Enrique cringed at his friend’s continued use of the men’s given names.As jefe, Rubén tried to maintain friendly relations with his allies and the high-ranking capos in his employ.That Enrique threatened those relations sat as well with him as hacking off his own arm.
“Understood.Take care of yourself.”Enrique smashed a button, removed the battery and SIM card, and stuffed the pieces back into his pocket.Domingo could still track the call and get a rough idea of where he was based on cell tower pings, but at least his comrade wouldn’t get a live trace.Shame clenched his chest, squeezing his throat.
“That sounded bad.”
Lourdes’s hesitant voice whipped Enrique around.Aw, hell.He missed her changing clothes in the backseat.Now dressed in a slinky blouse and denim jeans that sheathed her petite frame and slender curves, she clutched the toilet paper roll and chewed on her plump bottom lip before letting it pop free with a sexy wet shine.He swallowed hard, craving her touch.Her taste.Her succulent lip betweenhisteeth.A pair of stilettos or fancy huaraches belonged on her feet, not those ugly grass-stained tennis shoes.But at least she was practical.If she wandered around the countryside dressed to kill, she’d likely sprain her ankle in a gopher hole.
He hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his pants.“Rubén will hold off the wolves for as long as he can.Do you need some private time?”He nodded toward the paper.
“Unfortunately.”She grimaced at the patch of bushes lining the roadside, then rested her hand on his chest and blinked up at him.“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
He cupped her warm face and claimed her lips with his.Her breathy gasp filled his mouth and traveled into his lungs.Need quickened his pulse.More.He needed more.The sweet scent of desire and the smoothness of her skin tantalized him.Teased him.Set his blood aflame.She was his for the taking.And he would damn well take her in every way imaginable.Shuddering, he drew back before he lost control and ravaged her right there against the SUV.
Crimson seared her cheeks.
“Trust me, princess.It’s a game I intend to win.”
Chapter Four
Lourdes scooted forwardin the seat as Enrique navigated the rough gravel road.Dense trees and shrubs lined the way, their branches swiping at the SUV as it clunked past with a vibration that rubbed her nerves raw.The leafy green and gold canopy cast eerie shadows, swamping her already perilous situation in mystery.
The path cleared into an open cul-de-sac nestled high in the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Once he parked, she cracked open the door.
“Wait.”He lightly grasped her arm.“We have to go over the rules.”
“Rules?”She stiffened as his warm touch encircled her wrist.
“No leaving the cabin at night.No leaving without me.”He ticked off each item with his fingers.“Bobcats and bears are rarely sighted, but they do live around here.The closest town is that little place we passed several kilometers back.While you could probably walk it fine, I’d be sure to catch you before you even leave my road.Alarms and long-range surveillance cameras with infrared and thermal imaging are wired all over, so keep that in mind if you think about running.Iwillget an alert.”
She yanked back her arm.
“That stated, think of this as a mini vacation,” he continued unperturbed and flicked his gaze out the windshield before turning back to her.“I have everything you would possibly need already stocked inside, but if I missed something, let me know.I’ll get it.”
Snorting, she rubbed the tension from her neck.“Being drugged and forced into a car—that’s kidnapping, Enrique.Next week, I’m supposed to be honeymooning in Bermuda—that’s a vacation.”Though she’d rather snuggle up to Enrique in some mountain resort than get to know Diego in a beach-side bungalow.
