Dark Nights Dangerous Men

by Elisabeth Naughton, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright, Joan Swan

  When he recognized her, Rio’s tight posture uncoiled. His hands slid into the front pockets of his jeans. He tried to relax his body into a casual stance, but it wasn’t quite working.

  “Cassie,” he said in greeting.

  She savored the sound of her name in his voice a moment, then returned a cordial, “Rio.” But she was done with the games. She didn’t have the time or the patience. “What the hell are you doing?”

  One dark brow lifted above his sunglasses. He looked up and down the street as if he’d find the answer there. “Uh…walking…to my truck…?”

  “You’re not going to follow me the rest of the day?”

  His mouth shut. He heaved a breath that rocked his shoulders.

  “No denial,” she said. “How refreshing.”

  The restaurant door opened behind her. Cassie glanced over her shoulder and found Miguel, the taqueria owner and a classmate from elementary school, grinning.

  “I just brewed a fresh pot of tea.” Miguel offered a hand to Rio. The men shook. “Come in and keep Cassie company while we get her order ready.”

  “Great idea,” Cassie said to Rio. “We definitely have some issues to straighten out.”

  Miguel held the restaurant door open and called toward his sister at the counter, “Maria, two sweet teas.”

  Rio took the door from Miguel, who returned to the counter. Once he was out of earshot, Rio said, “Look, I can’t stay. I’ve got a lot to do at the estate—”

  “You misunderstood that as a request.” She worked to keep her voice even. She was still embarrassed enough from his rejection last night to pull a nasty attitude, but that would get her nowhere. “This is more important than anything you have to do at the estate. Besides, that is one of the things we need to talk about.”

  His lips thinned, and his jaw muscles bunched. Cassie couldn’t help but remember that mouth on hers. The heat, the hunger, and all less than twelve hours ago. Her cravings for more had kept her blood warm and humming all morning.

  “Really, Cassie—”

  “I guess this would be a good time to point out that while you may think you work for Saul, I own the land, the house, and all the financial assets.”

  A slow grin lifted his mouth, and, dammit, those dimples appeared again. Little crescent-shaped hollows in both cheeks. Her stomach did that weird, uncomfortable flip.

  “Are you trying to say,” he asked, “that in a convoluted way I work for you?”

  “I’m pointing out some facts you may or may not know. You made your alliances crystal clear last night. But, if I were in your position, I’d stick close to that fence. I can promise you, my side is a safer place to hang.”

  That comment stifled his killer grin, but she didn’t gain any satisfaction.

  Cassie walked into the restaurant without looking back. She didn’t need to look to know he’d followed her in. She could feel him—his heat, his presence, his security.

  Only two tables remained open in the clean, no-frills restaurant. Cassie took the larger one beside a window. Just seeing him was torture. She didn’t need to be any closer to him than necessary.

  Rio lifted a hand in greeting to three men at a corner booth, then sat opposite her. He removed his Ray-Bans, hooked them on the collar of his T-shirt, and fixed her with an attentive look. His eyes were even more striking in the daylight, a beautiful mossy shade of green. Contrasted against his black hair, the overall effect was dramatic. Intense.

  He clasped his hands on the Formica tabletop, drawing her attention there. Instead of remembering how they’d felt holding her last night, her memory strayed to thoughts of those long, strong fingers covering her back and caressing her shoulders that day at the cemetery. Then his voice shimmered into the memory, deep and soothing at her ear. “I know it hurts. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  Maria set two glasses of tea in front of them, cutting off Cassie’s thoughts. Now if she could just get rid of the tingle along her spine, the gnawing ache in her chest…

  “Gracias, Maria.” Rio handed her a twenty and waved away the need for change.

  Two years younger than her brother, Maria set a wide, beautiful smile on Rio. “Muchas gracias, Rio.” She turned to Cassie. “Nice to see you again. I’m sure Nina and Mirabel are happy to have you home.”

