by Debra Webb
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Lover,” she teased, but it was true. He looked fantastic in that suit. The slacks and jacket were black, the shirt white and open at the throat. He looked amazing. And as sexy as hell.
Logan offered his arm. “Shall we go?”
Erin curled her arm through his and breathed deeply of his tantalizing masculine scent. His aftershave was so subtle, just a hint of something spicy. Even when she hadn’t seen him all day, she could close her eyes and conjure up that sexy, unique scent.
With the full moon spilling its golden glow over their path, an epiphany dawned on her as they strode through the cool night air toward the main house. She trusted Logan completely. After last night, she’d even be willing to trust him with her heart. She smiled sadly when she confessed to herself what that tangle of emotions meant.
She’d fallen for the guy.
Gloom enveloped her on the heels of that thought. It was the worst thing that could have happened and yet she wouldn’t have traded knowing him this way for anything. But the fact remained that there was absolutely no future in this relationship. There was only here and now…and even that was make-believe.
The party was well under way when they arrived. Until tonight, Erin had only been as far as the briefing room downstairs. Upstairs, of course, was another story. One she didn’t intend to dwell upon. But at the end of the immense entry hall and well beyond the dining room and kitchen, there was a huge room for entertaining that spanned the entire length of the house. Several French doors opened onto the elegant terrace.
Erin recognized the tables outside as Sheila’s favorite lounging space. Speaking of the wicked witch, Erin scanned the crowd until she located her. Dressed in a royal blue dress that was even shorter and tighter than Erin’s, Sheila was surrounded by doting admirers.
Logan had immediately been dragged by Esteban into a large group of older men. The local drug lords, she imagined. Logan had told her during their late-afternoon run all that Esteban had guaranteed him. It was the first time she and Logan had run together since their arrival. She was afraid to put too much stock in his sudden desire to spend extra time with her. It was probably just the only situation he considered safe enough in which to pass along the information.
This new offer from Esteban was good, Logan had explained. This way, if they gleaned nothing from the disk, Logan would be in a position to uncover the needed information eventually. Erin just wasn’t sure how long she could keep up the front. If Esteban approached her again…
She couldn’t handle it. She’d told Logan as much. He’d understood and had agreed to intervene. That had surprised her. The idea that he would risk blowing his cover for her shook her to the core. She reached for a glass of champagne as a waiter passed. Maybe Logan felt something more for her.
Get real, Erin, she chastised. He’s probably done this dozens of times before. It was his job to protect her, he’d told her that from the beginning. The subtle shift she thought she’d noticed in him was probably just wishful thinking.
Just when Erin had started to wonder about Maria being away and missing all the hoopla, the woman appeared. She looked absolutely royal in a white dress that was both demure and sensual. Each of Esteban’s associates turned to look when she walked into the room. Erin watched Esteban’s reaction to the attention his sister received and was not surprised to find she’d been right. He didn’t like it one little bit. He glowered at the group of men surrounding him, then said something that quickly garnered their wayward attention.
Erin took a quick sip of her champagne, set the stemmed glass aside and wove through the crowd to reach Maria. Erin waited until the woman had finished greeting those closest to her before saying hello.
“Maria, I’m so glad you’re back,” Erin said in all honesty. “I was afraid you’d miss the party.”
Maria looked confused for a moment, but quickly recovered. “I never miss my brother’s parties. It is the one occasion when there is much happiness.”
Erin couldn’t help a twinge of sympathy for the woman. She apparently lived under Esteban’s iron fist and had no outside life other than her flowers.
“Was your trip successful? Did you bring back any new varieties?”
Maria patted her arm affectionately. “I did. But I’m afraid you wouldn’t recognize their names. It will be many weeks before their true beauty is revealed.”
“I look forward to seeing them,” Erin enthused. “Your garden is the most beautiful part of the estate.”
