by Louise Dawn
“Am I?” Antonio cupped her shoulder. “Late evening carries the greatest risk of being targeted. Don’t do this. We’ll make a plan together. I’m using my connections to help.”
Pearl pressed her lips together, and Antonio knew she was trying not to cry, but she couldn’t do this. Her life was precious, and he had to protect her.
“You’ve done so much.” Her voice shook. “I am… I am completely reliant on your charity. I hate… I hate that. I hate it so much.” A tear fell, and he clenched his jaw at the sight.
“It’s not charity.”
“Then why? Why are you helping?”
Jeez. How did he explain his complicated feelings? If he gave an indication of his attraction, what would she think? That he was helping her for alternative and lurid reasons. It wasn’t like that. Yes, he wanted her, but that’s not why he’d tried to assist. Antonio never expected anything in return.
The connection he felt had kept him anchored near Pearl’s side. Which had nothing to do with hooking up. He just wanted to see her happy. And little Aysha—she deserved the same. A safe place to live and food on the table. That was essential.
“That’s what I thought.” Pearl turned away, and Antonio caught her hand. His skin zinged at the contact.
“I care. There I said it.” Indigo eyes met his, and he scrambled for the right words. “I worry about you all of the time. You’re always on my mind.”
“Because I can’t get my act together.”
“I don’t care about that. I care about your health and your safety.” He rubbed a thumb over her soft skin, and his pulse pounded.
“But why?”
“I can’t explain myself.” His neck felt damp. “All I know is that I couldn’t walk away at the airport. I compartmentalize everything in my world. I’m good at wrapping up a case—or a favor.”
“Which I was—a favor.”
“Yes. You were, and then you weren’t. You and Aysha—you matter to me.”
It felt like Pearl stared into his soul, and he met her gaze, hoping she’d see the honesty reflected in his eyes. When she swallowed, he did the same. His hand tightened around hers, and he didn’t want to step back. Antonio wanted to step forward… closer. He wanted to feel her in his arms again and smell her sweet lemon vanilla scent.
“How about a compromise. If it weren’t for Rajin, I could get back into modeling again, but having my face plastered over magazines is too dangerous. I’ll continue looking for a second job. Until then, I’ll work here. Hopefully, for only a week or two.”
“That’s not a compromise.”
She pulled her hand from his. “It’s the best I can do. I need this, and I’m refusing help.”
“You’re stubborn. What about Aysha—will she be in daycare?”
“She’ll be with my sister at their home. She’s there now.”
“Is that safe? I know you haven’t seen your sister—”
“I trust Coraline with our lives. Her husband is my childhood friend. He’s like my brother—more than a brother. He saved my life on a few occasions.”
Her words intrigued Antonio, and he wanted to know more about Pearl’s past. Instead, he stepped to the side and led her back to his car. “Can I take you home?”
“Thank you. Let me call Coraline, and she can drop—”
“Let’s pick her up. Where do they live?”
“Uh.” Pearl paused. “Not far. I’ll check with Cora.”
As they drove to the sister’s home, Antonio relaxed slightly. He wanted to meet the mysterious sibling and her valiant husband. Antonio didn’t believe in shining heroes. Everyone had a flaw. The question was, what was hiding in Pearl’s past? Antonio would locate a possible threat if there was one to be had.
He was good at reading people and places. He’d picked up on the apparent tension emanating from Pearl’s relationship with her sister. Otherwise, Pearl would have reached out to her blood relative from the get-go. Instead, she’d spent weeks avoiding contact. Only desperation pushed her to reach out. Why?
Antonio glanced at the quiet woman beside him, who tapped out a text. Pearl’s pretty profile had him wanting to reach over and cup the back of her graceful neck. She still wore a pixie cut, and he loved how it complimented her delicate features. A women’s face and neck had always been desirable qualities to Antonio.
