Rogue Diamond

by Engels, Mary Tate

"Then leave that part up to me. Just don't get hysterical. Stay calm and do as I say."

  "Are we? Going to win this . . . this 'battle', as you say?"

  "It's going to be tough. I don't know yet."

  Alex took a shaky breath, verging on tears yet not able to fully release her emotions. "It's easy for you to be hard and unfeeling because you aren't emotionally involved with Jenni. You just think of her as a thing, a name of something, not a little girl who might be afraid and hungry and crying for her mama."

  Nick's eyes flickered with something close to a savage viciousness. "I'm more involved than you think. But one of us has to be calm about it."

  Alex turned her back on Nick and hugged her arms in distress, trying to block out the inner pain she felt. "I'm sorry, Nick. It's hard to be calm when I've just learned someone might be s-selling Jenni."

  "On the other hand, what that means, Alex," Nick's voice became gentle and another side of him surfaced, "is that she's being well cared for, that she's warm and dry and being fed and . . . whatever is necessary to keep her in good condition."

  Alex turned around slowly and lifted her eyes to meet his. The savage expression was gone, replaced by a tenderness that surprised her. "Do you really think so, Nick?"

  He nodded. "Yes, I do."

  "And cuddled?"

  He gestured impotently. "Sure. If that's necessary."

  "It is. For a little child. For Jenni. She's accustomed to lots of attention. And love."

  "Then, I suppose ... oh, hell, Alex. I don't know. I don't know much more about this situation than you do."

  She narrowed her eyes accusingly. "Yes you do, Nick. And you're only telling me what you have to, when you have to. I feel like I'm the last to know anything that's happening."

  "It's better this way, Alex." His hands hung limply by his side, itching to touch her, to feel her softness. He flexed them once, trying to eliminate the urge to embrace her, to claim her as his own, to protect her from the pain she now felt. Maybe she needed the comforting. Maybe he was the one to give it. He lifted his hands, then let them drop. Oh, hell, that was crazy. There was only one way he wanted to hold her: the way he'd hold her if they were making love.

  "I'd better leave, now," he said quickly. "Thanks for the sandwich and coffee. If you want to go to Guaymas, meet us around ten tomorrow."

  "I'll be there." She swallowed hard, wishing he'd pull her into his arms. Wildly, she wanted his touch, his hot, hungry kiss. Her eyes grew misty. "It'll be difficult to sleep tonight, thinking about her . . . about Jenni."

  Nick's eyes flickered sharply. "Yeah. Difficult for all of us to sleep. See you tomorrow." He hesitated, then turned and bolted from the room.

  As Nick jerked the gray rattletrap van into gear, he knew how close he'd come to losing that degree of restraint he tried to force on himself whenever he was around Alex. Tonight he needed to be lost in her softness, and she needed his strength. It was an intangible feeling, but something he knew. She wanted him, and oh God, how he wanted her! Wanted her with more driving desire than any woman he'd wanted in a long time. But now was not the time, he thought. And this was not the woman. Alex was too vulnerable; she'd been hurt too much already. And he was no good for her in that respect.

  The next morning, Nick squinted in the bright sunlight and wielded a huge wrench over the rotor head. After rechecking the rotor blades, he jumped down from the helicopter. "The newspaper photographer! Hell, Jose, I don't know why we didn't think of him first! As an eyewitness, he was probably the most observant person there that day."

  Jose nodded in agreement. "I bet he has more photos than the one in the paper. They always take more than they need."

  "Oh, hell, yeah. You've got to get to him soon. Today!"

  "And forget about Guaymas? What about the tip from Padre Ramon?"

  "We'll check it out. Alex and I. It's senseless for you to make this trip. Might well be a waste of time for us too. But I'd never rest easy if we didn't see it through, and Alex would be a basket case. She may be anyway."

  Jose climbed on the helicopter and leaned over the turbine engine, watching its action with calculating eyes. "But what about the change in plan and tonight's pick-up at Guaymas?"

  "I'll take care of it. No big deal."

  "You sure you can handle this haul by yourself?"

  "What's to handle? It's just birds! Anyway, I'll have Alex along to help."

  Jose rolled his eyes comically. "That's what bothers me, Capitan."

