He shook his head. Daniel renewed his efforts to free himself from his captor.
“Calm down or I slice her open,” the man holding Sydnee said.
Sydnee drew in a quick breath. He wouldn’t kill her. She was worth too much alive. She had to believe that or she would pass out from the fear.
Daniel stopped fighting, his eyes desperate as he looked at her. “Mees Sydnee,” he whispered.
Sydnee loved him so much in that moment. He would’ve sacrificed himself for her like he’d already tried to do for Alejandro.
“Mees Sydnee,” the man mocked. “Beautiful American trying to help the poor orphans. Yes, you’ll bring me a lot of money.”
“Let him go. You have me,” she commanded with a slightly quavering voice.
The man laughed. “You are a dumb negotiator.” He started tugging her toward the truck.
A large form appeared at the edge of the clearing. The man holding her jerked to a stop. The newcomer stepped closer, and Sydnee gasped. Brooks. He was dressed all in black with a gun slung over his back and a wicked knife in his hand. He looked terrifying. She’d never seen a more welcome or attractive sight.
His eyes swept over her, then hardened as they focused on the man holding her. “Let her go and I will kill you quickly.”
The man laughed, but it was unsteady. “As opposed to what?”
“Slicing you up slowly and savoring every minute of it.”
Sydnee swallowed hard. From the look on Brooks’s face, he wasn’t bluffing.
“I’ll slice her open right now,” the man threatened. The edge of his knife grazed Sydnee’s neck. She flinched away from it. How could Brooks save her with the position she was in?
Brooks threw the knife before her mind had even recognized his hand was in motion. The man’s arm jerked. He screamed and dropped his knife, Brooks’s weapon embedded in his upper arm. His arm around her slackened, and Sydnee dodged out of his grasp.
Brooks flew across the clearing and knocked the man to the ground in one punch. José grabbed the man holding Daniel, who seemed to be in shock. She had no clue where José had even appeared from.
Daniel rushed to Sydnee and wrapped his arms around her waist. Alejandro knocked into her other side an instant later.
Sydnee held the boys close, and she thought she murmured comforting words, but all she could do was stare at Brooks as he hauled the man to his feet. Blood streamed down the man’s arm from the knife still protruding out of his flesh, but he didn’t complain or act like he even hurt. He kept looking at Sydnee even as Brooks yanked the knife out, then pulled his arms behind his back and held him as José tied his wrists.
The third man sat up, but José had him hog-tied before he could make a fuss. Brooks pushed all three men down to the ground and nodded to José, who had a curved-bladed saber trained on them.
“You got them until the police get here?” Brooks asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t call me sir.” Brooks clapped his friend on the shoulder, shoved his knife onto his belt, then started toward Sydnee and her boys. His eyes were filled with concern, but also had this predatory gleam in them. She took an instinctive step back and held on tightly to the boys.
Daniel stared up at Brooks and moved to stand in front of Sydnee.
“It’s okay,” Sydnee told him. “He’s a good guy.”
Alejandro clung to her. Daniel’s eyes never left Brooks’s face.
Brooks glanced at each of the boys, swallowed hard, and focused on Sydnee. “Are you okay?”
“Thanks to you,” she managed to get out. She wanted to be the damsel in distress and fling herself into his very inviting arms, maybe even express her gratitude with a kiss, but she’d left things pretty awkward between them with her accusations and refusal to accompany him to his singles party. She didn’t know how Brooks would react to her now. Yet he had saved her, and she would never forget that.
Brooks’s eyes swept over her body as if reassuring himself she wasn’t injured. “Let’s get you all home.” He took her elbow and gently escorted her toward the road as Alejandro held on to her other hand, and Daniel stayed behind them like a protective little escort. How she loved these boys.
She stubbed her toe on a large rock, and a little gasp of pain escaped. Brooks stopped. “You okay?” His voice was so tender. She’d seen the overconfident womanizer and now the warrior, but this tender side was something new, and she was more drawn to him than she’d ever been to a man.