Maria smiled, a blush staining her cheeks. She was the most humble person Erin had ever met. She couldn’t imagine how the woman retained such humility in this environment. The thought occurred to Erin that perhaps Maria was not fully aware of the true nature of Esteban’s business dealings.
Then again, she had been present when Esteban suggested Erin shoot that guard. But that might be an everyday part of the macho culture in Colombia. Perhaps that was why Maria didn’t buck her subservient lifestyle. Erin thought of the street children and the mothers left to bear the burden of raising them alone. Maybe Maria considered her brother’s harsh ways the lesser of the evils.
“Let us mingle,” Maria suggested, taking Erin’s arm. “My brother has many friends as you can see.”
Did that mean they weren’t Maria’s friends as well? Erin tried not to analyze everything the woman said, but it was difficult not to. Erin couldn’t understand a seemingly intelligent woman’s willingness to hold such a lowly position. Despite the hurt her ex-fiancé had wielded, Erin couldn’t imagine giving up the equal rights she enjoyed as a woman in the United States. Surely Maria had traveled there and had seen what she was missing.
“Where did you go to find your new flowers?” Erin asked before she thought the question completely through. She almost cringed in hindsight. The woman would think she was nosy. Or worse, that she was a spy trying to interrogate her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” she added quickly.
Maria smiled again. “Don’t be silly. It is not a secret that I travel frequently. Sometimes even to Europe.” She sighed wistfully. “It is the only time I feel truly complete. I enjoy my little hobby so very much.”
The features of her face tightened, as if she’d said more than she intended. “What a poor hostess I am,” she said quickly. “We should talk about you, not someone so boring as myself.”
Erin tensed. “Oh, there really isn’t much to tell.”
Maria waved over a waiter. “Don’t be modest. I wish to know about your life.” She took a fluted glass from the silver tray the waiter offered. “Gracias.” The waiter nodded and moved away.
“You are educated?” Maria prodded, taking a sip of the fine champagne.
A brittle smile in place, Erin struggled to remember the backstory for her cover. What college was in Austin? Damn. She had no idea. “I started at a local community college,” she winged it. “But I got engaged and dropped out.”
“Ah.” Maria nodded. “You met Logan.”
She and Logan were supposed to have been together for three years. She was how old? “Actually,” she hedged. “There was another guy before him.” She sipped her bubbly and tried not to act as nervous as she suddenly felt. Somehow it just felt wrong lying to someone as nice as Maria. “He was a total jerk and…” She exhaled a stress-filled breath. “Well, he broke my heart.” She blinked back the emotion that welled in her eyes. Damn. She should be over that by now. It wasn’t Jeff so much anymore as it was her own stupidity that got to her. How could she have been so blind?
Maria shook her head slowly. “Men. They can be such animals.” She glanced at her brother. “Pigs.”
Erin was surprised by the woman’s vehemence. “Some guys are definite pigs,” she agreed.
“Most are,” Maria countered firmly. “Watch yourself, Sara.”
Erin was always brought up short by the name, she heard it so rarely.
“You cannot trust any of them,” Maria went on. “Perhaps your Logan is differ
ent.” She studied Logan then. “It is hard to know.”
“He’s special,” Erin heard herself say. She frowned, but admitted that it was true. “He takes good care of me.”
Maria’s gaze locked with hers. “Still, you must be careful. No man is above using a woman for his own best interests.”
Erin promised, “I will.”
Maria turned and greeted the next person who approached, her entire persona changing to dutiful sister…elegant lady. What terrible things had Esteban or his friends done to her? Erin suddenly wanted to smuggle Maria away. To insist that Logan’s people hide her in the witness protection program or whatever they called it. The woman was a prisoner. Esteban probably sent two armed guards with her everywhere she went just to make sure she didn’t speak to anyone she shouldn’t.
How sad for her. Erin wondered then what would become of Maria when Logan brought down her brother. Would she be penniless and living on the streets? Erin ached at the thought. Somehow she had to make sure that didn’t happen.
