A Lover's Mask

by Altonya Washington

“Spivey what’s wrong with you?!”

  “I want you to turn around and walk off that boat right now!”

  “After all the scheming we did to get on this son of a bitch? Hell, no!”

  “County—”

  “Listen Spivey, I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s no way I’m gonna turn and leave just because—”

  “Dammit Contessa!”

  Blinking slowly, County gripped her phone a bit more tightly. “Spivey? Spivey what’s going on? What’s wrong?”

  “They’re slavers, County,” Spivey said after taking several deep, calming breaths. “They drug and abduct women, get them on that ship and then it’s off to parts unknown.”

  County pressed her lips together to stop their sudden trembling.

  “Somehow they lure ’em in with the promise of a great lifestyle, travel, financial freedom…that probably explains how your boy’s strippers got there. Once they realize what’s going on, it’s too late. There’s no way out.”

  County was cold all over and stood there wishing she’d listened to Mick. Keep it together Count, she ordered herself. “How did Marc Ramsey keep this hidden?” she asked.

  “He’s a partner,” Spivey explained. “Only one top dog is actually hands-on. He works directly from the ship.”

  “I assume he’ll be my host for the trip.”

  “No. No County he won’t because you’re bringing your ass back to Chicago. Now!”

  “Spivey please listen to me. There’s no way I can leave undetected now,” she said, taking note of the fact that the deck teemed with men—something that, under different circumstances, would have delighted her.

  “Damn, damn,” Spivey moaned, “if only I’d gotten my hands on this information sooner. Listen, I’m gonna have that boat tracked down and get you out of there one way or another.”

  “Spivey wait! Just wait a minute. Give me some time to think, all right?”

  “Hell, no! Hell, no, County! Dammit it was risky enough you being there with me. Without me there, uh-uh. Look just drop everything and run like hell.”

  Surprised by her calm, County stood there trying to ease Spivey’s worries when she felt her arm taken in a steel grip. She gasped sharply and turned to look right up at Fernando. Her heart dropped to her toes and she could barely hear Spivey calling out to her.

  “Hello?” Fernando spoke into the phone after taking it from County’s weak hand. “This is Fernando Ramsey…hey Spivey. Yeah…yeah. Listen she’s fine…long story…yeah. She’ll be with me and I’ll make sure she gets off the boat and back home. You’ve got my word,” he said, and then recited his cell number to Spivey and ended the call.

  County propped one hand to her hip. “Your word? Ha!”

  “Shut up,” he muttered, his light eyes now darkened with fury. “What the hell are you doing here?” His deep voice rumbled.

  County wasn’t intimidated when he blocked her view with his massive frame. “You jackass. I could ask you the same thing. Just checking out the business, right?” She sneered, raising her hand when he opened his mouth. “Save it. Don’t bother telling me you had no idea this was going on. I believed that lie once—never again,” she said, shaking her head slowly.

  Fernando rolled his eyes and then turned to snatch Contessa’s garment bag from the porter who approached. “Come with me,” he growled to County before hissing a sharp curse as Cufi Muhammad arrived at their side.

  “Mr. Simons and a very lovely friend,” Cufi noted, clapping Fernando’s arm while he looked on in interest. “Surely as experienced as she is candy to the eyes,” he drawled.

  Fernando bowed his head to hide the dancing muscle when he clenched his jaw. He had to shove his fist deep within a trouser pocket, lest it smash the man’s gut.

  County took an instant dislike to the man’s small, leering gaze especially when he spoke the words “very lovely” again and reached out to trail his index finger across her cleavage outlined so prominently at the halter bodice of the curve-hugging tangerine frock she wore. She stepped to make an angry lunge for the fiftysomething man and was immediately restrained by Fernando’s iron grip.

  Cufi chuckled heartily—yet the sound was more unsettling than it was humorous. “Feisty,” he noted, his eyes appraising her face and heaving bosom. “Must be one of Marc’s last-minute additions. He always provides me with my fiery Americans,” he saw fit to explain to Fernando. “Still,” he added, curving his right hand around County’s jaw, “I’m surprised he sent her here unsupervised,” he mentioned, and then patted her waist and sought to bring her close. “Give me a moment to get her calm,” he decided.