  Cassie hadn’t seen either her cousin or aunt yet, and the fact that they were here and waiting for her should have made this feel like home, but the word felt foreign. Where was home? Here, in Baja, where she’d been rooted most of her life? San Diego, where her career waited? The truth was, she didn’t belong anywhere. And, without Mamà and Santos, she didn’t belong to anyone either. She was starting to think she didn’t even know who the hell she was anymore.

  Still, she nodded and returned Maria’s smile. “Good to be back. How are your parents?”

  “Ornery as ever. Papa had both knees replaced, and he’s been driving Mamá crazy while he recovers.”

  “Maria.” Miguel beckoned his sister from the counter where three customers waited.

  “And he’s been driving me crazy without Mamá here. I’d better get back.”

  Cassie refocused on Rio and circled the cool glass with her hands. “That was a nice wad of cash you gave Mario down at the docks.” She ran a finger over the condensation on her glass and checked for a reaction from beneath her lashes. She got nothing, just that calm expression. “Was that from the estate’s operating fund? Does Saul know you’re cutting into his hooker cash? He’d probably have a problem with that.”

  Still no comment from Rio.

  “Or…” She tipped her head, pushing for a reaction. “Maybe that was you. I only know they came to the house, not who they serviced. Is that the kind of woman you like, Rio? The kind you can—”

  “I try to be generous when I can.” His stern tone made his thinning patience plenty clear. “Mario’s been very good to your family.”

  She ground her teeth before enunciating clearly, “And that has what to do with why you were you following me?”

  “We mentioned the dangers in town last night.” He looked out the window, his gaze pausing on several milling groups of less than savory-looking men, then returned his attention to her. “This isn’t the best neighborhood, but it’s not the worst either. The docks are the worst. You shouldn’t have gone down there by yourself.”

  Nothing pissed her off more than someone telling her what to do because they thought they knew better. Even if they did. “So this is all one big favor? Mario being good to my family—whatever that means. You taking care of me—like I believe that for a second. Seriously? That’s the best you can do?”

  His lips thinned. He sat back, tapped his fingers on the top of the bench seat. Sat forward, crossed his forearms on the Formica. “There is real danger here. Real risk. That harbor is the hottest territory within a hundred miles along the coast in each direction. These gangs are not screwing around. They’ll wipe out anyone who is a remote threat, so you asking questions of Mario or anyone else down at the docks puts not only your own life in danger but theirs as well.”

  “Why?” She couldn’t keep her growing frustration from her voice. “Because I want to know what happened to our boat?”

  “Because you are a damn spectacle. Because by simply showing up, you become the only thing any man with eyes can see. The only thing any man with a brain can think about. And the only thing any man with a mouth can talk about. Here, it’s never good to be the topic of conversation.

  “That harbor signifies power and money to these gangs. More money than any of them could ever dream of seeing in their lifetime in any other way. Anyone showing the slightest interest in any activity down there may as well paint a target on their back. They have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to questions and these guys don’t play games. They’re out for territory and notoriety, and they’ll do anything to get it. Anything. Just watch the news, if you don’t believe me. The bigger splash they can make trying to gain that limelight, the better.
And, honey, let’s face it, you’re pretty splashy.”

  Rio had slowly leaned forward as he spoke, his voice low and vehement, gaze direct and serious. Cassie couldn’t miss the heat drilling into her body from that stare, the sizzle of fear crawling along her skin from his words. Even if she hadn’t understood the intensity of the danger surrounding her, she couldn’t have missed this obvious message. But she did watch the news. She also read the papers and international magazines, followed the Internet and investigative journalists, watched special reports and documentaries. What he was telling her was true.

  “In hindsight, you’re right. I probably shouldn’t have gone to the marina alone. Although,” she added, “me going to talk to Mario for the first time since our yacht was destroyed is hardly irregular. And Mario is as honest as they come. He’d never spread information that would hurt me. But I’ll be more careful in the future and I won’t go to the marina alone. But if you’re trying to scare me back to San Diego, you can stop wasting your energy now. It’s not working.”

