by Tess Summers
“How would it even be possible for someone to get inside here?”
“I’m not sure.” He cocked his head. “Do you have any idea?”
The way he was looking at her put her on edge.
“I don’t have a clue. Don’t you have surveillance cameras throughout the house?”
“Yes, but apparently there was a brief blackout while we were in Belize. Since we weren’t here, security wasn’t too concerned.”
She nodded thoughtfully. That probably meant he didn’t suspect she was behind it; at least his ire wasn’t with her.
He cut his steak with a fork and knife and continued, “Luckily, José decided to sweep the place in preparation for my uncle’s visit this weekend.”
Her heart dropped. “Which uncle is coming?” she asked, nervously taking a bite of the delicious dinner Rosa had prepared.
“Enrique.”
The food in her mouth suddenly tasted like ash, and she chewed slowly, forcing herself to swallow instead of spit it out in her napkin.
“Oh. I didn’t know you’d planned that.”
“Yeah, I actually put it on the books just before we left for Belize.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why didn’t you tell me? When we were talking about it?”
His brows knitted together. “Talking about it? When were we talking about it?”
“When you said you should have a belated birthday party,” she quickly exclaimed, noticing the frustration in her voice. She needed to squelch that. Her persona was supposed to be accommodating and demure—although she often forgot and slipped out of character.
Dante grabbed her hand with a patient smile. “Baby, this isn’t a birthday party. This is my uncle coming to visit on business. I didn’t think I needed to discuss that with you since it really doesn’t affect you—although I will expect you to join us for dinner, so maybe I should have.”
“No, of course, you don’t have to discuss who you invite into your home…”
He cut her off. “Not sure if you’ve noticed, sweetheart, but it’s our home now.”
Of course she had, and her heart was breaking in two that it was all coming to an end by this weekend. She wasn’t ready. She needed more time with him.
Yet, she knew there was no way he was going to want to be with her after she assassinated his uncle. Hell, there was no way the agency would allow her to be with him once she completed her mission. More time with him would only make things harder in the end.
Still, she wanted to cry.
Dante squeezed her hand. “What’s the matter, baby?”
She feigned her best debutante smile. “Nothing. I’m just nervous whether or not your uncle will like me. I mean, what if he doesn’t?”
“Just be your charming self, and I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“I don’t have very much time to prepare,” she mused. She was going to have to utilize all her free time for prepping this, and Dante hadn’t afforded her a lot of spare time lately—not that she’d minded, until now.
“What’s to prepare?” he said with an amused smirk.
“The dinner menu, making sure the guest suite is ready, my outfit… I’m going to have to get my hair and nails done. And that’s just what I can think of off the top of my head!”
He tilted his head. “I think you’re stressing yourself out over nothing. We have staff to handle all the arrangements for his arrival—they’ve prepared for hundreds of guests over the years: they’ve gotten quite good at it. Go get your hair and nails done and do some shopping on Friday when he arrives. We’ll be busy until dinner. Everything’s going to be fine. This really isn’t a big deal.” He paused, then said quietly, “Is it?”
Ruby swallowed hard. It wasn’t like she could say, “Well, I need to figure out how and when I’m going to kill your uncle this weekend; thus ending anything we have. Which is for the best, considering I’m not who you think I am, so yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.”
She gave a polite smile. “No, of course, you’re right. I’m just nervous—I want your family to like me.”
****
Dante
He’d come to know her smiles—the ones that were genuine and the ones where she was playing her role—placating him, and the smile she had on her face right now pissed him off. He was going to punish her for it later.
The bugs in his office weren’t the only ones on the estate—there were two in his bedroom and several inactivate ones in her closet buried in a secret compartment in one of her purses. He knew those were hers, the ones she originally arrived with but never put to use. That’s also why he was confident the ones they’d found today hadn’t been planted by her. Plus the timing of it seemed to be while they were gone.
This weekend was obviously going to be a major crossroads in their relationship. She either decided not to go through with her mission, thereby choosing Dante, and if that was the case—he was fucking marrying her before Sunday arrived. Or, she came clean with him, and him with her about the planned coup, and she still followed through with her mission while they figured out a way to make their relationship work. Or, Option C, the one he prayed she didn’t choose—she completed her mission and slipped away from him forever. Any scenario’s outcome benefitted him but the last one… well, that one would hurt—that much he knew.
He had a feeling which she was going to choose. His birthday weekend had been an epic fantasy—a lovefest of fucking, laughing, and growing closer. If she hadn’t confessed everything then, she never would.
Still, he held out hope that when it came down to making a decision, she’d choose him in the end. He guessed he’d find out soon enough.
In the meantime, he was going to spend as much time with—and in—her as he could, reminding her who she really belonged with.
