She thought of the masculine furnishings, the fireplaces, the dark wood used throughout, the lovely terrace with its potted trees and blooming flowers. “Yes. It definitely fits you.”
He pulled her into his arms. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Carly. A man can enjoy different things and still be the same man.” Lowering his head, he kissed her, softly at first, then deeper, more thoroughly. He was a big, powerful man and yet when he held her, she felt more cherished than threatened.
Emotion rose inside her, feelings that went far past desire. Carly pulled away.
“Taggart will be here any minute,” she reminded him.
Linc sighed. “You’re right. With any luck he won’t stay long.”
She didn’t miss the heat in his eyes, the promise of what would happen when they were alone. He was so incredibly sexy. Just looking at him turned her on. “No, if we’re lucky he won’t stay.”
Linc kissed her one last time, then set her away as if she were too much temptation. An instant later the intercom buzzed, indicating their visitor had arrived.
Linc walked over and hit the speaker button. “Agent Taggart, I presume.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll key in the code so you can come up.”
They had strategized during the helicopter ride into the city. Both ofthem knew what to say. Carly hoped it would be enough to satisfy the FBI until they could get the evidence they needed against El Jefe.
As the elevator arrived in the entry and the elegant dark wood doors slid open, she took a deep breath and slowly released it.
Showtime,she thought. Flicking Linc a conspiratorial glance, she smiled as Agent Quinn Taggart walked into the room.
* * *
Linc led the agent with the buzz-cut blond hair into the den. The tightness around Taggart’s mouth said he wasn’t happy. Linc needed the man to relax, feel comfortable, and let down his guard.
Moving to the built-in bar, Linc filled three highball glasses with ice, popped the top on a can of Coke, and poured the bubbling liquid into the glasses, opened another can and filled them to the top. Taggart was on duty. No way was he drinking anything alcoholic.
“Let’s sit down so we can talk,” Linc suggested.
Each of them carried a glass of soda over to the seating area in front of the huge flat-screen TV. He and Carly sat down on the sofa while Taggart sat in a deep leather chair.
Without taking a drink, Taggart set his glass down on a leather coaster on the coffee table. “We might as well get down to business, and don’t even think of telling me El Jefe never called.”
Linc leaned back on the sofa. “You’re right. He called not long after we talked to you Tuesday night . . . or should I say Wednesday morning?”
Fortunately the drug lord had been polite enough to wait until after they’d had a round of steamy, very satisfying sex.
“You should have phoned,” Taggart said, “brought us up to speed. What the hell were you thinking?”
“Maybe we would have called if we were sure we could trust you.” Linc leaned forward and set down his drink, ice clinking against the sides of his glass. “El Jefe knew we’d been in contact with the FBI. He knew he was being set up—that’s the reason his men didn’t show. How the hell did he know, Taggart? You got a leak? Or were you just careless? Because either way, we’re out. That’s what we told El Jefe and that’s what we’re telling you.”
Taggart leaned forward so they were face to face. “You don’t get it, do you? You aren’t out as long as El Jefe’s in business. You think he’s just going to let you walk away?”
“Yeah, I do. You see, we made a deal. He leaves Carly and Drake Trucking the hell alone, takes his business elsewhere, and we tell you guys to go fuck yourselves.”
Taggart’s mouth thinned. He just stared. So did Linc.
“You’re the one who screwed up, Agent Taggart,” Carly said, breaking the pissing contest he and Taggart were having. “If you hadn’t told half of two counties what was going on, this might have turned out differently. As it is, we’re out, just like Linc says.”
Taggart swore softly. “You need to think this over.”
“We’ve thought it over,” Carly said.
“And you’re sure this is the way you want it?”
