Secret Caress

by Victoria Pinder

  Camila came and Andrea knelt down and checked her daughter. Her arm had a nasty black and blue mark.

  Andrea jumped to her feet and shook her head. “No. She has a bruise.”

  Camila said, “Mama, I’m good. You and Todd saved me.”

  Andrea ran her hands through her hair, which was half falling out of the stupid hairdo she had. “This wasn’t good at all. This was all my fault.”

  Todd widened his stance as his eyes widened. “How is any of this your fault?”

  “I wasn’t here,” she said, like it was a fact that couldn’t be ignored.

  Todd shook his head and took her hands. “Andrea, we were close. You made it in time.”

  She pulled away and picked up her daughter. “No, you don’t understand what I’m saying.”

  “What are you saying?” Todd asked.

  Despite his richness, and sexy body, Andrea wasn’t able to protect her daughter here. She shook her head and hugged her daughter. “It’s time for Camila and me to leave.”

  “Mama!” Camila said and hugged her neck tighter.

  Todd tried to reach for her, but she avoided his touch. “Andrea, you’re safe here. Or I can take you both to my other homes. We can do what you want.”

  First, his brother, and then she was punched. This wasn’t her life, and this wasn’t how she wanted Camila’s life to be.

  She lifted her chin and said, “I don’t fit into your life. We’re not safe. It’s better for us if we go.”

  She walked past him and headed toward the door.

  “I don’t understand, Andrea,” Todd said.

  “Mama, no. We can stay,” Camila cried. “I’ll be good.”

  Todd had won her daughter over, but Andrea had to think about what was best for them all.

  She swallowed and held her daughter to her chest as she walked into the hall. “Let’s go. We’ll catch the bus.”

  “Andrea,” Todd called from behind her.

  Part of her heart whispered she was being crazy, but her brain overran that. She turned and met his brown gaze for the last time. “Leave us alone now.”

  Todd didn’t move. “I’ll respect your wishes, though I wish you’d change your mind.”

  She nodded at him and wished things were different. But her number one goal in life was to keep her daughter safe, and the world of the House of Morgan wasn’t for her. Jewelry and clothes didn’t protect family, and family mattered more.

  Chapter 6

  Todd’s stomach was in knots. He had no idea what to say to Andrea, but her going tore him in half.

  Part of him wanted to go after her and haul her back, but he had no rights. They’d made no promises to each other, but it was clear she made these choices in fear.

  Tomorrow, he’d find her and at least check to make sure she was safe.

  Perhaps he should follow her now, but he held back. If he made a choice, he’d not like anyone following him.

  So Todd walked to the security office in his house and knocked on the open door. Miguel was sitting at his desk typing on his computer. Todd walked in and pressed his knuckles to the desk.

  “Miguel, I need to know how this happened,” he said.

  Miguel’s face was usually that of a deadly soldier, but now he had a red tint to his cheeks. “They disabled me with gas, sir.”

  Todd stood straighter and nodded. Miguel was one of the best men in his employment. So he asked, with what he hoped was less frustration, “How did they even get on the island without you knowing?”

  Miguel turned his laptop and played the video surveillance. “The street is technically a public street, and they gassed the guard too. However, he pressed the police button in the guard station.”

  Gas meant whoever did this was clearly a professional, and this wasn’t just revenge motivated by almost getting caught. The thought left him cold despite the tropical weather.

  He crossed his arms with his stance widening. “At least they didn’t shoot either of you, but why return for Camila? That’s the part that I don’t get.”

  Miguel nodded and pivoted his laptop back toward him while he opened up new files. “We’ve been doing research on Andrea Garcia.”

  Todd walked around the desk and stared over his shoulder. “And?”

  Miguel pulled up a file with a dark-haired man in profile. “Did she mention Camila’s father is Santiago Batrez, now a New York businessman, and that she reported it as a rape?”

  Ice raced through his spine and went to his brain. Andrea hadn’t breathed a word of that. She made it sound like Camila’s father was a mistake. He stared at the small eyes of the man in the profile. “What? No. She said nothing like that. Why does that matter now?”

  Miguel highlighted ‘day trader’ in the profession section of the profile. “He has money and wants his daughter.”

  So this kidnapping had been intentional. At least, that’s why Camila hadn’t been hurt when she was stolen, but either way, Andrea was in greater danger than she realized.

  His mind raced with possibilities. “He can’t have her.”

  Miguel scrolled down the multi-paged profile and highlighted a date last year. “The police suspected he was involved with the violence that took her parents’ lives.”

  Todd’s mind worked like a list. He’d haven never guessed she’d been raped. In bed, she hadn’t been shy. She’d been quite eager, not that it mattered. Right now she was in danger, and he needed to help her. “Andrea didn’t say anything.”

  Miguel shrugged. “She might not have put that together.”

  And Andrea was standing out there, in the dark, both physically and mentally. She mustn’t know anything.

  But then another idea rushed through him, and he took Miguel’s computer and logged into the House of Morgan’s bank programs. “Leaving alone means her daughter will never be safe until Batrez is stopped.” He searched through bank files looking for this Santiago. He then pulled up files and flagged a bank account. “Is this him?”

