by Debra Webb
She glanced back at Esteban just in time to see him sprinkle some sort of powder into her drink. Fear rocketed through her limbs, banded around her chest. Was he going to kill her or just drug her to ensure her cooperation? She shuddered. Neither alternative held any appeal.
Oh, God. What if he planned to interrogate her?
Those long hours in the Mexican prison reeled through her mind like a video on fast forward. She didn’t want to go through that again. And they hadn’t used drugs…just intimidation.
Esteban picked up the glasses and turned to her. “Let us toast.” He offered her the tainted drink.
Smiling and strutting over to him like a high-priced escort for the evening, she adopted her most seductive voice. She had to distract his attention from the drink. “Why don’t we get a little more comfortable first?”
Hunger gleamed in his eyes. “Oh, you are an impatient one.” He sat the glasses aside and started to jerk at the buttons of his shirt. “But I understand completely.” He practically ripped the hand-tailored fabric from his body. “That husband of yours does not pay proper attention to you.” He tossed the shirt aside and moved in on her.
She looped her arms around his neck, repressing the instant revulsion at being close to him. “I’d never think of doing this,” she cooed innocently, “if I weren’t so starved for the touch of a real man.”
Esteban made a little growling sound in his throat. “I will show you what a real man can do.”
While he nibbled her neck, she reached for the drink he’d intended for himself. “Wait,” she murmured. “I’m so thirsty.” When he paused, she drained the glass. “Drink up so we can get down to business.”
Esteban smiled knowingly then turned up the other glass and emptied it in one swallow. “To fools,” he clinked his empty glass against hers. “And Logan is definitely a fool.”
Erin had no way of knowing what kind of drug was in the drink or how fast it worked. She could only draw out the play in hopes of it taking effect soon. She made a show of unbuttoning her own blouse and allowing it to slip down her arms. She watched his anticipation turn to desperation as the blouse floated to the floor. Thank God he hadn’t noticed she’d switched the drinks.
“Let me help you with that,” Esteban insisted, his speech slightly slurred. He reached around her to help unfasten her bra.
“Wait.” Erin slapped his hands away. She was a little dizzy herself. The brandy, she reasoned. She was certain she’d picked up the right glass. “The bedroom, my love. We have to do this right.”
Visibly tipsy now, he raised a finger and wagged it at her. “Good point.” He manacled her wrist with his iron grip and dragged her into the next room.
Despite his manhandling and the fear still pulsing inside her, Erin’s gaze landed instantly on the wide mahogany desk. It was an exact replica of the one in his private office, but this one had a state-of-the-art computer system sitting atop it. This was it. She was in.
Before she realized his intent, he threw her onto the bed and crawled on top of her. A fresh surge of fear rose in her as she looked up into his fierce expression. He was a strong man. Unless the drug took full effect soon she would never be able to fight him off. The urge to scream burgeoned in her throat.
His eyes closed and he wilted, his full body weight collapsing on her, pushing the air straight out of her lungs. Erin struggled to roll him off. She swallowed back the sounds of distress that she couldn’t completely restrain. This room might be monitored as well; she couldn’t risk anyone overhearing.
She crawled off the bed and just stood there for a moment, catching her breath and making sure he wasn’t going to wake up. She pressed her hand to her stomach and closed her eyes for a moment. She thanked God again that the switch had worked.
When her respiration had calmed and he still hadn’t moved, she headed for his desk. She touched the mouse and the screen saver disappeared, revealing his electronic desktop. She cringed when she considered that somewhere someone might be listening. She had to keep up the act.
“Oh, yes,” she cried, feeling like a fool, but not willing to risk being one. “That’s the spot!”
Erin didn’t dare sit in the leather chair for fear it would make too much noise. Instead she knelt down and quietly, ever so quietly, started searching for a back door to his security system.
Perspiration slickened her skin as she battled the security system Esteban had in place. It wasn’t that sophisticated, just annoying. Every minute or so she would make some high-pitched noise or cry Esteban’s name. Whoever was listening was probably convinced by now that Esteban was a god in the sack.
A new screen flashed on the monitor.
She was in!
The file names appeared on the screen like magic. Erin grinned. She was good! The best, she added with well-deserved pride. No one knew cyber security better than her. Usually though, she was building it, not breaching it.
Her grin melted into a frown when she reviewed file after file and found nothing even remotely resembling delivery dates or names or anything else Logan had told her to look for. It was a lot of nothing. Just in case, she took a disk from Esteban’s desk and downloaded a copy of everything. There really wasn’t that much. And unless Lucas’s people saw something she didn’t, it was a bust.
Esteban groaned.
Erin quickly logged out and shoved the disk into her back pocket. She rushed to the bed and considered her options. She glanced at the clock and realized more than an hour had passed. Plenty long enough for a date rape. She now had a pretty good idea what the powder had been.
Hating the idea, but knowing it was the only way to retain her cover, she jerked off her clothes and then finished undressing Esteban. She quickly crawled into bed with him and squeezed her eyes shut. Her skin crawled with revulsion. She prayed that this would work without compromising her further. It was bad enough he was going to see her naked.
