“Checking up on me?”
“Absolutely. Since we can’t seem to trust each other.” Santos was waiting just inside, shaking his head as soon as I appeared in the foyer. “Have two of your men stand guard at the entrance to my bedroom. Make certain there are two others stationed below the window.”
Santos lifted his eyebrows but nodded. “Si, Señor.”
Fallon chuckled, although the rich sound was similar to a purr. A lion’s purr just before the beast devoured her prey. “I’ll be a good girl. I promise.”
“Yes, you will. Whatever it takes for your full obedience I will do. No matter what that includes.”
She said nothing as I led her up the stairs, but I sensed her mind was working overtime. I’d also caught a look in her eyes that was intriguing me. The expression was as if she believed she was running out of time.
If her sister was still alive, it might not be for long.
When I reached the bedroom where I’d been staying, I opened the door. While I ushered her inside, I remained in the doorway. She turned slowly, studying me as we’d both done to each other every time we were in the same room. At this point, there wereno words that needed to be spoken. She knew the rules. She also knew what was at stake including her safety.
Fallon would either obey or face the consequences. Either way, I couldn’t control her entirely.
Owning her was something else.
As I closed the door, the ravenous thought brought a smile to my face.
I jogged downstairs just as Jago and Kruz returned. Two soldiers also passed me on the steps on their way to guard the room.
Both Silvio and Alonzo walked in seconds later.
“The Jeep is safe, boss,” Silvio stated.
“Good.”
Jago noticed her purse in my hand just as I pulled out her wallet, immediately finding her driver’s license. The state of California issued a license for Fallon Baldwin. Her photograph was lovely, although taken a few years before. There were a few credit cards in her name, which at least indicated that portion of the story was the truth.
Unless she was a master forger, which I doubted. Although… She obviously had several hidden talents.
“Silvio. I need you to find out everything you can about Ms. Baldwin.” I handed him the driver’s license. “Also find out everything you can about her father, Charles and her sister, Brooke. I do mean everything.”
Silvio accepted the wallet, nodding. “I’ll see what I can find.”
I glanced from Kruz to Jago before heading into the office. The sun would be up within an hour, yet I wanted a damn drink. It had been a long night. I poured three whiskeys as Jago and Kruz flanked my side.
“What are you thinking?” Kruz asked as he took a glass from my hand.
“I’m thinking that Fassi isn’t in Mexico. He’s sitting this one out, doing nothing more than watching the show, creating chaos.”
“As his father did a year ago,” Jago said, lifting his glass to his lips.
“And a few months ago. This is just one big fucking game to them. Very personal.” I threw that in and Jago gritted his teeth. He’d been thinking the same thing, although it was possible if we were right, the path would lead somewhere neither one of us wanted to go.
“We’re headed back to Barcelona after our conversation with Eduardo tomorrow,” Jago added.
“Your cousin knows more than he’s letting on.” I pulled the vial I’d taken from the warehouse into my hand. “This needs to be tested.” I held it up, studying the smooth powder. My gut told me the substance was deadly.
Jago narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute. Are you thinking this has something to do with the past?”
“I am.”
He took a deep breath as Kruz whistled. “If you’re right,” Jago started, “then your instinct to have a nice long discussion with my father is spot on. I’ve finished with playing games with Eduardo. He tells us the truth, or not only will he lose ourprotection, but the bastard could also quite possibly lose his worthless life. Why don’t you return with us tomorrow?”
I thought about the offer and shook my head. “Whatever is going on, Fallon found herself in the middle and not by choice. If her sister was taken, I owe it to Fallon to try and find out where Brooke is being held and rescue her.”