Without any distractions to hide her face, he could gaze at Pearl for hours. It was all in the cheekbones and the eyes. And that incredible smile. She hadn’t smiled once since the gas station, and could he blame her? Still pissed at her decision, he decided to pay a visit to her new workplace in the morning and make a thorough assessment. And then what? His workload at the moment was insane and tied him to the office, often till late in the evening. Antonio wouldn’t work overtime for the next couple of weeks—he’d make a plan.
“How does your Saturday look?” he asked.
Pearl lifted a shoulder. “Tomorrow? I’m doing the laundry and vacuuming.”
“How about a picnic?”
“A what?”
Antonio focused on the road and hoped she’d say yes. “I’ll pack the food. I have a great Tapas recipe, and I’ll make ham sandwiches.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Ham sandwiches?”
“No—the picnic.”
“If you’re asking if it’s a date, how you define the day is up to you.”
“That’s obtuse.”
“I want to spend the day with you and with Aysha. You can say no.”
Pearl didn’t reply, and he cracked a window, pulling in the night’s air.
They turned into an affluent neighborhood, and Antonio glanced again at the directions. They were still heading the right way.
“Turn at the next driveway.”
Holy shit, her sister’s crib gave his father’s a run for the money. An armed security guard stepped out of the guardhouse that sat beside massive gates. Antonio noted the weapons as unease took hold.
Pearl gave her name and Antonio looked up at the intense surveillance—state-of-the-art cameras everywhere. And two more guards standing in the shadows. Who needed this much protection?
“Is your sister’s husband a celebrity? A politician?”
Pearl laughed and shook her head. “No, why?”
“This is a shitload of security.” Antonio didn’t share in her amusement.
“He owns a military firm.”
“Doing what?”
“Private contracting—I think.”
“Mercenaries for hire?”
“That’s an unfavorable description. Everett works with the government.”
The gates opened, and Antonio drove down the wide lane which curled through the estate. Finally, they pulled up to a set of sprawling buildings, and Pearl showed him where to park. Stating that her sister lived in a mansion was putting it mildly, and his irritation grew.
Unable to keep his mouth shut, he turned to Pearl. “Remind me why you just accepted a job at a gas station? This is your sister’s home? Right?”
“It’s complicated. I’m not ready to accept Coraline’s financial help. Asking her to look after Aysha was a big deal.”
Pearl reached for the door handle, and he touched her shoulder. “Why?”
“Because… because we both have conditions tied to our relationship, and we’re both not willing to compromise.”
The front door opened, and an elegant blonde woman in a white cardigan stepped out. Antonio immediately knew who she was based on her familiar features. She had the same bone structure as Pearl. The same mouth.
“You can wait in the car, and I’ll—”
“I’m coming in. There are too many weapons walking around on this property.”
“They’re here to protect the family.”
“And I’m here to protect you and Aysha.” Antonio unlatched his seatbelt.
“Don’t be crazy; Everett and Coraline would never hurt us.”
“I’ll just have to see
for myself.” He ignored her protests and climbed from the vehicle, waiting to join her on the walk up the front steps.
Five more guards. Well trained and scattered at strategic points on the property. This was a fucking compound. A tall, older man stepped in their way as they topped the stairs.
“You’re armed.” He glanced down at Antonio’s jacket, which concealed his holstered weapon.
“I am. And I’ll remain that way.” Antonio gently pulled Pearl behind him.
“That’s not an option.” The seasoned guard pulled aside his jacket, revealing his sidearm. Antonio did the same.
“He’s a diplomatic agent.” Pearl tried to step around, and Antonio stopped her.
“Jerry, if he’s with Pearl, he’s fine.” Coraline tapped the man’s arm.
After a brief stand-off, the sentinel conceded and moved to the side.
“How was she?” Pearl asked.
“Aysha was an angel,” Coraline replied. “I see you’ve brought a friend.”
Pearl made introductions, and Antonio took her sister’s cool hand in his.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. What other secrets are you hiding, big sis?”
“Too many to count.” Pearl smiled and winked.
