For the first time since he’d walked into the office, Zane thought he caught a flicker of emotion cross Duchess’s fine-boned face. “And now the cartel wants to get rid of her,” she said flatly, and it wasn’t a question. “So why are you helping her, Quinn? What are you getting out of this? Because if I don’t do anything for free, you sure as hell don’t either.”
Quinn’s jaw took on a stubborn cast, the glitter in his eyes becoming dangerous. “I’m doing it for my brother. What’s your fucking excuse?”
A curious jolt went through Zane, and for a second he couldn’t do anything but stare at the other man. They’d never been a demonstrative family, not when their father had been a hard-bitten drunkard who believed in the school of hard knocks rather than encouragement and hugs. And they’d been denied any softer influences after their mother had died. Displays of affection were frowned upon and certainly no one ever said, “I love you,” not if they didn’t want to be given shit all the way into the next lifetime.
Loyalty was supposed to be a given, as steady and unwavering as the stars in the big Texan sky, and you didn’t need to shout about it or even mention it. Too bad it had all been so hollow, an alcoholic’s wishful thinking.
Because he’d never experienced that loyalty. Not when his father had nearly beaten him unconscious for getting rid of his bourbon, and not when Charlie had lain dying in his arms while his father and Quinn had argued above his head about who was to blame.
Except for now. Except for Quinn publicly declaring that loyalty in front of all these people.
It shouldn’t have been such a big deal, and it certainly shouldn’t have made his chest feel tight. But it was the first sign of true Redmond loyalty he’d seen since his mother had died and he felt Quinn’s statement like a punch to the gut.
His brother wasn’t looking at him, his gaze concentrated on Duchess, his posture loose and easy, as if he hadn’t just said the words Zane realized only now he’d been waiting to hear for a very long time.
In fact, he hadn’t realized till now that there were a lot of things he’d been waiting to hear for a very long time. Things like, “I know you miss your mother.” And, “I shouldn’t have hit you.” And, “I’m going to stop drinking.” And, “I love you, son.”
He’d never heard those things, not ever. But, “I’m doing it for my brother” would do in a pinch. In fact, it would do nicely.
Duchess’s sky-blue eyes suddenly rested on him. “And why are you helping her? Or is that a personal question?”
“Uh-oh,” Nora murmured.
Zane was conscious that Quinn’s annoyed gaze had transferred to him as well. Too bad. What had happened between him and Iris was their business, not anyone else’s. “Because she needs our help,” he said coldly, trying to ignore the tightness in his chest. “Because it’s the right thing to do. That’s all the reason you need.”
Duchess stared hard at him for a long moment, and he didn’t look away. “So you’re the good guy in the family, are you?”
The observation was so unexpected he nearly blinked. He opened his mouth to deny it, to tell her he wasn’t any kind of good guy, only to have Quinn say, “Yeah, he is. He’s the best of us, in fact. You could learn something from him yourself, Duchess.”
Zane shut his mouth, repressing the urge to stare at his brother in astonishment. How the hell could he say that? When Zane hadn’t done a single damn thing to warrant being the best of anything except killing people from a distance?
Duchess snorted. “Fine. So presuming we sort out the problem with her bond, what then?”
“Why do you want to know?” Zane shot back. “What’s your interest in the cartel?”
She lifted a brow. “What makes you think I’m interested in the cartel?”
“Because you certainly looked pretty interested when I mentioned it just now,” Quinn said. “In fact, I’d go so far as to say that’s the most animated I’ve seen you all day.”
Duchess gave Quinn a faintly annoyed look. “I’m interested in justice. Justice and that’s all.”
“If you’re interested in justice, then think about this,” Zane said, a sudden idea coming to him. “You want to know why Iris was couriering for the cartel? A douchebag boyfriend tricked her into it because she was trying to make a better life for herself and her little sister.”
Again he spotted a flicker of emotion in Duchess’s cool eyes, but all she said was, “Perhaps she should have known better than to trust a douchebag boyfriend then.”
