by Louise Dawn
“I won’t try and convince you.”
“Usually when someone is too good to be true….” Everett jammed a finger in Antonio’s chest. “I love Coraline and Pearl and our family more than my own life. I will end you if you hurt them in any way. That little girl—my niece—she’s confused at the moment. Her father has disappeared, and she’s clearly developed a bond with you.”
Antonio didn’t respond.
“I don’t have fancy fighting skills. I don’t need the law. I have access to weapons, and I’ll happily make you disappear if your intentions aren’t noble.”
Mouth twisting, Antonio glanced at the floor. “Noted.”
“You’re not going to fight me on this? Protest your innocence?”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
With a head nod, Everett shoved Antonio away. “I’ll be watching you. And I think it’s time to find a safe house.”
“I agree. Have you heard anything?” Antonio asked.
“No—but Rajin Bandara is a powerful man. We’re underestimating his network.” Everett hopped down and pulled off his gloves. “I have a safe place in mind. I’ll call you.”
Once he’d left the gym, Antonio walked over to the ropes and stared at the exit. Everett wasn’t wrong. Antonio might be a diplomatic agent, but he’d spent more time in his career as a killing machine—a savage, death-dealing, grim reaper. Antonio Torres had always been a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And now he cared about a woman and her sweet child—a woman who wanted nothing to do with him.
They had a visual confirmation on the targets, and the location. Cyrus shut the door to his hotel room and walked over to the small closet before pulling out a large duffel bag to check the weapons.
After picking up a Colt 911 handgun, he walked over to the window and studied the city skyline. Antonio Torres would be a problem that needed to be avoided. Their breach would have to be perfectly timed because if the agent was present, he would fight.
They’d have to infiltrate the home quickly and quietly. The team in the next room was already running through various scenarios, and Cyrus was confident in their abilities. They were well-trained mercenaries.
Their primary objective was to retrieve and deliver the kid without harming her. Not as much consideration was needed for the mother, although the client wanted her alive. Cyrus had never had a failed delivery, and he’d be hard on his team to retain that solid reputation.
He found it interesting that Agent Torres had gotten emotionally tied up with Pearl Bandara—almost immediately from the start. Aside from being quite the looker, she must have more to offer. From the little that Cyrus had gleaned, she looked to be a good mother. She’d also shed her high maintenance image and looked barely recognizable with her short haircut. No hairstyle could cover those killer cheekbones and eyes.
Cyrus imagined wrapping his fingers around that pretty neck and squeezing. Time alone with her before the handover would be ideal—perhaps he could choke her to the brink and then bring her back. Once? Twice? He rubbed the gun with a thumb as his blood heated.
For a four-year-old, she kept her room reasonably neat. Pearl picked up a discarded sock from behind the door and threw it in the laundry basket. Next, she tackled removing the princess-themed duvet cover.
“What ya doing, Mommy?”
“Washing your bedding. Can you pull off a pillowcase?”
Leaving Aysha to finish the job, Pearl scanned the sparse room, which needed more decor. Perhaps some pictures on the wall. And shelving. There wasn’t even a dresser. Just a side table which contained two items—a photograph of Pearl and Aysha on a beach and the handmade coconut piggy bank that Pearl had made Aysha on their last Christmas in Sri Lanka.
Pearl fingered the roughly carved shell. One of the pig’s googly eyes looked like it may need more glue. The bank felt heavy, and Pearl gave it a shake.
“I’m rich, Mommy! Daddy gave me lots of coins, and I want to buy you a present.”
“You do? Unfortunately, Sri Lankan money doesn’t work in America. How about I keep this money safe, and I’ll replace it with American coins?”
Aysha looked unsure, and Pearl turned over the piggy bank and removed the stopper. Shaking out the contents had her muttering under her breath. Sticking her finger in the hole, she scooped out foreign objects as her daughter looked on proudly.
A severed Barbie head. A piece of lego. A USB drive.
“Jitterbug, this is only for coins. You can’t open the stopper and shove toys in the piggy. Look, this slot on top is for coins only.”
Asha smiled and reached for the doll’s head.
Pearl pointed at the USB. “And why are you taking Mommy’s work things?”
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. A customer had filled out a contact form online, and Pearl needed to call them quickly. Her boss monitored response times.
“No, Mommy, I got it from Da—”
“Mom has to make a work call. Let’s go downstairs.”
Aysha stuffed the USB and the doll’s head back in the piggy bank and Pearl shook her head in exasperation. The cell dinged for a second time. Forgetting about Aysha’s treasure-trove, Pearl rushed down the stairs. She’d do the laundry later. Keeping busy meant that she didn’t think about Antonio or the effect the man had on her entire being.
Chapter Fifteen
“Why did you want to meet at a park?” Antonio glanced at the lake.
“Meadowlark Botanical Gardens—not a park. I want to start exploring the area, and there are so many nature trails and outdoor activities around here. And the weather is perfect.” Ignoring her unsettled stomach, Pearl looked up at the sky and adjusted her oversized sunglasses. The afternoon would soon turn into evening, and she wouldn’t spend too much time with the handsome agent. He looked irresistible in a white t-shirt and jeans. He’d obviously changed at home before coming to meet her.
