Page 31

C harmaine

“I can’t believe you bought me clothes.” He’d insisted we stop at a couple of stores, pulling out cash to pay for a few things, even allowing me to drop by a drug store for toiletries and makeup. At least I’d have a change of clothes for a couple of days.

“The least I could do,” Maddox said as he peered down at me.

“I’ll pay you back after I gain access to my accounts again.” I had nothing. No passport. No driver’s license or bank card. While I’d left my credit cards at my apartment in Chicago, the loss of my credentials and everything else had already become a nuisance.

“No, you won’t. Now, come on,” he offered. “Let’s get you up to your room.”

“Are you leaving town?” I’d never felt such tremendous anxiety. There’d been a single room reserved in my name. Not one in Maddox’s.

“The smart man in me says I should.”

I turned toward him, placing my hand on his arm. “Please don’t. I just… I need someone I can talk to.”

His smirk was full of mischief. “Are you asking me to protect you?”

“Maybe.”

At least his laugh brought a hint of relief. “I’m not going anywhere tonight. I’ll grab a room later. Let’s get you into your room safely.”

“You’re worried.”

“I’m always worried,” he said while glancing around the perimeter as people came and went. He wasn’t telling me everything because we were out in the open. I already knew how he worked.

We strode through the lobby of the Marriott and my heartrate kicked up several notches.

People were watching.

Following us.

Waiting for the two of us to make a fatal mistake.

I’d been certain of it during Maddox’s insistence we walk the five blocks to the hotel. His hand had been on his weapon the entire time. My anxiety would soon be off the charts.

Maybe that was overblowing the situation we were embroiled in, but my gut told me the brutal line of questioning was an attempt at making me break. The reason was obvious.

I’d been involved in covert reporting long enough to realize when I was being followed.

Whatever form of government was involved somehow believed I had a direct connection to Alfaro. The thought continued to ravage my mind, sending my anxiety to extremely high levels.

When he stopped at the kiosk, I studied him intently. He was staring at the layout of the hotel.

“What are you looking for?” I asked, my skin prickling from the feeling of being watched.

“Options.” He scanned the perimeter again. “How did this unknown source contact you?”

“A text.”

“It was intercepted. They suspect you were provided with more information.”

“Well, shit. They had no right.”

“This is bigger than you believe.”

“Are the other women safe?”

His sigh was deep. “Some of them. They’re searching for the others. Gray wants me to hang around.”

“You’re both worried.”

“Yeah, we are. The FBI agent I was forced to speak with is on a fishing expedition, which is why you need to be careful what you say. You also might need an attorney.”

“Who was this agent?”

“Steven Wilshire.”

I sucked in my breath. “He was the agent I talked to when I received threats after the first article came out.”

Maddox’s jaw clenched. “Did anyone discover who threatened you?”

“Not that I’m aware of. The threats stopped after the story was no longer relevant. I always believed it was Alfaro from a distance.”

“Maybe not.” He took a deep breath, once again placing his hand on the small of my back and pushing me forward.

I couldn’t tell what he was getting at, but it was apparent he wasn’t ready to share.

We were almost at the elevators when I stopped, turning toward him. “There’s a bar over there. Can we at least have a drink together?”

The hard look on his face softened.

“Yeah, I think we can do that.”

His expressions had told me he had something on his mind.

“Did you give them the jump drive?” I’d waited to ask, maybe fearful of learning the answer.

“That wouldn’t do us any good. Would it?” He tipped his head, his grin adding to the warmth spreading through my body.

He had his hand placed on the small of my back as he guided us toward the cozy alcove, finding a table near one of the windows. That allowed us both to see the comings and goings of guests as well as anyone who walked into the bar.

As I sat down, I scanned the inside of the bar just as two men in bad suits walked in. “Two goons just walked in,” I whispered. No one was paying attention to two individuals dressed in suits having a drink. Yet I couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief and Maddox was definitely on edge.

“I see them. Same ones who stayed behind in an unmarked sedan as we walked. They’re here to make certain we don’t leave town,” Maddox snarled.

“I thought you were free to go.”

“That’s what I heard even though Gray asked me to stay.”

“But not what you believe.”

A cocktail waitress appeared, asking for our orders. After ordering, Maddox waited until she’d gone out of earshot before leaning over the table. “I’ve stayed alive because of my instinct alone.”

