Chapter Three
Eli Wright’s head throbbed, and his throat burned. But he forced himself to lie quietly as he tried to assess the situation. His hands and feet were bound with what appeared to be duct tape, and he was folded up in a cramped position. Sydney, Lissa, and Mari were lying next to him, still out cold and in equally uncomfortable positions. And no one had taken note of the fact that he was actually awake. As long as he could fool them, he could try to make some sense out of what was happening. Try to remember landmarks or anything else that would be helpful.
They were in the same van, riding along yet another bumpy road. He ran his gaze over the women as best he could from his twisted position, satisfying himself that they had no visible bruises or wounds and that they were at least still breathing. The next thought that slammed into him was the two dead security guards and poor Len, an earnest young man, dumped out like so much garbage. He had to swallow hard to keep from vomiting.
He couldn’t see where they were because there were no windows in the back. The men in the front seats were speaking low, in Spanish. He strained to hear their words, wishing they’d use English so he could find out what the hell was going on
What the hell was going on here? And who were these men who had grabbed them so easily? Who knew just where to do this?
Getting the information to plan this wouldn‘t necessarily have been hard for these men. He flew to San Diego a lot, and it was common knowledge Il Maggiore was a favorite restaurant. Everyone from the mailroom clerk to his executive vice president had that information. The question was, who would pass the specifics of this trip along to these people, and why?
A man of his enormous wealth was a prime target. But Eli had come from nothing, building Wright International from a tiny one-man operation into the vast global empire it now was, one step at a time. A combination of brains and luck had helped him reach where he was today, but despite the upscale home he lived in and the lifestyle he and his family led, he still couldn’t see himself as anyone but plain old Eli Wright.
That had obviously been a major error in judgment.
As he was trying to make sense of it all, the van came to a stop. Seconds later the side door slid open, and two men appeared.
“Time to change transportation, señor,” the taller one said, hauling Eli roughly out of the van and setting him on his feet.
“My family,” he started to say.
“All of you will be coming with us.” He peeked into the interior of the van. “It is good the women still sleep. Easier to transport.”
“You didn’t have to kill the young man who was with us.” He could barely control his anger.
The man gripping his arm chuckled, an unpleasant sound. “Not to worry. He’s just finishing his nap at the side of the road. It is hoped that by now someone has stopped to help him.”
“You didn’t—”
“Kill him? No, señor. That wasn’t part of our orders.”
“Who is giving you these orders?” Eli wanted to know.
“That’s not information you need to have. Shut up, or I’ll have to hurt one of the women.”
Eli ground his teeth together. If it had just been him, he’d have pushed, but he had to make sure everyone else was unharmed to the best of his ability. He blinked his eyes at the sudden assault of bright sunlight. They were at some kind of landing strip, out in the middle of nowhere. A large private jet whose configuration was unfamiliar to him sat on the tarmac near a single hangar. Squinting his eyes, he could make out the logo on the side—Mazatlan Textiles, with a swoop under the words in the design of a serape. He’d never heard of the company, and he thought he knew every company of any size in Central and South America.
He felt a knife slash the tape binding his ankles, but before he could take a step a hand gripped his upper arm roughly.
“You are out here where no one can find you, señor,” a heavy voice said. “No one here will pay any attention to you. I am going to walk you to that plane. At the first sign of foolishness on your part, we will kill one of the females. This is no idle threat, believe me.”
Eli glanced to his right and saw his wife, his daughter, and Mari being carried to the plane. It was obvious they were still unconscious.
“They’d better wake up,” he said, gritting his teeth.
“Trust me, señor,” the man said with a vicious chuckle, “they are no good to us dead. For the moment. So behave yourself. I’d hate to sacrifice one of them.”
“Someone will spot this plane,” Eli pointed out as he was hustled up the foldout stairway.
“This plane?” The man snorted. “We fly this route all the time. Everyone knows Mazatlan Textiles. Come on. We have no time to waste.”
In what seemed like seconds, Eli and the women were buckled into seats, Eli’s feet were taped together again, and the stairway was lifted up. The engines whined as they roared to full power, and they taxied down the runway. Eli could only pray that someone, somewhere, would discover what was happening and find out where they were being taken.
