❧
"Good morning, Tio," Angie sang as she came into the breakfast room where Lorenzo and Zeke were eating. She leaned over and kissed her uncle on the cheek. "Isn't this the most beautiful morning?" She pulled out one of the chairs and sat before either man could assist her. "Good morning, Zeke. Did you sleep well?"
Zeke had known he was in big trouble as soon as she came through the door. She glowed, radiating contentment and goodwill, looking adorable. How had this slip of a woman managed to wrap him so securely around her little finger?
And did she have to look quite so well loved this morning? A blind man would have noticed the sheen of sexual satisfaction on her face, and Lorenzo was far from blind.
He met her gaze with an impassive one of his own. "I slept passably well, under the circumstances. And you?"
"What circumstances?" Lorenzo growled, looking up from his meal.
Zeke arched a brow. "Another new bed to adjust to. I haven't slept in the same bed twice in several days."
"Oh." Lorenzo looked back at his breakfast.
Angie caught Zeke's eye and grinned, obviously delighted with herself. He held her gaze without smiling and said, "Lorenzo, I'd like to have a few moments of your time after breakfast, if possible."
The older man nodded without comment.
"I thought I'd go to the village this morning, Tio, if you have no objections. I want to look around, visit with some of the young mothers, talk with them about the possibility of starting a preschool."
Lorenzo carefully replaced his eating utensils beside his plate. "Does that mean you don't intend to return to Madrid?"
Her clear-eyed gaze met his. "Don't you want me here?"
The gauntlet lay on the table. Zeke took a sip from his cup and waited.
"It isn't a case of not wanting you. I'm concerned for your safety. Zeke said you knew the problem with the plane was not an accident. The plane wasn't the first problem with sabotage I've run into. You asked yesterday why I have so many men working for me? Well, I needed to increase the security around here in order to ensure everyone's safety."
Angie had been filling her plate while he talked. When he paused, she looked up and said, "Why are these things happening?"
"Because of my success. Someone is trying to take over. I've had problems at the farms who sell me their wool, the manufacturing plant continues to have delays and inexplicable breakdowns. Several of my shipments into the States have been stopped at the border."
"You think a competitor is doing this?"
"Or someone who is determined to drive me out of business in any way he can."
She glanced at Zeke before looking back at her uncle. "Is that why Zeke works for you?"
"Yes. He's been immensely helpful in setting up some defense strategies."
"I see." She studied her plate thoughtfully, then picked up her fork and began to eat.
After a brief silence, Lorenzo said, "If you still want to go to the village, I'll send one of the men with you. Anyone who knows me knows that you are very dear to me. I don't want to take a chance on someone trying to harm you."
She reached for Lorenzo's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you for explaining, Tio. I love you. I don't wish to make anything more difficult for you. This is why you didn't want me to come home, isn't it?"
He nodded. "I had hoped to resolve some of these problems before you came." He smiled at her. "I must admit, however, that I'm very pleased you're here. I have no desire to see you leave, ever again."
Zeke shoved back his chair. "I have a few things I want to check on. I'll meet you in your office in half an hour, if that's all right."
"Fine."
Zeke had to get out of there before he said something. How could a man who obviously loved his niece put her through all of this? Why didn't he just turn himself in and let the authorities handle it? Why would he want to jeopardize her life?
He had been mulling over what he was going to do about the situation since he woke up the second time that morning. Angie had still been asleep, a soft smile shaping her mouth. He'd thought about it during his shower, getting dressed, and during his silent breakfast with Lorenzo.
He had to use his own judgment. He had to decide what he could do that would benefit everyone and still have the desired outcome.
Somehow he had to devise a plan that would protect Angie from what was going to happen to her uncle.
❧
When Zeke walked into Lorenzo's office, the older man nodded. Zeke sat down across the desk from him.
"What's on your mind?" Lorenzo asked.
"I want to know what your game is."
Lorenzo raised his brows. "I'm not following you."
"Why did you choose to put me in the bedroom next to Angie's?"
Lorenzo almost smiled. "How do you know I did?"
"I know. So why are you setting me up?"
Lorenzo picked up a pen on his desk and began to turn it end over end. After a long silence, he said, "I've noticed the interest you've taken in my niece from the beginning. You were fascinated by her picture from the day you first walked into my office."
"Your niece is a beautiful woman. How could I not notice?"
"You need to understand that Angela is the only family I have left. I loved and admired her father. He was my hero. When I lost him and his wife, I vowed to make up their loss to Angela. I never wanted her to go without anything. I've worked years to ensure that she would be financially secure."
Dropping the pen onto the desk, he looked at Zeke. "What I finally came to realize is that Angela needs a strong man who can look after her interests once I'm gone."
Zeke began to see where this conversation was headed. He felt cold beads of moisture form across his forehead. He was right. He'd been set up.
"I want you to know that I don't intend to stand in the way of a relationship between you and Angela."
"A relationship," Zeke carefuly repeated.
Lorenzo nodded. "Yes. My Angela is a woman now. I have seen the way she looks at you, the way she behaves around you. I know you're attracted to her, as well."