“Yes.” She didn’t want to look like a wimp. “Stubbed my toe.”
He glanced down her bare legs to her unshod feet. “Aha. I knew you wanted an excuse to be back in my arms.” He grinned. “Honestly, woman. All you had to do was ask.”
“What?” Sydnee had barely released the question when Brooks let go of her elbow and swept her up into his arms. All her air whooshed out as she was cradled against his muscular chest, her lips inches from his strong jawline. If she arched up a little bit, she could see if that day’s growth was soft or stubbly. It sure made him look rugged and much too manly.
He smelled good, clean and kind of spicy, a wonderful contrast to the foul sweat of the traffickers. Glancing down at her, he smiled. “What?”
“Nothing.” She blushed, hoping he hadn’t guessed where her thoughts were. Their interactions had been fire and ice, and she didn’t need to have him thinking she wanted him like every other female seemed to.
“You had that look,” he said quietly so the boys didn’t overhear them.
“What look?” she whispered back.
“Like you might’ve changed your mind and want a piece of all of this.”
Sydnee stiffened. He had noticed where her thoughts were leading her. “Don’t get your hopes up, big guy.”
“Oh, I will.” Brooks chuckled and tucked her in closer to his body.
It was hard to resist cuddling into him. He felt wonderful against her, especially after being so terrified of what the traffickers would do to her and the boys, and what their fate would’ve been if Brooks hadn’t appeared looking like a dark-haired Thor coming to their rescue. All he needed was the hammer. She licked her lips.
The bright lights of the orphanage beaconed ahead. Rosmerta, Camila, and Daniel and Alejandro’s little buddy, Mario, waited on the steps. Their faces lit up when they saw them, and they started running in their direction. A couple of police cars raced up. Brooks set her on her feet when they reached the grass and went to stow his weapons in his Hummer. In all the confusion, she didn’t even get a chance to thank him.
9
The older children were still at school on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and Sydnee was enjoying holding baby Tomás, rocking away while he slurped down his bottle. She kissed his forehead and savored the smell of lotion and clean baby. She felt a rush of affection for this innocent boy. Would she really experience more maternal love than this for her own children? Her sisters and mom assured her she would, but she didn’t know how it could be possible.
Thanksgiving was tomorrow, and she ached for her nieces and nephews. That was the problem with being part of a huge, loving family: too many people to love and miss when you were away. She glanced down at the precious baby. Her spot was here, but sometimes she wondered if this was what her life was always going to be. She couldn’t imagine ever leaving, but if she didn’t, would she marry or have her own children? Her focus needed to be on loving all of these children who needed her so badly. It was almost like being a nun. She laughed at the comparison, though sadly, it wasn’t far off.
Sobering quickly, she blinked back tears. She had cried several times since that awful night when Brooks had rescued them. She wished he’d ask her to go to Thanksgiving at his friend’s island again. This time she might say yes, even if it was a drunken party he was taking her to. No, she reprimanded herself. Good Southern Christian girls didn’t lower their standards.
“Sydnee?” Rosmerta’s call rang through the building, and Julio started cryin
g in his crib.
She lifted Tomás onto her chest to burp him.
“There you are.” Rosmerta rushed into the room and picked up Julio, rocking and singing until the baby was cooing. “Camila needs you in her office right away.”
Tomás let out a large burp, and they both laughed. “Wow. Guess he didn’t want to make Camila wait.” Sydnee swaddled the baby and lay him down for his afternoon nap. She whispered goodbye to Rosmerta, who almost had Julio back to sleep, and slowly made her way to Camila’s office. Rapping her knuckles on the door, she waited.
“Oh, good, you’re here.” Camila didn’t even invite her in, but took her arm and pulled her down the hallway toward the bedrooms. “You need to pack. Mr. Hoffman has requested that you accompany him on his yacht to a private island for Thanksgiving.”