“Vivi, I can’t thank you enough.”
Kat finished the last sip of the delicious herbal tea Vivi Alderson had served her, feeling relaxed for the first time in days.
“No problem, my dear.” Vivi smiled at her. “We all go through this in some form or other more often than you might realize.”
“I had no idea what was happening to me.” Kat sighed. “Sometimes I think this so-called gift is more of a curse than a blessing.”
“Don’t even think that.” Vivi’s voice was firm. “You’ve done so much good. Helped so many people. The mind is like any other part of the body. Sometimes it just needs a rest when it’s not working so well.”
Kat laughed. “I should tell that to the people who think I’m out of my mind.” She set the cup down in the saucer. “I’m going to start using the new meditation techniques you showed me today. Also focusing on just one or two methods of remote viewing until the clairvoyant sense is strengthened again.”
She had listened carefully to everything Vivi had told her, which answered most of her questions. What she didn’t want to tell Vivi—didn’t want to admit to herself—was the possibility that the situation with Brent had triggered the psychic weakness. If that was the case, she hoped the meditation exercises she’d been given would help cleanse her mind and get her back on track. If it meant staying in San Antonio longer—continuing to put distance between herself and Brent—that’s what she’d do.
“Good girl. You know, my niece also has a psychic gift.”
Kat raised an eyebrow. “Your niece? Do I know her? Or of her?”
Vivi lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. Her name is Faith Halloran, but you might recognize her as Faith Wilding.”
“The author?” Kat asked. “I absolutely love her books.”
“One and the same.” Vivi picked up the empty cups and carried them to the sink. “If you have time while you’re here, I’d really like you to meet her. She’s a terrific person.” Vivi chuckled. “Of course, I’m the tiniest bit prejudiced.”
Kat frowned. “Halloran. I happen to know a man who is partners in an agency with a man named Halloran. Mark Halloran. He lives here in San Antonio. Are they related?”
Vivi’s laugh was a tinkling sound in the air. “Talk about life’s coincidences. Mark is Faith’s husband. Which one of the partners is your friend?”
Katherine didn’t know whether to be excited or worried. She didn’t want to get wrapped up too tightly in something that involved Mike until she knew where they were heading again. “Friend may not be the operative term. I know Mike D’Antoni.”
“Ah, yes. The flyboy.” Vivi grinned. “He’s a killer with the ladies.” Then she looked at Kat with startled eyes. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Are you and Mike . . .”
“Don’t worry.” Kat shook her head. “I had my go-round with Mike.”
“I understand he’s in town on some business. Faith just happened to mention it in passing when we spoke this morning.” She studied Kat’s face, a knowing look in her eyes. “I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that.”
“We ran into each other quite accidentally and had lunch.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m having dinner with him. More of his boyish charm. But he’s got a lot of fences to mend if he wants to get more than a dinner companion out of me.”
“Good.” Vivi clapped her hands. “I’d love to see a smart woman take him down a peg or two. Not that it’s any of my business.”
Kat rose and impulsively hugged the woman. “I have no secrets. By the way, I’m going to be here for two or three more days, and I’d love a chance to meet Faith.”
“Give me your cell number, and I’ll be sure she calls you. I think you two would enjoy each other. And Katherine?”
”Yes?”
“Please call me whenever you need to. Don’t feel you have to lick this problem by yourself.”
Katherine blinked back tears as the women hugged again. One part of her life was looking up, anyway. She didn’t think her situation with Mike would be resolved that easily.
Brent Fontaine snapped his cell phone shut and shoved it into his pocket.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
He was getting sick and tired of listening to Katherine’s voice mail. Just when he’d been sure he was wearing her down, she’d slipped out of town, and he had no idea where to find her. He’d thought things were going so well with them, and then, bang! Good-bye, Brent. It’s been fun. Send me a Christmas card.
Katherine Culhane was the most interesting woman he’d ever met. And she couldn‘t deny the sex between them had been great. Outstanding, even. Although he’d always had the nagging feeling she was holding some part of herself back. But he was sure he’d have plenty of time to wear her down.