  Fernando held County fast. “What time is dinner?” he asked.

  Cufi’s hand fell away from County. “Five hours. Why do you ask?”

  Smirking wickedly, Fernando fixed Contessa with a leer of his own. “I’ll take this one as is. Breaking her in will work up my appetite.”

  County felt her legs turn to rubber, but still cringed and fought against Fernando as he pulled her away with him. Cufi’s laughter roared in the air.

  Contessa spoke barely a word as they headed to Fernando’s cabin. Of course, much of her silence had to do with shock. Everywhere there was a scantily clad woman with a blank look in her eyes and a half smile on her lips. Everywhere there was a man with his hands or mouth somewhere on a woman’s body. The blatant sexual displays shocked even her.

  Fernando halted his steps behind the porter who escorted them. His grip tightened over the gold bracelet that hugged County’s upper arm. It was a warning squeeze and County swallowed—not knowing if she would’ve been safer out on the main deck or inside his room. The porter opened the door and Fernando, giving her a slight nudge, forced her inside the spacious, impressively designed cabin suite.

  County took in the luxury of the cabin while Fernando tipped the porter. Her brown gaze was absent and not the least bit moved by her surroundings. She was massaging her arm where Fernando had held her, when she heard a loud rumble and saw that her small case had been slammed against the wall. Whirling around, she blinked at the angry glint filtering his translucent stare.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” His voice grated as he stalked her.

  “Don’t bother telling me this isn’t what I think it is,” County sneered, stumbling over the high wedge heels of her strappy gold sandals as she backed away from him. Her heart sank down to her stomach when she witnessed his expression grow more menacing. Soon, she’d run out of room to retreat. “No rebuttal, Ramsey? Or are you too busy thinking up a lie, you son of a bitch?!” she hissed, using her words as weapons.

  At last, Fernando had completely blocked her in the far corner of the living area. “This is exactly what you think it is,” he whispered.

  County swallowed. “A slave ship.”

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Fernando gestured with a lazy shake of his head. “Those words have such ugly connotations, Contessa. I prefer Ship of Delights.”

  County took in the breadth of his massive chest beneath the black silk shirt he wore. She focused on the chords of his neck visible as the collar of his shirt was left undone to reveal the gold herringbone chain he wore. Overwhelmed by the size and strength of him, she silently commanded herself not to faint.

  “You make me sick,” she breathed.

  “Hmph,” he remarked, setting his hand lightly upon her hip. “I promise you’ll change your tune.”

  “I prayed that I would be wrong about you, but I guess I wasn’t,” she said to herself.

  Fernando allowed his regret to show when she bowed her head in defeat. He cursed the fact that she followed her clues and had been led there. He knew that behind her still fierce demeanor that she was most definitely afraid. Unfortunately, it was too late to ease her fears now. He decided he would have a better chance of controlling her and protecting his cover if she were afraid. It would be the best way to keep her alive.

  “Dammit, stop crowding me!” she snapped suddenly, and eased away thro
ugh an open sliver of space.

  Fernando caught her wrist and set her to the bed. “What’d you expect to find here?” he roared.

  County curved her nails into the black velvet comforter. “Not this,” she admitted.

  Fernando clenched a fist. “Fool. Do you know what kind of people you’re dealing with?”

  “I thought I did.”

  Fernando braced his huge fists on either side of County on the bed. “I’m still the man you’ve been sleeping with for the last three months.”

  “I’m about to vomit.”

  “Really?” he whispered. His deep voice was soft and lightly playful. His nose trailed her temple, down the slope of her nose and then the curve of her cheek.

  County closed her eyes and begged herself for the ability to remain unresponsive. She blinked and focused on the ceiling when one of his hands cupped her breast and his thumb assaulted the nipple with airy circles around the firm tip. She swallowed a moan when the walls of her sex contracted in response to the sweet sensations his touch invoked.