  Miguel went back to his security file and compared the social security number and then nodded. “Yes, sir. That matches the report.”

  “I flagged it for your review so you have full access.” Todd logged out of his accounts. “Money doesn’t flow in or out of this country without at least brushing past my family’s bank. If he’s doing anything illegal, create an airtight dossier for the New York police.”

  “I’m on it,” Miguel said as Todd handed him back his laptop.

  At least they were both on the same page now, and they had a plan to deal with Batrez. Next, he needed to find Andrea and at least warn her.

  “Good.” He headed to the door. “Now, I need to go.”

  “Good luck, sir,” Miguel said.

  Todd headed out to his driveway and chose his black Bentley, which was closest to the exit. He found the keys that hung near the door and turned the car on.

  Behind the wheel, he clutched it and pressed on the gas which gave him a sense of purpose. He kept his gaze peeled on the sidewalk while he headed up the street. She’d made it to the privately run bus stop and held Camila in her arms.

  He parked in front of her and opened his windows as he unlocked his door. “Andrea, get in the car.”

  “We’re leaving,” she said and looked away as he hopped out of his car.

  Todd walked over to her and saw the tears and how wet her face was. He lowered his voice, though his heart beat faster. “Your daughter is in danger. The longer you stay out in public, and this won’t stop if you go home.”

  She sniffled, but then her eyes seemed clear when she met his gaze. “What are you talking about, Todd?”

  Discussing this was harder as he glanced at Camila. He had no idea what Andrea had told her daughter, but Todd kept his voice calm as he met Andrea’s big brown eyes. “Look, I know about Santiago Batrez and what he did to you.”

  She held Camila closer to her chest and swallowed. “That was a long time ago.”

  His shoulders felt heavy with respons
ibility. She didn’t know. He kept a lookout in case anyone came near them. “He’s paying the kidnappers.”

  “What?” she asked, her eyes wider while her face went whiter.

  She must’ve been putting everything together in her mind, but he added so she understood, “He has money and lives in New York.”

  Camila held her mother but stared at Todd like he was there to save them both. Her innocent trust made him feel stronger.

  “The kidnappers were willing to sell you back your daughter, but you were being set up.”

  Andrea hugged her daughter again as she shook her head. “He can’t have Camila.”

  “Mama, can we go back to Todd’s house now?” Camila asked. “I like my room.”

  At least he had an ally, but Andrea needed to make the choice. He opened the passenger car door. “You will be safer with me, Andrea.”

  She didn’t move at first. His heart plummeted as he thought she’d still choose to go, but then she put her daughter down and opened the back door for her. “Okay. Thank you, Todd.”

  She closed the back door and ensured it was locked, then headed to the passenger door.

  “Thank you for being reasonable,” he said.

  Her grim face said she wasn’t happy without a word. But he closed her door and ran to the driver’s side. Once he retook his seat, Andrea said, “Thank you for helping me keep Camila safe. I shouldn’t have run.”

  “You were scared,” he said, turning the car around.

  No one stopped them as he made his way back to his house and pulled right to the front door.

  The party across the street still played pop music from a DJ.

  He opened his front door, and Camila ran out of her mother’s hand and pointed to the stairs.

  “Mama, I’m going to my room to count my toys,” she said.

  He locked the door behind himself and alerted security they were home.

  Andrea held out her hand like she wanted to will her daughter back to her arms as she said, “We should…” But then she dropped her hand.

  Todd walked over and wanted to massage her shoulders, but he held still. “I can have the nanny watch her for a few minutes, so we can talk.”

  She turned and he saw the pain in her eyes. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Camila, I’ll be up to tuck you in.”

  Her daughter’s feet clomped on the stairs as she ran. “It’s fine, Mama. Ms. Jeannie is cool.”

  Andrea hugged herself as she walked into the living room. “I shouldn’t have left her.”

  Todd followed her, and when she turned toward him, he said, “It’s just a few minutes. Walk with me.”

  She needed to know everything.

  He waved for her to walk beside him instead of following. Once she was next to him, the air smelled more like roses.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Security,” he said, and walked her down the hall and returned to the same office he was in earlier. He again knocked on the open door and talked to Miguel who was still huddled with his laptop. “Miguel, how is the dossier going?”

  “Pfft.” Miguel turned the laptop for inspection. “Easy. Santiago Batrez’s dirty and easy to track.”

  At least this would end, and Andrea and her daughter would be safe. More than half of the world’s global funds were invested in the House of Morgan, and Todd had access as one of the most privileged and protected members of society.

  “Good. Get it done tonight, and you’ll earn a bonus.”

  Miguel’s grimace grew more taut. “I don’t need a bonus for this. No one should hurt that little girl upstairs.”

  Miguel had the muscles and man power behind him to take on an army if he wanted. His words echoed in Todd’s heart.

  Andrea quietly said, “Thank you.”

  She repeated though her sweet voice grounded him.

  Miguel gave her a small nod. “Take care of yourself, ma’am.”

  “Thank you,” she said, taking Todd’s hand as they walked out of the security office.