But he hadn’t finished. “When she got arrested, her sister was taken into foster care, and now she’s desperate to get her back. Which is why she needs those cartel assholes put away once and for all.”
Another flicker in Duchess’s gaze.
Had his mention of Iris’s sister worked? He hoped so, because there was nothing like calling on family loyalty to make a point, and he’d remembered her mentioning her own sister working the reception desk out front.
Not that they needed Duchess’s help, at least not in regards to the bond. It was the cartel they needed help with, and after a quick scan around at the level of capability in the room, he was sure the Duchess team would make for a great backup.
If he could get them on board.
Reflexively he glanced at Quinn and met his brother’s eyes, and he knew, without a word being said, that Quinn was thinking exactly the same thing.
“What do you want?” Duchess asked, and this time she was looking at both him and Quinn.
But Quinn only jerked his head in Zane’s direction. As if this was his show.
A certainty settled down in Zane. A certainty he hadn’t felt for a very long time. “We’re going to be drawing the cartel out,” he said, folding his arms, glancing at the rest of the Duchess team to include them as well. “Rush has a connection with the sheriff, and if he’s managed to get the police on board too, the cartel will be running straight into a damn jail cell. Then the DA in Dallas can use them to testify and leave Iris the hell alone.”
Duchess stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she said, “Nice strategy. But where do we come in?”
“Why?” This time it was Zane who raised a brow. “You want in?”
Her blue eyes narrowed and a very surprised silence settled in the room.
“Think he got you, Duchess,” West pointed out, sounding pleased.
“Be quiet, West.” Duchess’s icy gaze didn’t waver from Zane’s. “For argument’s sake, let’s say I do. What do you want from us?”
“Backup. We could use some more fire power, and you look like you could provide some.”
“We’ll want credit with the sheriff’s department if we do,” she said without hesitation. “This will be a joint operation, not purely Lone Star’s.”
Interesting. Why would she want that? Did her company need it?
Again, he glanced at Quinn, who gave him an imperceptible shrug. Yeah, this was his show all right.
Thought you were done playing the hero?
He was, very definitely. Just this one time, for Iris, he’d do it. And the more people he had on his side helping him, the better.
“I don’t see why not,” he said slowly, looking at Duchess.
But she hadn’t finished. “You’ll also owe us a favor.”
“No,” Quinn said before Zane could say anything. He’d shoved himself out of his chair, advancing on the desk where she was leaning. “No fucking way.”
“Here we go again,” Nora muttered.
“I tell a lie,” West said. “This is better than fucking Cats.”
“Since when did you see Cats?” Rhys finally spoke, his voice dark, cold.
“Since Rose made me take her,” the other man replied.
Zane leaned against the wall, watching his brother glower at the immaculate woman on the desk, who looked not one whit intimidated by the six foot four of angry, muscle-bound male staring at her like he wanted to strangle her.
“That’s my cond
ition for Duchess’s involvement,” she said, staring right back. “Take it or leave it.”
“Over my dead fucking—”
“We’ll take it,” Zane said calmly, earning him a furious glance from his brother. “As long as the favor won’t involve acting against Lone Star’s best interests, I’m sure we can handle it.” He paused, staring hard at Quinn. “Can’t we?”
Quinn muttered something vile, then said grudgingly, “Yeah, I guess so.”
Duchess smiled and there was a definite air of smugness about her that Zane knew was going to make Quinn impossible afterward. He had no idea what his brother’s problem was with the woman, but whatever it was, it sure as hell wasn’t going to get in the way of making sure Iris was safe. “Excellent, gentlemen. I think we have a deal in that case.”
“What about the rest of your team?” Zane glanced at the others. “You’re all okay with this?”
“Oh, we’re always okay with whatever Duchess decides,” West said with a grin. “Nothing like a showdown with drug dealers to make you really feel alive.”
