by Morgan James
It was my turn to scoff. “Still just as much a smart ass as ever.”
Her arms curled around my neck, and her lips moved to my jaw. “Don't pretend you don't love it.”
It was a valid point, except... “I couldn't bear it if anything ever happened to you.”
Suddenly serious, she drew back and looked at me, her hands curled around my shoulders. “We can live in Chicago, or we can live here,” she said. “But I need to go back home, at least for a little bit. I need to see my parents.”
Now that I was going to have a problem with. How could she even think of defending her father after what he’d done? “Your father practically sold you to me.”
“Which is precisely why I need to go home, just this once.” Her eyes were sharp and clear. “I need the closure. I want him to see that he didn’t break me—that despite what he did, everything turned out for the best.”
It could have been so much worse. William had pawned her off on me without a second thought. What if I’d sold her off to Nikolai to recoup my losses? What would have happened to her then? Just the thought made my blood run cold. I fucking hated the idea of Eva even being in the same state as that asshole who called himself her father, but I would give my angel whatever she needed—within reason.
“If you go to him”—and that was still a big if—“I want myself or one of my men with you.”
“I can do that. How long do you expect to be back in Chicago?”
“There’s no telling.” I lifted one shoulder. “I would like to say no more than a few months, but sometimes these things can drag out. I’ve been hunting this ghost for decades.”
There was a trace of sympathy in her eyes though she tried to school it. “You can take as long as you need. After that, we can come back here and stay forever for all I care.”
That sounded like absolute perfection. “You would be okay with that?”
She lifted one shoulder in a tiny shrug. “Why not? As long as I have you...”
“Always.”
I didn’t tell her as much, but after this was all over I planned to hang up my white hat permanently. I’d already started the process of aligning operations with Johnson so that he could keep an eye on the gambling ring while I was away. While I would have to make occasional trips back to Chicago, he would be able to take care of the day-to-day activity. We’d agreed to sit down and draw up the final plans once I returned home, and I found myself anticipating it more so now that Eva was back by my side. I couldn’t wait until I could be with her every single day just like this.
Sliding my hand under her jaw, I tipped her chin up and covered her mouth with mine. Her bottom shifted in my lap, and my cock leaped at the feel of her. It didn’t matter how many times I had her; I would never get tired of being inside Eva.
I pulled away. “Let’s take this inside.”
A slow smile spread over Eva’s pretty lips, and she slipped her hand into mine as we headed inside. Nothing else mattered but her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eva
Rodrigo had looked less than thrilled to see me when we arrived home. He looked even more surprised when Fox introduced me as his wife. While the other men took it in stride, Rodrigo had given me a tight nod, his fathomless eyes as dark and cold as usual. I’d tried not to focus on it, but the scar on his face hadn’t been there when I left, and I wondered how he’d gotten it. Ice slid down my spine as the most likely reason occurred to me. I was sure Fox had something to do with it.
Despite the tension between us, I needed to seek Rodrigo out. Regardless of whether he chose to accept me or not, I wasn’t going anywhere. I wanted to put everything behind us and move on—hopefully in a positive manner this time.
Striding down the hall, I was gratified when I saw him move from a darkened doorway, and I called out to him. His back stiffened, and he hesitated at the sound of his name before finally turning to me. His face was expressionless, his hands hooked together at his lower back as he regarded me impassively. Still incredibly wary of him, I stopped several feet away. Neither of us said anything for several seconds, and I saw the faint flicker of irritation in his eyes as he finally broke the silence. “How can I help you, Mrs. Vulpe?”
I blinked at the sound of my new name, then gave my head a little shake. “I just... I want to settle things between us.”
He stared at me. “I assure you, there is nothing to settle.”
That was a lie if I’d ever heard one. “Please, Rodrigo. Be straight with me.” That got his attention, and he startled slightly. “I’m not going to fight with you. I understand you want him to finish this, and so do I. For his sake, we need to get along. I only want the best for Fox, just like you do,” I added softly.
Rodrigo tensed, a myriad of emotions crossing his face before sliding back into the stoic mask he typically wore. “I understand.”
“Do you?” I persisted. “Because I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to do what’s best for him. I’m sorry I ran and put you in this position.”
He gave a tiny nod of acknowledgment. “To suggest you leave him was selfish, but I thought it best at the time.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I know you care about him, too.”
His mouth opened, then closed, his gaze sliding away before meeting mine again. “I am indebted to him.”
A million thoughts swirled through my mind. I wasn’t even sure how to phrase my next question. “Were you... Did he...?”
Rodrigo nodded. “Most of us are the same. We all have a personal interest in wanting this to end.”
My heart broke for the man standing before me, for whatever horrors he’d endured. “I understand,” I said. “I know you’ll find him.”
With that, Rodrigo offered a tight smile, friendlier than the last, and turned on a heel to leave. Feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest, I moved into the sitting room across from Fox’s office. Spring had turned to early summer here, and the back yard bloomed beautifully with bright, colorful blossoms and vibrant shrubs.
“I should have known I would find you here.”
