One-Click Buy: December 2009 Silhouette Desire

by Susan Mallery

  His head jerked up as though scenting danger. Took him long enough, she thought. “Rebecca—”

  “Just answer the question, Alex.” She tossed back the whiskey, this time ignoring the alcoholic burn, and slammed the glass onto his desk so hard she couldn’t believe it didn’t shatter. “On second thought, never mind. You’ve already made your feelings crystal clear.”

  He studied her without expression. “It’s not you. You understand that, don’t you? It’s your father.”

  “No, I got it. I’m good enough to bed, so long as no one finds out. But you wouldn’t dream of marrying me.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Is that what you were hoping would happen? I’d take you to bed and fall in love with you again? We’d marry and your father’s debts would be miraculously forgiven?”

  “In other words, did I seduce you as some sort of nefarious plot so you’d pay off our debts and save my father from jail? Sure, Alex. Have it your way.” She closed the distance between them. “Now let me ask you a question. When I approached you about taking over as your housekeeper in order to pay off our debt, why didn’t you tell me it was an impossibility? A one-point-three-million-dollar impossibility? Or would that have spoiled your fun at having the opportunity to turn the tables on the Huntingtons and get a little payback after all?”

  “Your father told you?” At her nod, he sighed. “Interesting, considering I promised him I would remain silent on the issue. I did warn you the debt couldn’t be settled anytime soon.”

  “There were alternatives to telling me, Alex. If you’d flat-out refused to hire me, there’s not much I could have done to force your agreement.”

  He shrugged. “I thought having you stay at El Diablo might protect you from Rodriquez.”

  It made a hideous sort of sense. “So it had nothing to do with wanting me back in your bed?”

  He didn’t answer that, but she could see the truth in his eyes. He wanted her. He’d always wanted her, just as she’d always wanted him. What a sad pair they were. Exhaustion swamped her.

  “I’ll pack my things and be out of your life first thing in the morning.” A bit melodramatic, but maybe he’d put that down to the amount of whiskey she’d consumed. She paused by the door, but couldn’t bring herself to look at him again in case she burst into tears. “You know… I find it interesting that you’ve always held my father in such contempt when you’ve spent your entire life turning yourself into an exact replica of him. And just in case you were wondering, tonight you completed the transformation. You’re just as much a snob as he ever was.”

  And with that, she walked out.

  Ten

  The ringing of her cell phone woke Rebecca from a groggy sleep. Sitting up in bed, she looked around her room in a daze while the events of the previous night crashed down on her. At some point in the midst of her packing frenzy she must have fallen asleep, leaving the evidence of those crazed hours strewn around her. Clothing was piled half in and half out of suitcases. Dresser drawers hung open. And the closet door stood agape, with the hangers stripped bare.

  The cell phone continued its annoying chirp and she cleared her throat as she fumbled to answer it, praying it was Alex calling with a change of heart. Though why he would call instead of simply joining her in bed…

  “Yes, hello?”

  “Good morning, señorita. I trust you slept well last night?”

  She hesitated for a full ten seconds before moistening her lips and replying. “Paulo?”

  “Very good,” he responded with warm approval. “You’ve come to recognize my voice. An excellent step forward in our relationship. Soon you’ll learn to listen to my every word, and of course, always do exactly as I tell you.”

  Was he kidding? “That’s not likely.”

  “Really?” His laughter sent a chill of dread coursing through her. “I think it’s not only likely, but inevitable. Why don’t we test my theory and see. Are you listening, muñequita?”

  She vaguely recalled that meant little doll, but suspected it had a slightly different connotation the way he chose to use it. “I’m listening.”

  “See, already part of my prediction has come true.” His voice lowered, became more sinister. “Let’s see if I can’t make the rest come true, as well. Shall we try?”

  Her palms grew damp, making it difficult to hold the cell phone. “What do you want?”

  “I want you to come to Huntington Manor. Alone. When you get here, you will join your father and me for a little…conversation.”

