“We can’t go charging in there without knowing anything.” Axe placed his hand on Leanna’s jittery knee. “We have to come up with a plan. Your father is also tracking your old phone, and Ana’s house would be the first place he’ll look. The bad news is he wants me dead.”
“That presents a real problem,” she said. “Looks like we have to be smart about this. I’m tired and need a change of clothes. If my father finds Carmelita, she’ll be safe.”
“I’ll mislead mine,” Axe said. “I’m also exhausted. Let’s hole up somewhere until they contact us. I’m seeing things and can’t think right now.”
He stifled a yawn and blinked harshly. They were outside of the city, rolling by dry pastures dotted with cattle, bumping along dirt and gravel roads.
The sun was rising when they drove up to a crossroads and a scattering of squat buildings. Roosters crowed, perched on a fence behind a gas station.
A lot of old cars butted up to a junkyard, and the bars on the window over a cantina had a faded sign renting a room, “Habitaciones desde$40.00.” A black cat jumped over the sign and disappeared into a crevice under the upper floor rafter.
“Think we should trade in this pickup and see if they still have a room for rent.” Axe couldn’t suppress a yawn. He parked the pickup and stretched his tight shoulders.
“Do you have cash?” Leanna asked. “I don’t have anything.”
“I grabbed your luggage before leaving the motel,” Axe said. “It was in the car El Bardo took, and I transferred everything before we pushed it into the river. Let me rent the room. Then while you’re showering, I’ll exchange the pickup truck.”
“Sounds awesome.” Leanna’s smile lit her face. She took his hand and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Thanks for saving me.”
“Actually, you saved my life, Mafia princess.” He roped his hand behind her neck and turned her head for a full and hard kiss, knowing she was tough enough to handle it and more.
* * *
Leanna had never loved her suitcase more. She hugged it to her chest before putting it down on the luggage stand, then surveyed the tiny room for rent.
It was barely livable, with a saggy bed, threadbare quilt, and floppy pillows. The bathroom was cramped and moldy. The shower dripped water, although lukewarm, and she had her clothes. Thank God, Axe had invaded her room and took everything she’d left behind.
After a refreshing shower, she dried herself with a thin, stiff towel and wrapped her hair. Her sheer nightgown felt like silk against her damp skin, and her slippers were soft and fluffy around her feet. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and opened her makeup bag to cover the bags under her eyes.
After putting on makeup, blow-drying her hair, and moisturizing her freshly shaved legs, she finally felt like Leanna Rivera again.
The room was darkened by thick curtains and a sunshade. Leanna stretched on the springy bed and closed her eyes.
When she next opened her eyes, she heard the shower going, and then she must have fallen asleep again because she woke to an arm around her waist and soft snores near her ear. The faint sporty scent of cologne and a whiff of aftershave revved her pulse. The ancient air conditioner box in the window was too weak to cool the flash of heat rising from her body.
How could he do this to her while he snoozed, all snug and hard? She wouldn’t disturb him though. He deserved to rest after driving all night. Now that the sharp edge of fear had faded and she was refreshed and clean, she could afford to relax—a little.
Closing her eyes, she snuggled back so he was spooning her and tried to calm her racing heart. She was in Mexico to rescue her daughter, not indulge in the man she’d fixated on since meeting him at a small business convention. Correction, he’d always been around, stalking her and pretending he didn’t see her. No wonder there were so many coincidences. She used to tally up the number of Axe sightings in a day and wondered if they were bound by fate.
Maybe they were.
His daughter was entangled with her daughter. Tit for tat. If she could convince her father and he could convince his, they could have a peaceful exchange. What could go wrong?
They were on the same side. They both wanted to protect their families. It could work.
Leanna shifted in the bed, and her eyes widened. Axe was fully engorged and hard as a baseball bat right up against her butt cheek. How was he still sleeping?
She listened for the snore, but either the air conditioner rumbled too loudly, or he’d stopped breathing. She leaned back and turned her head, wiggling in his arms, and he tightened his hold.
The rascal was awake and aroused.
“Axe?”
“You want?” His sexy eyes sparkled with a mixture of mischief and lust.
Oh God, did she want him. Was it ever a question?
She barely caught her breath before her mouth closed on his and her body blossomed with warmth moistening between her thighs.