“Let’s go inside. Can I get you guys a drink?” Coraline’s relaxed attitude was unexpected, and Antonio noted how she reached out and touched her sister’s waist. There was a connection—and affection between the two women.
“Take a seat; I’ll call Everett. As usual, he’s in his office. Aysha is still upstairs playing with her cousins.”
Pearl sat, and Antonio stood guard, refusing to relax. He looked around the sprawling sitting room. A glass and granite palace with additional cameras in the front entrance.
“Fancy, huh?” Pearl took off her jacket. “You’d think I’d miss this world after leaving Rajin.”
Antonio shot her a surprised look.
“Money no longer moves me. I don’t think it ever did.” She looked down at her hands, and Antonio searched for what to say.
“After all these years, now you decide to waltz into my home?” A solid, sturdy man in a black t-shirt strode into the room and headed directly for the woman on the sofa.
Pearl stood, and Antonio moved too late, only realizing the threat at the last minute. The goateed guy gave off aggrieved energy that was hard to miss. Grabbing a wrist, the asshole pulled Pearl roughly to his chest.
Antonio reached forward, intending to floor the bastard, but paused when Pearl laughed.
“You’re still as crabby as always.”
“Only when I have to use valuable resources to track you down. You’re one expensive target.”
What the fuck did that mean? Antonio wanted to spit on the term “target.” This must be Everett and Antonio immediately disliked the arrogant fucker who now cradled Pearl’s neck to his chest. A full sleeve tattoo wrapped around his left arm, and Antonio inspected the intricate work while grinding his jaw. And they kept on hugging, like long-lost lovers.
“God, I’ve missed you,” Everett muttered into her neck.
Was he crying? Antonio watched the exchange intently. Pearl sniffled, obviously sharing in some deep emotion.
“I’ve missed you too. The last two months have been….” Pearl began to sob, and Antonio took the hit like a punch to the balls.
“Hush. You’re safe now. We’ve got you.” Everett stroked her back.
The fuck they did. No, Antonio had her. A possessive wave slammed him, so strong that he almost fell to his knees. She continued to cry, and Everett continued to hold her. Needing to turn away, Antonio walked over to the large fireplace and examined the mantel. Family photographs depicted Everett and Coraline and their two kids.
Antonio edged along, only pausing when he spotted a battered-looking photo of three children. Two brown-haired kids around ten years old—a girl and a boy. And a younger child with blonde hair sitting beside them.
They all wore some kind of school uniform and sat on stone steps. None of them smiled—they looked sad, yet they all held hands in their small huddle.
“That was the only photo we have of the three of us—at the orphanage.” Coraline stepped up beside Antonio and took the framed picture off the mantel before handing it to him. “A week before I was adopted. The matron took that picture. She was a beast of a woman—miserly and cruel. Everett kept that photograph throughout the years, and it’s gone through a lot of wear and tear.”
“He’s your husband. He was with you as a child?”
Coraline nodded. “Another orphan. When Pearl and I were sent to that awful place, he protected us through the years. I don’t know why he decided to latch onto two sisters. We were so pathetic and skinny. He was just as lonely and friendless as we were.”
Coraline smiled affectionately at the embracing couple. “When we were all torn apart, he searched for us. Years passed, but he never gave up. When he found me again—it was my story-book romance.”
As he looked back across the room, Antonio considered her words as Everett gently helped Pearl to the sofa. Their strong connection was clear, and the man obviously meant every word that he’d muttered to Pearl.
“You know of her predicament? At the moment?” Antonio asked Coraline.
“Yes. Pearl told me about her ex-husband. About starting over.”
“She needs help.”
“And she won’t accept much from me.”
“Why not?” Antonio asked.
“Because I betrayed her in the past, and she can’t forgive me.”
“Who are you?” Everett stood and pinned Antonio with a deadly stare. Oh, the man was a protector, all right. The question being, what else was he?
Pearl leaned forward. “He’s my friend—he helped me to escape Sri Lanka.”