  Her heart leaped. “My father?” she repeated.

  “Is right here with me. Shall I put him on?”

  “Yes. Yes, I want to speak to him.”

  “Very well. I will allow it. This time.”

  There was a momentary pause and she could hear men’s voices conversing in the background. Then her father came on the line. “Gentry’s here! Find Alex. Tell him—”

  Her father broke off with a groan and then Rodriquez spoke again. “If you are very wise, you won’t listen to your father. He’s an old man. He can’t handle pressure well. Such pressure could do him serious harm. Do we understand one another?”

  Terror filled her. What had he already done to her father to cause him to groan like that? What more was he willing to do if she didn’t follow his instructions? Injecting a docile tone into her voice that was only partially feigned, she said, “Don’t hurt him. Please, Paulo.”

  To her relief, it worked. “Much better. I like how you ask so nicely.” He paused a beat before continuing. “It’s time for you to come home. Get into your car and drive over here. Then the three of us—”

  “Don’t you mean four?”

  He chuckled. “Very well. The four of us will have a brief conversation while we determine the future direction of our relationship.” The amusement faded from his voice. “Under no circumstances will you call Alex. Besides, I’ve arranged for him to be well occupied at his office with strict instructions not to be disturbed. He won’t be able to help you, even if he were so inclined. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Excellent. See? I told you that you’d listen and obey me. I’m very pleased at how quickly you’ve learned. You won’t keep your future husband waiting, will you, Rebecca?”

  She gritted her teeth. “No, Paulo,” she answered dutifully.

  “See that you don’t.”

  The instant he disconnected the call, she began to punch in Alex’s number, then hesitated. She’d never been a good liar and doubted she could fool Paulo if he asked her whether or not she’d disobeyed him. But she hadn’t promised she wouldn’t call someone else. Unfortunately, this time she doubted anyone could save her from what Paulo had planned.

  Again, she started to use her cell, but thought better of it. Allowing instinct to drive her, she called Kate using Alex’s landline. Precious moments passed while she argued with her best friend, finally hanging up in a panic when she realized how much time was passing. Running flat-out for the pickup truck she’d purchased to replace her Cabriolet, she turned the key in the ignition and prayed that the stubborn engine would turn over. To her relief, it caught on the first try. Grinding it into gear, she bumped her way down Alex’s gravel entryway.

  The drive from El Diablo to Huntington Manor seemed interminable. When she finally arrived everything looked perfectly normal, with the exception of a powerful black vehicle squatting on the grass in front of the house like some predatory cockroach. No doubt cutting across the lawn was Rodriquez’s quaint manner of marking the territory he intended to claim. Gathering her self-control, she climbed the steps and entered the house.

  She suspected she’d find her father entertaining their “guests” in the library. Her guess proved accurate. She entered to find her father seated at a desk with his ex-foreman and Paulo Rodriquez standing over him while he scratched his signature on a piece of paper.

  Rodriquez looked up at her entrance and offered her a look of cool approval. “Join the party, mu
ñequita. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  “What’s going on?” She focused her attention on the wad of papers in front of her father. “What is my father signing?”

  “Just a few unimportant documents.”

  Right. Sure they were. “Let me guess. Unimportant documents that transfer ownership of Huntington Manor over to you?”

  He grinned and shook his finger at her. “I can’t fool you, can I?” His smile faded and he approached, holding out his hand. “Your cell phone, if you don’t mind.”

  Her fingers tightened on the strap of her purse. “I do mind.”

  “Do not attempt to play with me, señorita. I am most displeased with you right now.”

  She attempted to swallow her fear, but her throat had gone bone dry. Removing the phone from her purse, she passed it into Rodriquez’s keeping. “Why do you need my cell?”

  He flipped it open and pressed a series of buttons. “I wish to see who you’ve phoned since we last spoke.” He nodded in approval. “Very good. No calls were placed after mine.”

  “Satisfied?”