I turned at the sound of Fox’s voice, unable to keep my smile at bay. “Hey.”
He moved forward, and I automatically slipped my hands around his shoulders as he pulled me into him for a kiss. Though I’d seen him hours earlier, it felt much too long.
Fox pulled back and lifted a package I hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “This is for you, angel.”
I opened the lid to reveal a shiny black cell phone. “What is this for?”
“In case you need to go somewhere, I want to be able to get ahold of you.”
“Oh?” I threw him a look full of challenge. “I don’t have to escape this time?”
“Smart ass.” He lightly swatted my bottom. “No escaping. But I do have a stipulation.”
I opened my mouth, but he quickly pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. “No arguments. If you leave this house, you have one of my men with you at all times. They drive, and they act as your guard and shadow.”
I was faintly irritated at the thought that he still didn’t trust me. Almost immediately, it dissipated and the truth stood out, stark and bright. “Araña.”
“Yes.” His dark eyes were serious. “I’d like you to stay inside as much as possible and let my men handle everything. If you need anything to be delivered to the house, let my men check it first to make sure it’s safe. If you have special requests for food, let Carmen know and she’ll acquire it for you.”
“I understand.” I nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now”—he cupped my face in his palms—“I unfortunately have some work to do.”
I leaned into his as he dropped a kiss on my forehead. “That’s fine. I’m sure I can find a way to entertain myself.”
He pulled back and stared down at me, a wry smile on his face. “One last thing.” He pulled a flat, dark object from his back pocket and passed it to me.
My eyes widened as I
automatically reached out to accept the credit card. “Is this for me?”
“Yes. Anything you need, put on there.”
“Oh, good,” I smiled wickedly as I slipped it into my pocket. “Think of all the shoes and purses and clothes I could put on this baby.” We both knew I was teasing. In truth, there was nothing I wanted or needed, but I appreciated the gesture.
He gripped my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tipping me up for another kiss. “Whatever you want, angel, it’s yours.”
“Thank you.” I kissed him one last time, then let him go, patting the lapel of his dark jacket and smoothing the creases. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Most of it is research, building dossiers on the men and women we know are involved and trying to find that connection that will lead us to Araña. You can sit with one of my men and learn the databases if you’d like.”
I was glad he hadn’t immediately written me off. I thought about it but quickly discarded the idea. “I’ll only slow them down.”
“I can find something else—”
“It’s fine.” I stretched up on my toes and kissed him. “It’s more important for you to do this quickly, and I don’t want to jeopardize anything. I’ll find a way to entertain myself today. Really, it’s fine,” I said when he raised a dark brow my direction. “I do have this shiny new credit card burning a hole in my pocket...”
A smile tipped the corners of his lips. “I sense I made a mistake already.”
We both knew I was kidding, and he caressed my cheek with one finger before stepping away. “You know where I’ll be if you need anything.”
I watched him go, feeling that same fluttery sensation in my chest, and I rubbed one hand over my heart. Would that feeling ever go away? I hoped not.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Fox
I blinked my eyes open, and the first rosy streaks of dawn lighting the sky greeted me. Sprawled on my stomach, I rolled my head to the left and smiled when I saw Eva curled up just inches from me. My movements must have disturbed her, because her hand swept over the sheet, fingers twitching, almost like she was searching for me in her sleep.
She let out a sweet little sigh as I slipped my fingers into hers, and my heart swelled. I’d never known a woman like Eva, so full of devotion. She wanted—needed—me, yet also took care of me in return. It scared me sometimes, how much I cared for her. My heart beat too fast, and it felt like every nerve ending in my body crackled like a live wire in her presence. She was everything I never knew I wanted, and I couldn’t believe sometimes that she was actually mine.
I couldn’t help the smile that curved my mouth as I drank in every inch of her beautiful face. Despite the fact that we’d spent nearly two weeks in the Caribbean sun, her skin was still so fair I could see the spidery blue veins on her eyelids. My gaze lifted to her dark brows, such a stark contrast to her long, pale locks. My fingers itched with the need to trace the contours of her face and commit every single inch to memory.
Not wanting to wake her, I released her fingers then eased from under the covers and sat up. I was exhausted physically, but mentally—emotionally—I’d never felt better. We’d been back home for less than a week, and everything so far had been... perfect. I had no idea how long I sat there lost in thoughts of my wife, dreading leaving our room, when Eva’s soft touch startled me out of my reverie. Her fingers traced the lines etched into my back.
I threw a look at her over my shoulder. “Don’t like my scars, angel?”
She didn’t even look at me as the pads of her fingers coasted over every imperfection. “I don’t like the story they tell.”
Twisting toward her, I caught her hand in mine and lifted it to my chest. “Being with you makes it feel like it was a lifetime ago.”
Her eyes darkened. “I hate him.”
This woman. God, I had no idea what I’d ever done to deserve her. My hand tightened around hers as a fierce possessiveness welled up inside me. I would spend every day protecting her, caring for her, until the day I died. “Don’t be angry, angel. I’m filled with enough hate for both of us.”