“Hell, yeah.” Nora’s fingers brushed the gun at her hip. “My baby here needs an outing.”
Rhys snorted. “As long as I get paid, I don’t give a shit.”
“Well, after that rousing show of support,” Duchess said dryly, “shall we get to planning how to take these bastards down?”
Chapter 10
Iris roamed restlessly around the hotel suite, feeling penned in and not quite sure what to do with herself. Zane had sent her a text telling her he wouldn’t be long, but it had been a couple of hours since he’d left and she was starting to feel anxious. For no obvious reason. Oh, there was the cartel to worry about, but the anxiety didn’t seem to be about them. It seemed to be centered on Zane, and she didn’t really understand why because he obviously could take care of himself. The whole thing was pretty damn unwelcome since having another person to worry about was the last thing she needed. Jamie took up all her emotional energy for a start, and she really shouldn’t have any left for some guy she’d had sex with and barely knew.
Sure. Some guy you barely know who you told your secrets to and who held you in his arms while you sobbed like a little girl.
Stopping by the windows of the hotel suite, Iris glared out of them at the lake glittering in the hot Texan sun.
She didn’t want to think about what had happened the night before. Or this morning. She didn’t want to think about how safe she’d felt with his arms around her, or how good it felt to share a piece of herself with someone else. About the light feeling in her chest, as if a heavy stone had been sitting there and was now gone. No, shit, she didn’t want to think about any of that.
She’d had sex with Zane and it had been great, but now it was over. She had to keep looking forward, keep aiming for getting out of this mess and for getting Jamie back. That’s all that mattered. That’s all that had ever mattered.
The suite door opened just then, admitting Zane, and despite everything she’d been telling herself, her heart gave one hard beat, then seemed to slow and stop, quivering in her chest like a frightened bird.
She was ridiculous. Why the hell was she feeling this way about him? She’d never felt this for any other man she’d slept with apart from Dylan, and look how that had ended. Zane was bad news, she knew it deep in that poor, trembling heart of hers. And yet she couldn’t seem to stop the feeling racing through her veins, the intense rush of adrenaline that had her moving toward him like an iron filing to a magnet. She stopped herself before she reached him, and thank God, because she had no idea what she would have done if she hadn’t. Thrown herself into his arms or done something else hideously embarrassing.
It was bad enough just standing there, unable to tear her gaze from him, his leanly muscled form showcased perfectly in that beautiful tailored suit, his dark blue shirt deepening the electric color of his eyes.
“So,” she said, since clearly speaking was better than the direction her thoughts were taking, “what happened?”
Zane didn’t answer immediately, scanning the room in that quick, focused way of his. “You got room service?” he said, noting the tray on the table.
“Yeah. Hope you don’t mind. I was hungry.”
“No, of course I don’t mind. You need to eat.” He glanced back at her, his gaze sharpening. “Anyone come to the door?”
She shook her head. “Only the guy who delivered room service.”
“And you let him in—”
“No,” she interrupted. “I told him to leave the tray outside, then I collected it myself.”
The expression on Zane’s face eased, approval warming the cool blue of his gaze, and, fool that she was, she felt the glow of it like he’d switched on a light inside her. “Well done,” he said. “You need to be careful when I’m not here.”
She tried for her old snark. “Hey, I know how to protect myself. I’m not a complete idiot.”
He stared at her a second, his eyes narrowing. Then he crossed over to where she stood, reaching up to take her face between his large, warm palms before she could move. “No,” he said quietly and with absolute authority. “There’ll be no more of that. I’m the one person you don’t have to protect yourself against, understand?”
She flushed, part of her embarrassed that he should see through her so easily, yet another part oddly thrilled at being so well understood. Her usual response would have been to deny it, to fight him or at least protest in some way, but instead she found herself relaxing against him, her arms sliding around his lean waist. She felt an intense urge to put her head on his powerful chest and rest there a moment, to savor the feeling of being protected and cared for. It was a dangerous feeling and one she knew she shouldn’t indulge, but hell, why not? He wasn’t going to be here long, so she may as well make the most of the opportunity.