“Where’s Aysha?”
“With my sister. We need to talk.” Throat dry, Pearl twisted open her water and walked over to a bench.
After a moment’s hesitation, Antonio joined her under the large tree. She watched a couple of ducks swim by. Antonio’s gaze never left her face. How did she start such a difficult conversation?
“You’re nervous,” he stated.
“I am.”
“Because you want to cut ties.”
Clever man.
“I’ve been in a negative space—since moving to the States. Hell—since my divorce. I’ve been floundering and grasping for lifelines. You were the perfect lifesaver, and I couldn’t resist.”
She expected him to protest, but he kept quiet. Trying to form the right words, Pearl bit her lip. How did she tell him to retreat from her life?
“A negative state.”
“What?” She frowned at his statement.
“As opposed to a positive space.” Antonio leaned forward and studied the lake. “Art defines those spaces as opposites. Foreground and background. A subject and its backdrop. An object and the space that surrounds it. But both spaces possess energy and place a demand on each other—like Yin and Yang.”
“Are you getting all philosophical?”
“For us to operate in a positive space, we need moments of negativity. Think of the silent moments in music that are necessary for an iconic piece of music to shine. You’re defining this phase in your life as negative space. But I see it as a resting point before you venture onto a new path—a critical moment of reflection that is needed while you find your feet.”
She’d never thought that way before. Pearl leaned back and considered his words. “What if I don’t find my feet?”
“You’re too industrious for that.” Antonio stretched his arm across the back of the bench.
“I have an idea of what I’d like to achieve. I think.”
“You do?”
“I want to help women like me—who are escaping bad situations.”
“A social worker?”
“More like
a lawyer. An international lawyer. One that specializes in across-border child abductions. Studies show that the majority of abductors are women because they’re escaping abuse. The International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act of 1993, provides an explicit defense for parents fleeing from domestic violence.
And the Hague Abduction Convention proclaims that the interests of children are of paramount importance in matters relating to their custody, and protecting the children wins over wrongful removal or retention. I want to help women or parents who are in a similar situation to me. They need a soft place to land. They need protection. I know—it’s ambitious. I don’t even know how I’d get there. I want to apply for a scholarship and find a higher-earning job. And of course, Aysha comes first.”
“I think you’d do great.”
Taking a deep breath, Pearl folded her arms. “Answer honestly. Why did you decide to help me? So generously?”
“You’re uncomfortable, thanks to my brother.”
“He just uncovered my concerns.” She waited for Antonio’s answer, and he took his time.
“I have a strict code which is probably due to my upbringing. From a young age, my father taught us to protect. My brothers operate the same way. We didn’t have a traditional childhood. My father doesn’t believe in fairytales, and he made sure that his kids knew the realities of life from a young age.” Antonio swiped a hand through his thick hair. “He’d tell us that we were lucky and privileged, but that evil walked the earth. We were told that ignorance or being uninformed was unforgivable. So, he started our training at a young age. I could fight before I could read or write.”
“That’s pretty harsh.” Pearl tried to imagine that militaristic household. Her expression must’ve given away her thoughts.
“It wasn’t that bad. We had many fun moments, and we had Mom, who showered us with love. I’m grateful for his lessons. I never felt afraid, and as we grew, he exposed us to places on the planet where people struggle. We traveled a lot as a family, and we were put to work. I was taught never to walk away from those in need.”
“I’m not a hopeless cause.”
“You’ve said that before, and I don’t regard you that way.”
“Leo said that this is a pattern—your generosity.”
“He’s talking about Bianca—my ex. A situation that doesn’t relate.”
“How—”
“She took advantage of my family and actively plotted her infiltration.”
“Why?”
“Because she was ambitious and wanted to marry a high-ranking official. She wanted the glory and the lifestyle. I chose a different path by leaving the military, and she revealed her true self.” Antonio leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs. His forearm rippled as he tensed. “She slept with my best friend. He is climbing the political ladder, and they’re now a couple.”
“I’m sorry.”
Antonio shrugged. “She wanted the world and asked me to buy her gifts—constantly. Bianca is charming and plays games. I complied, but I was planning to break up before she cheated. Being temporarily blinded was my mistake, and you’re nothing like her.” He clasped his hands and squeezed. “Why did I decide to help you? Initially to help a woman and her child in a difficult situation. But then, I got to know both of you, and being with you—helping you—makes me happy. I look forward to your texts and your calls. I love hanging out on the sofa and eating popcorn with Aysha. I love making you both smile.”
Not expecting such direct honesty, Pearl sat back. Rubbing a wrist, Antonio stared ahead.
“But my life is complicated, and I’m not sure if I can have a relationship,” Pearl stated firmly. “You deserve better—I’m not in a position to offer anything. Is that what you want?” There. She’d asked the tricky question.
“Not in the beginning. I just wanted to help. Now… I can’t stop… I want more. My feelings have changed. And you need to realize your own value—you’re so precious.”
He turned, making direct eye contact, and her heart flipped. “I like you—a whole lot.”
