“Of running several billion-dollar companies including one within the New York Diamond Exchange.”
Her eyes flashed with something else altogether. Something she hadn’t learned about the organization. Our advance into the market hadn’t been kept secret, which meant she’d done a brief search. Her vendetta wasn’t based on years of awaiting the perfect opportunity. She’d been pushed into her actions.
“I see,” she muttered as she glanced around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “Now, I understand. I guess you need daily reassurance you’re a big man who makes big money.” Her words were biting, the sarcastic lilt to her tone annoying.
She’d kept her head held high while being escorted from the SUV, yet I’d observed she’d paid close attention to her surroundings, identifying the locations of the security cameras. There’d been no doubt she’d attempt an escape. A part of me had been eager to see her try.
While formidable, Fallon didn’t seem to understand the level of danger she’d placed herself in. Even before talking with Jago, I’d recognized the bastards who’d attacked her. Their gang-related tattoos had given them away. That’s one reason I’d driven bullets into their brains instead of allowing them to live to tell the tale. The Alcarez Cartel was truly scum in my mind, dangerous pricks who had no humanity.
The question of why they’d spent time hunting a single woman was something I couldn’t ignore.
“Gold. Who knew that was your color?” she added. “I was thinking red to remind you of all the bloodletting you’ve done.”
It was obvious she was trying to bait me into another confrontation or steer me away from something else. I neither had the time nor the inclination to fall into a trap. Little did she know I was the master of creating them.
“Why not black for my cold, dead heart?”
“Ah, yes,” she sighed. “You’re right. I’m curious. Do you have mirrors in every room so you can preen in front of them on a whim?”
She was currently staring at the oversized gilded mirror over the fireplace.
“I’m a guest here in this mansion of strange statues just like you are, Fallon. We can continue our bantering all night or we can call a truce. Would you care for a drink?”
“A truce? An interesting proposition.” Her laugh shifted into bitterness. “Why not enjoy a drink with my enemy. Evidently, I’m not being allowed out of your sight.”
“I’m eager to hear all the gory details about why I’m public enemy number one.”
“I already told you. My sister.”
There was definitely more to the story, but I’d take the interrogation slowly.
I prepared the same drink she’d enjoyed at the club, even locating a jar of olives in the mini-fridge. Neither one of us said a word as I prepared the beverages, but her keen eyes were constantly flickering as she walked around the room. Even the way she picked up a few items, knickknacks and statues, was nothing more than her attempt to find a way out of the estate.
I turned around with the drinks in my hand and was rewarded with a stunning view in the light. She was even more spectacular than I’d originally believed. Long curls swept softly across her shoulders, so several black strands appeared highlighted in cobalt. Her emerald eyes were warm, a direct contrast to the enraged expression she wore. Seeing one long leg peeking out from the slit in her crimson dress, my mind wandered to several filthy images of deep and rather sadistic cravings.
She avoided our fingers colliding when accepting the glass, purposely backing away from me as soon as it was in her hand. “You really don’t live here?”
“As I told you, I’m from Barcelona. This,” I swept my hand around the room, “belongs to the leader of the Gonzolez Cartel, the cousin of the man I work for.”
“Why don’t I believe you? Owning second homes in distant countries is all the rage.” She hid behind her glass, keeping her distance.
“I guess you’ll need to trust me. I can tell you that Eduardo is a panic-driven man for good reason. That’s why his security is topnotch. Well,” I said as I scratched my head, “with a few notable exceptions. He was gunned down just outside the gates we drove through by soldiers working for the same brutal leader who ordered those men to take you off the street. These are dangerous times.”
“You’re sharing this with me why?”
“To reiterate my earlier point. If what you told me is true, you’re in way over your head and you’ve already ruffled feathers. The men who attacked you didn’t do so randomly. They found you in the club and were there to take you to wherever their drug lord is holed up. I assure you that you wouldn’t have enjoyed his company any better than mine.”
At least it seemed she was listening to me. “Why kidnap my sister? Why threaten me?”
“A very good question and I believe you have at least a general idea. Maybe we’re getting somewhere. What was the threat?”
She licked her lips and remained stoic, having no intention of telling me every sordid detail.
“Fine, Fallon. What I’m trying to tell you is that you’re much safer being in this estate than anywhere else in the city.”
“You’re offering me refuge?”
“I’m offering you a chance to find out what happened to your sister. However, doing so means you’ll need to accept that this is a secure compound whether or not you’ve identified insufficient mechanisms. There are cameras in every room, many of which you aren’t aware of. There are trip wires throughout the grounds, infrared in several locations. There are also heat sensors and booby traps. As I said, Eduardo is panic driven and spent millions on security, including the use of some barbaric tactics hiding all throughout the estate. There is no means of escape.”
