
He smirked. “Then use it.”
His deep voice reverberated in her ears, tunneling down to her heart, challenging her to resist the pull of a Santiago. Dimples deepened into endless chasms in which she could drown. Veiled iridescent eyes searched her own and she struggled to keep her thoughts concealed. Forcing her lips shut so she wouldn’t blurt her suspicions about him and her sister, or about the letter from Penny tucked in her purse, Audrey plastered a smile on her face, dragged her eyes from his form to a safer one — Angel — and ordered her legs to move to the couch and her nephew.
“Santiago, we need you in the conference room.”
Not venturing a glance in his direction, Audrey took a seat on the couch near her nephew as she heard the voice of another man speaking to Ale. She expected to hear Ale moving to the door, but her body’s temperature steadily rose, so she figured it was due to the man watching her. Swallowing rocks, Audrey put a shaky hand on Angel’s shoulder and exerted all her willpower to concentrating on the television screen.
With the click of the door signaling Ale’s departure, Audrey ripped Penny’s envelope from her purse and tore it open, careful not to lose the key lying at the bottom. Audrey’s eyes rapidly scanned the page as she fingered the key to a locker in a bus station. Audrey blinked, as though the words she’d just read were a figment of her imagination. Trying to escape… Alejandro doesn’t understand… left the package at the Greyhound bus station…
So her sist
er didn’t want to participate in the operation. Ale had said she’d volunteered. Audrey rubbed at the twinge of a headache in the space between her brows. Ale’s lying to me. And he thinks my sister was keeping something from him! She had no choice to help him and died for it. The crinkle of paper drew her gaze down to her hand. She gripped her sister’s letter. Loosening her hold, she smoothed the paper over her thigh before refolding it and placing it back into the envelope.
I have to get to that bus station. She glanced at Angel. Meerkats continued to hold his fascination. If she asked Mel to help, she’d just tell Ale. I have to know what Penny was hiding, if she were hiding anything at all. Audrey pulled out her phone and searched for the directions to the bus station. Her heart quickened. The station was only a few miles down the road. Audrey again looked to her nephew. She could catch a cab, grab the package from the locker, and be back in the lounge before anyone noticed she was missing.
Audrey moistened her lips. Could she leave her nephew here? Alone? There was no place on earth he was safer. A building full of US Marshals. She would need half an hour, no more. If anything happened to her, best not to have Angel with her. She’d call Mel and tell her the plan as soon as she was out of the building. Confident, Audrey called for a cab. She set about fixing Angel a snack to calm her nerves and keep him occupied while she was at the station.
Telling Angel to behave, she sneaked out of the lounge. When settled in the cab, she phoned Mel, who promptly yelled at her for leaving. “I have to tell Alejandro.”
Audrey cringed at Mel’s declaration. Audrey didn’t want to face his ire, but it was unavoidable. She was her sister’s only advocate, and she’d know the truth before Ale could twist it.
Upon arrival at the station, Audrey asked the cab driver to wait. He promised five minutes and then he’d leave. Audrey hurried into the station. People mulled about carrying luggage and an intercom system called out the bus schedule. Oh, the smell. Crinkling her nose at the stench of sweaty bodies, Audrey refrained from taking a deep breath and instead, forced herself to focus on the task. Spotting a few rows of lockers, she sprinted to the gray shelves, located the locker, and inserted the key.
Alejandro (The Santiago Brothers Book Two) Page 12
