Page 69 of Extraction
“I was.” I tucked a piece of hair back in place, needing something to do. “You know me, I don’t spend a lot of time in one place. That’s not how you chase stories.” Where the hell were the others?
“I have my boat here, so I can give you a lift.”
“No, I’m good. I’m here with some people.” I kicked myself for speaking without thinking and saw his face harden. I forgot who I was dealing with. These men and their egos, they hated the word no.
“It wasn’t a question.” He reached up and ran his fingers down my cheek, and I looked away and forced myself not to brush off his touch. Something firm and warm touched my back, then a hand settled on my hip. Finally.
“Step back,” Paul ordered over my head, “and carry on with your day.”
Agustin’s face scrunched, and I felt my stomach bottom out. “Who the hell are you?”
Paul’s chest vibrated against my back as he grunted. “I won’t repeat myself.”
“She’s with me.” Agustin wasn’t about to back down; our shared history with Bruno had proven that. “Let her go.” I kept my mouth pressed in a firm line so I wouldn’t say anything. “There’s plenty of bitches you can have, but this one is mine.”
“What did you call me?” I snapped and tried to jump forward, but Paul’s hand kept me firmly against him.
Agustin reached for me, but Paul quickly and smoothly grabbed his hand and snapped it backward. He dropped to his knees with a yelp, then Paul kicked his leg, and he jerked in pain.
Paul took my hand, and I had to run to keep up with him.
“You just have friends everywhere.” He snickered over his shoulder.
“Not by choice,” I shot back as we raced to distance ourselves from Agustin and whoever he might have with him.
John came into view. He held his phone to his ear as we fell into step. John picked up the pace, and I was soon winded. These guys were crazy fit. We finally slowed as we approached the meeting point. I saw a speedboat and watched Cole shake hands with who I assumed was Adan’s brother. We all began to hurry on board. Paul jumped in first then swung around and lifted me off the dock and onto the boat before I could react. The engine roared to life, and I grabbed his shoulders to stabilize myself. I silently moaned when I remembered the last time I was in this position. This time we weren’t in the water, and his hands on me seared hot. He felt it, too, because when he lowered me, he dragged me down the full length of his front.
“Sit.” He pointed, and I rolled my eyes at how quickly he changed moods. I sat, and as the boat swung away from the dock, he plunked down next to me.
“The Ruiz family’s here,” Paul told the others.
“Damage?” Cole asked.
“Just one of ’em. Hand and knee.”
“Copy that.”
The speedboat didn’t offer much protection from the chilly sea spray. It was a warm day, but out in the open water, the temperature dropped. The engines screamed as they beat through the choppy water, and I did whatever I could to hang on. Mark grinned at me, totally at ease, and held out the bag of beef jerky. When I shook my head, he dug into it like he hadn’t eaten in days. Mike drove the boat while Cole and Keith studied a map. Paul and John seemed to be in some kind of conversation but spoke in French. To me, it sounded personal, so I turned away to give them privacy.
“Here.” Paul tugged his deep green hoodie over his head and handed it to me. I appreciated that he’d noticed I was cold.
“Won’t you be cold?” I had to ask, but he shook his head and said something to John in French. “Thanks, then.” I plunged my frozen arms through the sleeves and pulled it on. I was instantly engulfed with his scent, and his leftover body heat felt like heaven. I crossed my bare legs and wished my bag was closer so I could change back into my pants.
A wave hit the side of the boat, and I felt like I was about to fly over the side, only to have Paul’s hand automatically reach out to push down on my legs to keep me in place. Sweet hell, that scared me! Paul didn’t even glance up. How do these guys stay so agile? I grabbed his arm and used him as an anchor and wiggled closer, not caring how I looked. Besides, he radiated heat, and I wanted some. He didn’t seem to mind as I tucked myself to his side. I figured it was the safest place for me.
“I think I saw Jesus with that last wave.” I yelped as another one hit. “He’s determined to get me.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” He chuckled at my comment then leaned back with his feet out. I was very aware of the tight grip he had on my thigh. I missed being held by someone, even if it was just to keep me from plunging to my death. I figured simply having someone who cared about me was enough in that moment.
He turned his head to me. “What’s your history with Agustin Ruiz?”
“I worked with him and his family on a story that made it to the press,” I yelled so he could hear me, and he nodded. “I gained their trust, you know, played their game, until Agustin wanted more from me. I had to set boundaries, which all these Cartel men hate.” I rolled my eyes. “He did cause some trouble between Bruno and me. Male egos at play, and all that.” I sidestepped how bad things had been back then. I wanted to prove to Paul that I was good at my job and tried never to cross any lines along the way.
“Did you and Agustin ever…?”
“Sleep together?” I laughed and leaned close to his ear. “No, and while we are on the topic, I haven’t slept with Bruno or any of the Cartel families.” He seemed to like that answer because his shoulders relaxed under his damp t-shirt. Interesting.
“Seems to me Agustin would like another try.”
