"Let's hear it."
"I finally got a name—Benito Perez. I'm currently having him investigated, but I think we've identified our man."
"Have you ever heard of him before?"
"Yes. He wanted to buy into one of my companies.. .become a partner with me. I told him I worked alone. He wasn't pleased but I haven't heard anything further from him."
"What about the plane? Did you hear who was behind the cut oil line?"
"I spoke to the owner of the company who owns the hangar. I've used their facilities for years. He was shocked to hear about the accident and is currently having all personnel interrogated. It's possible we can trace something back to Perez." He paused, then reluctantly said, "I'll admit to sleeping better nights knowing that Angela's safe with you. I suppose you did what you felt best. I'm paying you for your judgment calls. I don't suppose I'll always agree with them, especially where my niece is concerned. She sounds happy enough, and I've only got myself to blame in the first place for suggesting you consider marrying her." In a brisk change of voice, he added, "Give me a number where I can reach you. As soon as we trap this guy I'll let you know. In the meantime, take care of my angel for me."
"Yeah, I'll do that," Zeke replied, and slowly hung up the phone. He met Angie's gaze. "He wasn't angry with you, was he?"
She smiled. "No, not really. It was good to talk to him. I apologized for running away with you. He said he'd grown used to my impetuous ways." She moved over to where Zeke sat and slid into his lap. "He didn't sound as though he was eager for us to return." "No, he didn't." "I wonder why?"
"I suppose he understood that we wanted some time alone."
She nuzzled his chin. "Well, if we aren't going to starve to death, we're going to have to do some shopping. Your poor cupboard is definitely bare."
Zeke also needed to make a private call to Frank. He glanced at his watch. Hugging her to him, he said, "Why don't you make a list of what we need and I'll go to the store. I need to get a haircut, as well." Placing a kiss on the tip of her nose, he said, "You'll probably enjoy having me out from underfoot for a couple of hours."
She smiled. "I could never get tired of being with you."
He came to his feet, still holding her. "Just keep that thought firmly in mind, Princess, while I show you what a domesticated animal I've become." He walked into the kitchen and sat her on the counter. After placing a pad and pencil in her hand, he said, "Make your list while I go shower." He gave her a slow, seductive kiss, pulling her legs around his waist and pressing her tightly against him.
"Are you sure you need to leave right away?" she whispered, rubbing her breasts against his chest.
He groaned and nibbled at her ear. "Aren't you hungry?"
She nodded, her eyes bright, then gave him an impish grin. "But not so hungry I can't wait," she admitted a little breathlessly when he dipped his head and nuzzled her breast through her cotton blouse.
Some types of gratification could be postponed, others couldn't, Zeke decided, hauling Angie into his arms once again and heading for the bedroom.
He'd call Frank later.
❧
By the time Angie showered and found something to wear sometime later, Zeke had left. Dreamily she changed the sheets and gathered up their laundry. For the first time since the ceremony, Angie realized that she felt truly married, taking care of domestic chores. Smiling at the idea, she carried the laundry down the hallway to the closet where the washer and dryer were installed.
She couldn't plan any meals until Zeke returned, but she could show him her housewifely skills by dusting and polishing the place. With only one bedroom, the apartment was small enough to be thoroughly cleaned in a relatively short while.
Humming with the current hit music being played on his stereo, Angie found the vacuum eleaner in a cluttered closet in the bedroom and lifted it from between a stack of boxes.
The disruption caused another box to slide off the stack and tumble upside down, dumping its contents around her feet. Stifling a muttered curse, Angie knelt and began to scoop up the mess, then paused when she recognized Zeke's picture on one of the documents.
Puzzled, she examined what looked to be a driver's license, but with someone else's name. The address was unknown, as well. She picked up what looked to be a passport. This, too, had a picture of Zeke, but the name and address listed were different.
Angie stared at the documents scattered around her feet with a sense of numbness. She could feel the heavy beat of her heart in her chest as it sluggishly pounded its rhythm. She forced herself to breathe—to inhale, to exhale—to remember the fundamental functions of her body as her mind began to whirl with questions and images.
She remembered the first time she had seen Zeke, waiting at the Mexico City airport. She remembered her reaction to him, even then. He held a fascination for her that was so strong she hadn't questioned the wisdom of believing him, of trusting him.
He worked for her uncle, didn't he? Her uncle would never have hired someone who wasn't trustworthy. Surely there was a rational explanation for what she had just found.
Was it necessary for Zeke to assume other identities in his job? Quickly she sorted through the various cards and licenses, the passports and visas, trying to make sense out of what she saw. Was his name really Zeke Daniels? Did she know the man she was married to? Angie carefully replaced the scattered pieces of identification in the box, then set the box in the closet. For a moment she stared at the vacuum cleaner as though puzzled by its reason for being there. Then like an automated mannequin she began to clean the apartment, waiting to hear the door open to reveal the man she had married....the stranger she had married ... in hopes his explanation could ease the panicky feeling that had swept over her, threatening to consume her.
