“Now that we’ve gotten your anger under control, why don’t you tell me your name.”
She brushed her hand through her hair. Anyone else in her position would be frightened, even shaking by now. She wasn’t, although if I had to guess I’d say she was still on overdrive from an adrenaline rush. That would fade and when it did, she could become even more dangerous.
“Fallon,” she purred and I was unable to tell if she’d used a fictitious name.
“Fallon,” I repeated, sensing she’d never supply her last name, at least not under these circumstances. The way the syllables rolled off my tongue was sensual. “Okay, Fallon. Why do you think I kidnapped who I’m guessing is your sister?”
“Because I have proof. You thought your ugly threat was so cute, but you don’t scare me. I assure you where I obtained it, the person wouldn’t lie. Not to me.”
Not only had I supposedly kidnapped a woman, I’d also issued a threat. I was more than curious where this was going.
“Proof. Alright,” I said as I glanced toward my three soldiers, all of which shrugged. “What kind of proof?”
Her smile was sardonic. “Clear reliable evidence.”
We were getting nowhere, but I certainly couldn’t use my typical methods of interrogation. My instinct told me she wouldn’t easily break. My thoughts drifted to utilizing other, more persuasive methods including sex. Yes, I was an evil man. Maybe it had been far too long since I’d engaged in carnal activity with a beautiful woman.
“When did this kidnapping occur?” I asked. When she hesitated, I lifted my eyebrows. “If you want to get to the bottom of what happened, then you need to tell me.”
She laughed as if I was playing some huge game.
“A week ago, as if you didn’t know that.” Her voice remained defiant.
I scrubbed my jaw, nodding a couple of times. If Eduardo had left me in the middle of some shit, I would kill him myself. The bastard was slimy in my mind, even if he was considered family. Some family. He’d been nothing but a pain in the ass since I’d met him. “Here’s the thing. I wasn’t in Mexico a couple weeks ago. I’m from Barcelona.”
She laughed as if I’d just told the funniest joke in the world. “Like you couldn’t have had one of your goons handle the vileact. Besides, the kidnapping took place in another country, but my gut tells me a wealthy prick like yourself has a full fleet of jets at his disposal.” She threw a sideways glance to my men and Silvio reared back, obviously incensed.
“Yes, I do have a vast array of modes of transportation, but that isn’t incriminating. If I was in the business of kidnapping woman, including American women, I wouldn’t do so by flaunting my wealth. But I’m not. No matter what you heard, all the bad things that are likely in the forefront of your mind, I choose not to hurt beautiful women if at all possible. I am curious. Why would I have kidnapped her in the first place?” She wasn’t telling a lie. Whatever she’d faced had been horrific.
Fallon was hesitant to tell me anything. When the inflection in her eyes changed, I could easily tell she was distraught about her sister’s wellbeing. In this part of the world, she should be. Eduardo was a brutal man, but there were several cartels and crime syndicates who couldn’t care less who they hurt. Some even enjoying torturing women.
I’d seen it all and their methods disgusted me.
Even if I’d been known to gut a man or ten in my lifetime.
They’d deserved it.
What I also knew was that whatever she was so reluctant to tell me was eating at her. My gut told me she wasn’t some career criminal either.
“Talk to me, Fallon. Since you’re accusing me of something heinous, I think I deserve to know the details.”
“Heinous? Try disgusting. My sister is a sweet girl who’s never hurt anyone in her life. They tore her life apart, taking her awayfrom the life she loved. And why? Vengeance for something that occurred…” She sucked in her breath, immediately looking away. She’d also let something slip. Vengeance. I’d say whatever the reason for her sister’s kidnapping was all about the past. My hackles continued to be raised.
“Where did this happen, Fallon?” Another hesitation and I was losing my patience. “You need my help. That’s obvious. Tell me.”
“LA.” Her hiss was fueled with rage.
“Los Angeles.” Another drug-infested city often used by the cartels. “I wasn’t anywhere near LA, and neither were any of my men. I have business in the area. That much I promise you. I can have you speak with my pilot if you’d like.”
“Promise? Your promises mean nothing to me. She’s an elementary school teacher. She loves kids. She’s so beautiful and bright. I know the Mexican police will do nothing. I’ve already tried.”
“You’re certain she was brought here.”
I could tell by her hesitation she wasn’t.
Her sudden emotion was surprising. Fallon was close to being exasperated. If she was doing this entirely on her own, the woman had balls. That alone could get her killed.
“You’re not. You just assumed she was taken from the United States. You’ll need to consider the possibility she remains close to home. So you know, the Mexican police are a highly corrupt organization. You’re right in that you won’t receive any help from them.”
