Devious Minds

by Colleen Helme

  After a few minutes of this, he pulled across one lane and zipped onto the nearest exit and off the freeway. Taking a right, he drove down that street, then took another right until coming to a tree-lined road. Halfway down the street, he pulled over and parked beside a sidewalk.

  Turning off the car, he took a couple of breaths and set both hands on top of the steering wheel with his head lowered. His fingers shook a little, but he clenched his fists and glanced at me.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Oh Ramos!” The tears gushed out of me, and I covered my face with my hands and sobbed. Next thing I knew, he had my door open and my seatbelt undone. Then he pulled me into his arms and held me tightly.

  “It’s okay, Shelby. I’ve got you,” he said. “You’re okay now. You’re safe.”

  I clung to him like I was drowning, savoring the strength of his arms and the safety he offered. He rubbed my back and murmured comforting words until I calmed down enough to quit crying. Taking a deep breath, I let it out and relaxed against him. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, sniffing against his chest.

  He was thinking it was a good thing, since it looked like I was in deep shit. At least I wasn’t shaking like a leaf anymore, but what the hell? He nearly had a heart attack when he got to the café, and found me being dragged to a car by those men. He’d managed to follow us, but it was close. Then to see me go into that house... and wonder if I would ever come out alive... it was enough to send him over the edge.

  Luckily, his training took over. He plotted an escape route on his map, and then came up with a plan to break in through a window in the back that didn’t have bars on it. He’d seen me through the second floor window and had counted the number of men holding me. Against seven men, the odds didn’t look good.

  Then he’d snuck through the gate into the back yard and caught glimpses of me through the door on the second floor. He’d waited in the shadows to see if they’d put me in a back room or something, but his biggest break came when my guard brought me down the stairs alone. Thank God I could hear his thoughts.

  I pulled away and glanced up into his dark eyes. “You almost died because of me... again.”

  “Shelby... I... I’m...” he shook his head and frowned. “Come on. Let’s get out of here and you can tell me what’s going on.” He pulled away and helped me get back into the car, but not before I heard his unspoken words. He was thinking that he’d gladly die for me, because life without me in it wasn’t something he thought he could face.

  Unfortunately, hearing his thoughts made my eyes fill up with tears again. He may think that about me, but if he wasn’t around, I wasn’t sure I could go on either. I didn’t even want to think about that, so I quickly wiped my tears away and got a tissue out of my purse to blow my nose.

  By the time he opened his door to get in, I was mostly back in control. He got settled into his seat and started the car, then glanced over at me. His mind was carefully guarded, but I still picked up his concern about those thoughts he’d just had. “We’re good?”

  “Yes,” I said and smiled at him. He nodded, and I sensed his relief that I wasn’t making a big deal of his feelings for me. “But... what about Blake? He’s back there at the house. I think they were going to torture him in front of me so I’d talk. Do you think we should go back and see if we can get him out?”

  His brows rose in shock, and he was wondering if I was out of my mind. “Absolutely not.” At my widened eyes, he continued. “You’re lucky I got you out, but no way can we go back for Blake. Not without help.”

  “Yeah... you’re right,” I agreed. “Wait a minute... Blake gave me a number to call in case of an emergency. I’ve got it here in my purse somewhere.” Filled with hope, I rummaged through my pockets until I found the piece of paper. “This guy is French Intelligence or something, but if he can get some people there soon, Blake might have a chance.”

  “All right,” Ramos agreed. “It’s worth a try.” He pulled out the map. “I circled the address.”

  “Great.” I took out my phone and started pushing the numbers. The call went through, and I held my breath as it began to ring. After the fifth ring, a man with a deep voice answered.

  “Oui?”

  “Um... hello, is this Gabriel Dumont?”

  “Yes.”

  “My name is Shelby Nichols. I’m calling about a mutual friend of ours, Blake Beauchaine?”

  “Ah... yes. We are meeting tomorrow. Has something happened?”

  “Yes. He’s in big trouble. Some people... I guess they’re terrorists with a bomb and everything. But anyway, they jumped us. I heard them talk about torturing Blake to get me to talk. I managed to escape, but I left Blake there, and I don’t dare go back. Can you help him?”

  “How long ago did this happen?”

  “I got out about... ten minutes ago. I have a friend who helped me, or I would still be there.”

  “Do you have an address for this house?”

  “Yes... it’s um... on the map here...” Ramos pointed it out, and I repeated the address for Gabriel. “We got away, but they started chasing us. We only lost them a few minutes ago. I don’t know what they’ll do now, but they might figure that with me on the run, I might call the police or something... but... I don’t know.”

  “I believe you,” he said. “I will go now with my men to find him. Give me your number, and I will call you. I think you have more information for me, yes?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Good. Stay away from the area. Go someplace safe. I will let you know what we find.”

  “Okay. Thanks. Here’s my number.” After making sure he got it right, we disconnected, and I heaved a huge sigh of relief. “He’s going to help.”

  “Yeah, I heard,” Ramos said. “He must know Blake well.”

  “Yeah. I’m kind of shocked that he believed me. So, what should we do now? He said to go someplace safe and wait for his call.”

