Yeah, she knows. His own guilt spilling into the problems she creates between them. “You’re not. It was over long before you and me. I just didn’t have the courage to admit it to him or myself.”
“I want you to do what you need to be happy." He shakes his head before disappointment lines his forehead. "Even if that includes being with him.”
Fear grips her heart. He’s letting her go, even though she doesn’t want to be set free. “It doesn’t. I just need to talk to him. I owe him that. He deserves to know it was me not him.”
Max nods, his shoulders sagging in the silence, unwilling to fight for what he thinks isn’t his, doesn’t belong to him. Even though he’s had her heart since the day she told him off as he stood guard at Nick’s meeting with her father and their other partners.
“I never told him…” The rarity of being honest chokes her throat. She’s been hiding from the truth for so long, avoiding it comes too easily. “…about the pregnancy test and my fear and blaming myself. He doesn’t know any of it. All he knows is that I’m crazy.”
And, he had to suffer for it. Pushed away because the connection between them not strong enough for her to believe he could forgive her, to accept he married a woman who was too scared at first to want her own baby. “I need to tell him the truth.”
He slows in front of the resort and parks at the edge closest to the protected beach, the tall grasses bending in the breeze. His gaze remains on the keys in his hand, a sign of his pain that he won’t look at her. “I love you, but you know I can’t be with you like this. When we get back, you need to figure out what you really want. If it includes me, I’ll be there. Completely.” He lets out a deep breath and taps his fist against his thigh. “If not, I’ll never feel any differently about you, and I--.”
“I already know.” Tears prick her eyes. She never cries except over the two people she loves the most. “It’s--”
“No, not now. Talk to Richard. Then decide.”
He pushes open the car door and pauses for a few seconds before coming around to her side. Still always a gentleman. A flicker of hope lights in her heart when he takes her hand as they walk. Maybe everything’s not lost. Her stomach sinks as the realization hits her. He holds Shae’s hand when he’s protecting her, guiding her when he worries. It’s the same damn thing. Fuck! Why does she even have to think about her? Probably because he is. Shae. Richard. Her. Why are they so screwed up?
She pushes past the doubt and squeezes his fingers, comfort for her if not for him. His expression remains unreadable. Stupid stoic security look never revealing anything. They stop in front of their gate, and he swipes the card. The steel drums not enough to make her smile this time. And, she’s probably not even going to get any sex tonight. She needs a drink. If they don’t have tequila in the wet bar, she’s going to call room service, and--. She winces at Max’s fierce grip on her hand, jerking her out of the doorway. His body rigid as he pushes her behind him. Cold chills race up her back. “Max?”
His eyebrows lift, and he shakes his head before pulling the door shut. Tense fingers grip her waist, and he hustles her down the sidewalk back to the wooden path. He jabs at his phone screen before pressing it against his ear, the tight grip crushing the case. “We’re heading into the hotel. Meet us in the lobby bar.”
Calm and smooth as always, but a rare hint of uncertainty tinges his voice. Almost surprise. His eyes dart all around them as they walk, only his vise grip on her rib cage revealing his worry. “What’s wrong? Why are we going back into the hotel?”
“Someone was in our room.”
#####
Fucking shit! The hair on his neck remains standing. It can’t be her. Not after all this time. But the proof is undeniable. Her vanilla jasmine scent filling the air, all of his security markers moved to let him know of her presence. Not trying to surprise him at all. What the hell is she doing here? Why would she follow him?
Gina’s gasp pulls him out of his thoughts. Fuck. He needs to get his shit together and stop scaring her. After last night, she doesn’t need any more reasons to panic. “I mean I think. I need to check.”
Her head tilts before her eyes widen, calling bullshit on his lie. She knows this world as well as he does. Cord’s quick stride towards them saves him for now. He nods to the bodyguard. “Stay with her. Do whatever you have to do to protect her. If I’m not back in thirty minutes, take her to the airport and go back to LA.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Wait!” Gina grabs his shirt as he turns away, panic sharpening her tone. “What are you doing? Take Cord with you. Or, call Andy. Something. Don’t go by yourself.”