Chapter Twelve
Dante
He stood in the doorway of the library watching her reading, curled up on the chaise by the window. Holding up the wine bottle and glasses he had in his hands, he asked, “Do you want to have some wine by the pool? It’s a nice night for a swim.”
She looked up from her book and nodded. “That sounds nice. Should I get changed?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. We can slip in the water naked.” He winked at her and was rewarded with her amused grin as she shook her head.
“How did I know that’s what you’d say?”
“Because you know I’d never pass up a chance to get you naked.”
Ruby set her book down and stood, walking to where he was waiting. She slid her hands around his waist and looked up at him with a soft smile. “Aw, baby. You know I’ll gladly get naked with you anytime.”
Dante kissed her forehead then gestured with his head, “Come on.”
She sat between his legs while they shared a patio lounger, and he poured them each a glass of wine. Taking a sip, she commented, “This is really good.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s from our winery we just bought.”
“You own a winery?”
“Well, the family company does. I signed the paperwork an hour before I met you. That’s why I’d stopped by the bar that evening to have a celebratory drink.”
“You’ve never told me what your family’s company does.”
He took a drink as he warred with something. Did he tell her the truth—or at least some semblance of the truth with the hopes that she’d do the same? Had it been fair of him to want her to be honest with him if he hadn’t willing to be honest with her—even though he knew that she already knew the truth about him?
“Well, I wasn’t exactly lying—what I told you before. I’m the moneyman for the Guzman drug cartel. We do a lot of illegal things, but we’re working on phasing in some legal things too.”
She was silent. He knew he’d just thrown her for a loop with his honesty and was hoping she was contemplating doing the same thing with him.
Ruby gulped her wine down, still not having said anything in response. Finally, he asked
, “Baby? Are you okay? Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to process what you’ve just told me.” She turned, so she was facing him. “Why would you tell me something like this?”
“It just felt important that if we’re going to have a future together that I be honest with you. I want you to know the real me.”
She stared at him a long time, her conflict about what to do next was plain as day in her green eyes. He could feel the battle taking place within her, and he found himself holding his breath as he waited for what she was going to do.
Tears filled her eyes, and she whispered, “Dante… I—”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Tell me what you’re thinking, baby. It’s okay.”
She was silent again, staring at the water in the pool rather than looking at him. When she finally did return his gaze, it was like he was watching her close down anything she had truly felt. The sadness was evident in her eyes although she offered a weak smile. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. This is a lot to wrap my head around.”
He nodded silently. The realization this wasn’t going to go how he’d hoped slowly sank in. He swung his legs to the edge of the lounger to stand. “I’ll give you some space.”
She reached for his hand. “No. Don’t. Please?”
Her mask was firmly back in place, and he fucking hated it. He had no one but himself to blame for the ache in his heart. He’d known who she was when he started this charade. Getting her to fall in love with him had blown up in his face. He’s the one who fell—hard.
He punished her harder that night than he’d had any time before, something she actually seemed to revel in since she begged him not to stop. Maybe it was cathartic for them both—he didn’t know.
They didn’t discuss the cartel again, and Friday seemed to be looming like an out of control freight train headed toward them at full speed. Dante just didn’t know who was going to be on the tracks when the train finally came through.
****
Ruby
His admission about his involvement with the cartel had nearly caused her to confess everything. He’d trusted her—maybe she could do the same with him? But he’d trusted Ruby—an oil heiress who wasn’t a threat to his freedom, not Kennedy—a CIA agent.
Was there a there a way for them to be together and have a happily ever after? How would that even be possible? He was a criminal. Everything he was involved in throughout his day-to-day life, she’d devoted her life to fighting. It was a pipe dream—love wasn’t going to conquer all. Not for them.
Still, when he’d look at her and smile, she desperately wanted to find a way to make it happen.
As if being able to sense her wavering, her handler sent a report of Enrique’s latest exploits—complete with pictures. Headless bodies always bothered her. Decapitating someone was such an intimate act, and she firmly believed you had to be soulless to be able to commit such an atrocity.
Or order it done.
Was Dante involved with such orders? Her heart and gut said no, but that could also just be wishful thinking. Although the intelligence seemed to agree with her.
When Enrique was taken out, there was going to be a power void in the cartel. All reports seemed to indicate Ramon, Enrique’s younger brother, was the most likely candidate to fill it, and that Ramon and Dante were aligned. Dante would become even more powerful in the organization. Oddly, knowing that made her decision easier and brought her some comfort. Even though there was no way she could be involved with a criminal for real, maybe there wouldn’t be as much brutality if Dante had more influence. Maybe something good could come from her deceit.
Or maybe he’d take his rage over her betrayal out on the world.