The idea of warning Maria so that she could get away before it was too late flitted through Erin’s mind. She’d have to give that some thought. Whatever she did to help the woman she’d have to make sure it didn’t endanger Logan’s life. After all Esteban was Maria’s brother. Maria had been raised in a completely different culture from Erin. She might not see this the way Erin did when it came to her brother’s fate.
There was time for Erin to decide. Time to dig more deeply into the situation to see if the woman really did need saving or even if she wanted to be saved. The vehemence in her voice when she spoke of men echoed in Erin’s ears. She had a very strong feeling that there might not be that much love lost between Maria and her brother.
LOGAN WATCHED Erin from across the room all night. She looked terrific. Every move she made took his breath. Any time a member of the male species came close to her, his blood boiled with a raging possessiveness. He wanted her for himself.
Esteban’s constant attention made him want to say to hell with the mission, but that was crazy. This thing between him and Erin was just a fluke…a passing fancy. It would be over soon and another mission would take its place. Still, Logan had never had this much trouble staying focused.
He shouldn’t now.
He was glad Esteban’s sister had spent the better part of the evening glued to Erin’s side. Even when Esteban had gotten a little too friendly, Maria had stepped in and ushered Erin in another direction. Logan liked the woman more and more.
Maybe she was aware of her brother’s lasciviousness and hoped to save Erin from him. Whatever the case, Logan was extremely grateful.
As soon as he could make the rounds to the necessary people, he and Erin were out of here.
Just before Logan reached Erin, Sheila Watters snagged her arm and pulled her to one side. Logan moved closer to hear what the woman had to say. He’d noticed her animosity toward Erin.
“Listen, you little bitch,” Sheila hissed. “This is your last warning. If you don’t stay away from Esteban, I’m going to kill you myself.”
Erin jerked free of her hold. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right,” the woman accused. “You’d better be careful or I’ll get you and your husband, too. I’ve already been telling Larry how your man flirts with me. If I push the issue, he’ll take Logan out.”
So that’s why Larry had been giving him the evil eye lately. Logan had wondered if the man simply didn’t like Esteban’s favor being cast in Logan’s direction. Now he knew.
Logan moved in next to Erin and wrapped her arm around his. “Good night, Sheila,” he said to the startled woman. “Maybe if Larry finds out how you chase after Esteban, he’ll pay more attention to you.”
Her eyes rounded and then narrowed and shifted to Erin. “Just remember what I said.” She spun on her heel and strode away.
Erin stayed close to Logan’s side on the way to their quarters. He couldn’t be sure if what Sheila said had gotten to her or if it was Esteban’s constant pawing. He sighed. Damn, he wanted so badly to protect her from all this, except he kept failing miserably.
Inside, Erin hurried to the bedroom, her hands going immediately to the zipper of her dress. He stalled halfway across the front room, unable to move as he watched the dress slide down her bare skin and puddle on the floor. A thong bared her heart-shaped rear and there was no bra. Just lots and lots of creamy smooth skin and dangerous curves. She released her hair and combed her fingers through it. His mouth parched. Every muscle in his body hardened.
God, how he wanted her. He could still remember how she tasted, how smooth her skin felt, how intensely she’d responded to his touch. Something deep inside him shifted, broke free.
She shimmied into a T-shirt and the show was over.
But Logan would never be the same again.
Chapter Eleven
Esteban held his briefing at dawn.
Larry Watters was not happy when Logan was assigned lead, but he knew better than to rock the boat. Whatever Esteban wanted, Esteban got.
The aircraft that took the four of them, the Watterses, Logan and Erin, was very similar to the one Mission Recovery used. Executive size, Learjet. Luxurious enough and fast enough. Every illegal arms dealer/drug lord’s dream ride. Near Canoga Park, just outside Los Angeles, the aircraft touched down at an airstrip privately owned by a local corporation who laundered money for Esteban.