“What?” Sydnee stopped in the hallway and yanked her arm free. Warmth started in the pit of her stomach and worked its way out. Brooks wanted her with him. She would get a chance to thank him. Would he want a kiss of gratitude? Probably more than a kiss. As quick as the joy started, it diffused. He wanted her to be one of his hoochie mommas at some party. Would she have to watch as he flirted with other women? While they flirted with him? That thought made her stomach roll. How dare he get to her through her boss after she’d already blatantly told him no. The rescue might make her ache for him, but it couldn’t change her value system. “I told him no. I’m not going anywhere with that man.”
Camila sighed heavily. “You go, or he pulls his funding from the orphanage.”
Sydnee’s heart sank. It was exactly what she’d feared and the kind of stunt she thought Brooks was capable of when she first met him. She really wanted to believe that the Brooks she’d gotten to know a little bit wouldn’t do something like this. “So you’re going to prostitute me?” Just saying that made her feel filthy.
“I am not!” Camila gasped, looking properly offended. “Who said anything about sleeping with him?”
“A man doesn’t invite you on a yacht and to a private island without expecting some side benefits,” Sydnee said heavily.
“Sydnee, I’ve known Mr. Hoffman for five years now.”
“Wait. You’ve known him for five years, and I’ve never met him before?”
“I hadn’t met him myself until the other day. I’ve known him through phone calls, emails, and word of mouth for five years. He’s obviously interested in you, but I can promise you he is a good man and would never force himself on a woman. If you don’t want to sleep with him, just say no.”
“Right, and then he pulls our funding whether I go on the trip or not.”
Camila grabbed her shoulders. “My sister-in-law cleans Mr. Hoffman’s house, and her cousin, José, is his personal assistant and close friend. He dates a lot of women, that’s true, but they never stay the night. José told me that sometimes they beg, and Mr. Hoffman just charms them and sends them away.”
Sydnee’s eyes narrowed. Camila had obviously been drinking Brooks’s Kool-Aid and was desperate to keep their funding. Sydnee felt the same way about the funding, and though she might be able to believe Brooks wasn’t sleeping around, how was she going to stay strong being around him for an entire weekend? Especially when visions of him fighting for her and the boys came to mind.
“Please, Sydnee,” Camila begged. “Who’s going to hold little baby Tomás when you and I have to get jobs to provide enough food for the children here? Forget about clothing, medical supplies, schooling, or opportunities to leave the island. Are you going to be the one to tell Daniel he can’t play soccer anymore? To stop Alejandro’s wrestling lessons? To pull María out of her tumbling classes? To put these children at even more risk of traffickers stealing them? They’ll be lucky to have a place to live, and Daniel and Alejandro will have to take care of the babies so we can go work or scrounge up food.”
Sydnee’s stomach was lead. How could Brooks put her in this position? Was she supposed to be some high-dollar escort? Humiliating. He knew she’d cave because he knew how much she loved these children. The children. If she’d been willing to go with the traffickers and submit to whatever torture they had in mind to protect them, she should be able to handle spending a weekend with this infuriating, selfish man. She’d go and maybe get a chance to wring his treacherous neck.
“Okay,” she muttered.
“Okay?” Camila’s voice squeaked.
“I’ll do it. If he’ll promise not to touch me or try any of his romantic crap.” One look and he had her quivering at the knees. How was she going to keep from succumbing to his tricks on a private yacht and a private island? He’d said a Thanksgiving party on his friend’s island. Images of a crazy party with a bunch of single people kept plaguing her. She was so not into that scene. What happened to turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving? Instead she was headed for spring break debauchery.
Camila laughed. “I’m sure by the end of the trip you’ll be begging him to touch you. Can you believe how good-looking he is and so rich and funny too?”
Sydnee rolled her eyes. “Just tell him my terms or I’m not going.”
“Fine. You go pack and I’ll let him know.”
“You’ll call him?”
“No. He’s waiting right outside.”
Sydnee’s palms started sweating. Brooks was outside. Right now? Part of her wanted to touch up her makeup and go talk to him, finally give him a proper thank-you for rescuing them. But, the sane part of her wanted to go knee him where it hurts for placing her in this situation. She dragged her feet to her bedroom and packed quickly. Maybe the good Lord would see fit to protect her from Brooks’s charm. Hopefully some of the people on the island would be tolerable to be around.