  "Not to worry, Jose. I won't expose our game. She doesn't know a thing."

  "But how do you expect her not to question these extra passengers?"

  "We have a deal," Nick answered simply.

  "Ah, sí. I should have known." Jose slid off the helicopter and bent to adjust the main undercarriage wheels, hiding a smug smile. "I won't ask what kind of deal."

  "Good." Nick shrugged amicably. "Then I won't tell you. Besides, it's more important for you to talk to this photographer as soon as possible. I'll take care of Alex and the birds, you take care of this photographer while we're gone."

  "Then you don't expect to find Jenni in Guaymas?"

  Nick sighed and leaned against the helicopter's tail. "I just have a feeling that we're heading up an empty street. It was a poor tip, and Father Ramon even said there were strange circumstances about it. But. . . Nick shrugged and left the rest unsaid. "Our cargo is getting stranger and stranger, Jose. Whoever thought we'd be going for a bunch of damn birds?"

  Jose stood and reached inside the helicopter's back cabin. "Exotic birds are important, Capitan. Thousands of dollars are exchanged in their safe transport. Avoiding the thirty-day quarantine period and excess costs of feeding and testing them is the key to big profits." He waggled a brown paper bag. "This is for the birds. Not too much, now, or you'll kill them. But, used discriminately, it'll quiet them down."

  Nick smiled wickedly. "Is there any for the pilot?"

  "No, Capitan. You have to keep a clear head."

  "Hell, Jose. It's a slam dunk."

  Jose stuffed the paper bag in the rear cabin and slammed the sliding door. "Okay, you have plenty of rags to hide the birds in the back."

  "No cages?"

  "Won't need them. Except for the boas. And they're already crated."

  "Boas? Damn! You didn't tell me about them!"

  Jose smiled, making his mustache waggle at the ends. "It's a cinch, Capitan. You can handle it. I'm confident. There is much money hanging on this deal."

  "Birds!" Nick fussed. "I'd rather haul crates of oranges. At least they're quiet. Now how the hell am I going to explain boas to Alex?"

  "How are you going to explain birds, Capitan?" Jose taunted.

  "Damned if I know." Nick looked up at the sound of an approaching car. "That must be Alex's taxi. Now you get to that photographer as soon as possible, Jose. We'll be back tonight, birds and boas in transport. I'll bring Alex here, drop her off, and pick you up. Then we can take them on to the border drop."

  "There will be a message confirming it, Capitan. Same place."

  "I'll call you just before we take off." Nick nodded curtly and turned to watch Alex as she paid the taxi driver. He felt an unbidden swell of masculine admiration as he observed her approach, her shoulder bag banging jauntily against a slightly swaying hip as she walked. She looked devastating in a white peasant blouse and a full colorful skirt. On closer inspection, he could tell she hadn't slept much. Well, hell, neither had he.

  "Hola, Jose," she smiled in greeting. "Nick . . . ready to go?" Expectation buoyed her flagging spirits. Nick could tell she was anxious to get started.

  "Buenos dias, senorita," Jose returned happily.

  Nick tossed the wrench into a nearby metal case of tools and wiped his hands on a damp rag. "Alex, there's been a slight change of plans. Jose isn't going with us. He has work to do here. So it's just the two of us."

  "Fine," she murmured nonchalantly. "Are we ready to go?"

  "You anxious? You look like y
ou didn't sleep much last night."

  She cast him a weary glance. "What did you expect, after the news you dropped on me? Who could sleep?"

  His dark eyes looked at her with tenderness. "Neither could I. Come on." He reached for the door.

  She paused, fumbling in her purse. "I know I owe you some money. How much for this trip?"

  Nick stared at her for a moment. "Nothing. You don't owe anything, Alex."

  "Oh yes I do. This trip wasn't a part of the original bargain. I realize that. I expect to pay extra for trips."

  "It's included," he muttered gruffly and took her arm to assist her into the helicopter.

  Stubbornly, she resisted. "Listen Nick, I realize that gas for this thing is expensive and—"

  "No. I tell you, I had to make this trip anyway. It's business." He practically shoved her aboard the helicopter.

  "Business? What kind of business?"

  "I'll explain . . . later." Nick slammed the door and gave Jose a weary glance. Dealing simple answers to this woman might not be so easy after all.