A black, stretch limousine waited.
Once they deplaned, each carrying a steel briefcase, Logan checked his watch. “We’ll be back in two hours. Be fueled and ready to go,” he instructed Hector Caldarone who served as their pilot.
The briefcases, which contained a rather large quantity of Esteban’s powdered merchandise, were quickly stored in the limo’s trunk before the group climbed into the luxurious automobile.
Inside, Logan leaned forward and asked the driver, “You’ve got the address?”
“Yes, sir. ETA is seventeen minutes.”
Logan nodded. “Perfect.”
No one spoke as the limo eased through one crowded street after the other, coming ever nearer to their destination. This would be Logan’s only chance to get the disk containing Esteban’s computer files to Lucas. But Larry watched Logan like a hawk, just hoping to see a wrong move. Still, determining whether the information they needed was on that disk or not was vital. There was always the possibility it was coded. Erin had no way of knowing for certain. Instinct nudged Logan, warning him that she was most likely right on the money, but they had to be certain.
Noticing an upcoming fast-food restaurant, Logan tapped on the privacy glass. When it slid down, he said, “How about going through that drive-thru coming up on the right. I’m starved. How about you, Baby?”
Erin smiled. “Famished.”
“We can eat later,” Larry argued. “We don’t want to be late for our meet.”
“Are we going to be late if we take this little detour?” Logan asked the driver.
“No, sir.”
“Good.”
Larry and Sheila fumed as Logan instructed the driver to order a couple of burgers and colas. Adding insult to injury, he and Erin moaned with pleasure as they ate. Though Logan had to admit that some of his pleasure was derived from looking at Erin’s long, bare legs displayed so pleasingly by that short denim skirt she wore. The shopping trip had paid off in more ways than one.
At Larry’s continued glower, Logan couldn’t help but smile. There was something the guy would have to learn about his chosen profession.
Nothing stayed the same in this business. Most of the players didn’t live long enough to notice.
When they reached the rendezvous point, Logan emerged first, scanning warily to see that all was clear. He tossed the fast-food bag, which now contained the disk, on the ground near the side of the building.
The driver had parked between two long warehouses. The place looked exactly as Esteban had described it—quiet and desert
ed. If Esteban’s intelligence was correct, both warehouses were currently unoccupied and for lease. So far, Logan hadn’t really been able to tell who was feeding Esteban his information. Whoever it was, he was good.
While Larry and the ladies unloaded the goods from the trunk, Logan had a talk with the driver.
“Step out of the car,” he ordered.
The guy looked hesitant.
“Now.” Logan fixed him with a look that dared him to decline.
The driver clambered from behind the wheel, fear making him clumsy. “If something’s wrong, sir—”
“Nothing is wrong. I need your wallet.”
Confusion claimed the driver’s face.
Logan nodded and held out his hand. The wallet quickly appeared in his palm. He opened it and studied the driver’s license. “Danny Marsh.” He glanced at the driver. “You still live at 103 Oakley Lane?”
Marsh nodded, his eyes like saucers.
Logan flipped through the pictures until he found a family photo of Danny, a woman and two kids. “This your wife and kids?”
He nodded again.
“A beautiful family.” Logan returned his wallet. “Listen to me, Danny. We’ve got some very important business to take care of. Sometimes things don’t go the way we plan and we get a little rowdy.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I never hear or see anything.” He shook his head. “Never.”
“That’s good.” Logan leaned closer. “But I don’t want to come back out here and find this alley empty, you understand what I’m saying?”
Danny nodded vigorously.
“Good. So, no matter what you hear or see, you’re staying put, right?”
Another enthusiastic nod.
Logan leveled a hard gaze on him. “Just remember, Danny, I know where you live. Don’t leave me hanging.”
“No, sir.” He swiped his sweating brow. “Wouldn’t think of it, sir.”