  Neither said a word in the hall, and as they made it back to the living room, Andrea brushed her hand on his arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps. As they stopped at the couch, Andrea took in a deep breath, then sat. As he joined her, she lowered her head.

  “Todd, I shouldn’t have run but after your brother groped me, and I was then so scared about Camila.”

  Fire grew in his gut. His brother would. He’d moved closer to be near his nephews and niece who sounded despondent on the phone when he spoke to them about losing their mom. But he couldn’t help them when he wanted to punch his brother in the face for his betrayal.

  His shoulders were tight as he said, “Mitch did what?”

  Her face went red, and that only made his muscles strain. Right now, he needed to go see his brother and face him.

  “When you were talking to Dan Marshall and—”

  “Mitch groped you?” he interrupted, just to confirm what rang in his ears.

  She flinched. “I didn’t know how to say anything.”

  Todd jumped to his feet, and his spine was rigid and tight. He headed toward the front door. “This was his last straw with me. I’ll go see him now.”

  “Todd, wait,” Andrea said and tugged on his arm to stop him.

  He turned around and looked down at her. “Why?”

  She let out a breath and reached out for his hands, which were already in fists. “I don’t care what your brother thinks, and I can avoid him in the future, but I don’t want you to ever think I’m here for your money.”

  None of this mattered. He took a step back and headed toward the door. “You’re not with me at all. You made it clear, but you are still under my protection.”

  She called out behind him, “Todd, I’m sorry.”

  “Me too, Andrea.” His gut knotted, and he opened the door.

  He might not have much left he could do for Andrea as she kept him at bay, but his brother had zero rights to touch what was his. So Todd crossed the street and headed over to Mitch’s house. At least there he could do something.

  Chapter 7

  Andrea paced back and forth in Todd’s house. Her entire body felt uneasy, and it wasn’t sickness, at least not physically. Todd had been gone for over ninety minutes now, and the party music across the street had ended more than sixty minutes ago.

  If anything happened to him, it was her fault. She should have gone with him. She should have stopped him. She should have done anything except pace for the past few hours. Sweat formed on her forehead as her heart raced, but she couldn’t do anything else.

  If she actually did go, she’d return right away to check on Camila.

  So she was stuck. She turned again, and the clock chimed one o’clock in the morning.

  She tried to control her breathing and use her belly to count her breaths. The door unlocked, and she ran across to the foyer as Todd walked into the house.

  His face seemed normal. She walked over and wished she could throw her arms around him and hold him tight. She jerked and stood with her arms at her sides, though, as she wasn’t sure he’d accept it.

  She swallowed. “Todd, what happened?”

  He locked the door behind him. “Is Camila asleep? I was longer than I thought.”

  Her daughter? It was good he cared. If only he cared about her. She needed to tell him that what happened wasn’t okay. He didn’t need to risk his neck for her. She wasn’t sure she could live with herself.

  “Sí. She’s fine. How are you?”

  He held up his hands as he turned toward her. “My hands are bruised.”

  If he were hers, she’d kiss every knuckle. Her heart raced. He shouldn’t get hurt because of her. This was all too much.

  They walked into the living room as she asked, “You fought with your brother?”

  He walked right over to the liquor cabinet and held up a cup, asking without a word if she wanted something. She nodded, and he poured two glasses of something.

  “Mi
tch had it coming. Are you okay?” he asked.

  He handed her the amber liquid, which she smelled. Her nose turned up, though she was pretty sure it was cognac. “No, not yet. Please sit with me.”

  “What’s going on?” he asked as she tugged him toward the couch.

  As they sat, Andrea immediately ironed out the wrinkles in her dress as she lifted her chin. “I need to tell you something.”

  He gulped his drink. “You don’t need to tell me anything. I’ll leave you alone and go to bed.”

  “No.” She held his wrist a little tighter, so he’d stay. “Just wait. It’s important.”

  He relaxed into his seat and put his empty glass down. “Andrea?”

  She put her untouched drink beside his and held his hand next to her heart. “I just wanted to tell you that you’re the hero in my life.” She held his hand a little tighter as she crossed her legs, scooting closer at the same time. “Running away scared, I had a million thoughts running through my head, but the most important thing that kept repeating when I was at the bus stop—”

  “You’re rambling,” he interrupted, pressing his head closer to hers. “Just tell me, Andrea.”

  The heat of him made her warm too. His nearness was all she needed and craved. “I know this is fast and unexpected and doesn’t make sense at all, but I fell in love with you. I love you, Todd Morgan. You’re the best man I’ve ever met, and I wanted to tell you.”

  Now that the words were out of her mouth, she felt this huge deep pocket of air that lifted her, helping her to relax. She’d told the truth. No man was half as good as Todd Morgan, and she’d almost walked out on him and almost lost him. She couldn’t let that happen again.

  He ran his fingers through her hair and held her closer. Her heart beat in sync with his as he said, “Andrea, the moment you walked into my life, you turned my house into a home. I thought I was just helping you at first, but I was helping myself.”

  Her eyes widened. “How?”

  He swallowed and kissed her forehead. Her heart sang. “Bringing you home brought me back to life. I love you, Andrea, and I meant what I said earlier. I’d marry you to prove it.”