She closed her eyes briefly, then looked up at me. “I wish I could take it all away.”
“You do.” I brushed a kiss across her forehead. “More than you’ll ever know.”
There was nothing I wanted more than to put all of this behind us and move on. My men and I had been hard at work since my return, pulling strings that would hopefully lead us to the one man I needed to kill. I’d spent nearly three decades waiting for this moment. It was all I’d thought about, everything that had driven me. But now that it was here, I felt nothing. There was so much more to life than revenge. Now I had Eva.
After I’d taken care of Araña, I planned to keep investing in ways to stop human trafficking and continue to advocate for the victims. But I could pay people to take care of that. I wanted a life with Eva. I wanted the family I’d never thought possible. As each day passed, I yearned for it more and more. I couldn’t wait for that day to finally come when I could move on in peace.
“I have to get some work done.” I kissed her once more, then stood. “Plans for today?”
Propping herself on one elbow, she shrugged. “Not particularly. I’ve been thinking...”
She trailed off, and I paused in the act of pulling on my pants, then turned to face her. “What’s that, angel?”
She bit her lip, her gaze darting away for a moment before returning to mine. “I was thinking of going back to school.”
My brows lifted at that revelation. I had no objection to it, of course, but there was still the matter of her safety. She seemed to understand the direction of my thoughts, because she pushed to a sitting position and peered at me. “I could check the requirements, find an online program. I already have my associates degree... Maybe I can find something to build on that.”
I settled back on the edge of the bed. “Would you continue your criminal justice studies?”
She quirked a sassy little grin. “I think you’ve taught me more about crime than I’ll ever need to know.”
“Smart ass.” Grabbing her ankle, I tugged her toward me. Her yelp of surprise dissolved into laughter as I climbed over her, using my weight to press her into the mattress.
She looped her arms around my shoulders. “I don’t think that would be very practical if we don’t stay here in Chicago. It was just a thought, something to occupy my time while you’re busy.”
“I can find a way to keep you busy.” I slid my hand from her hip along the dip of her waist until I cupped one breast in my hand.
Her eyes fell closed as she arched into me. “Are you trying to distract me?”
I grinned and brushed my thumb over her nipple, making it stand at attention. “Never.”
“Mmm...” She wiggled in my lap, and my dick hardened. “Feels like you could use a distraction, too. Might want to tell your men you’ll be running late.”
Scooping her up, I lay her back on the bed and kissed my way down her stomach to her sweet, tender folds. “They’ll figure it out.”
Nearly forty-five minutes later, I finally entered my office. They knew better than to say anything to my face, but I saw the knowing looks on their faces. I focused on Rodrigo. “What do we have so far?”
His bland eyes met mine. “There’s chatter of another shipment coming up, but something is different with this one.”
“How so?”
“I’m not entirely sure, exactly. Like the past few, there are specific code words that we’re not sure how to interpret.”
“What’s the context?”
“Appears to be either a person or a location. Xavier is trying to break it, but so far we haven’t been able to pinpoint an exact correlation.”
“I see.” I steepled my fingers against my chin. “And what have our friends been up to?”
“Moreau spent the past two weeks in Napa, and according to the guy I have watching Masterson, he’s been lying low.”
/> I crossed one leg over the other. “Where are we on the information we received from Hossam? Have we narrowed down whatever Spencer was working on last year?”
“I believe so.” Xavier stepped forward and passed me a sheaf of papers. “Remember when they had that massive push for electric vehicles last year and installed several hundred charging stations all across the county?”
I riffled through the pages, skimming the document. “Waste of money.”
“Not to Nathaniel Thurston.”
“Let me guess,” I drawled. “He has shares in the electric plant?”
“Better.” Xavier quirked a smile. “His wife’s family owns the coal plant that produces the electricity.”
Fucking figured. I rolled my eyes, though I truly expected nothing less. “So he’s making a fuck ton of money from this “green” initiative. Any relation between Thurston and either Masterson or Moreau? Do they have a stake in this, too?”
“Not that I was able to find. However”—Xavier met my gaze—“Thurston happens to have a second cousin who works in customs at the port. Ted Pattinson.”
Now we were getting somewhere. I flipped through the papers until I came to the information I was looking for. An employee for the past four years, Pattinson could approve the manifests of the shipping containers that came in, then look the other way when the transfer was made. Spencer could have pushed the bill to be approved in exchange for Thurston and Pattinson’s silence. It also allowed Spencer to hold a good amount of blackmail over the men.
“Also,” Xavier continued, “if our math is correct, he was on duty the night each shipment came in.”
I lifted my brows at that little tidbit of good news. “I think we need to have a chat with Mr. Pattinson.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Eva
I lay in bed long after Fox went downstairs, thinking about the changes that had occurred over the past few weeks. It boggled the mind how far we had come. Just a little over three weeks ago, I was alone and unhappy in my tiny condo in Omaha. Now I was married to the man I loved more than anything, my sister was safe and happily wiling away the days in the sunshine with her husband, and I was back in my hometown where this all had started.