  “For as many brains as you must have to be a doctor, you’re not thinking very smart. I’m not trying to scare you. I’m giving you the facts. These men think nothing of torturing, dismembering, and slaughtering. They have no value. No honor. They murder in sweeping waves. Women and children mean nothing to them.”

  “Don’t you dare insinuate that I’m stupid.” She lowered her voice in warning. “Just because I’m not doing what you want or doing things the way you would do them does not make me wrong or stupid. Don’t say that again. Ever.”

  “I did not say—” He stopped himself, obviously realizing he did, in fact, come razor close to saying exactly that. He sat back, jaw tight. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  Somehow, that didn’t appease her. “I am very aware of what’s happening here. These men target specific people for specific reasons—other drug runners, informants against their gang, law enforcement officials, competition. If they targeted ordinary citizens, this place wouldn’t be overpopulated. I’m not interfering with their drug running. I’m not in their path. I’m not competition, not any kind of threat. There is no reason they would target me. I plan to stay off their radar.”

  “Okay, I get it,” he said. “You’re just seriously naïve.”

  Her temper boiled. “And you’re seriously pissing me off.”

  “Did you really not see those guys drooling over you as you walked back from the marina?”

  She thought back to her short walk and realized she hadn’t noticed anything. Her mind had been on Rio before she’d gotten on the phone with Natalie. But she said, “I’m a woman. It’s not the first time I’ve ignored a man’s stare. And sorry, handsome.” She forced a tight smile. “You gave up the right to be jealous last night.”

  “There are at least five different gangs in a six-block radius out there, Cassie. Two of which have big backing from larger gangs in other parts of Mexico. I can guarantee you are the sweetest thing they’ve set eyes on in months. Half the population of Ensenada already knows you’re here, knows why you’re here, and probably knows your damned net worth by now.” His fingers curled into his palms. “Do you realize what a prime kidnapping target you are?”

  That stunned her quiet. Kidnapping hadn’t been one of her concerns. Her mind scanned for links to kidnapping in the information she’d studied and came up empty. The kidnap and ransom of American citizens hadn’t been a problem in this area.

  “Again,” she said, “those kidnappings happened to people already involved with the gangs or who were a threat to the gangs. And my net worth is a negative number when you take into consideration my student loans, because I don’t have any direct access to my mother’s money. What does all this have to do with you paying off Mario?” she asked. “And if you were so worried about my safety, why weren’t you following me back up the street?”

  “I can’t be everywhere at once,” he said. “I paid Mario to keep his ears open and call me if he hears your name mentioned. Security at the estate is my job. You’ve just made it very clear who owns that estate, who finances that estate, and who funds my paycheck—thanks so much for pointing that out, by the way. The fact that I’ve put your security first shouldn’t be a shock.”

  She leaned back in the booth, assessing him. He was very intelligent. Very well spoken. Quick minded. It all just ramped up his appeal.

  “Quite the conscientious employee,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Is that what you were doing last night? Is that what you were doing at the funerals? Being…conscientious?”

  “No.” His denial came clear and sharp. “But it’s what I need to be. It’s better for both of us.”

  His frustration faded into a cool, even mask. Her teeth clenched. She didn’t want this man; she wanted the one underneath. She wanted the one who had held her tight at the cemetery, cradling her head against his shoulder as she’d fisted the crisp white shirt beneath his blazer. The one who’d whispered, “Hold on to me. Just hold on. It’ll pass, I promise.”

  But it hadn’t passed, and being here only reopened the wound. Maybe if she’d had someone to hold on to these last few months, someone like Rio… Maybe if she hadn’t immersed herself in work, pulled away from friends or the leisure activities she loved so much… Maybe then she’d have started to heal.

  “Speak for yourself.” The bite in her tone had vanished with the influx of pain. “I’m plenty capable of deciding what’s best for me.”

  Like lusting after Saul’s most loyal employee. Yep, stellar idea.