Zeke continued to stare at him without expression, his mind racing with all the implications of Lorenzo's words.
"You want me to marry your niece," he finally stated in a neutral tone.
Lorenzo smiled. "Would that be so bad?"
"You know nothing about me, Lorenzo. Neither does she."
Lorenzo nodded. "Which is exactly why I rechecked your background. You've had an interesting life. You're a tough man, but from everything I've been able to determine, you've been a fair one. You would care for Angela, I believe, and protect her from harm."
"You don't question me about loving her."
Lorenzo shrugged. "Whether you love her at this point or not, you want her. I've seen it in your eyes. You're what she needs. She is what you want. I have reason to think the alliance would work."
"What about her feelings regarding all of this?"
"I'll leave all of that to your discretion. It's up to you to court her. I'm telling you that you will run into no obstacles where I'm concerned."
"On the contrary, you've decided to keep us in close proximity."
"And let nature takes its course... yes."
"What makes you think I want marriage from her?"
"I don't. However, rest assured I'll slit your throat if you dishonor her. You have my promise on that."
Zeke studied the older man for a moment. "You missed your calling, boss. You should have been a matchmaker."
"Don't hurt her, Zeke."
"She knows nothing about me, about my background. She would be appalled to know what I've done in the past."
"She doesn't ever need to know. You have a new profession here, taking over my position someday. Men are plotting to take what I am freely offering you."
Zeke stood. "You're placing a great deal of trust in me, Lorenzo."
The older man stood, as well. "Yes."
Zeke was the first t
o turn away.
❧
Zeke left the house and remained gone all day. He talked with the men who were on guard duty at the gate of the compound. He checked with the men in charge of the guard dogs and the surveillance cameras.
He avoided both Lorenzo and Angie, because he needed time to think. By the time he returned to the house that night, only the men on guard in the house were stirring. Silently Zeke climbed the stairs and entered his room.
After a long, hot shower he pulled on his jeans and stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the tranquillity of the night air. There were no sounds in the house or the courtyard. The walled garden looked serene in the starlight. He noted that Angle's doors were closed but made no effort to discover if they were locked.
As much as he had missed her today, as much as he wanted to see her now, he knew that if he saw her, he'd ignore all the reasons why he had to leave her alone and he'd make love to her.
How could this situation have happened to him? Never before in his career had he allowed himself to become emotionally involved.. .either with the situation or with a person.
However, he had to face the fact that he was deeply involved in this situation and there was no one with whom he could discuss the matter. Frank had been adamant about not breaking his cover for any reason.
He muttered an unprintable word under his breath.
The irony of the situation didn't escape him. Lorenzo was actually grooming him to take his place! If the plane incident hadn't been so dangerous, he might suspect Lorenzo of haying planned for them to be marooned together. Had Lorenzo's anger that first night been an act? Had he hoped that Zeke would stay with Angie, anyway, taking advantage of the situation?
The ensuing nights had certainly played right into Lorenzo's hands to further his own personal agenda. What if Lorenzo knew Zeke was working for the United States government? What if he were using Angie as the Judas goat to lure Zeke into the trap? If so, the trap should be ready to be sprung at any time.
Was Angie aware of how she was being used, as well? He thought back over the past few days and knew beyond any doubt that she was as innocent as she appeared, which made what Lorenzo was doing even more reprehensible. Lorenzo was in such a habit of manipulating the people and events around him that he didn't hesitate to sacrifice the xmly family member he had.
Zeke knew that he had to do something, and soon. He was going to have to risk discovery and get into that office, perhaps bluffing his way out if he were caught.
He couldn't afford to hang around here much longer if he expected to get out alive.
The only question remaining now was Angie. Could he walk away, leaving her to face all the consequences alone? How was she going to be able to cope with knowledge of who and what her uncle really was? Everything she had ever believed in, had ever loved, would be turned upside down, if Zeke was successful.
He felt a strong surge of pain rush through him. He gripped the railing of the balcony and closed his eyes. How could he knowingly cause her such anguish?
However, he'd made a commitment, he'd agreed to this assignment, and a great many lives depended on his carrying out his duties. There had been times in his life when he didn't much like himself or the career he had chosen.
Tonight was one of them.
He had destroyed her innocence. He had also risked getting her pregnant. Was he going to walk away and let her deal with the possible consequences alone?
He'd always been willing to pay for every decision he made. Could he turn his back on her now, knowing the price would be more than she could face alone? If she was pregnant and he left her, the disgrace would destroy her.
But he sure as hell didn't intend to hang around here and take over Lorenzo's flourishing drug trade!
Zeke wrestled with his demons for several hours until he decided on the only course of action he could live with.
Chapter 8
Angie snuggled against Zeke's large, warm body, loving the sensation of being pressed against the muscled surface, enjoying the feel of his warm breath against her cheek—
Her eyes flew open! Zeke was indeed in bed with her. This was no dream. He lay stretched out beside her, propped up on one elbow, watching her.
