Radha was about to reach for her purse when Zack slipped a card onto the bench. She caught a glimpse of the name as it slid by—Declan Podsby. Oh, good lord, they were using fake names. She’d have to ask Zack later where he’d got that card from.
The clerk swiped the card and made them fill in the paperwork. Radha took the pen from Zack the instant she saw him hesitating with his left hand. He’d already told her he was still practising with his left, and he didn’t want to show his scarred right, which was buried deep in his pocket.
She signed her name as Rupali Podsby. She figured if she was playing in another identity, she may as well have a name meaning ‘beautiful’.
The clerk didn’t even read the application as he shoved it in a drawer the instant she was done. She got the impression he saw a lot of those pages, and very few of them held truthful information.
He handed them the key and gave them directions to their room. He looked away the second they grabbed the key, dismissing them from his mind.
Relief washed over Radha. She’d done it! The clerk hadn’t been suspicious at all.
Zack hefted the duffel bag he still held and led them to the staircase. Radha trailed after him, taking in the unfortunate surrounds of the hotel. When they reached the first landing, a prickle on the back of her neck made her turn. She caught a glimpse of the clerk ducking his head and looking away.
She frowned as unease settled in her stomach. Maybe he had been suspicious, and was simply good at hiding it.
Zack nudged her. “Hey,” he whispered. “Are you okay?”
She nodded as they rounded the corner, the clerk disappearing from her view.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She gave him a tight smile, and Zack didn’t question her.
They made it to their room without incident. Thankfully, the room was in better shape than the lobby. It was at least clean, and the carpet had been replaced sometime in the last decade. But there was a slight musty odour to the faded, geometrically-patterned bedspread, and the curtains had paled from too many years in direct sunlight.
The room was dominated by a double bed—one that seemed far too small considering the two of them would be sleeping in it tonight. She purposefully avoided looking at it, thinking of what it meant. Unless…they had kissed earlier. Sort of. Maybe this could be an opportunity to explore that further? She shelved that thought for later.
Radha couldn’t sit still, so she wandered the room. There wasn’t much to see, but it helped dispel her nervous energy.
Zack, by contrast, immediately sank onto the bed. “It’s late,” he reminded her. “You should get some sleep.”
“I don’t think I can. What if they’re out there looking for us?”
“They won’t find us.” There was a quiet certainty in his voice that calmed her. “And if they do, then I’ll protect you.”
“If these are the same people that murdered Louis…” She hesitated. “These people are killers, Zack.”
He was silent for a long moment, his muscles taut, staring at her with an intensity that made her skin itch. “So am I,” he murmured, and Radha’s chest constricted. “I may have done it in service to the military, but I’m no stranger to death. I can protect you. I will.”
Radha’s heart leapt to her throat and she swallowed.
“Thank you,” she told him.
He gave a curt nod, then stood.
“I need to use the bathroom for a bit.” He pulled a gun out of the duffel bag he’d hefted into his hand and laid it on the nightstand. “If you need anything, just yell. You really should get some sleep.”
With that, he closed the bathroom door behind him, leaving Radha with only her thoughts.
Zack cursed himself as he rummaged through the duffel bag. Why the hell had he gone and said all that stuff about being a killer? No doubt she’d be even more frightened of him than the people after them.
He’d been distracted and antsy since seeing the bed, knowing they’d have to share if he wanted to get any sleep tonight. It was the right choice, sharing a room, for protection’s sake. But it didn’t mean it would be easy on his willpower.
Finally finding the tube he’d been looking for, he eased his shirt off and twisted the cap off. He sighed with relief as the fabric left his skin. Since the accident, his scarred skin was easily irritated and often dry. Though he wore soft, loose cotton when he could, all the action from earlier in the evening had chafed his skin.
He squeezed out some of the moisturiser into his palm and rubbed it into his skin where he could reach. He kept tubes of the stuff in all the emergency packs for just this reason, as he never knew when it would come in handy.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Zack?”
He cursed under his breath, glancing down at his scarred chest. But he was meant to be protecting her. His pride would have to take a back seat.
He opened the door, trying to keep as much of his right side behind it as possible.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Her eyes were dark pools in the dim light from the overhead bulb. “I was thinking about my mother. The last time a cop showed up at her door about me, it was to tell her I was arrested. Are you sure there’s no way I can talk to her? Assure her I’m all right?”
Zack’s heart cracked a little at seeing her concern.
“Radha, for now, the best thing you can do is stay away from her. That’s what will keep her safe.”
Something pained passed across her face. Her voice grew hoarse, urgent. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her because of me.”
“Hey.” Zack pushed away from the door, no longer thinking of his pride. He held out his arms to her, and without hesitation she moved into his embrace. He held her close, feeling the tension in every line of her body.
“I’m afraid,” she whispered into his shoulder, her breath brushing his skin. He rubbed a hand over her back, smooth and comforting.
“I know,” he told her. His voice was a deep rumble. “But I promise it will all be okay. Trust me.”
She took a shaky breath, pulling back enough to glance up at him. “I do. I do trust you.”