  Ramos checked his watch. “It’s almost midnight. I want to show you something, then I’m taking you to my hotel, and you’re going to tell me everything. How does that sound?”

  “Sure,” I said, totally worn out. Nearly getting killed had taken a big toll on me.

  Ramos turned the car around and got back on the freeway. Neither of us spoke, but it was a comfortable silence. Feeling safe, I relaxed my head against the back of the seat and closed my eyes. Sure, there were a lot of things I was worried about, but right now I needed a minute to pull myself together and regroup.

  Ramos seemed to know that because, a few minutes later, he nudged me. “We’re here.” I glanced at him and he pointed out the window. Turning, I caught my breath. The Eiffel Tower stood only yards away, and it was all lit up in golden color. “Come on,” he said, and got out of the car.

  I opened the door and started to walk toward the base of the tower, but he pulled me back beside him. “Wait. Just watch for a minute.”

  He leaned back against the car, so I followed his example and did the same. I enjoyed seeing all the lights on this iconic symbol of Paris. Then suddenly, the lights over the entire tower began to sparkle. I gasped. “Holy cow! Look at that! I didn’t know it did that.”

  Ramos enjoyed my outburst, pleased that he had brought a smile to my face after what I’d been though. I took his arm and leaned my head against his shoulder, loving this magical moment and grateful he was there. “Thanks for coming after me. I’d be dead without you.”

  He took a deep breath, thinking it had been close. He was also wondering what the hell was going on, and remembering the bomb part of my conversation with Gabriel. What had I gotten myself into this time? How had my husband let me go? He should have known I’d get into trouble and put his foot down.

  All at once the sparkling stopped, and I sighed. “That’s all?”

  “Yeah... it only lasts for five minutes at the beginning of the hour.”

  “Well then, I’m glad we got to see it.”

  “We should go,” he
said, thinking that if I kept leaning against him like that, he wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next. This was the city of love, after all, and even though my face was all splotchy from crying my eyes out, I still looked beautiful in the golden light.

  I pulled away and raised my brow. “I don’t know if that was a compliment or not.”

  “Babe,” he said. “We’re in a dangerous place. Right now I’d like nothing more than to kiss you silly... but I don’t want to take advantage of you like that. You’re vulnerable. Hell... right now, so am I.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You ready to cross that line?”

  Wow. He’d never been so forth-coming and talkative about his feelings. “Uh... no.”

  He took a deep breath, then sent me a wistful smile. “Didn’t think so, but you can’t blame a guy for asking.”

  He was thinking that, as tempting as I was, he didn’t want to mess up my life. He admired that I had a family and a good marriage. It was something he respected more than he let on, and he didn’t want to be the cause of ruining that. Still... he could probably handle one kiss without losing control, he just wasn’t sure I could, since he was a damn good kisser.

  “I’m getting in the car now,” I said, straightening from the door. “And I’m going to pretend that I didn’t hear that last part.”

  “Kill-joy,” he muttered, but sent me a relieved smile.

  We drove away, but I kept my gaze on the Eiffel Tower as long as I could, then lost sight of it between the buildings. Pushing “home” on the GPS system, Ramos navigated the streets to his hotel. Soon, we turned off the street and through an arched entrance with majestic columns on either side. The cobblestone driveway circled a fountain of splashing water, framing a stunning, three-story building, all lit up with spotlights.

  Ramos handed the car keys to a valet and came to my door before I could get my seatbelt off. As I stood, my knees hurt from the scrapes and bruises I’d acquired. Now that I wasn’t running for my life, the pain began to register, and I noticed that my black leggings were torn and bloody.

  I hoped no one inside looked too closely, since I figured this swanky place had a reputation to uphold, and torn clothing wasn’t allowed. Ramos led me past the concierge desk, up the stairs, and down the hall to his room, opening the lock with a key card he pulled from his pocket.

  The door opened into a beautifully decorated suite. The sitting room was done in blue and white with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A blue couch with end tables and lamps sat on one side, fronted by a coffee table, and facing a double door with flowing curtains that opened onto a veranda. A blue lounge chair stood in one corner, with a small writing table at the other side.

  A large, square opening in the wall led to the bedroom, where another chandelier hung from the ceiling. Inside, a queen-sized bed was framed by bedside tables and lamps, and a chest of drawers stood against the wall. Off to the side, another door opened into a tiled bathroom with a walk-in closet beside it. “Is it all right if I use the bathroom?” I asked.

  “Sure. Make yourself at home.”

  I went straight there and took care of business, then caught sight of my face as I washed up. Yikes! What a mess. I took off my leather jacket, then used a warm washcloth to get the streaks of mascara off and freshen up.

  I sighed and closed my eyes to feel the soft warm washcloth against my skin. That was just what I needed. Feeling better, I turned my attention to my poor knees. Ick. Some of the blood had dried, and the cloth stuck to my skin.

  I took off my boots, then used wet tissues to loosen the blood, and got my leggings off to do a more thorough job. It only stung a little, and now that they were clean, they didn’t look so bad. I just needed some ointment to finish the job.