Women had never been a challenge to him. He knew he was easy on the eyes, and thanks to a fat trust fund and a thriving family business, he had more money than he could ever spend. Katherine had been a challenge, not falling into his arms the way most women did.
But she’d been worth the effort. More than worth it.
This was the first time a woman had broken off a relationship with him—he was always the one who walked. Somehow he’d find her and make her see reason. Understand that they belonged together. Nobody ever walked away from Brent Fontaine.
Mike watched the woman across the table from him. The flame from the candle on the table picked up the highlights of her streaked blonde hair and caught the emerald of her eyes. Dinner had been comfortable between them, the conversation easy. He’d done his best not to push anything. He was just trying to read her reactions and figure out where he had to go next. Now they lingered over after-dinner drinks as he tried to stretch the evening out as long as he could.
How had he managed to screw up so badly with her? How had he not known from the beginning that she was different from all his other women? That she wasn’t another of what his partners called “Mike’s playthings.” Now he knew he had an uphill battle to win back her trust.
But he wasn’t planning to give up. Seeing her again had shocked his system, made him realize just what he’d lost. And what he wanted back. Permanently, if he could ever get that far.
“Do I have a smudge on my face?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“What?” He mentally shook himself. “No. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I was just thinking what an extraordinarily beautiful woman you are. And interesting. And what an ass I was to behave the way I did two years ago.”
Kat laughed. “If that’s a new line, I give it three stars. Needs a little more work.”
“No line, Kat. Just the plain truth.” He fiddled with his drink. “Cards on the table: two years ago, I didn’t want to be with you. Scratch that—I was scared to be with you, Kat. No one had ever gotten under my skin the way you did. Made me feel things so deeply. I was frightened of that kind of commitment.” He leaned forward. “I can’t believe how stupid I was or what I lost because of it.”
She fiddled with her wine glass. “And now?”
“Now I’m more afraid of losing you than anything else. That would be a disaster.
I want us to be together. I want to be with you.” He studied her face, wondering what she was thinking. “I know I’ve got a long way to go with you, but I’m a patient, dedicated person. And this time if I have to go away, you’ll know everything I can tell you. And every possible chance, I’ll phone or email.”
When she smiled at him, he felt such relief it weakened him.
“I think we’re both a little older and a lot wiser. I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t want us to have another chance.”
He made a show of wiping his forehead. “Whew! Glad we got that out of the way.”
But then he noticed that a fine tension still ran through her body. She’d been restless since he picked her up, doing her best to conceal it. He watched her pull her cell phone from her small purse again, something she’d been doing all through dinner, open it, scroll through the messages and frown.
“Problem?” he asked.
“Probably not.” The muscles in her face tightened as she stared at the screen, then manipulated the keys with her fingers.
She’s erasing something.
But he didn’t say it. If she had something to tell him, she’d do it in her own good time. Prying wasn’t the way to win her back. He’d have to give her the right opportunity to tell him on her own.
She put the phone back in her purse. “I’m just a worrier, I guess. But Mari said they’d call when they got to Waikiki, and she’s usually very good about it.”
Mike looked at his watch. “It’s ten thirty here, which would make it only six thirty there. They’re probably still adjusting to the time change and getting themselves settled. Give her time. She’ll call.”
“I guess you’re right.” She pulled out the phone again. “And I’m sure I’d have heard if something happened, right? But I think I’ll give her a try, anyway. It’ll make me feel better.”
Mike watched while she speed-dialed a number, listened, then frowned.
“Listen, kiddo, it’s me, the mother hen. Call me when you get this message so I don’t pull out my hair. Love ya. Do a hula for me.”
Mike watched her replace the phone, a tiny vertical line between her eyebrows. “No answer?”
Kat shook her head. “You’re probably right. She’s in the middle of a million things and doesn’t even have her phone on. She’ll call later.”
“But you’re still worried.”
