by Karen Anders
“Yes, I understand.”
She could tell by his voice he might understand, but he hadn’t quite come to terms with her duplicity. She couldn’t blame him. Suddenly everything seemed so overwhelming. Tears gathered in her eyes and she let them fall.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry.”
“I discovered something while you were gone.”
“What?”
“I think Shane is working for Fuentes. I’m almost convinced he’s the man I saw at the compound. That’s why he looked so familiar.”
“Your brother is the Ghost?”
“I don’t know,” she cried softly. “I only saw him in the dark, in shadow. I haven’t seen him in three years and I thought he was dead. But I must have known on some level. That’s why I had those dreams—always of Shane receding into shadow, disappearing…like a ghost.”
“But you’re still not sure?”
“No, Max. I’m not sure and it’s killing me. I intend to get some answers from my boss when I get back to L.A. I know it’s going to be difficult with the mole and all.”
“I think I know someone who can help us with the mole problem.”
“Who?”
“An exterminator.”
Max grabbed the cell and had a brief conversation with Drew, who promised to put his best man on the job.
“That’s helpful, Max,” Rio said. “But, if I have to, I’ll go over my boss’s head and cause a stink until I get some answers.”
“That might not be a good idea.”
“I think he set us both up. I would distract you and you’d be just as much of a distraction to me. He wanted us both out of the way.”
“You could lose your job.”
“I don’t care. If the DEA won’t give me the answers I want, then I’ll go to Colombia. I’ll track down this Ghost and then I’ll be sure.”
“If what you believe is true, then it makes me want to hunt the Ghost even more. To give us both closure.”
“I can get my own closure, Max,” she said before she thought better of it.
“Right. Forgot, you’re the one who doesn’t need anyone’s help.”
Just then the phone rang and when Max picked it up, Rio slid out from under him. It had to be Drew Miller and so she needed to get her game face on. It was showtime.
11
I CAN GET MY OWN CLOSURE.
Max couldn’t shake those words. It was clear to him Rio had issues, emotional baggage, whatever it was called.
During their conversation about her brother, her barriers had fallen, revealing something surprisingly vulnerable beneath that confident surface. Then she’d popped those barriers back in place, reinforced with anger.
He played it back, examining his own feelings a little deeper. Her lying still hurt but the betrayal he’d felt was assuaged by her reasons for deceiving him.
It was totally understandable to want to protect a fellow agent and doubly so when he’d found out Rio had lost her DEA brother to Fuentes.
Or had she?
Was her brother a traitor? Was he really dead and her imagination was taking her places? Could he be the Ghost?
Max didn’t know for certain, but what chilled him was Rio would attempt to get answers no matter what.
What he did know was that he was in love with her, but he wasn’t sure he could trust her a second time. She was hell-bent on her own personal mission. And dammit he understood that, too. He wanted the Ghost out of the picture so Callie wouldn’t have to put herself in danger.
He stared out the windshield as he maneuvered the car around the dangerous curves in the road, thinking about the dangerous curves in his own life.
As concerned and confused as he was, he found himself smiling. So she was angry at him for trying to help her. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, because that kind of anger could be fueled only by one thing: passion. If he didn’t matter, he wouldn’t rate that kind of response.
All he had to do now was get her to the airport and on that waiting chopper. Drew was a genius and he’d already taken care of all the arrangements. He would fly them off Maui to Honolulu where they were booked on a commercial flight to LAX. From there, Max had every intention of going with Rio straight to the DEA and her boss.
He had to hold fast to the knowledge that while she was busy saying no and constructing a wall, in that moment when she’d looked into his eyes, there had been confusion and longing plainly there for him to see. And that said otherwise. That had given him hope. Whatever was going on deep inside that beautiful brain of hers, she didn’t want to admit he mattered.
He could wait. He was patient.
“Is your almost brother-in-law good enough to get us off the island?”
Max settled back in the driver’s seat. “He got you out of Colombia in one piece, didn’t he?”
“I guess he did. I don’t remember a thing.”
“Miller was a freelance black ops mercenary when he met my sister Allie. He’s a former army Ranger….”
She gave him a sidelong, amused glance. “Former? So only marines are marines for life?”
Max chuckled. “That’s right—Semper fidelis, baby.”
“This guy sounds like an American James Bond,” she said, rolling down the window. The scent of sweet flowers and sunshine filled the air inside the car.
“He’s damn good and from what I’ve gathered can fly anything from a glider to a jumbo 747,” Max said grudgingly.
“Oh, ho, sounds like his invitation to the family might have gotten lost in the mail?”
Max couldn’t help but smile, but he kept his eyes on the road. “At first I wasn’t too crazy about having a black ops guy around, but he gave that up for my sister.”
“What’s he doing now?” Rio shifted around in her seat to better face him.
“Training recruits for a top secret agency.”
“Watchdog?”
Max snorted. “You know?”
Rio nodded. “I read the file and I know who got me out of Columbia.”