Any female with a beating heart would be insane not to like the smoking-hot man sitting beside her on the bench. His dark, heated energy was an irresistible magnet. Those smoldering eyes saw right into her soul.
Pearl twisted her hands. “Can you give me time—to think about us?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Antonio stood. “I also wanted to call you—to discuss new lodgings.”
“What do you mean?”
“A safehouse. I don’t sleep well at night, and you need more protection. Your brother-in-law wants to help.”
“In Virginia?”
“Possibly. Are you heading to Everett’s place? Let’s take my car, and we can chat with your brother-in-law about what he has to offer.”
Pearl nodded, feeling hesitant. She’d dropped out of her sister’s life for a reason. Was Pearl getting too comfortable? Did she have a choice?
“Coraline’s phone is off. I hope that they’re home. She did mention taking the kids to a nearby park.”
“No worries.” Antonio checked his side mirrors and changed lanes. “If they’re out, we’ll grab some dinner.”
Grateful that Pearl sat beside him, he shot her a warm smile which wasn’t returned. She turned to stare at the passing neighborhood as she rubbed at a thumbnail. She had such pretty hands—delicate with long fingers. He itched to reach over but instead pulled into Everett’s driveway. The guard immediately waved and opened the gate.
“I guess they now recognize us.” Pearl waved back.
“More like Everett’s given the green light.” Antonio parked out front, and they rang the bell.
A housekeeper answered and let them into the quiet entranceway. “Aysha is in the back garden, playing with the children.”
“Thanks. Where’s my sister?”
“In the kitchen.”
Antonio followed Pearl down the long passage past a drawing-room, and as they rounded the corner into the kitchen, he almost plowed into her as she jerked to a stop.
“Pearl… I wasn’t expecting you.” Coraline jumped to her feet. She’d been sitting at a large wooden table with an older woman who almost dropped her mug from fumbling hands. Both women looked taken aback.
Instead of moving forward, Pearl backed up quickly into Antonio’s chest. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he steadied her as one of her hands reached back and fisted the bottom of his shirt. Her body trembled, and he immediately went on the alert, looking for a threat.
“Pearl, honey, she dropped by suddenly, and you know we see each other regularly.”
Pushing back farther into his arms, Pearl let out a small whimper, and his protective instincts flared.
“What the hell is going on?” Antonio studied the stranger who’d paled to the color of flour. She wore white designer pants and a blue button-up shirt. Her blonde hair was tamed into a stiff hairstyle, and she looked like a groomed anchor from a news channel. Her features somehow looked familiar, and Antonio examined her side profile as she turned away.
Coraline looked frantic as her gaze darted between the other women. “She’s… she’s leaving. Don’t freak out.” Coraline herded the older woman around the table.
“Did you go near my daughter?” Pearl spat out the words.
Coraline stepped towards her sister. “No—she’s only just arrived.”
“But she’s met Aysha? You had no right!”
“Let’s not overreact. You knew this moment would come.” This time, the older woman spoke. “I’m not hiding from my family forever.”
Pearl lunged forward, her voice shrill. “Only when it’s convenient and on your terms.”
Stepping to her side, Antonio knew that whoever this person was, they’d caused severe emotional damage. A suspicion began to form, and he turned his attention back to the stranger.
Hands now clenched at her sides, Coraline raised her chin. “She’s welcome in my home.”
“I don’t care about who sits
in your damn kitchen unless my child is in your house. How dare you!”
“I have a right to see my grandchild.”
And there it was. The woman who’d abandoned her children at a truck stop stood before him. Pearl’s mother folded her arms and faced off with her eldest daughter, whose face reflected complete devastation. Antonio’s heart ached, and he moved closer to Pearl’s side.
Pearl’s voice had softened to a whisper. “At first, we never could find you. Years passed, and you hid like a coward. Now—once… once Coraline became a wealthy daughter, you slipped out of your hidey-hole and slithered into her life.”
“Don’t say that.” Coraline tried to reach out to Pearl, who shrank away.
“This person is the reason that I left—why I ran to Europe. You still chose her over me, and I could never forgive you.” Pearl shouted the words at her sister. “She left us with rough strangers—she never looked back. And you forgave her and let her back into your world? Everett forgave her. How could you?”
“Pearl—” Coraline’s eyes filled.
“This was a mistake—seeing you again. I knew that you’d continue to see her, but I still trusted you with Aysha.”
“Please, let’s sit down and talk. Listen to what Mom has to say.”
“Mom.” Pearl snorted. “I don’t have a mother.” She skirted past and headed for the patio door. “I’m taking Aysha and leaving.”
Her mother spoke. “I have a schizoaffective disorder.”
Only the distant sound of children playing broke the sudden silence, and Antonio rubbed his neck as he watched a suddenly torn woman falter, as she looked for an escape.
“I don’t care.” Pearl reached for the latch.
“The day at the truck stop—I was undiagnosed and had a complete breakdown. Hallucinations—seeing awful demons—was a symptom of my illness. A demon creature was sitting beside me on that whole trip and constantly spoke, telling me to… to destroy my babies. I wasn’t in my right mind and thought I was saving both of you by walking away. I tried to commit suicide—later that day.”