Sighing, she gave in and leaned her head against that wall of hard, hot muscle. His heart beat in her ear, strong and steady and certain. All the things she’d been missing in her life. All the things she’d been craving.
His hand touched her hair, stroking. “Duchess will speak to the agency in Dallas about your bond. She knows the people up there and should be able to get them to hold off long enough so we can get the situation with the cartel dealt with. She and her people are also going to act as backup when we draw these bastards out.”
Iris didn’t move, a deep feeling of contentment uncurling inside her. It was unfamiliar and at first she didn’t recognize it. Then, when she did, she nearly pushed herself away from him, because contentment wasn’t something she allowed herself. At least, she never had before.
“We’re also going to work on getting a deal with the DA about your charges.” His hand moved gently in her hair. “See if we can’t get them dropped so you can get Jamie back.”
Her throat closed up and she had to force herself to speak. “Thank you. I know it’s not much, not given all you’re doing for me, risking for me, but just…thank you.”
Perhaps he heard the cracks in her voice, because she felt a gentle finger beneath her chin, urging her head back so her gaze met his. “Hey, it’s no big deal, okay?”
“Yes, it is.” She wanted to look away, but didn’t. Because suddenly it felt important that he know how much this mattered to her. “It’s a massive deal. You’re risking your life. Hell, all of you are risking your lives. For me.”
His black brows drew down and he stroked a finger along her jaw, raising goosebumps everywhere. “You don’t think you’re worth it, do you?”
She swallowed, remembering the question he’d asked her the day before, and how she hadn’t answered it. “No.” Her voice was still cracked, still hollow. “No, I’m not.” She didn’t want to say it, hadn’t meant to, and yet it came out anyway. “Dylan didn’t give a shit about me, he only wanted a mule for his drugs. And after I was arrested, I never saw him again. And Mom…shit, she just walked away and never came back. She never even called. It was like I didn’t exi
st, like she didn’t even care—” She broke off, swallowing hard again. “No one came back for me, Zane. No one ever cared enough.”
A shadow passed over his face and she knew she shouldn’t have said it, knew it was a mistake, that she’d revealed far too much. But it was too late, it was out now. And hell, after last night, what more did she have to lose?
Only your heart.
Except she wasn’t going to risk losing that again. And certainly not for one blue-eyed soldier, no matter how safe he made her feel.
“I care,” Zane said quietly. “And so does the Duchess team.”
She didn’t want to ask why he cared, not when she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer, so all she asked was, “Why? They don’t even know me.”
“They don’t know me either. But Quinn does, so we managed to work out a deal.”
She sighed. “Why would he? He’s got no stake in this.”
“He’s a Redmond. And Redmonds look out for each other.”
Zane’s voice was a deep, comforting rumble, but there was a note in it that made her look up into his leanly handsome face. His gaze was directed out the windows instead, his expression unreadable.
“What’s up with you and him?” she asked, needing a change of subject, curiosity biting deep. “Why did you agree to stay here another six months?”
Zane glanced down at her, the look in his eyes guarded. “The business is important to him and he seems to think I have a responsibility to it.”
“And you don’t?”
“Hell no. It was always my dad’s baby. And Quinn’s. It wasn’t mine. In fact I couldn’t wait to get away from the damn thing.”
“So that’s why you joined the army? To get away?”
He wound his fingers in her hair, the little tugs making her scalp prickle pleasantly. “Yeah, plus army life suits me. I like the rules and regulations, and knowing that what I’m doing is protecting people. You don’t get that with fugitive recovery.”
She studied him, trying to see what lay beyond the cool stare, but it was like looking in a mirror; all she could see was her own reflection looking back at her. Difficult damn man. She suspected he was the kind of guy who only let people see what he wanted them to see and nothing more. Unfair of him, especially considering all she’d revealed.
Take Me Deeper Page 17