❧
As soon as Zeke got through to Frank, he asked, "When is the agency going to make their move against De la Garza?"
"I haven't heard, Zeke. Don't tell me you're getting bored with the honeymoon?"
"I've told Angie we'd return to Monterrey, but I don't want her down there when they arrest him."
"Have you told her who you are?"
"No!"
"You've really set yourself up on this one, haven't you?"
Zeke scrubbed his palm across his forehead. "I did what I had to do, Frank. I don't think the man's going to give up easily. I don't want her in danger."
"You know your marrying De la Garza's niece has hurt your credibility with the DEA, don't you? Now they don't know whether they can trust the information you gave them or not."
"Dammit, Frank, you know better than that!"
"They don't."
"Then tell them."
"You may have to do that yourself."
"Fine. Name the time and the place and I'll be there."
There was a pause."Are you serious?''
"Of course I'm serious!"
"Hold on, I'll see what I can set up."
Canned music played in his ear while Zeke waited. He'd known none of this was going to be easy. Given the paranoia of the intelligence community, he wasn't particularly surprised at their attitude. Well, he didn't really care what they thought. He'd been turned loose to do what he had to do to get the information needed. He'd gotten the damned information. It wasn't anyone's business that he'd also gotten himself married into the family of a drug kingpin.
Lorenzo was just as concerned about protecting Angie as he was. At least he'd give the man that. Maybe this Benito Perez could be traced to—
"Zeke?"
"I'm here."
"All right. We've called a meeting here tomorrow at ten. They're bringing over printouts of everything you turned over. They have some questions maybe you can answer."
"Whatever it takes to get this thing over with. By the way, Frank, tell them to find out whatever they can on a Benito Perez, who may be behind some of the recent trouble Lorenzo's been having. He may be the link we've been looking for. I figure he's someone in the business
wanting to take over the De la Garza shipping routes and contacts."
"Was his name on any of the information you gave us?"
"I doubt it. I got it today from Lorenzo."
"You're still in touch with him?"
"Of course. I just married the niece he raised like his own daughter. Hell, Frank! Don't you understand? Angie's all the family he's got left. He's grooming me to take his place once he retires.''
"Have you considered the possibility that you may be in over your head, hotshot?"
Zeke sighed. "The thought has occurred to me on one or two occasions, yes."
"I'm not certain whether your decisions have been based on nobility or overactive hormones. Couldn't you have protected the woman without marrying her?"
"Maybe."
"At least you admit to the possibility."
"I've never pretended to be perfect, Frank."
"I've never known you to allow your emotions to get in the way of any of your decisions before, either."
A woman paused outside the telephone booth and peered inside. Zeke nodded to her and said into the phone, "Look, Frank, I've got to get off this phone. I'll see you in your office in the morning." "Good enough."
"Thanks for your understanding. I know I've been acting out of character. I can't really give a logical explanation of my behavior. Wish I could."
Frank laughed. "Love's never been considered a rational emotion, Zeke. I've always assumed you were immune, that's all."
Zeke hung up the phone and opened the door to the booth, smiling an apology to the woman waiting. She gave him a dazzling smile, but he never noticed. His mind was too busy repeating Frank's last words... love's never been considered a rational emotion... love's never... Love!
He stepped outside of the drugstore and leaned against the brick wall for a moment, his shaking knees too weak to hold his weight without some kind of support.
Love?
What was Frank talking about? What did love have to do with the way he'd been feeling... or acting, for that matter? Whatever his feelings, they had nothing in common with such a sappy, sentimental emotion as love.
Frank had really lost it, hadn't he? The guy didn't know what he was talking about.
Somehow, his conclusion about Frank didn't make his knees feel any stronger. Zeke couldn't understand why he was trembling as though suddenly stricken by a fever, or why he had broken out into a cold sweat.
All right. Exactly what was happening here? He wanted Angie. He understood that. His reaction to her was certainly a very basic one. Not only had he found it impossible to keep his hands off her, he'd discovered a strong need to protect her, as well.
But love?
Impossible.
Now he had to face the fact that he hadn't fully thought out how he planned to tell Angie the truth about her uncle. Nor had he considered how she was going to feel toward him when she discovered his role in her uncle's capture.
He had a hunch she was going to hate him.
What did he intend to do about their relationship once she knew the truth? Did he intend to fight to keep what they had together?
For the first time in his life, Zeke felt helpless to control the outcome of a situation that he had set up. He didn't want to think about a life without Angie. He couldn't imagine not having her there in his arms when he fell asleep at night, or cuddled next to him when he awoke each morning.
With his thoughts and emotions in a turmoil, Zeke managed to find his way back to his car. Forgetting about buying groceries, he headed back to the apartment.
He needed to see her. He felt an overwhelming desire to hold her in order to reassure himself that she was real. She had married him, hadn't she? he reminded himself. She must feel something for him. She would understand why he had...why it was necessary for him to... His thoughts swirled around in his head.
Impatiently weaving his rental car through traffic, Zeke hurried home. He didn't like what he was feeling. He didn't want to feel this vulnerable.