  “Not yet. But soon. Come.” He waved a hand toward the couch as though he were the host and she his guest. “Make yourself comfortable. You won’t be going anywhere for a very long time. You and I… Let’s just say we have plans to discuss.”

  Her sense of dread increased and she forced herself to bury it beneath an air of casual inquisitiveness. “What sort of plans?”

  He deliberately waited a beat, no doubt in an effort to increase the apprehension she’d failed to conceal from him. “Why, wedding plans, of course.”

  “I’m going in there and nothing any of you say or do is going to stop me,” Alex stated implacably.

  “Don’t be more of an idiot than you can help, Montoya,” Lance Brody argued. “That’s precisely what Rodriquez is counting on. Then he’ll have all of you.”

  Alex stared at Huntington Manor, standing tall and stately in the distance while he remained tucked out of sight like some timid mouse cowering before a hungry cat. “I’m not going to allow Rebecca to remain in there unprotected.”

  “Will he be armed?” Darius cut in.

  “Without question.”

  Darius lifted an eyebrow. “So, what? You’re just going to stroll in and tell him to let your woman go? Once he has the two of you together, he’ll use you against each other.”

  Lance took up the argument. “I know Becca as well as anyone. You would put yourself in harm’s way to protect her—she’ll do the same on your behalf. And you damn well know it. Think. You can’t give Rodriquez that sort of leverage.”

  “I have to.”

  “You’re not in this alone,” Lance maintained. He nodded toward the rest of the men grouped around them. His brother, Mitch, had his back. Alex’s future brother-in-law, Justin Dupree, had positioned himself on one side, while Kevin Novak had taken up the other. “We’re all here for you. Every last man.”

  Alex found it difficult to reply. He’d been alone for so long, it was hard to accept that was no longer the case. “Thank you,” he said simply.

  “Here’s the deal,” Darius said, laying it out. “If we storm the place, chances are someone will get hurt. Or Rodriquez will claim he was there at Huntington’s invitation. We don’t have any evidence to prove differently. We sure as hell don’t have any evidence that he’s guilty of any crime. There’s no proof that he scammed Huntington. No proof that he intends anyone any harm. He’ll walk.”

  “Then what am I—are we—supposed to do?” Alex demanded in frustration.

  Darius grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Rebecca glared at Rodriquez. “You can’t honestly believe I’ll agree to marry you?”

  “You will unless you want to see your father put in jail as an arsonist.”

  She switched her gaze to Gentry. “He can’t testify against my father without implicating himself.”

  Rodriquez waved that aside. “Cornelius is about to take a long, restful trip. But before he goes, he’ll leave behind more than enough evidence to convict your father of the charges.” He approached the couch and ran a finger along the curve of her cheek, his mouth tightening at her involuntary flinch. “Soon you will not just welcome my touch, but beg for it.”

  “Take your hands off her,” Sebastian roared from where he sat behind his desk. He half rose, but Gentry shoved him back into the chair.

  Rodriquez shot him a look of disgust. “Shut up, old man. You have your own problems to worry about.” He took a seat beside Rebecca and gathered her hands in his. “Don’t look so tragic, muñequita. We’re going to have a perfect life together. We will be a happily married couple and share this estate. I will stamp my own name on the history of the Huntingtons, improve on what your father began. You will fall madly in love with me and be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen.”

  She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. “No. Never.”

  He ignored her, speaking with surprising tenderness. “Can’t you picture it, my sweet? We will start our own dynasty, one to rival all others in Maverick County. People will see how we live and envy us. Envy all that I have managed to acquire. Me, a poor nobody from the barrio, now the richest, most powerful man in the county.” His hand settled low on her stomach, splaying across her abdomen in a possessive gesture. “In time, you will grow heavy with the first of our many children. Children who will go to the finest schools and have friends among the most elite in Somerset.”