Slowly, he roused. She snuggled nearer to him. Nausea roiled in her stomach. More than once she wondered if her freedom was worth this humility…this risk.
He nuzzled her neck. “I must have fallen asleep,” he murmured thickly.
She stretched as if just waking herself. “Me, too.”
He drew back and looked into her face. A frown of confusion lined his brow. “I—”
“Was magnificent,” she finished for him, then traced his jaw with her finger. “I hope you enjoyed…” She shrugged self-consciously.
His confusion seemed to deepen for a moment. Erin held her breath. She was at his mercy…completely. He could scream for Cortez, who probably wasn’t far away. She could die, like this in his bed. She shuddered inwardly. Please, please let him believe her.
He smiled finally. “You were everything I knew you would be.” He smoothed a hand down her rib cage. Ice formed in her middle. “In fact, I think we should have an encore.”
She wriggled away from him. “I should go. Logan might be back and—”
Esteban pulled her to him. “I want you to stay.”
She looked him straight in the eye and hoped like hell this would work. “He can’t find out. He’ll kill you if he finds out.”
Esteban smirked. “You mean he’ll try.”
“Yes,” she said solemnly. “He will.”
That realization seemed to finally sink in. “Logan is a good man. I want him on my team.” Esteban’s gaze roved her nude body. She steeled herself against a shudder. “As much as I want you again, I will not risk his wrath. We shall keep this discreet.”
She nodded, too weak with relief to speak.
She struggled into her clothes, keeping her back away from Esteban for fear he might notice the disk in her pocket. When she pulled on her blouse, she left it hanging loose from her jeans so it would cover her pockets. She slipped on her shoes, not bothering to tie them.
Esteban pulled on his trousers and moved to the parlor to make himself another drink.
He snagged her arm when she would have rushed past him. �
�You will come to me again soon, I will see to it.”
“Yes.”
He released her. “Discretion,” he reminded.
She nodded and hurried from the room. Cortez smirked at her as she flew past him. She felt queasy, dirty. Taking the stairs two at a time, she almost fell in her haste. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. She had to get out of here. Realization of what she had done had only now penetrated the heady rush of success…however short-lived.
“Halt!”
She skidded to a stop not five feet from the door. Her heart stuttered in her chest. She swore softly. So close. Had Manuel noticed the disk in her pocket? Had Esteban realized what she’d done?
Manuel approached her. Walked all the way around her, scrutinizing her, while her fear soared to a new level.
He finally leaned in close and whispered. “You are playing with fire, senorita. Make no mistake.”
Erin nodded, her limbs trembling so badly that she could hardly stand at this point.
“Go,” he muttered.
Erin forced herself to walk once she’d gotten outside. The last thing she wanted to do was attract attention. By the time she reached their quarters, tears were streaming down her face. She closed and locked the door, then sagged against it.
“Where the hell have you been?”
She looked up.
Logan.
Chapter Ten
Logan stared at the disk Erin held in one shaky hand.
Esteban’s files.
There was only one way she’d gotten into his private files.
“I asked,” he repeated, the anger in his voice was, unfortunately, not forced, “where the hell have you been?”
She trembled, but understood where he was going with his demand. He saw the comprehension in her eyes. The fear residing there as well tied his gut in knots.
“Nowhere special,” she said, her voice quaking. “Just out.”
“I don’t believe you.” Logan considered where was the best hiding place for the disk until he could get it to Ferrelli. “You’re lying,” he accused harshly.
“I’m telling the truth,” she argued. She moved toward the telephone table where her purse sat and opened the drawer. “I don’t care if you believe me or not.”
He glanced at the Bible inside the drawer and nodded. “You’d better care,” he growled as she placed the disk inside the black, leather bound Bible. “Don’t make me get rough with you, Baby.” He didn’t take the time to consider why a man like Esteban would keep a Bible around. Maybe it was one of Maria’s touches.
“Don’t threaten me.” Her voice warbled.
Logan turned back to Erin, she looked ready to crumple. She trembled. Her complexion was deathly pale. Whatever had happened, she was badly shaken. The urge to kill Esteban detonated inside him. Logan pulled her to him. She sagged in his hold, sobbed softly against his shirt.
“Did he hurt you?” he murmured against her ear, his rage barely restrained. “Tell me if he hurt you.”
She shook her head, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. “No,” she whimpered.
“I’m sorry, Baby, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said more for her benefit than for the hidden microphones.
He scooped her up and went to the sofa. He sat down, cradling her protectively in his arms. “Shhh. It’s okay. I’m not angry anymore.”
And it was true. His anger had taken a back seat to his desire to comfort her. To his need to make this right. He couldn’t bear to see her like this…couldn’t bear the idea that Esteban might have touched her in any way. He should never have agreed to that run into Medellín this morning. The entire business had been a waste of time. He, better than anyone, knew Esteban didn’t waste time. He’d wanted Logan out of the way.
Her arms were around his neck, her cheek soft against his shoulder. “It was a bust,” she whispered.
Frowning he leaned closer. “The files are nothing,” she murmured so softly he barely heard her.