Her fear stabs his chest. She really does love him even if her mind and heart battle. “I can’t. I have to do this alone.”
Defiance stiffens her body and her chin lifts up, her gaze boring into his. “We are not leaving without you.”
“Thirty minutes.”
He motions to Cord and taps on his watch, ignoring Gina calling his name as he pushes open the stained glass door and jogs back to the villa.
A storm of emotions and thoughts rages in his head, but he forces it down, clears his mind. Don’t assume anything until you can access the situation. Make decisions based on what you know. He rubs his forehead, trying to relieve the tension. Easy to do when it isn’t personal.
Katrina’s the best there is, better than him. Which both scared and intoxicated him when they were together. Difficult to close your eyes when you never really trust the person lying next to you. Maybe they were too similar. They both lived for the high. Thriving on dangerous situations, barely making it back. Celebrating their survival. Yet, too much intensity to last. She always sought the next cliff, looking for more adventure. Not wanting to take it slow or easy. Letting her insatiable drive come between them. Never stopping even if it hurt him.
He takes a deep breath and swipes the card again. His hand slides to his gun but falls away at the door, kidding himself. He could never shoot a woman. And, she knows it. His only weakness.
The knob creaks under his fingers, and he steps in the entryway. “I’m alone. You can come out.”
A genuine laugh reaches him before she does. The pounding in his chest slows a bit that she’s in a good mood. At least for now. Hopefully it will last as long as their conversation does.
She steps in from the terrace, and his breath catches. She’s still sexy as hell. Her white blond hair short and spiky, with only her ears pierced tonight. She slowly glides to him, her black string bikini and stilettos marred by the silver Glock in her red tipped fingers.
“Nice disguise. You really look like you’re enjoying your vacation.”
Her hand slides over the flimsy fabric, lingering on her breast before moving to her hip. “I like to play the part.”
“I know you do. What is it this time?”
“A hit, baby.” Her nose crinkles and she nods, feigning sympathy she doesn’t really feel. “Sorry, but you’re it this time.”
What the fuck? His body flames, shock engulfing him more than fear. Why would someone hire her to take him out?
“Who?”
She licks her lips before a huge smile lights up her face, the viciousness glowing in her eyes. “Nick.”
Chapter 11
Gina strides to the doorway again. Nothing different than the last twenty times. Max still isn’t there. Not his smile. Not his worry. Not him.
“Gina?”
She ignores Cord’s irritation summoning her from their table by the window. Only four more minutes, and she’s done. If he won’t check on Max, she will.
Cord’s hand slides around her arm. “Stop walking away. I can’t protect you when come out here without me.”
She jerks away from him, fury throbbing in every muscle. “It’s not me you should be protecting. Go find out what’s going on.”
“You know I can’t. Max said--”
“Fuck what Max said.”
A sharp gasp hushes the room, all eyes on he
r. Unaware the volume of her argument until the other voices dissipate. His hand slides to her back, and he guides her to the sofa by the aquarium. “You need to calm down. He wants to keep you safe and nothing else matters but that.”
Regret stabs her heart at the familiar words. “You sound just like him.”
“He trained me well.” He squats down in front of her, a slight smile attempting to reassure her, pissing her off even more. “He knows what he’s doing. That’s why he’s the boss.”
She wraps her arms around her shoulders, forcing herself not to dig in her bag and dial the real boss’ number. Unwilling to upset Shae and jeopardize the baby’s health by begging her to have Nick fix this. To make this idiot help Max. “Call Andy.”
“I can’t.”
“Do it, or I’ll call Nick.”
He bristles at her threat and rises before yanking his phone out of his pocket and tapping the screen. “We’ve got a situation…”
Frustration lines his forehead as he walks toward the lobby door, his gaze darting between her and the hallway while he talks. Fuck him. He can think she’s a bitch all he wants. She’s been in this world too long and seen too much not to know what happens when people screw up, when bodyguards waste time following orders rather than doing what needs to be done.