She stopped by the nursery to kiss the babies, lingering over Tomás’s crib. He looked so adorable lying on his stomach with his tush in the air and his cheek squished against the sheet. How was she going stay away from him for almost four days? Forcing herself to leave after one last kiss on the cheek, she went out the backdoor and hugged each of the toddlers on the playset with Rosmerta. Her friend gave her a quick side squeeze. “Have fun, and give that handsome guy a kiss for me, eh?”
“There will be no kissing,” Sydnee insisted. “Can you tell all the big kiddos that I’ll be back Sunday, and I miss and love them? Especially Daniel and Alejandro.” The boys had only left her side for school and bedtime the past few days. They’d all bonded together, and after seeing how determined they were to protect her, she knew she would do anything for them.
“Yes, yes, they’ll be fine without you.”
“Will you? It’s going to be busy with only the two of you.”
“Mr. Hoffman is sending some of his house staff to help since he won’t be home this weekend. We’ll have so much extra help, I won’t have to scrub a toilet or clean a dish all weekend.” She winked. “Now have fun! You deserve a vacation.”
Sydnee forced a smile so her friend wouldn’t worry. She walked around the side of the house. Brooks stood next to his black Hummer, studying the front door like it was the key to his happiness. He clenched and unclenched his fist. Then he ran his hand through his hair. She noticed he was clean shaven today, and his stretchy V-neck shirt and Levi’s fit all too well. He looked … really good. It wasn’t fair for one man to have all those good looks but be a snake underneath. He’d basically committed extortion with Camila. Anger rose up until it was almost choking her. She walked his direction.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps and his face lit up. “Sydnee!” Rushing to her, he took her bag and gave her a hug. Sydnee barely had time to process those strong arms wrapped around her, those bulging chest muscles pressing against her shoulder, and that spicy sandalwood scent making her mouth water before he pulled away. “Thank you for coming with me. It’s going to be great.”
Sydnee blinked up at him. What was he talking about? “I didn’t really have much choice.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Camila said I go wi
th you or you cut our funding.” She tilted her head to the side and folded her arms across her chest. “Did she have a misunderstanding of some kind?”
Brooks gave a strangled sort of laugh, and a veil seemed to cover his face. His eyes lost their sparkle and he looked her over like a tiger stalking its dinner. “No, that was right.” He took a step closer, and though he wasn’t touching her, the strength and warmth of his body overshadowed her. “Did she tell you the other parameters?”
“That you won’t touch or proposition me?”
He chuckled, and it was a dark, lifeless sound. “Don’t worry. By the end of the trip you’ll be begging me to touch and proposition you.”
“In your dreams, big boy.” She stomped around him, and José was there to open her door. Sliding into the seat, she sighed heavily. Who was Brooks, really? Her rescuer or her slaver? This was going to be a very long weekend with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
10
Brooks watched Sydnee closely as they walked onto his yacht, appreciating the way she filled out her clingy knee-length blue dress, but really wanting to see her reaction to his Ferretti. Her jaw dropped slightly, and she glanced back at him. “This is really nice.”
“Only the best for you, ma’am.” He bowed.
She smirked at his fake Southern accent.
He was relieved that she wasn’t snipping at him. He’d hated seeing her in danger the other night. After he saved her life, he thought she might convert to a sweet woman and give him the obligatory kiss of gratitude, but no, not Sydnee. She was back to acting like he was the big bad wolf intent on compromising the innocent girl. He’d initially thought he might ham up that angle, but after seeing her with that knife against her neck, he couldn’t stand the thought of her being in danger or pain. He loved the way she’d gazed at him like some kind of hero, and he’d considered telling Camila he’d changed his mind and didn’t want to force her to come this weekend. It was pretty harsh to dangle the funding over their heads, yet it ticked him off that she believed he would actually pull it.
Cozumel Escape (Destination Billionaire Romance) Page 5