The quiet conviction in her voice made his heart thrum. He wanted to kiss her again, feel her lips against his. But he didn’t know whether it would be welcome. The previous time could easily have been misinterpreted on his part—a mistake on hers. Besides, she was scared. Vulnerable. He couldn’t take advantage.
Realising that he still held her, Zack quickly dropped his hands.
“Destiny says she’ll protect your parents. And I’ll protect you. Try to believe that, and get some sleep. We don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”
“And you trust her?” she asked, still thinking of her parents and Destiny. “She tried to arrest you for obstruction of a murder investigation a week ago.”
“With my life,” he told her.
“Okay,” she murmured.
Zack stood, and Radha’s eyes slid down to his chest. All the shame Zack had put aside came flooding back in a hot wave.
“Sorry, I’ll just…”
“I didn’t realise it extended so far,” Radha told him.
He cleared his throat as he moved passed her. “Yeah, it’s all down my right side.”
“Is that a treatment?” she asked. He turned, seeing her nod at the tube in his hand.
“Ah, yeah.”
A look of determination crossed her face. Zack waited, his breath caught in his lungs.
“Do you need help?” she asked. “For your back?”
Have her hands on him? His skin heated at the thought, his groin stirring with interest.
“If you’re sure?” he asked, needing to be certain it was what she wanted.
She nodded and held out her hand. Helpless against all the logical reasons he shouldn’t be doing this, he placed the tube in her hand.
His heart beat a wild, unsteady rhythm against his ribcage as she stepped closer to him. Her eyes locked onto his as she
sauntered forward. His imagination teased him, telling him there was an extra sway to her hips—just for him.
He squeezed his eyes shut and presented her with his back. He waited for a long, breathless moment.
When her hands finally settled on him, he exhaled heavily. The receptors in his skin had been dulled by the scarring, but he could still feel the light echo of her hands on him. She was soft at first; hesitant. But when he didn’t object, her swoops grew bolder.
He couldn’t breathe. It was such an exquisite pleasure to have her hands on him, running over his scarred skin. As if it didn’t matter. As if he was whole.
His heart tilted in his chest, throwing his world off kilter. Radha. Radha was touching him. She stood close enough that he could feel the heat of her skin, her soft exhales against his back.
He’d too long denied himself physical touch. Now, his body reacted with years of pent-up longing. And more specifically, longing for this woman.
Zack could no longer deny it. He’d fallen for her. Completely hopelessly, and unethically, he’d somehow managed to give his heart away.
Her movements slowed. Surely she was done? But he wasn’t about to be the one that stopped her. He burned for her, aching for her hands to continue around his front and lower.
He shouldn’t be thinking this way, shouldn’t be thinking of taking advantage. But it felt so good.
“Radha,” he rasped, turning to look over his shoulder at her. He had no idea what he intended to say, whether he would ask her to come closer or to stop before he embarrassed himself.
But she made the decision for him, snatching her hands away and stepping back until she was nearly against the opposite wall. Zack could see her out of the corner of his eye, her expression shell-shocked.
Self-hatred slammed into him. She’d been doing something thoughtful, and he’d sexualised it, made it sordid. He must have given himself away. No wonder she couldn’t look at him.
“I’m so sorry you had to do that,” he said, more bitterly than he’d intended.
She blinked, coming back to herself. “But…”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I appreciate your help. If it’s all right with you, I’m going to finish getting ready for bed.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” She got the hint, moving out of the bathroom with a furrow of confusion on her brow. She turned back one last time, her mouth open as if to say something.
Zack gently closed the door on her, unable to hear what she might say when he still felt so raw and exposed. He took a deep, shuddering breath and gathered himself back together.
By the time he came out of the bathroom, the room was dark—lit only by the light seeping in around the edges of the curtains. His eyes adjusted quickly. Radha was under the covers, her back to him on the far side of the bed. He didn’t know whether she was really asleep or just pretending, but either way he was grateful to not have to face her.
He lifted the covers and slid beneath, trying not to jostle the mattress. He lay there, staring at the ceiling as he contemplated his next move. He needed to sleep, to recharge. But could he risk falling asleep next to Radha in a too-small bed, considering where his subconscious had been wandering?
He’d have to risk it, and hope he was more of a gentleman asleep than awake. If he could sleep at all.
Chapter 15
Radha dozed fitfully, conscious of Zack’s presence beside her, and stewing over his behaviour from before.
She hadn’t really meant to offer to help him with his treatment. She’d thought it would be a nice gesture—a thank you of sorts. Maybe even break the ice about their kiss earlier. If, in the back of her mind, she’d thought it might have led to more…well, now she knew he wasn’t interested in that.
Instead of helping him, she’d managed to upset him, and unsettle herself. She didn’t blame him for being angry at her for getting so personal with him, but she could definitely blame herself for getting so carried away. His back had been so tempting; strong and muscled, flexing beneath her hands. She’d wanted to keep touching it forever.
It was strange. After so long of trying to think of him as a colleague—off limits, completely inappropriate—something shifted in her tonight. It felt like they were in their own little world out of time, away from the real world.