She forced a smile. “Big sisters always worry. It’s just that she’s always so good about calling me . . .” She ran her fingers through her hair, then brushed it away from her face. “Oh well. I’ll probably hear from her in a little while. Like you say, they’re probably caught up in a million things right now.”
Mike took a long sip of his wine, unwilling to end the evening yet not sure how to prolong it.
“By the way.” She leaned back in her chair. “I almost forgot to mention this. I met a woman this afternoon you may know. Or know of.”
“Oh?” Mike lifted one eyebrow. “Who would that be?”
“Vivi Alderson. You mentioned her niece, Faith, at lunch today.”
Mike grinned. “We all know Aunt Vivi. She’s a terrific woman and has been a big help to us in certain instances.”
“I told her I’d love to be able to meet Faith while I’m here.”
“How about if I ask her and Mark to join us for breakfast tomorrow? Would that work? Assuming you agree to have breakfast with me?”
“Breakfast?” She chewed her bottom lip. “Okay. That would be nice.”
Startled, he leaned across the table, reached out a hand, and said in the most guileless voice he could manage, “Should I pick you up or just wake you?”
Would she do it? Give him one more chance? He was more than ready for her now. Anxious, even, to prove himself and his feelings.
Kat drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I think maybe you could just nudge me when it’s time for morning coffee.”
Heat surged through him, and his hand closed convulsively on his glass. “I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind.”
He waved for the waiter, and in short order, the tab was paid and they were out of the restaurant. The guy at valet parking seemed to take forever to bring his car around, and Mike was sure they hit every traffic light as they drove to her sister’s apartment. They were barely inside the door when he pulled her into his arms, his mouth devouring hers. His lips were firm against hers, his tongue a sweep of flame. She was already melting inside.
Kat melted into him. His mouth fused to hers and he gripped her head, tilting it this way and that for a better angle. She could feel the hardness of his cock, even through both layers of clothing, like a steel baton branding her.
When he pulled his head back, they were both gasping for air. Mike kept his fingers threaded through her hair, holding her in place, while he fought to control his breathing. Kat reached for the wall switch beside her shoulder, and the two lamps in the living room came on. She stared at him and he tried to read the expression in her eyes. Then he took a step back.
“No,” he said unevenly. “Not this way. After all this time, I’m not going to take you up against the wall like some horny teenager or some guy just out for a good time. I want to make this right, Kat. And I’m going to.” He lifted her into his arms. “Which way?”
She directed him to the guest bedroom where he set her on her feet and turned on the bedside lamp. His gaze traveled over her from head to toe.
“Before anything else, I want a good look at you.”
He undressed her with great care, kissing each place on her body as he peeled her clothing away. He touched her everywhere. Her neck and shoulders as he slid her silk blouse down her arms. Her upper arms and the inside of each elbow as he worked the fabric down her skin. The upper swell of her breasts. By the time he undid the clasp of her bra, tossed it away, and swiped his tongue quickly across each nipple, she was already quivering with need. When he lifted her breasts in his warm palms and sucked each nipple in turn, the jolt of sensation speared directly to her center where her folds were already drenched with her cream.
The softness of his thick black hair brushed against her, and his very masculine, very clean scent that called up images of the ocean and soft breezes made her think of the night they’d made delicious love on the beach. His teeth grazed first one nipple then the other, ands he inhaled his scent, something woodsy that reminded her of fresh air and outdoors.
Her breasts were heavy and aching, her nipples bursting with need by the time he leaned down to undo the button and zipper on her slacks. Very slowly, like opening the gift wrap on a package, he eased them down her legs along with her panties. His hands were gentle as he helped her lift each leg to step out of her clothes as well as her shoes. Kneeling in front of her, he used his fingers and his lips to follow a path up her legs, his tongue drawing little circles on the inside of each thigh. Just soft, feather-light touches that made the pulse in her womb beat harder and faster.
Kat wasn’t sure how much longer she could stand there this way, her legs barely holding her and her body trembling all over. When he drew his fingertips through her wet slit, she almost collapsed on top of him, her fingers digging into the hard muscles of his shoulders. He teased her with ghostlike caresses, his mouth brushing kisses over the crease where each hip and thigh joined. Every single nerve in her body was firing, dancing beneath the surface of her skin. Each pulse point thumped insistently, echoing the ramped-up beat of her heart.