  Jose gave him the thumbs-up sign and backed away as the overhead rotor blades started rotating. He had watched the exchange between Nick and Alex, observing their unspoken communication with an uncanny understanding. Their eyes said everything. He piled the tools into the back of the gray van and watched the chopper as it whirled noisily over Hermosillo, heading for the west coast. Ah, Capitan, he thought. She is very pretty. Big, beautiful eyes. A little sad. And you are caught, whether you know it or not.

  The seaside village of Guaymas nestled like a multicolored pearl against the clear blue Bay of California. They set down at the miniature airport between jagged mountains and the bay. If it weren't for their emotion-charged mission, the place could be beautifully romantic. Alex almost wished . . . then she quickly dismissed such thoughts. Nothing must interfere with that mission. Jenni must be found. Maybe it would be today.

  "This is the man we are to meet," Nick said, helping her out of the helicopter. He showed her a slip of paper. "Name's Raul. He'll meet us at a local cantina, El Corral."

  Alex looked curiously at the name as they walked to the airport office. "Is that all you have? How will we know him?"

  Nick grinned, his dark mustache contrasting with his white teeth. "Not to worry. The plan is that he'll find us, my sweet." He opened the airport door. "You did bring your passport, didn't you? The immigration officer here takes his job pretty seriously. Plus, I need to make arrangements for the helicopter. It'll only take a few minutes."

  "What plan?" She preceded him inside the small red-tile-roofed building. "And what did you call me?" Alex arched an eyebrow at him. "My sweet" just wasn't like Nick Diamond. What was he up to, anyway?

  "I'll explain later," he promised. "But first let's take care of this business."

  She had to wait for the explanation until they were tucked into a local cab, careening through the streets of Guaymas. Alex could feel the excitement swelling in her breast. They were getting closer! "Okay, enlighten me." she demanded. "What plan?"

  Nick leaned closer to her ear and the faint masculine scent of him accosted her senses, making concentration difficult. "Raul is looking for a blond American woman. Very pretty. And her . . . ah, American husband. He's tall, dark, and a little rough around the edges. Has an old scar right here." He ran a finger down his own cheek, then switched to touch her soft skin.

  "What? Did I hear the word husband dropped lightly into this?"

  "Remember now," he whispered, tucking a finger against her lips. "Not a word of Spanish. You're a tourista through and through. And here." Nick dug into his pants pocket. "You'd better wear this. Looks more authentic."

  Before Alex knew what he was doing, Nick had slipped a gold band onto her ring finger. "Nick? He actually thinks—"

  "Yes, my darling. He thinks we're an American couple looking for a child to adopt. Or buy."

  Alex stiffened against the cab seat. "A child to buy?" she rasped.

  "Shhh." Nick motioned to the cab driver. "Yes, my sweet darling."

  "Oh, God, Nick! I can't believe it!" Alex struggled to keep her voice low. "I can't go through with this charade."

  "Of course you can. You'll do anything for a baby. Well, almost anything." He smiled reassuringly at her as the driver pulled to a screeching halt in front of El Corral. Nick paid the cabbie and ushered Alex out of the cab, keeping an arm protectively around her.

  "Nick, I'm so nervous. I don't think I'll be any good at this." Her feet felt as though they were planted in the concrete sidewalk; her knees felt like lead.

  He took her hand and lifted her fingers to his lips for a tender kiss. "You can pretend anything for an hour, Alex. Come on, my darling, give a little smile. We're a very loving couple. Our story is quite tragic. We lost a child in infancy and were unable to have another. Money is no object when it comes to mending our broken hearts. What we want most in the entire world is a little girl to replace our precious child." His arm braced her back and propelled her toward the cantina.

  Alex took a shaky breath. "I ... I can't believe I'm doing this."

  Nick hovered close, granting her a wink and a reassuring squeeze. "Just remember, you're playing a role. You'll do fine, Alex. Whatever you do, don't mention Father Ramon. An anonymous contact directed us here. That's very close to the truth anyway. Said we could find a kid. For the right amount. And we're a wealthy couple, so don't be concerned about the money. I'll handle that part. You just keep quiet about it. Come on, now, darling. If someone is watching, you don't want them to see us arguing."