  Fernando was just as affected and driven by the need to touch her. However, he knew he couldn’t allow those needs to cloud what had to be done.

  “Do you have any clothes for dinner?” he asked, reluctantly moving his hand from her body.

  “I packed light,” she answered softly. “Conservative,” she saw fit to add.

  Fernando grimaced. “That won’t do. How the hell did you even get on a ship for men only?”

  Some of County’s fear dissipated. “Come on, Ramsey,” she sighed. “Clearly that’s not true. Spivey—using the name Warren Frinks—was to travel on board as a high stakes gambler. I was going as his companion,” she explained.

  “Stupid,” Fernando muttered, rising to his full height while rubbing a hand through his dark brown curls. “Well, you can’t go to your cabin because Muhammad wants to meet his other American client.”

  “Sick. All of you,” County sneered.

  Fernando felt on the verge of vomiting himself, but knew he had a better chance of Contessa keeping her mouth shut if she was suspicious of him. Ironic, he thought, he’d wanted her to trust that he was being real with her and now he wanted her to believe just the opposite.

  “We should get you some extra clothes,” he suggested, checking inside his jacket pocket for his wallet. “Come,” he said, curling a hand around her arm once more.

  County tried to wrench herself free. “I’m staying here,” she snapped.

  “I’m sure your plan wasn’t to stay in the cabin the entire time,” he challenged and jerked her close. County kept her balance by resting her hand against his chest and he smiled. “Unless, you were planning to sneak around undetected by disguising yourself as a man? Which, by the way, is something you couldn’t do no matter how hard you tried.”

  Again, County tried to wrench free of his hold.

  Again, he jerked her close. “If you plan to leave this boat with your life and health intact, you’ll do exactly what I tell you. No arguments.” He brought his face close to hers then. “Disobey me, County, and you’ll be very sorry.”

  County searched his striking gaze. In her heart, she knew he’d never hurt her—not physically anyway. There was more to this. A part of her knew she had to stay—had to get as much information as possible. She had to talk with some of the women. Most importantly, she had to find a way to put an end to this ship of horrors which, she regretfully acknowledged, would quite possible destroy the man she loved.

  Chapter 16

  Contessa appeared as though she were a child viewing some great wonder while she was being escorted along the corridors and decks of The Wind Rage. Exotic music—erotically mesmerizing—seasoned the air. Couples lay sprawled in lounges, along the pool—anywhere there may’ve been an empty space.

  How could this exist? She asked herself. Numerous times she wondered how the authorities hadn’t discovered such a thing. Sadly, she admitted such a thing may be more common than she realized. She shivered at the possibility.

  Fernando felt her shudder and rubbed his hand along her bare arm. “Cold?” he asked.

  “Go to hell,” was the prompt reply.

  Her reaction was due simply to all she’d discovered, Fernando told himself. Still, it stung. Setting his jaw in a hard line, he prayed for the strength not to break down and confess everything to her then and there and delight himself in seeing the love in her eyes again. Long lashes closed over his deep-set gaze and he told himself to let go of such a boyish fantasy. This was all too real and it could become all too deadly with just one misspoken word.

  They stepped into a posh-looking boutique at the end of an upper level along the grand lobby of the ship. One of the male associates spotted them instantly and headed over.

  Fernando turned to County, curving one massive hand around her throat, forcing her to look up at him. “Rule number one and only—don’t call me by name,” he said.

  A hateful smirk curved her full lips. “That should be easy since all I want to call you is son of a bitch, jackass and bastard.”

  Unconsciously, Fernando tightened his hold around her neck.

  “Ramsey,” she gasped.

  The hold loosened, but Fernando’s expression had grown even more fierce. Clearly, he awaited a suitable reply to his instructions.

  County rolled her eyes. “I’ll remember,” she whispered.

  “Good,” he said, tightening his hold about her throat once more and pulling her into a lazy, deep kiss.