Not with anyone.
Not ever.
He remembered the pain of losing his mother, and later, his best friend. He'd recovered and he'd gone on with his life. He'd also learned that love was too painful to endure when he lost a loved one.
Zeke fought for composure as he locked the car in the underground parking and headed for the elevator that would take him to his apartment. He'd be all right as soon as he saw Angie. Maybe it was time for him to tell her a little about himself, about his background. Maybe he should prepare her for what was going to happen to Lorenzo, to reassure her that he was there for her.
He opened the door of the apartment, only then realizing that he had forgotten to stop for food.
"Angie? Hey, Princess, guess you'd better go with me next time. I forgot all about getting groceries. I got sidetracked and I—" He walked into the living room and saw that she had been cleaning. Everything sparkled. He grinned, the knot in his chest slowly receding.
"Angie?" He walked down the hallway toward the bedroom.
She heard him come in but continued to sit in the rocking chair, which occupied a corner of the bedroom. After she had finished cleaning, Angie had returned to the bedroom and closed the drapes, unwilling to accept the sunshine that poured into the room as though nothing had changed.
Everything had changed. She was lost and adrift in a reality she didn't understand, couldn't begin to comprehend, and had nowhere to turn.
She watched as Zeke paused in the doorway of the bedroom, but she didn't speak. He flipped on the light at the same time he said her name. "Angie?"
She rocked gently, watching him register surprise, then concern. Seeing him always had such an impact on her. He radiated strength... and power...and a charisma that made her quiver.
He crossed the room in long strides. "Are you all right? What's wrong?"
He knelt beside her and took her hand between his. His hands felt warm and she shivered. This was Zeke. This was the man who had held her, who had loved her, who had protected her. This was the man she loved. Could she pretend that nothing had happened? Was she strong enough to confront him? Was she strong enough to deal with his answers?
"What happened, honey? You're so pale. Did you hurt yourself?" He gave a quick glance around the bedroom. "You've been busy, I can see that. You know you didn't have to do all of the cleaning alone." He took her other hand and held it against his chest.
Angie pulled her hands away. She couldn't think when he touched her. And she knew that she had to think, had to be strong..Taking a deep breath, she said, "Tell me who you are." Her voice wavered slightly. She closed her eyes, no longer able to look at him.
He looked at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"
She forced herself to open her eyes but couldn't look at him. Instead, she studied her hands gripped in her lap. "I found the box in your closet, Zeke. The one with the passports and identifications, with different names and nationalities." She finally met his gaze. "Each of them has your picture on them."
Zeke studied her in silence for a few moments before he answered. She couldn't read anything in his expression now. His eyes had gone dark as though a light had been turned off.
"You know who I am, Angie. I haven't lied to you."
"Then why do you have all those phony IDs? Isn't that illegal?"
"They're part of my job. Technically speaking, they are illegal, I suppose."
"What job? Who do you work for... besides my uncle?"
A muscle jumped in his jaw, but he never dropped his gaze. "I work for the government. I worked in Europe for many years and used several of those aliases."
"Why are you working for my uncle?"
"Because he needed someone like me, someone with my background and expertise."
"Does he know you work for your government?"
"No."
"Then you lied to him."
"I didn't tell him the complete truth."
"If I tell him the truth, what will happen?"
He shrugged and looked away.
"It would cause you problems?"
He sighed. "Yeah, you could say that."
"Will you tell me why you went to work for my uncle?"
"I'm afraid I can't. Not at the moment, anyway."
"You're spying on my uncle, aren't you?" Before he could respond, she said, "Why? Why are you and your government spying on him? What do you think he's done?"
"I can't discuss the matter with you, Angie. I wish I could, but I can't."
"You can't tell me why you were in Mexico?"
He shook his head.
"Is Tio supposed to have done something wrong?"
"Even if he has, whatever he's done has nothing to do with you... or with you and me.''
She studied him for a long while, trying to make sense out of what he was telling her, wanting desperately to understand. She was frightened. What could Tio have done that would cause the United States government to be interested enough to send Zeke to work for him?
"Why did you marry me?" she finally asked. An-gie wasn't at all certain she could face his answer. But she knew that she could no longer pretend that their relationship was what she had originally thought.
"Because I love you, Angie. No other reason." His low voice sounded hoarse.
Oh, how she wanted to believe him! But the doubts had been planted and were rapidly taking root.
She looked around the room. "Why are we in Washington? It isn't because you wanted to spend our honeymoon here, is it?"
"I brought you here because it was the safest place for you to be. Your uncle understands that."
"My uncle's home isn't safe?"
"Have you already forgotten the problems with the plane, the attempted break-ins at the compound? Until we find out who's behind those incidents, then, no, Lorenzo's home isn't safe."
She sighed. "I don't know what to think. My head is spinning. I feel as though I just woke up from a very vivid dream, but one I now know wasn't real at all." "Angie, if you don't believe anything else, believe this. I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my life."
She eyed him uncertainly. "You've never mentioned your feelings for me before."
"No."
Zeke Page 11
