Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“Have you ever heard of the Jalisco Cartel? According to Williams, he’s the head of the cartel. I have to believe him. He’s former DEA. If he doesn’t know, who would?”
“What was his name again?”
“Tyler Williams. Seems like a good man. Definitely knows his stuff.”
“Wow. I didn’t expect that.”
He kissed her cheek. “Neither did I. That’s why I’ve decided to completely cut ties with the man. I won’t be seeing him while I’m on the shoot in Mexico.”
“Are you sure this guy is right about this?” Kay asked. Her body had gone still. “Maybe I should try to look into it. It wouldn’t be the first time someone got accused of some crime he didn’t commit. Up until now he’s been perfectly good to you, right?”
Suspicion played along his spine. Something wasn’t right here. “I saw pictures.”
“Pictures can be doctored.” She wiggled off his lap. “I’ll get my team on it. I would hate for you to lose that contribution because some ex-DEA agent has a thing against a businessman. You know some of them are totally paranoid. I should know. I could tell you stories about crazy damn CIA agents. They spend so much time dealing with conspiracies that they start to see them everywhere.”
He was surprised at her reaction. “The charity can handle it. I’ll do another fundraiser and more than make up for it. I think the cautious thing to do is to believe the man who put his life on the line and stay away from Morales. I’m going to explain that my schedule has changed and I can’t make it out to his place this time. I’ll ignore his calls from now on and it will be fine.”
One brow rose over her eyes. “You’re going to ghost a drug lord?”
“I thought you weren’t sure he was a drug lord.” This was starting to feel like an argument, but not the one he’d expected.
“I don’t know,” she shot back. “That’s the point. You’re listening to some guy I’ve never even met. You’re allowing him to manipulate you.”
“Manipulate? I’m allowing him to make me rethink two days of my life. I’m rethinking going to a party. I don’t think that’s some grand manipulation. Why is this important to you?”
“I don’t like someone playing you.”
He shook his head. This was insane. “Baby, it’s not a big deal. Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m heading down to the set in two days. I’m going to get my work done as quickly as possible and I’ll be home with you before you know it. You can stay here or go have a nice visit with your dads. Hell, invite them back here. I won’t be gone more than a week.”
“What? You’re going there by yourself?”
Now this was the fight he’d expected. He’d prepared for this fight. The whole time he’d been driving home, he’d come up with a plan to make her feel better about it. “Not at all. I’ll take Shane and Dec with me. If you think I need someone else, I’ll hire a third guard so I’m never without two. I have no intention of doing something foolish. I have you to think about now. I want to come home whole, believe me.”
She shook her head, her eyes clouded with disbelief. “You can’t leave me behind. We’ve planned for this trip. Why would you ditch me?”
“No. I am absolutely not ditching you. I’m worried about you.” He reached out for her hands, holding them between his own. “Baby, have you thought about what a man like Morales would do to you if he even caught a hint of your background? I can’t risk you. Come on. Let’s go upstairs and we can talk some more. I know you’re freaked out that you’re not going with me, but let’s bring Shane and Dec in on the discussion and make some…what do you call those…protocols for me to follow. I’ll do everything by the book. I don’t want you worrying.”
She seemed to lose color, her shoulders slumping as though something terrible went through her head. “We can’t go inside and talk.”
“Why? I think we’ll be way happier in the kitchen than bringing those two bruisers out here. I don’t even think Dec can fit on the stairs. He’s a big dude.” He tugged her close. “It’s going to be all right. I’m not going anywhere until you’re comfortable with this.”
“Why? Why do you have to be reasonable now?” She pulled her hands out of his, the first sign that something was seriously wrong with this scenario.
Kay always touched him. It was one of the things he loved about her. She was so touchy-feely and he’d never realized how starved for affection he was until she’d given him some. Now he craved it, craved her hands on him even when it wasn’t particularly sexual. He would have said he was a solitary being. After everything he’d gone through, he didn’t like to be touched, but it was different with her. Everything was different with her. It was like she’d walked in and flipped a switch he hadn’t known he had—the one where he was a good boyfriend, one where he was capable of giving and receiving affection and yes, where he was capable of love.