Her stomach clenches. Thirty minutes and he still isn’t here. Fuck this. She bolts from the cushion and runs through the bar to the back entrance, cutting a few seconds off her race to the villa. Sand scrapes under her sandals pounding the wooden slats. Her fingers shake as she swipes the card, red dots lighting up in the black and silver box. Damn it! She runs the plastic through the reader again, Cord’s yell drowning out the drum chimes. Finally! Shoving the gate open, she races to the open front door. “Max!”
Cord’s fingers dig into her arm pulling her back, trying to protect her. But, it’s not necessary. Goosebumps cover her trembling body. No one’s here to be rescued from.
She walks aimlessly around the tiny house, ignoring Andy and Cord on their phones talking to who the hell knows. No blood. Nothing overturned or broken. No sign that anything’s wrong. Except Max isn’t here.
The room service cart still sits by the door, another missed meal because he chose dessert. A bittersweet smile touches her lips. And, a crazy bitch who let him down. Why the fuck didn’t she follow him when he came back?
She lifts up the silver dome. His untouched steak sits cold and shriveled, a gelled yellow liquid oozing from under the sautéed onions. The metal clanks against the second cover as she lowers it down. Her fingers curl around the other container. Maybe real dessert. He and Shae love their sweets, just another thing he has in common with Shae and not her.
Her breath catches. A textured bowl heaped with peanuts sits on the tray. Just like in Vegas. He remembered. Another thoughtful gesture. For her. That she may never get to thank him for. God! Why aren’t they doing something?
The lid crashing down echoes through the room as it hits the plate, and she strides toward Andy, his eyebrows raising at her approach. “Where is he?”
“I’ll call you back.” He taps the screen and shoves the phone into his pocket. “Calm down, love. We’ll find him.”
He can play as charming as he wants with his cute nicknames and sexy accent, but not now. Not when the man she loves is missing. “What are you doing to find him? He’s in trouble, and no one seems to give a damn.”
The smile slides off his face. “No one gives a damn more than I do.” Anger vibrates through his voice as he meets her gaze. “I’ve got people all over this island searching for him, tracking flights, boats, even fucking jet skis. If he’s here, I’ll find him.”
“What if he’s not?” She flinches at her voice cracking, hating how scared she sounds. “What if he’s already gone? What if he’s…”
She can’t bring herself to say the word. Andy’s expression softens, and he nods to her. “I’ve got contacts across the world. I’ll find him no matter where he is.”
But, what if it’s too late?
The chirp of his phone breaks the silence, and he presses it against his ear. "What’ve you got?”
Nausea swirls her stomach at the surprise widening his eyes and mouth. This cannot be the end. Please don’t let him be dead. She can’t take losing him too.
Andy shakes his head before his hand rubs across his forehead. “You’re sure?”
She can’t hold back. “What?”
He holds up a finger, but she forces it down. “What?”
His Adam’s apple bobs at his hard swallow. “He boarded a helicopter that took off about twenty minutes ago.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know. He wasn’t alone.” His gaze drops from hers, a flush covering his pale skin, seemingly as shocked as she is. “Jacque said he was holding hands with a woman.”
Fear explodes into fury at the realization for his adamant demand to confront the threat alone. How could she have been so fucking stupid? She’s not being protected. She’s being dumped. That son of a bitch.
#####
Max turns away from the window. The incessant hum of the blades whirls above them and blackness cloaks the waves below. The line indistinguishable where the water meets the horizon. Unable to tell how far they’ve flown, uncertain of the distance between him and the woman he loves. His stomach drops. The only fact he’s sure of. He did this for her, and she’ll hate him for it.
“Who’s the bitch?”
He winces at Katrina’s insult, her head nodding toward Gina’s heels splayed next to the night stand, kicked off as they made their way to bed last night once he was untied. “She’s not a bitch.”
“Don’t tell me you love her.”
