Page 51 of Wicked Games
“I’m going to make things right, Ryder. I promise you.”
“I know you will.”
A flash of scarlet caught my attention, and I turned. “So much for tracking down Renaldo tomorrow,” I told Ryder.
He turned to see who’d grabbed my attention, and his eyes widened when a tall, sexy brunette wearing a scarlet halter dress, stilettos, and a red fedora hat approached us.
“Holy fuck. Carmen Sandiego is in Miami,” Ryder said, staring at her in awe.
“Close,” Carmen said with a smirk. “Carmen Santiago at your service. Welcome to my town, fellas.”
“Hello again, Carmen,” I said, leaning forward to kiss her offered cheek.
“It’s always nice to see you, Lucien. Shall we go someplace quieter to talk?” Carmen turned and walked away without a backward glance because she knew we were going to follow.
WE FOLLOWEDCARMEN TO Anearby Mercedes sedan idling in front of the club. Next to the passenger door stood a bald, muscular man who looked like he was carved out of a mountain. I was no expert, but I suspected he was more than her driver because he had a gun strapped to his massive body beneath the black Tom Ford suit jacket he wore.
As we approached, Mr. Mountain opened the passenger door and pointed to Lucky. “You’re up front with me. Miss Santiago always sits in the back.”
I tightened my grip on Lucien’s hand, not wanting to be separated from him.
“I’ll be fine, love. They had plenty of opportunities to make trouble for us today if that was their objective. He’s just protecting Carmen. I respect that.”
“Draco has no intention of hurting either of you,” Carmen said then looked at me over her shoulder. “Neither do I.”
Draco opened the back door for Carmen, and she gracefully slid inside the car. “Around the other side,” he snarled at me.
“You’re not going to open the door for me too?” I asked, earning a glare. “I get no respect.” I could hear Carmen’s rich laughter spilling out of the car before Draco shut her door. He stood watching me with narrow eyes as I rounded the back of the car and got in beside her. “I can’t believe he didn’t pat me down first,” I told her.
“I like you, Ryder Jameson,” she said. “I think we could be great friends.”
“No,” Lucien said from the front of the car. I looked away from my stunning, new bestie and met Lucien’s gaze. He grinned at me. “I want to be the one to give you all the adventures you crave.”
“Aww,” Carmen said, covering her heart. “I’m so grateful to be part of such a touching moment.”
“Youinterruptedour touching moment, and we’d like to get back to it,” Lucien told her.
“I bet the two of you are stunning together,” Carmen said.
“We are,” I agreed. “But we don’t put on shows for anyone.”
“I’d never ask for something so tacky,” she said, sounding affronted. “I wanted you here in Miami so I could help you.”
“Which one of us?” Lucien asked.
“Both, of course,” she replied.
“Why?” I asked her.
“Why not,” she answered flippantly.
“Carmen, you do nothing if it doesn’t benefit you,” Lucien told her. “How do you know Uncle Vernon?”
“A lady never tells, Lucien” She threw her head back and laughed warmly at the scowl he aimed at her. “You are my favorite nemesis,” Carmen told him. “You Brits are blunt and to the point. I like it.”
“Then return the favor and get to the point,” Lucien said. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“The only place in the world I trust.”