  “Look,” he said, “if you’re really going to be staying here, working here, we need to make a different arrangement.”

  “Gee.” She dropped her chin into her hand. “I can’t wait to hear this.”

  “It would be a good idea for me to hang around. Come into the clinic with you during the day. Go with you when you…do whatever it is you’re going to do while you’re here.”

  Laughter bubbled out of her mouth. “You’re not serious.”

  “I’m very serious.”

  She sat back, crossed her arms. “Just twelve hours ago, you said— ”

  “That was different.” His gaze dropped to the table. When he looked at her again, his gaze held the same apology she’d seen last night. “About that—”

  “I swear to God, if you make one regretful remark, I’ll have every lock at the estate changed within an hour.”

  “I don’t regret that.” His words snapped with resentment. He stopped, took a moment, then continued in a more even but still frustrated tone. “I regret…this. These…circumstances.”

  This was the closest they’d come to honesty since she’d seen him again. And she almost believed he was truly unhappy about turning her away last night. The conflicting signals she was getting from her head and her heart were making her crazy. Even worse, for the first time in years, her heart was winning.

  She pulled in a slow breath and purposely softened her voice when she said, “Then change them.”

  Chapter Six

  Cassie’s hands fisted as she waited for Rio’s response.

  “I can’t,” he said.

  Anger and pain flashed, but she played it off like it didn’t hurt. “You won’t. Big difference. But, whatever. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that.”

  Someone walked up to the table. “Cassie Christo?”

  She focused on the man standing nearby. A big man. Well over six feet and two hundred pounds. His shaved head had been inked with an intricate snake design. His dark goatee was threaded with gray, his face an elaborate pattern of folds and creases.

  Cassie’s shoulders tensed. She instinctively leaned away.

  Rio slid from the booth and put himself between the man and the table. She couldn’t see Rio’s face, but the set of his shoulders, the curl of his fists, and his wide stance screamed, Don’t even think about it. A trickle of security warmed her.

  “You’ve got no business with her, Caesar,” Rio said, his voice filled
with darkness. “If you’re smart, you won’t come around her again.”

  “Whoa.” The man stepped back, hands up. “I don’t want no trouble with you, Rio. I’m here to see Señorita Christo.”

  Caesar? Oh, shit. Caesar.

  “The hell you—”

  “Rio.” Cassie reached out and touched his forearm. He jerked his head toward her, mouth tight. “I asked Caesar to come. We do have business.”

  His expression shifted to disbelief. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

  She’d been underestimated enough for one day. She stood and looked Rio in the eye. “First degree murder, ten years in prison, recently released. Yes, Rio, I do know what I’m dealing with. You can go back to the estate now.”

  He turned toward her, leaned in, and spoke low. “What possible business could you have with someone like this?”

  “Let’s call it…data mining.” She smiled. “Yeah, I like the sound of that.”

  “Cassie, you don’t—”

  “Please excuse us, Rio,” she said. “Oh, but first I have something for you.” She pulled the bug he’d planted in her phone from the pocket of her shorts and held it between her thumb and forefinger. “For you.” She put the bug in his palm and closed his fingers around it. “There is no possible way you could turn this into any illusion of safety or protection.”

  Thoughts turned in the background of Rio’s shocked expression while he put the pieces together. And that only took ten seconds.

  He pulled the collar of her jean jacket into his fist and dragged her close, tilted his face down to hers. Almost as if he were going to kiss her. Cassie swallowed. She craved the feel of his lips. More, she longed for the sweet connection they’d shared for that brief but perfect moment on the beach.

  Only the look on his face was not the least bit romantic. “You little…”

  She dropped her gaze to his mouth, let it linger for a moment, then met his eyes and lowered her voice to a velvety tone and covered his hand with hers. “Look, we both know we’re on opposite sides—of what, I haven’t figured out yet. But I will. Just remember, I learned all my deviant behavior from the master himself. Saul.”