His arms tightened around her. If that was true…right now he just didn’t care. He inclined his head closer to hers. “Did he touch you?” There was no way to keep the ferocity out of his voice or the battle-ready tension out of his body.
She rose up, looked directly into his eyes and shook her head.
Thank God. Logan exhaled a shaky breath. If he’d ever been more relieved to hear anything, he had no recall of the event. If Esteban had touched her that way, Logan wasn’t sure he could have handled it. Not for a second had he fully realized that truth until that moment.
He didn’t want anyone else touching Erin like that.
Only him.
But even he didn’t deserve her and he certainly wasn’t worthy of her trust. He touched her cheek, slid one finger along the line of her jaw. She trembled. His gut clenched. He’d allowed this to happen to her. He could have said no to Lucas and Casey, but she’d had no choice.
When she learned the whole truth, she would never forgive him.
LOGAN SPENT Saturday evening and all day Sunday avoiding Esteban. He just wasn’t sure he could keep his cool considering he’d spent the night consoling Erin. He’d held her, his body aching to do far more, but knowing that comfort was what she needed most.
Making love to her was out of the question. He was holding back information from her that would change their whole relationship. He blew out a self-deprecating breath. This wasn’t supposed to be about a relationship. It was about the mission. His job. Nothing else. Erin Bailey was a pawn. One he’d willingly used and he doubted she would forgive him for it when she learned the truth.
He tossed aside the cloth he’d been using to clean his weapon. Too many hours alone with Erin had brought him here, to the ammunition room. He’d needed some space to get his head clear.
Hinges creaked.
Logan jerked his gaze upward, the weapon in his hand leveling on the threat.
Cortez.
“Esteban will see you in his office.”
Logan shoved the weapon into the back of his jeans. “Whatever Esteban wants, he gets, right?” he said sarcastically.
Cortez’s smug expression was answer enough. Fury twisted inside Logan. He was going to thoroughly enjoy taking down these guys.
ESTEBAN WAITED in his private office. A lit cigar in his hand. “Logan, my friend, would you care for a smoke?” he offered by way of greeting.
“No, thanks.” Logan allowed him to see a certain level of unhappiness in his expression.
“Well, then.” Esteban eased down on the edge of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”
“I’ll stand.” Logan was pushing the envelope, he knew by the outrage that flashed in Esteban’s black eyes, but he ignored it. Reveled in it actually.
Esteban took a long drag from his cigar, then blew out the smoke. “I have been watching you, Logan,” he said finally. “You impressed me on your first assignment, but I have become even more aware of your ability to organize and stay focused during this past week.”
Logan inclined his head in a careless shrug. “I take my work seriously.”
“Indeed.” Another long pause for a drag. “I need more men like you. It is not necessary to tell you every little thing to do. You are a ‘take charge’ fellow. Very rare in this business.”
Logan folded his arms over his chest. “Is there somewhere specific you’re going with this conversation?”
Esteban smiled. “You are angry with me.” He waved his hand in dismissal. “You should not be concerned.” His gaze grew more pointed. “I have plans for you, Logan. Very big plans.”
Speculation was pointless. Esteban’s suggestion could range from a promotion to a one-way ticket six feet under. “That’s good to hear,” he relented. He’d pressed his luck with the attitude far enough.
Esteban tapped out his cigar and left it in the large crystal ashtray. “Tonight I will introduce you to many important men who work for me in other capacities.”
Drug lords, Logan filled in the blanks.
> “On Monday you will take lead on a very important assignment for me. If you handle it properly, you will discover just how generous I can be.” He stood and leveled a warning gaze on Logan. “If, however, you fail me, then you will learn how exacting I am in carrying out punishment.”
Logan relaxed his stance a bit. “Fair enough.”
Esteban offered his hand. “Let us seal our deal then.”
Logan took the offered hand, fully aware of the great significance the gesture carried. Esteban trusted him.
Nothing could stop Logan now.
He was in all the way.
ERIN SLIPPED ON the black high-heeled shoes Logan had bought her to go with the little black dress. “Little” being the operative word here. The dress clung to her like a second skin and left absolutely nothing to the imagination. She’d actually selected this particular one, but only after she’d seen the look on his face when she tried it on.
She peered at her reflection in the mirror as she twisted her hair up into a little bun that didn’t look quite elegant, but would do. The bruise was practically gone now. A little of her recently purchased concealer had taken care of the lingering discoloration. She thought a moment of how the guy who’d left that mark on her had warned her about playing with fire. Could it be that he actually felt he owed her one? She wasn’t going to put any stock in that idea.
Erin stepped back and studied her reflection. Good enough, she decided, for rubbing shoulders with Colombia’s most elite pond scum.
A long, low whistle sent her whirling toward the door. Logan was openly admiring her. “I’m not sure it’ll be safe to let you go looking like that.”
Erin blushed. How could he look at her like that and act so impressed when he’d already seen all there was to see? The way he’d held her last night and whispered consoling words into her ear made her feel weak and giddy all over again. He’d understood how dirty she’d felt. She’d known he understood fully when he drew her a hot bath and ushered her into it. She wondered how many times in his business he’d had to do things he’d despised. Too many probably.