Find out what happens next in Inferno! Agents of Ensenada—Book One.
http://bit.ly/InfernoTessSummers
Other works by Tess Summers:
Inferno
Agents of Ensenada, Book 1
Kennedy Jones
I’m a special agent with the CIA, and I’m good at what I do. In fact, I’m considered one of the best. I can play the role of anyone and eliminating bad guys without them seeing me coming is my forte—which is why I was chosen to take down the head of the Guzman family.
Dante Guzman is a ruthless, sexy, cold-hearted cartel money-man. And now it’s my job to study him, learn his likes and dislikes—in and out of the bedroom—so I can gain his trust and access to his uncle, the head of the Ensenada cartel.
I just didn’t count on falling into Dante’s clutches.
Every second I spend with him he manages to pull me further and further into his world. And the more time I spend there, the deeper I slip into the darkness with him, the more I realize…
I like it.
Dante Guzman
Don’t let my good manners fool you—I’m one cold-hearted SOB, and I control the family’s monetary affairs with an iron fist. There’s no place for weakness in my world. Show weakness, and you die. As simple as that.
So when a petite, feisty, hot-as-hell bombshell storms into my life, I didn’t stop to think about the consequences of keeping her. I wanted her, and I always get what I want. Period.
Turns out, the stakes were too high…for the both of us. And there’s going to be hell to pay if we’re going to be together, to one form of the devil or another.
Get your copy of Inferno!
http://bit.ly/InfernoTessSummers
Combustion
Agents of Ensenada, Book 2
She was meant to be mine—I knew it the moment we met. Too bad I’m about to kidnap her.
Mason Hughes
As a decorated CIA agent, I know better than to kidnap a former colleague’s sister and hold her hostage on a ship in the middle of the ocean. The agency tends to frown on that sort of behavior. But desperate times call for desperate measures; I have my reasons, and they’re good ones. I’ll be forgiven with a slap to the wrist—at least for that part of the mission.
Until I tie Reagan Jones up and can’t resist her when she presses her tight little body against mine. That’s probably not so forgivable.
Then there’s the issue of falling in love with her and refusing to let her go once the mission is over. Definitely not forgivable.
I have no idea what I’m thinking—we can’t be together; it’s not safe for her. I’m a spy, and she’s a feisty art instructor from Fargo. Not exactly the perfect match.
Or is it?
Get your copy of Combustion here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PLMK5DM
Reignited
Agents of Ensenada, Book 3
He’s known as the CIA’s top mercenary fixer. But he can’t fix this.
Jacob Smith
Seven years.
Seven long miserable years since he’d ripped his heart from his chest and left it on her doorstep when he walked away from her. But, he’d had no choice.
At least, he’d thought he hadn’t. He was too entrenched in the CIA’s underground world to safely ever have a wife and family.
But now, after turning his CIA dealings into a very lucrative mercenary career, here he was, about to embark on a ten-day cruise with his cabin next to hers, not by coincidence—although she didn’t know it yet.
He wasn’t known as a ‘fixer’ for nothing. Maybe it was time to try to fix his broken heart, and hers—if she’d let him. And that was a big if, given how he’d shattered hers so long ago.
Reignited is Book Three in the Agents of Ensenada series. Each book is a standalone, with a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers.
Get it here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YK8CFYY
San Diego Social Scene series:
Operation Sex Kitten—Book One
The General’s Desire—Book Two
Playing Dirty—Book Three
Cinderella and the Marine—Book Four
The Playboy and the SWAT Princess—FREE Bonus Book
The He
iress and the Mechanic—Book Five
Burning Her Resolve—Book Six
Acknowledgements
Renee Rose—Thank you for beta reading and offering your always sage advice. I love you, woman!
Simone Elise—Thank you for making this book better with your edits. I freaking hate commas so much.
OliviaProDesigns—another amazing cover.
Steph Armstrong, Jill Garrett, and all the Tess Summers’ Sizzling Playhouse Group—you guys are the reason I even log onto Facebook these days. Thanks for making our group such a fun, upbeat place to hang out.
My dear readers—Thank you for letting me continue to do what I love doing every day and for loving my characters as much as I do.
Last, but not least, Mr. Summers—25 years is a long time to have to legally put up with me. Thanks for always making me feel special. It’s been a fun ride and am looking forward to the next twenty-five.
About the Author
Tess Summers is a former businesswoman and teacher who always loved writing but never seemed to have time to sit down and write a short story, let alone a novel. Now battling MS, her life changed dramatically, and she has finally slowed down enough to start writing all the stories she’s been wanting to tell, including the fun and sexy ones!
Married over twenty-five years with three grown children, Tess is a former dog foster mom who ended up failing and adopting them instead. She and her husband (and their six dogs) split their time between the desert of Arizona and the lakes of Michigan, so she’s always in a climate that’s not too hot and not too cold, but just right!