“So you think this is a cover-up of some kind.”

“I’m not saying that,” he said and stared out the window. “But I’m also not ruling anything out.”

“You didn’t need to. Your body language is a clear statement. You weren’t this tense when being chased by Alfaro’s men in Honduras.” When he continued scanning the street, I sucked in my breath. “They think I have something to do with Alfaro.”

“I was told he is infatuated with you.”

“You know better. Right?”

He slowly turned his head. “Oh, I have no doubt Alfaro is infatuated with you because you’re one of the only women who have ever pushed him. However, the Feds are hiding something.”

“And you think the Navy is involved?”

“Uncertain, but I doubt it. Gray is working with some people regarding corruption and collusion. He’s involved because your mom and dad are friends with his wife.”

“Gray and Betty Jenkins. Of course. Good people. My dad adores the man. That means you can trust him.”

“Yes, we can. Commander Jenkins was always a decent man. I think he issued a warning when asking me to stay in town. There’s also a distinct feeling he wasn’t told the entire story since he pushed Agent Wilshire into allowing a rescue attempt.

One thing is certain. We need to find what’s on the jump drive. ”

“That means we need a computer.” As he’d taught me by habit, I glanced around the perimeter of the bar before snagging a look onto the sidewalk outside.

“Without tipping off our babysitters. Which won’t be easy.” He took a deep breath and held it.

I could tell by the look in his eyes he’d already thought of something. “What is it? You’ve thought of a way.”

“Yeah, I have an idea. A little risky and I’ll need to call in a favor.”

“We’ve come this far, Maddox. I need your help.

I don’t like the fact that my parents were shoved into this.

Someone wants me dead and I’m beginning to think it’s not Alfaro.

” I started to reach for his arm, but pulled back, quickly darting a look toward the two men sitting at the bar.

They were doing their best to pretend they weren’t interested in us.

He finally looked me directly in the eyes just as the waitress brought our drinks.

Well, shit. That’s exactly what he was thinking.

There was no small talk, no mention of whether we’d run a tab. I had a feeling the poor girl could tell by the commanding look on his face he wasn’t in the mood for chitchat.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere until you’re safe.” He pulled the glass of bourbon to his lips, holding the rim just centimeters away. When he lifted his gaze, the same electricity applied as before, only something had changed.

He wasn’t just being protective of me.

He was being possessive.

A shiver tickled every muscle for myriad reasons. The man had a presence that ignited an entire room.

“What are you staring at?” he asked a few seconds later.

“An interesting man with a huge heart. You aren’t who I thought you were.”

His chuckle was dark, matched by the twinkle in his eyes. At least he was no longer growling at me as if the entire situation was all my fault. “And what kind of man did you think I was? I’m more than curious.”

“A self-centered jerk.”

My admittance caught him off guard. He burst into laughter. “I think your first impression should stand. I am a self-centered jerk.”

“Maybe a little arrogant, but you know how good you are.”

“How good am I?” He pulled a swallow of his drink and I realized I was dragging my tongue across my bottom lip.

I had to remind myself that whatever was happening, I didn’t have room for anything but getting to the bottom of why I was suddenly on a suspicious list. “You’re strong.

You’re capable. You’re highly trained. You’re everything a rescuer should be.

” I took a sip of my wine, finding it difficult to keep everything in perspective.

Being around the powerful man was extremely taxing. The push and pull was a constant struggle. And the bickering. However, the man fueled something in me.

“Make no mistake, Charmaine. Whatever you found yourself involved in is dangerous. Alfaro is a reprehensible and brutal criminal. Whatever is on the drive, he is willing to kill for it, including anyone who gets in his way.”

“I understand. There are others who feel the same.”

“I hope you do and I believe so.” His eyes were flashing.

“You have a plan in mind. Don’t you?”

“Maybe.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We need to make it appear as if you’re going to comply with the Feds’ request.”

“They’re trying to implicate me for Alfaro’s increased hold on the illegal drug trade within the US. In doing so, whoever is involved will have a get out of jail free card.”

“That’s my guess.” He concentrated his gaze out the window.

“As if I’m his lover?”

He snorted just before taking another sip. “They obviously don’t know you.”

“And you do?”

“Tough as nails.”

I leaned over, lifting a single eyebrow. “I guess we have interesting opinions about the other.”

“I guess so. You’re sure you want to learn what’s on the drive?”