"Zeke! What are you doing in here? I—"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he murmured, leaning down and nuzzling beneath her ear.
"I mean, how did you get in here? I remember locking the door."
"Which wasn't very neighborly of you, was it?" He dipped his head and kissed the hollow between her breasts, revealed through her sheer cotton top.
"I didn't want the maid to come in and find you here in the morning."
He straightened, frowning. "Is there a possibility of that?"
"Yes. I wasn't in my room when she came in this morning. I had to make up a tale about where I was." She met his gaze. Her voice wavered slightly as she said, "We almost got caught."
"It certainly sounds that way, doesn't it?" he replied in a mild voice.
She eyed him uncertainly. "Don't you even care?"
"Actually, I do. That's why I'm here. I thought we needed to talk about the matter privately, without interruption." He didn't mention that he'd almost forgotten why he'd picked her lock and entered her room once he saw her lying there on the bed. She slept like a child, bonelessly relaxed, sprawled across the bed.
She touched his cheek. "I know I've been very foolish, allowing my attraction to you to lead me to behave in a way I never would have believed possible." She sighed. "Tip would be devastated if he knew." She dropped her gaze. "I had no idea I could be so weak."
"The thing is, Princess," he began slowly, as though picking his words with care. "There's a good chance that you may be pregnant."
Angie froze. His words had caught her completely off guard. She thought back over the intimate moments they had shared, her eyes widening with realization. "You mean when we—"
"Yes. When I didn't protect you."
She bit her lip, shaken by the fact that she had never considered the possibility. "I never thought about it. I just-"
"Yeah, well, I've thought about it. It's been on my mind all day. I've been trying to work out what to do and I think I've come up with a plan." Once again he paused.
"Well, we can wait to see—"
"Do you honesdy think I'm going to be able to keep my hands off you for the next few weeks, Princess? You're damned addictive and I'm permanently hooked. I need a lifetime with you."
She stared at him, uncertain of what he was trying to say. "I don't think I understand, Zeke."
"I want you to marry me."
Her mind blanked out with shock. When she could think again, she managed to say, "You would marry me, even though we've only known each other a few days? I thought I was the impulsive one, but even I wouldn't consider—"
"You do realize, don't you, that your uncle will horsewhip me if he discovers I've been in your bed? Surely you want to spare me that fate." Although the corners of his mouth were slightly curled into a half smile, Zeke's gaze had never been so intent.
She stared at him, bewildered. "You're really serious, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Do you really want to marry me? I mean, this isn't just a polite gesture on your part?"
The smile he gave her melted her heart. "I want to marry you and to keep you safe more than anything in the world."
Was it possible she was still dreaming? Any moment now she would wake up and discover that she was alone, that Zeke hadn't come into her bedroom, that he hadn't—
"I don't think Tio will approve. We've only known each other a few days. He will insist—"
"Do you trust me, Princess?"
She couldn't resist smoothing her fingers across his cheek. "With my life."
He closed his eyes briefly as though her words caused him pain. Then he said, "I want us to elope...now...tonight. We'll come back in a few days, after he's had time to adjust to the idea. By then our marriage will be an
accomplished fact and he'll recognize that there's nothing he can do but accept the matter."
"Tonight! But, it's—" She glanced around the room. "Are you sure we should do this?"
"Absolutely."
She rubbed her forehead, distracted. "My uncle will be furious with me. It will bring back memories of my younger school days when I was always doing something to shock the nuns."
He kissed her before saying, "Honey, I'm guessing the nuns would be pretty shocked with your behavior with me already. Getting married is the best damage control there is at this point."
"But we can't just leave. Tio will wonder what happened, where we are. He'll, be worried and upset."
"I thought of that. I've decided to leave him a message in his office. That way we know that he'll be the only one to find it."
"But he keeps his office locked."
"I'm aware of that. I'm also aware there are guards downstairs. However, I'm willing to take the chance if you are. I also know a way to get out of the compound without causing a stir. It's much easier to get out of here than it is to get inside. So why don't you gather a few things while I go downstairs? If I'm not back in half an hour, the safest thing for you to do is to go back to bed and forget we ever had this conversation."
"The safest thing? You aren't making sense. Leaving my uncle a note isn't dangerous, Zeke."
Once again he kissed her. "It is when I'm attempting to steal his most prized possession. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Zeke left her room through the balcony doors, leaving Angie bemused by the sudden turn of events.
Zeke didn't like the odds against him tonight but knew he was out of time. He had to get into Lorenzo's office without being discovered and he had to get Angie to a place of safety.
He didn't want to think about Frank's reaction when he told him that he'd married Lorenzo De la Garza's niece. More than likely he would be looking for a new job, and the current story going around about him would be validated.
Zeke left his room by way of the balcony. He lowered himself over the side and allowed himself to drop to the ground, landing in a crouch. The salon was next-door to Lorenzo's office. He could stay in the salon until the hallway was clear, then hope his skills picking the lock were sufficient to get him inside in the least amount of time possible.
Zeke Page 9