  Feeling more presentable, it was time to face Ramos and tell him what was going on. I gathered my stuff and opened the door, only to find him talking on the phone in the sitting room. It reminded me that I needed to call Chris, but what was I going to tell him? Hi honey, I nearly died, but Ramos saved me, and now I’m in his fancy hotel room? That didn’t sound so good. In fact, he’d hate anything I had to tell him about tonight.

  Was now one of those times when I shouldn’t tell him everything? Or... maybe I could just wait and call him later. If it was midnight here, that meant it was about four or five in the afternoon there. Since he might still be in court, I could call now and leave a message that I was fine. I could tell him I’d call him back tomorrow with the excuse that it was after midnight here, and I was going to bed. That would work, right?

  Before I chickened out, I set my things down beside the bed and placed the call. My elation grew when after the fifth ring he hadn’t answered. Maybe this was my lucky break. I needed one after the night I’d had. I opened my mouth to leave a message, but he picked up.

  “Shelby,” he exclaimed. “I’m glad you called, I was getting worried. How did things go?”

  “Um... well... not the best, but the good news is that I’m all right. What about you? How’s the trial going? Did you get Oliver to confess?” I hoped by asking that, he’d get distracted and let me off the hook.

  “What do you mean you’re all right? Did something happen?”

  Damn. It didn’t work. “Well... yes, but like I said, I’m all right. I got separated from Blake, but I got in touch with the man he wanted me to call if that happened. Right now I’m safe and just waiting for him to call me back. So if he calls, I might have to call you back. So tell me about the trial? What’s going on?”

  I heard him let out a breath before he answered. “Okay. I can see that you don’t want to tell me for some reason, so that means you’re probably in trouble.”

  “Uh... I was... but I’m not anymore.”

  “Good.” He waited for me to continue, but when I didn’t, he let out a breath. “The trial’s going well. We spent most of the day going over the forensic accountant’s testimony, so the case will either be dismissed, or the jury will acquit Victoria. Either way is a win.”

  “What about Oliver? Did he ever show up?”

  “Yes. He was here earlier, but I don’t know where he is now. Um... I’ve got to get back in there. It looks like the judge is going ahead with the last few witnesses, so hope for an acquittal from the jury. Be safe Shelby. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “And call me soon with all the details. I want to know what’s going on.”

  Before I could answer, he disconnected. I sighed. It was good that I didn’t have to explain everything right now, but at the same time, I kind of missed telling him. Still, I was glad everything was going so well with the trial. At least that much was working out right.

  Ramos ended his phone call and came to my side. “Can I get you anything?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “All right, then why don’t you come with me into the other room and sit down. I need to know what’s going on.” Ramos sat on the small couch and motioned me to sit beside him.

  “Okay.” I leaned against the other end and pulled my bare legs and feet up under me, then pulled the pillow away from the corner and hugged it against my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was for comfort, or to keep a safe distance between me and Ramos.

  “Everything was going great until we met with Blake’s former protégé, Mason, at a café. I guess he’s gone rogue or something, and Blake wanted to know what he was up to. Well... that turned out to be quite a lot. In fact, I think there’s a biochemical weapon involved that could go off soon.”

  Ramos’ eyes got big, and he swore in his mind but didn’t interrupt. I continued with the rest of my story, telling him Blake’s thoughts about the connection with the conference on climate change.

  I ended with being taken to the house, and how I’d found out that the leader, Cypher, was acting like one of the men so no one would know who he was. “It’s a good thing Cypher was thinking in English, since the others weren’t, or I wouldn’t have picked that up.

  “Anyway, to save m
yself, I kind of made up that I knew their plans because one of them was a traitor and had contacted me. That didn’t go over so well. Then I kind of insinuated that I knew who Cypher was, since by then I did, so I could make a deal with him and stay alive.

  “He never let on to the men, but he managed to talk the supposed ‘leader’ into something about a cave and torture. It was in French, so I don’t know for sure, but I think he wanted to get me alone and torture Blake to make me talk. That’s when he sent me outside and you rescued me.”

  Ramos shook his head, thinking that he didn’t know how I did it, but I was in way over my head with this one. “So, let me get this straight. You think this Cypher guy has a bomb that he’s going to release during the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, and it’s happening... when?”

  “Well... it was Blake that was thinking that. I don’t know what day the conference is, but it makes sense.” I held the pillow tight but couldn’t stop the shiver of dread that passed over me.

  “Here,” Ramos said. “Let me get you a blanket.” The way I was holding onto that pillow brought out the protective instincts in him. Although he’d wanted to pull me into his arms to comfort me, he didn’t trust himself, thinking I looked too damn sexy in my short skirt and bare legs. He got the spare blanket out of the closet and draped it over me.

  “Thanks,” I said, wishing I could put this blanket around me and then cuddle up with Ramos. That might not be over the line, right? Just then, my cell phone rang, and I fished it out of my pocket. “Hello?”

  “Shelby? This is Gabriel Dumont. Are you someplace safe?”

  “Yes.”

  “That is good. I have news. We made it to the house; in fact, I’m here now. The men cleared out before we arrived, but we found Blake and another man in the cellar.”

  “Oh... yes, that would be Mason,” I said. “He was with us. So are they okay?”