  Before she could tell him just what she thought of his insane dream, someone cleared his throat. Jerking free of Rodriquez’s hold, she saw Alex standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb. Her heart leaped at the sight, while her stomach twisted into knots. She’d known by calling Kate that she risked Alex storming Huntington Manor, but she’d hoped he’d show more sense than to play into Rodriquez’s hands by simply walking right in.

  “Am I interrupting something?” he asked with seeming casualness.

  Rodriquez shot to his feet, his hand darting behind his back where she saw the butt of a sleek, black gun. “What the hell are you doing here, Montoya?” he demanded. His infuriated gaze switched from Alex to Rebecca. “I warned you not to call him. I warned you!”

  She looked him straight in the eye and spoke the God’s honest truth, praying he’d believe her. “I didn’t. I swear I didn’t.”

  “You can believe her,” Alex said in a calm voice, drawing the other man’s attention. “I’m only here to deliver the rest of Rebecca’s belongings. We had a… I guess you could call it a falling-out last night. Bottom line is, she quit. Since Her Highness was taking her sweet time getting her backside out of my house, I thought I’d help move her along.”

  “She was leaving you?” A hint of uncertainty threaded through Rodriquez’s voice. “Why would she do that?”

  “Let’s just say she refused to fulfill all her duties as my housekeeper and I got fed up waiting for her to change her mind.”

  To Rebecca’s amazement, Rodriquez bought it, his expression one of sheer elation. “She wouldn’t sleep with you?”

  Alex shrugged, and a hint of irritation drifted across his face. “It happens.”

  “But the rumors around town…”

  “I have my pride, Paulo,” Alex snapped. “People thought what I wanted them to think.”

  “You son of a bitch!” Sebastian burst out. “How dare you ruin my daughter’s reputation?”

  “And how dare you tell everyone we were engaged,” Alex shot back.

  “Enough,” Rodriquez interrupted. His suspicious gaze darted from person to person before swinging back in Alex’s direction. “You’ve delivered Rebecca’s belongings. Feel free to leave, Montoya.”

  “No problem.” Then he hesitated. “Although…”

  “Although what?”

  A deep scowl blossomed on Alex’s face. “I’ve been thinking about what you said when you came to visit me the other day.”

  Rodriquez bristled. �
��You mean when you tried to take all of this away from me?”

  Alex gave a chagrined shrug. “Foolish, I know. I’ve never been able to beat you at anything. I don’t know why I even bother trying.”

  Clearly mollified, Rodriquez nodded. “It’s time you learned how pointless it is.”

  “You’re right. So, it’s only fair that I—” he grimaced as though the words left a bitter taste in his mouth “—congratulate you for a game well played.”

  Rodriquez smiled. “You never saw it coming, did you, amigo?”

  A hint of admiration gleamed in Alex’s eyes. “You must have had this planned a long time to pull it off so successfully.”

  To Rebecca’s horror, El Gato stiffened. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve planned nothing.”

  Alex crinkled his brow in bewilderment. “What? Oh, I don’t mean…” He gestured toward her father and the papers strewn across the desk. “Whatever you have going on there is none of my business. If I could have figured a way to fleece Huntington with no one being the wiser, I’d have done it myself. No, I’m talking about Rebecca.”

  “The woman?” Rodriquez glanced her way and wet his lips before jerking his attention back to Alex. “I have wanted her for a long time.”

  “I didn’t realize how much or I wouldn’t have interfered.” He advanced into the room, just a single pace, his hands at his sides, his shoulders slightly hunched in defeat. “But you couldn’t take her when she and I first started dating, could you?”

  Rodriquez shrugged. “Not so long as she was with you.” His chin lifted defiantly. “I stuck to the code. You can’t claim otherwise.”

  “True.” Alex’s mouth tightened. “You wouldn’t have taken her from me. But if you could trick us to part ways…”

  “That’s a different story, isn’t it?”

  “So you told everyone that I’d seduced her as part of a bet.”

  “You figured that one out, yes?” Rodriquez’s smile widened in delight. “One of my more clever ideas, I must admit.”