“Antonio Torres.” Antonio nodded.
“And you’re a diplomatic agent.”
“I see you’ve been communicating with your armed friends.” Antonio nodded at the window. “Lots of guns on this property.”
“A gun is just a tool—a means to an end.” Everett slowly walked over. “The real weapon is the person behind the gun. What kind of weapon are you?”
Tired of games, Antonio replied, “The kind you don’t want to fuck with.”
Face to face, Everett paused before smiling. “I like you.”
“I don’t like you or know you.”
“Antonio!” Pearl stood.
“No,” Everett waved a hand. “That’s the perfect response. I think I’m standing in front of a goddamn grenade.” Placing hands in his jean pockets, he rocked back on his heels. “So, Mr. Grenade, when you eventually explode, are you going to take my sister-in-law down with you? Will you strike a fatal blow?”
Everett wasn’t good at reading Antonio who was the most controlled bastard in the field. He grinned at the analogy. Antonio had never lost his cool—not even in his personal life. Not even when Antonio had found his best friend screwing his girlfriend in his apartment. He’d simply walked away.
“I’m just a diplomat. What are you?”
“You’re asking what I do for a living? You’d need clearance for that. I work with impossible situations.”
“All this muscle-flexing is getting on my last nerve.” Pearl headed for the stairs. “Time to go. Where’s Aysha?”
Coraline left with Pearl, and the two men never budged.
“You care about her.”
“Sure. I care about both of them—both Pearl and Aysha.”
“As do I, and if you hurt them, you’re gonna have to pay.”
“From what I understand, I’m not the one doing the hurting. How did you break Pearl’s heart?”
“You have balls. That’s for sure.” Everett took the frame from Antonio’s hands and placed it back on the mantel. “Everett Samson. I’m sure we’ll both be doing background checks on each other. All you have to know, for now, is that this is my family.” He pointed at all the pictures.
“Then do bett
er.”
“What?”
“Pearl starts work tomorrow at a gas station. I’m guessing from your shocked expression that she hadn’t told you the nature of her new job. I’m trying to dissuade her, but she’s as stubborn as all hell. Find her a safer job. I’m trying to do the same.”
“She would’ve said something.”
“She’s too proud.” Antonio heard Aysha’s excited gabbling and headed for the stairs.
“They have this big dollhouse, Mommy! And it even has plates and cups and—Neo!” Aysha rushed the rest of the way, and Antonio caught her.
“Don’t run down the stairs!”
“I ate strawberries after dinner, and I thought of you! I still hate them.”
“You do?” Antonio laughed.
“They were sour. Can we get chocolate ice cream?”
“You only think of that stomach.” He held her easily in his arms and turned as Pearl said her goodbyes. “Wave goodbye.”
Aysha did as he asked, and he headed for the door.
“And maybe sprinkles. And mallows?”
“Did you eat all your dinner?” He asked.
“Yeah. There were carrots.”
“Yuck. Well, I’m taking your mom out for food; I suppose you can tag along and have ice cream.”
“Where else would I go!” Aysha rolled her eyes, and Antonio laughed. He loved teasing her. He opened the back door of his suburban and settled Aysha in the kid’s seat.
“I’m glad you bought a purple one.” Aysha stroked the cover, and he smiled. He’d bought the car seat back in New York for the rental and the drive from the airport. She’d helped him pick out her favorite color. It made sense to transfer the seat over to his vehicle and meant convenience. After helping her clip in the belt, he opened the car door for Pearl.
His actions were automatic and felt so natural. Almost like they were a little family. But that wasn’t the case. They were friends, and he was helping Pearl out until she was safe. Except he wanted more.
Before she sat, Pearl turned and touched his jacket. “Yes, for tomorrow. A picnic sounds great.”
Chapter Ten
“Hey, Snax, where are you?” Bronco’s loud voice came through the phone.
“Why?”
“Because we need to chat. I’ve been thinking about joining DSS.”