His fingers were doing a sensual dance on every inch of her wet flesh except where she really wanted them. There. Right there. When he finally licked across the throbbing tip of her clit, she almost came just from that brief touch.
“Gorgeous,” he breathed, placing his lips over it and sucking it into his mouth.
The desire inside her was so strong she could feel the edge of her climax closing in on her. She wanted Mike inside her. Wanted to feel his thick penis filling her. But he seemed determined to do this his way.
He sucked and nipped at the hot nub until she was pleading with him, riding a hard edge of need. When he slid two fingers inside her, she almost sobbed a welcome at the intrusion and moved her hips to ride them. He knew what he was doing, curling his fingers just so, stroking in and out just that way that he had. Not hard. Slow and steady, until she thought she’d lose her mind if he didn’t let her come soon.
Then, as if sensing the degree of her need, he moved his fingers faster, sucked harder, and the orgasm streaked through her, shaking her entire body. Mike slid one hand around to cup her ass and hold her in place while he continued to work his fingers in and out of her until the last little quiver subsided.
Only then did he rise, lift her, and place her on the bed, pausing only to pull the covers back. Kat lay there, limp yet still unsatisfied, and watched him strip off his clothes with expert efficiency. God, his body was still as magnificent as she remembered, the olive skin tanned from missions that took him to hot spots on the Earth, the dark curls of hair covering his chest. Broad shoulders, lean hips. And a cock so thick and magnificent that her mouth watered.
She reached out a hand to him and he obligingly moved next to the bed. Turning on her side she took his shaft in one hand and slid the other between his thighs to cup the heavy sac of his balls. She swiped her tongue across the velvet softness of the head before opening her mouth and taking him deep inside.
She felt the tightening of his muscles, heard the sharp intake of breath as the head of his shaft hit the back of her mouth. Teasingly, she scraped her teeth lightly over the soft skin covering the hard steel and drew another response from him. When she moved her mouth up and down on him, he rocked his hips slightly, riding her lips, his hands fisted in her hair.
Suddenly he pulled himself from her and pushed her onto her back again.
“Enough,” he panted. “I want inside you. Now.”
Quickly opening the condom he’d retrieved from his pants and rolling it on, he moved up onto the bed between her thighs. Lifting her legs to rest on his shoulders, he parted the lips of her cunt and stared for a long moment at her opening before driving into her with one possessive thrust. He filled her, stretched her, the sensation of him driving her wild.
“Look at me,” he demanded. “Look into my eyes. See what I’m feeling for you. This is more than sex, Kat. Look, and you’ll see.”
She was mesmerized by the heat dancing in that thick chocolate gaze, unable to tear her eyes away no matter what as he pounded into her with steady strokes. Balancing himself with one hand, he moved the other to her clit, stroking, stroking, stroking, bringing her up the mountain with him.
“Now,” he said as his body tightened and muscles corded in his neck. “Now, Kat.” He pinched her clit, hard, and took them both over the edge into a black velvet whirlpool.
Mike gently eased her legs down from his shoulders and rolled to the side, taking her with him, his cock still lodged tightly inside her. She wasn’t sure whose heartbeat she felt pounding against her ribs, his or hers, or whose breathing was the most ragged. Sweat covered their skin and glued them together, but she didn’t care. All the anger, all the resentment had disappeared like so much smoke. This was where she belonged. She knew it.
After a long time he withdrew from her, disposed of the condom, and pulled her body back against him, spoon fashion. He tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek.
“This is the way it should be, kitten.”
There it was, the old-fashioned nickname. Term of endearment. Kat. Kitten. He’d blurted it out one night in the midst of a particularly sharp exchange. Mike had half smiled and said, “My, my, the kitten has claws. Who’d have known?” The name had become more affectionate than contrary and just seemed to stick. Now it made her feel as if she’d come home.
“Yes, it is,” she murmured before drifting off to sleep, her body well satisfied.