  "Give me a minute to compose myself, Nick. I'm just so damn nervous." She gave him a skittish smile. "Don't loving couples argue?"

  "Yes, but not about getting babies. These people want this kid." His arm embraced her tense back, drawing her close to his firm chest. "We make a perfect couple, Alex. A man and woman always make a good foil. That's why I wanted you along instead of Jose." Before she could resist further, they were inside the darkened bar. Nick sat so he could have a view of the door.

  The place was small and the bartender was also the waiter. He ambled over to their corner table. "Bebida, senior?"

  "My wife and I would like a good margarita," Nick announced boldly. "One of those slushy kind."

  The waiter's brown eyes assessed Nick quietly before he shuffled away. Alex observed the man beside her in amazement. He was playing his role as a brash, wealthy American to perfection. Thank goodness she only had to remain quiet through this whole ordeal. She could at least do that. You can pretend anything for an hour, Nick had said. If it involved getting Jenni back, yes, she could!

  Alex tried to hide her shaking hands and concentrated on breathing smoothly. She barely had time to take a sip of her slushy margarita and to adjust to her newly acquired marital status before a swarthy man, slight of build, stopped beside their table.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Smith? From Detroit?" he asked in a heavy accent.

  "Yep, that's us," Nick responded quickly, glancing from side to side before extending his hand to the man. "Are you Raul?"

  "Si." He pulled out a chair and joined them.

  "Bring this man a drink," Nick called to the bartender.

  Alex marveled at the change in Nick. She had never seen him like this and had to admit he portrayed a slightly nervous, arrogant gringo to the hilt. She tried to take another sip, but found that her throat was constricted and refused to allow anything to go down. She pretended to drink and quietly watched the action.

  Nick leaned across the table and muttered in a low voice, "I want you to know, senor, that money is no object in this transaction."

  Raul's heavy-lidded eyes narrowed as he calculated this American couple before him. "Si, senor. I understand. We have everything you need. Papers for emigration. And the baby is in good health. Happy too."

  "Good, good. That's important." Nick nodded and took another substantial drink of the margarita. "The, ah, the kid, Raul. It is a girl, isn't it? We're looking
for a girl. Our little Sofia." His voice softened at the end, and Alex had to admire his apparent tenderness, contrasting with his obnoxious arrogance.

  Raul smiled readily, an evil gaping-toothed grin. "Si, senor. La nina is very beautiful!" His dark gaze settled on Alex and she quelled a shudder.

  "Good," she managed hoarsely with a weak smile.

  "My wife is a little nervous about this," Nick said in an apologetic tone, patting Alex's arm, then letting his large hand slide down to cover hers. With an affectionate squeeze, he tucked her hand to his lap, and Alex's heart skipped a beat. It was damned hard to concentrate and play an unfamiliar role when her hand was resting on Nick's thigh. You can pretend anything for an hour she kept reminding herself.

  Raul dabbed some salt on the web of his thumb, licked it off, then turned his glass of tequila straight up and emptied it in one gulp. "You like to see her? Let's go, Mrs. Smith."

  The three trooped out of the cantina, and Jose drove them to their destination in a vehicle that made Nick's rattletrap van look like a Rolls. They halted before a hovel of a house with ancient, brown, crumbling adobe brick walls and a thatched roof. Dark-eyed, skinny-legged children gathered at the corner of the neighboring houses and stared at the gringos.

  Alex's heart was working overtime. She had never been so nervous, scared, and excited—all at once—in her entire life. She clung to Nick as if he were truly her husband. She glanced up at his face for signs of stress but found none. Just tight-jawed determination. He could pull this off, if anyone could. El Capitan could handle it. She hooked her hands more securely around his arm.

  They stepped inside the house and stood uncomfortably on the hard-packed earth floor. Alex felt Nick's arm slip securely around her back, giving support. Children scattered to the rear of the house and a burly dark-haired man rose to greet them.

  The formalities were simple and handled by Raul. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This is Ricardo."

  "Please to meet you, Ricardo." Nick shook hands with the man who could speak no English.

  In an unsteady voice, Ricardo began to explain the child's circumstances in Spanish. Jose interpreted the story and Nick and Alex listened politely, as if they couldn't understand what the man was saying.