He glanced at her and was struck by her beauty. He had to restrain himself from reaching out and touching her. “The DEA did a good job of debriefing you.”
They rode in silence for a few more minutes and it was comfortable between them. He got her to open up a little about her childhood. She glowed when she spoke of her parents, especially her father, and seemed to relax a little. Max wasn’t typically one to talk about himself, much less his childhood, and when he did, he was usually gauging every word. With her, however, it felt natural. Effortless. Incredibly so, in fact.
He slowed the car down as he navigated the road that led to the airport, where there was a helpful sign embossed with a plane. And he watched as the tension tightened her up again.
The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted of her. Preferably without the haunted look in her eyes. He supposed in order to get what he wanted, he was going to have to slay some dragons. Whether she wanted him to or not.
Now that they were close to getting off the island, he broached the subject that hadn’t been far from his mind. “Have you thought about what Fuentes wants from you?”
“No, I can’t imagine what it is that’s got him so worked up. He was so livid when we met.”
Max’s brows rose. She was a closemouthed little thing. “You met?”
She gave an impatient sigh and he noted her hands tightened in her lap. “Yes, he was the one I was fighting when you got shot.”
Max smiled a purely smug smile. “You kicked his ass?”
She matched his smile, her eyes lighting up. “Yes, I did. I was contemplating putting a bullet in his brain when you came along and distracted me.”
Max’s smile faded and he gave her a quick glance. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
She shrugged. “I couldn’t do it. Not really. I’d rather see him tried for all the pain and suffering he’s caused so many people and their families.”
“Why do you think he was so pissed?”
>
She was quiet for so long he didn’t think she was going to answer. “I think his pride has been hurt that a lowly woman escaped his compound. I have to admit it doesn’t look good that I escaped. Drug lords cannot afford to look weak in any way.”
“Do you think there might be a connection to Fuentes that you’re not aware of?” It was a fishing expedition because he believed there was something there. He didn’t want to make her angry. Ultimately, he was more concerned about figuring out what was going on. Knowledge was power.
“Like?”
“The real mission you were on before those monkeyshines got you into a whole lot of trouble.” He pulled into a parking space in front of the airport and turned off the engine.
She swatted at his arm. “You think your monkey jokes are funny, huh?”
“Yeah,” he said with a quick grin. “Give. The real mission?”
She glanced over at him, clearly uncomfortable. “Max, it goes against my oath.”
“I would agree with you, but I’m a federal agent, Rio. I also took an oath. It would be good to understand all the pieces here.”
She held his gaze for a fraction of a second, and then dipped her chin in quick, silent agreement. “I was working undercover with a member of the Defensores de la Libertad. There was a rumor that Fuentes was teaming up with them as his new security force. I was supposed to infiltrate them, with the help of my informant, and find out what I could about the agreement. It was purely an information-gathering mission.”
“But our little howler threw a monkey wrench into your plans.”
“Max!”
He looked at her, and then noticed the tiniest of twitches at the corner of her mouth. “Couldn’t resist. So what did you tell him when he questioned you?”
She grinned at him. “I told him I was sightseeing. He didn’t think it was funny.”
“I bet you’d spit in the devil’s eye and tell him to go to hell.”
She laughed. “Max, he’s already in hell.”
“My point exactly.”
She folded her arms across her chest, all humor gone. Looking out at the movement of traffic and people running to catch flights, she worried her bottom lip. “Getting back to Fuentes—it wasn’t even until later that he discovered I was a DEA agent. I suspect that was due to the mole.”
“So, maybe it is this Libertad thing that’s gotten him so gung ho to capture you alive?”
She thought for a moment and then looked at him. “It could be. I hope I don’t find out the hard way.”
“You won’t if you stick to the plan.”
“I’ll stick, Max. I want answers from my boss. Girl Scout promise.”
“Well, if you’re going to invoke the Girl Scout promise…I’m convinced,” he said wryly.
He picked up the throwaway cell phone he’d bought in Wailea and pressed the numbers Drew had given him.
Drew answered on the first ring. “Max?”
“Yes, we’re here parked in the spot you said. What now?”
“I’m sending two of my people. Jason Kyoto will take care of the rental. You get into the vehicle with a big Aussie named Thad Michaels. He’ll bring you to the hangar.”
Max heard the frustration in Drew’s voice. “What’s up?”
“Nothing I can’t handle. Just get your asses here pronto. I’ve seen enough dangerous guys around here to be nervous.”
Even as he spoke, a car stamped with Airport Security pulled up. An Asian man exited the car and came up to the driver’s-side window.
Max rolled it down. “Kyoto?”
He nodded. “Leave the key in the ignition. Let’s move.”
Max nodded at Rio and they got out of the car and walked over to the other vehicle. Once inside, they nodded to the driver. “Michaels?”
Thad nodded and shook Max’s hand.
“Thanks for coming.”
“I follow the captain’s orders, mate, but glad to help. Buckle in. I’d suggest the pretty sheila duck down in the seat. They’ll be looking closely at any man-and-woman combo, especially one with such lovely red hair.”