  Totally unprepared, she moaned and instinctively arched into his chiseled frame. She’d barely begun to thrust her tongue against his, when he broke the kiss.

  “What a couple!” the sales associate commended, folding his arms over the fitted crew shirt that was supposed to add definition to his bony torso. “We rarely see such a match,” he added.

  Fernando barely nodded, before motioning toward Contessa. “Do you have anything gorgeous enough for a body like this?” he asked.

  The associate’s eyes lingered on County’s face and apparently he adored what he saw. Then, he looked down and seemed even more enthralled by the body that went along. “Damn, baby, are these real?” he inquired, making a move to grope her bosom.

  Fernando held County back and caught the associate’s hand in an awkward grip that sent the man shrieking in pain.

  “Why don’t we start with the evening dresses,” he suggested, intermittedly clearing his throat and massaging the ache from his wrist. “What sort of event are we preparing for?”

  County cringed, listening to the men speak about her as though she had no mind or mouth to speak for herself. Fernando knew her size and the color she favored. The fact shocked her, but she refused to let it go to her head. What she needed to know was why he didn’t want her to speak his name.

  The associate walked away to make a few selections and Fernando turned to wave toward the array of dresses.

  “See anything you like?” he asked.

  County regarded him with a scathing look. “No. You haven’t dropped dead yet.”

  Fernando muttered a curse. “You know this would be a lot easier if you’d just cooperate with me.”

  “Kiss my—”

  “Ahhh!” The sales associate raved upon his return. “I’ve taken the liberty of making a few choices. I think any of these would purely adore such a sensuous frame.”

  The associate led them to the dressing rooms. He offered to assist Contessa, but reconsidered when Fernando fixed him with a murderous glare. “Well, the rooms are spacious enough for two,” he implied while unlocking the door.

  Fernando was already leading her toward the rooms, but County moved before him and pressed her hands to his chest.

  “Haven’t you humiliated me enough? I’ll try on the clothes and come out here for you to see. I’ll wear whatever you like best,” she said.

  “Hmmm…cooperative in bed and out,” the associate noted, making himself scarce when the couple stared him down.

&n
bsp; “Please Ramsey,” she whispered when they were alone.

  Fernando couldn’t refuse her. His gaze softened and he brushed his thumb along her cheek, and then favored her bottom lip with a few teasing brushes. He nodded, uttering a curse when she was gone.

  It didn’t take long for County to change in and out of the outfits. Fernando could’ve cared less about what was chosen—they were all stunning on her. He experienced joy and torture watching her twirl around for him in one sexy creation after another. Finally, he chose one just to get out of the boutique.

  “We don’t have long before cocktails and dinner,” Fernando said as they entered his suite, “I want a nap first, but it’s probably better to shower beforehand. Get undressed.”

  Contessa’s mouth fell open when she heard him deliver the cool instruction. “Why?” she questioned, propping a hand on her hip.

  “Because I don’t trust you to stay here while I shower.”

  County couldn’t hide the guilty flash in her gaze.

  “And save the humiliation speech. It only works once.” He set about removing his clothes and seemed oblivious to County’s dumbfounded staring. “I’ll give you a hand once I’m done here,” he offered, smirking when she moved to action and raced to the bathroom for a bath sheet.

  Her mouth went dry when he strolled stark naked into the bath. “Is this really necessary?” she asked, while he hummed and set the water temp in the shower. “Can’t I just stay here in the bathroom while you’re in there?” she bargained.

  “No can do, love. I can’t hear the door opening in the shower.”

  County stifled herself from calling that a crock. She wouldn’t be surprised if the man could hear her breathing over the spray of water.

  “Let’s go,” he prompted, watching her expectantly while he waited on her to precede him into the shower.

  Realizing she had no choice, County breathed deeply and prepared to do as he said. She halted when Fernando cleared his throat.

  “I don’t think you’ll need that,” he said, his warm gaze focused on the towel she clutched. “I’ve seen it before, you know?” he added in an unnecessary reminder.