Considering how surreal the events of the evening had been—from finding out Victor’s involvement in everything that had happened, to the assault team—Radha wasn’t surprised she no longer felt like she was in the real world.
Now, she found herself lying bed next to the man she had a crush on—and it was, unfortunately, a completely platonic situation. He had shuffled closer to her about an hour ago. She’d held her breath hoping he’d take her into his arms, or otherwise make a move, but she was destined to be disappointed. Now, his breathing was deep and even. Radha hoped that meant he was asleep, instead of stewing angrily over her behaviour. Perhaps, by morning, she could apologise like an adult and they could both forget it ever happened.
Lulled by the thought, Radha slipped into a deeper sleep with a soft sigh.
What felt like seconds later, she was rudely awoken by a loud crash, followed by intense shouts. It took a few moments for her sleep-fogged brain to register what was happening.
Figures—at least four—hovered at the foot of the bed. Zack sat next to her, vibrating with intensity. Radha’s heart fluttered with fear, her breathing coming fast.
They’d been found.
“Hit the lights,” said a male voice. The light flickered on. Radha squinted against the glare. Slowly, carefully, she sat up to get a better view—only to find three gun muzzles pointed in her direction. The fourth was pointed at Zack.
He had his own gun pointed in the direction of the men in dark t-shirts. He must have reacted instantly, the second the bad guys had touched the door. But they were still trapped and outnumbered. Four men between them and the door.
And, now, they were in a standoff.
“Kill her and you die,” said Zack.
The guy in front scoffed, and Radha had an inkling of recognition. “You can’t kill us all before we take her down,” he said contemptuously.
“So which one of you wants to die first?” Zack asked.
The two men on the left shifted uneasily. The leader turned to glare at them.
“I assume you’re Victor’s men?” Zack asked.
“How did you find out?” the leader asked.
“About Victor? There were only a few operations in town that could pull off something this big. All signs pointed to him.”
The leader rolled his eyes, and suddenly Radha realised where she knew him from.
“Diego?” she asked, a slight tremor in her voice.
His eyes snapped to hers, searching. “Radha?” he asked. “My Radha?”
“Hey!” Zack said, leaning forward aggressively. Radha put a hand on his shoulder to keep him back. He subsided, but she could feel the tension thrumming beneath her fingers.
“Diego, I had no idea you were still working for Victor.”
He cleared his throat, the familiar lines of his face deepening with a frown. He was different now, older, and harder. Not the eager boy she’d known, but a cynical man worn down by a life he never wanted.
“It’s a living,” he said eventually. “Only so many of those you can find once you have a criminal record.”
Sadness sliced through her, clear and cutting. Diego had deserved so much better than the hand life had dealt him.
“And you’re here to kill us, now?”
He hesitated. “We’re here to stop you.”
“And isn’t that the same thing?” she asked quietly.
She could feel Zack’s gaze on her, questioning her. But she kept her eyes on Diego, appealing to the young man she’d once loved. She sensed him wavering, knew he didn’t want to follow through on his orders. She just hoped she was more persuasive than Victor Garrera.
“Radha, you know what this man is,”
Diego told her.
“And I know the man you are,” she replied, stubborn and earnest.
For a long moment, Radha thought she’d won. She saw the hesitation in his eyes, the drooping of his gun. Her heart leapt with excitement, the taste of freedom on her lips.
But it didn’t last. He tensed again, his weapon coming up, his trigger finger ready. Her heart leapt into her throat. Zack shifted next to her, drawing the attention of the other three guys. He was readying himself for the inevitable shootout, no doubt would throw himself in front of any danger in an effort to save her.
Zack would kill for her, and maybe even die for her.
She couldn’t let it happen.
“Wait!” Radha cried. “What if you bought him something more valuable?”
The room stilled.
“What do you mean?” asked Diego.
Radha braced herself. She thought of Jeri, and her faith in Radha over the years; and she thought of Zack, dead, to save her. There really was no choice.
“I can give you the casino,” she said. “All of the money, which will be hundreds of millions. I know all the security procedures, the timings, everything. It can all be Victor’s, as long as he spares us.”
“Radha…” Zack said. There was a warning in his voice, and worry.
“Let me do this, Zack.” She still couldn’t look at him, couldn’t see his expression, or she might change her mind.
Diego scoffed. “You’re only saying that so I don’t kill you.”
“Maybe, but surely it’s a worthwhile trade.” She kept her face expressionless.
“I don’t know if Victor would go for it. It’s a big risk, and he won’t trust you. If he thinks you’re a threat, he’ll kill you anyway.”
“Well, it’s worth asking. He’s a smart man. Surely he won’t pass up an opportunity for such easy money.”
Diego stepped forward, his gun once again lowering. “You’d do that? Risk everything on a chance?”
Radha swallowed past the lump in her throat, ignoring the burn of tears in her eyes. “To live? Yes.”
Diego watched, warily. “How do I know you aren’t playing us? This might be some kind of ploy that would put us all in danger. If I kill you now, he never needs to know you made this offer.” Diego’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.
Dangerous Victor: (Soldiering On #3) Page 10