Bitter jealousy tinges the sarcasm filling her voice as she rolls her eyes. Her words slice like a knife through his gut. She’ll kill Gina just for being with him, to make him suffer. Revenge one of her favorite weapons. “Nah, she’s just a friend. Likes to have a little fun, no strings attached.”
A slight lift of her eyebrow means she’s on the fence, trying to determine the truth behind his nonchalance. This could go either way. He takes a deep breath. “Unlike someone else who broke my heart.”
The smile fades, the giddiness of proposed violence leaving her eyes. “Fuck you. You left me.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He nods, conveying remorse he doesn’t feel but prays to God she believes. “One of many things I wish I’d done differently.”
He pauses, letting the words hang between them. Not too strong or she won’t buy it. But, enough to intrigue her, create a little doubt in her ruthless mind. That maybe he’d made a mistake. Maybe he’d acted in haste and could be convinced of how much.
The battle as to whether she believes him plays out only in the softening of her shoulders. She’s too cool to reveal any other tells. Time to distract her a bit. “How much is Nick paying you?”
He keeps the lie going. Fully aware Nick would only kill him for one reason. And, for that betrayal, Nick would kill him himself. A hit would be much too gentle of a punishment for loving his boss’ wife.
“Ten. Five now, five afterward.”
“Pretty generous.” He meets her gaze, expectant for what he’s leading up to. “Maybe we should turn the tables on him. Take the cash and have our own fun.”
The double cross. Her second favorite aphrodisiac.
She raises her arm, pointing the gun at his chest. “Why would I be willing to give up the other half when I could shoot you right now and be on my way with millions in my pocket?”
“We could talk about old times. Catch up a little bit. See where it leads.” He steps closer, covering her curled fingers with his. “I guarantee it’d be a lot more enjoyable than killing me.”
Their eyes lock. If she accepts, Gina will be safe. If not… He takes a deep breath, unable to think about what he’ll have to do to protect her.
Relief relaxes his strained nerves as she flashes her ‘hell yeah’ smile, too excited at t
he prospect of screwing Nick, and maybe even him, albeit in different ways, to play it as slick as she would like. “I guess I could go for that. But, what about your…” She rolls her eyes again as her fingers curl. “…fuck friend?”
“Tomas’ daughter? Nah, she’s fine. Probably won’t even notice I’m gone.”
She nods her head, oblivious to the error of him calling Gina’s father the wrong name.
As always, details continue to be her weakness. Proof she hasn’t researched him or staked him out. Just learned enough to find him and show up. Yet, his mind races. If not Nick, then who?
“We’ll land in about ten minutes. Then a few more hours and we’ll be home.”
The wistfulness of Katrina’s tone pulls him out of his thoughts. She’s never been soft, doesn’t care about sentiment or memories. What the fuck is going on?
“Sounds good.”
Without his phone, he’s trapped a little longer, prisoner to her and his own ignorance. He has to find a way to let Nick know to tighten the security on Gina and Shae until he can figure out who’s behind the hit. His escape worthless if it leads Katrina back to the people he must protect.
Gina.
So fucking stubborn. All he can hope is she lets Cord take care of her. That he and Andy can get her back to L.A. Where she’ll be safe. Where she can talk to her husband. Who may want to reconcile after he finds out the truth behind her pushing him away. Which is what he should want for her, to keep her commitment and stay with the man she promised to spend her life with.
Except he can’t. Even if it’s wrong. She belongs with him.
He scrubs his hands over his face, the descent thrusting him against the seat bottom. A small jet sits on the tarmac at the end of a short runway, a few yards from a silver Mercedes. Two pilots stand next to the descended staircase. Everything too organized and orderly for Katrina. A single bag rests on the ground. Her benefactor not anticipating her to come back with a guest.
A man steps out from the darkened cabin, pausing on the top step and squinting toward them as the skids touch the asphalt. Fury burns through Max’s veins at the smug ass smirk on the familiar face.
Truth About Tequila (Surviving Absolution #3) Page 9