Rio slid down into the seat until she was effectively out of sight.
“There’s a holdup, I’m afraid,” Thad said as he maneuvered the car through the security gates into the back of the airport and toward the heliport area.
“Nothing ever goes as smoothly as planned.”
“True blue, mate, but no worries. Drew will fix it.”
THAD DROVE UP TO ONE of the hangars and waited while they got out. “I’ll be back,” he said, flashing a brilliant smile. “I’ve got to get Jason. Drew’s inside.”
They entered the hangar and were assaulted by the smell of grease and fuel. A man in a blue jumpsuit was working on a helicopter hooked up to a tug.
The man swore and turned. Catching Max’s eye, he dropped the wrench into the toolbox and picked up a rag to wipe off his hands. He walked over and shook Max’s hand.
“Sorry, complication. I never fly a bird until I check it over and this one needed a repair before I flew over hundreds of miles of ocean. It won’t take more than another twenty minutes.” A woman, armed to the teeth, came around the tail of the chopper.
“All clear, Captain,” she said.
“Leila Mendez,” Drew said, and then he looked past Max’s shoulder directly at Rio.
“We haven’t been properly introduced. Drew Miller.”
Lethal in both looks and expertise, Rio thought. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you and now I can thank you personally for saving my life—twice.”
“Sure, no problem.” Drew turned back to Max. “There’s an office back there we can use and, unfortunately, only a vending machine if you’re hungry. As soon as Thad and Jason get back, they’ll join Leila. I’d better get at that chopper.”
When he drew abreast of Max again, he said under his breath, “Keep her out of sight.”
Rio couldn’t help but bristle at that. She wasn’t a damsel in distress here. She was a government agent and she didn’t like being talked about in the third person.
“I know enough to stay out of sight and I’d appreciate it if any plans that are made include me.”
Drew looked at her with a little more respect in his eyes. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, gave Max a smile and went back to the helicopter.
Leila Mendez said, “She put you in your place, Drew.”
“Shut up, Leila, and check the perimeter again.”
“Yes, sir,” she said as she headed for the hangar doors, throwing Rio a quick smile.
“You really are something,” Max said as he took her arm and started to lead her to the office.
“I also can walk by myself, Max. I’ve been doing it since I was one. I’ve got the hang of it now.”
She wasn’t sure why she was in such a snit. But, true to form, Max wasn’t going to let her off easily.
“What was that all about?”
“What?” Rio asked as she opened the office door and went inside. He got in front of her and she sidestepped him, but he grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him.
“You know Drew’s here to help you. As a favor to me. There’s no need to act like that.”
“I don’t want to be treated like I’m not part of this. I’m the main part, Max.”
She tugged her elbow free, fervently hoping he took the diversionary tactic at face value, even while silently apologizing to him. She knew he did want to help her. But she hated it, hated that all these people were involved and in danger because of her.
She turned away, but he took her straight into his arms, pulling her flush up against him.
“Let me go,” she demanded.
“I will. As soon as you let me talk.”
“Fine.” She tried not to look him directly in the eye, to focus on some point just to the side of his face, but he wouldn’t allow that. Maybe he did understand her, because while he was clearly not happy with her just then, he was also not conceeding an inch and she had to give him gru
dging respect for that.
“You don’t want all these people here to rescue you, do you?” And just like that, he gentled his voice, gentled his touch. “I’m trained for the subtle signals, too, you know. You’re upset.” He lifted a hand to her face, and despite every instinct she had screaming at her to move away, she let him touch her.
It was no brief, tingling caress—his touch was warm and steadying…as well as stimulating and electrifying. It was more than she could handle. “Yes, dammit, Max. The responsibility of all these lives.” Her voice was wobbling, but he’d have had that effect on her even if she wasn’t hanging by a thread.
Instead, he leaned in and kissed her, gently but thoroughly, lifting his head again before she could decide what to do about it.
“I’m not sure I can get used to this, Max,” she said, her voice reedy, her body shaking.
“Yes, you can. It’s all about practice. I can make you believe that it’s better together.”
“Not in my experience,” she murmured, desperately wanting to have the strength to resist this, to resist him.
“We’ll have to talk about that.”
And that was just it. Looking at him, so steady, so strong-willed, so profoundly sure of himself. So very sure of her. The very depth of need she’d developed for him, so swiftly, was more terrifying than the predicament she was already involved in. That alone was reason enough to step back. “I appreciate the offer, I do,” she said quietly. “But like I said I don’t think I could get used to it.”
She slowly extricated herself from his arms. This time he let her go. And, perversely, her heart constricted.
He didn’t look remotely convinced and somewhere in her stupid heart she rejoiced.
She said nothing more. She’d already said far too much.
“Want something from the vending machine?”
“Candy bar with peanuts.”
She watched him turn and stroll out of the office. Just before passing through the door, he turned. “Think about what I said, Rio. About everything I said.”
