Chapter One
Clint Becker knew he was in serious trouble the first minute his eyes fell on feisty Sarah Reynolds, a dynamite little package with too many fucking curves, a sassy mouth, and an explosive temper to boot. And right now, she was showing about as much common sense as it took to fill a thimble. Her indignant screeching as she was dragged down the long, winding staircase could probably be heard around the coast of Florida, and echoed throughout the house with enough force to break someone’s eardrums. She was apparently too dense to realize the two goons pulling her along were probably the same two who were going to kill her when the time came.
Fuck, his gut was telling him that what he'd thought was going to be a piece of cake assignment was going to turn into a royal pain in his ass.
Shaking his head with disgust, he ducked behind a door. How come his cousin hadn’t warned him he’d be dealing with a little spitfire? There was nothing he could do but wait for the right time before making his move. The less he had to deal with her, the better their chances were of getting out of there alive. And besides, maybe if they roughed her up a little, she’d be more subdued by the time he got to her. It would certainly make her a hell of a lot easier to manage if she was submissive enough to appreciate the situation she was in.
He leaned against the wall, not for the first time wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. Rescuing damsels in distress wasn’t on his resume, especially when he wasn’t getting paid for it. But then, he couldn’t very well have turned down Susan’s plea for help. She’d never asked him for anything before. The fact that her brother Mark had been his partner for eight years had been the deciding factor. They’d had some wild times together before it had all ended six months prior to Mark’s death.
All at once a loud grunt interrupted Clint’s thoughts, producing a reluctant grin. How had his sweet, quiet cousin ever gotten mixed up with the screaming banshee below? His gut warned him that Miss Reynolds was going to be more trouble than she was worth, and his instincts were never wrong. He relied on them. He chanced a glance down, shaking his head when he saw her struggling wildly in a situation she had no hope of winning.
****
“Get your filthy hands off me!” Sarah hissed. She sounded like the wild bird that screeched outside her window every night, but she didn’t give a flying rip. She’d been roughed up, and kidnapped to God knows where. She was tired, dirty, and more frightened than she’d ever been in her life. “I can walk on my own! Let me go!” she demanded between tightly clenched teeth.
She stumbled halfway down a set of stairs that seemed to go on forever. The two overgrown gorillas manhandling her could care less that they were hurting her or that her short legs couldn’t keep up with them. All they cared about was getting her from point A to point B as fast as possible. Sarah knew she’d never break their hold, but she struggled anyway, crying out with anger and pain when their hands cut like vicious talons, deeply into her arms.
Sensing her four-day ordeal was coming to an end, a sharp rush of apprehension ran through her abused body. Until now, she’d been locked up in a room that had bars over the windows. The only contact she’d had since the whole nightmare began had been with these same two men and they’d barely spoken to her or given her the time of day. They’d made sure she was fed and let her use the bathroom on occasion and that was all.
I should probably thank God they hadn’t tried to molest me.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, she tried again to break free, getting a painful squeeze for her efforts. She sucked in her breath. She’d never been the crying kind and wasn’t about to start now. Their treatment had her seeing red, and she reacted without thinking. Turning toward the bully who seemed to take the greatest pleasure in hurting her, she gave his leg a swift, hard kick.
Her soft tennis shoes didn’t exactly produce the response she longed for, but the man did let out a loud grunt, more from annoyance than actual pain she was sure. The next thing Sarah knew he was raising his arm in retaliation. He was big enough to kill her with one whack, and she swallowed the scream rushing up her throat, closing her eyes to brace for the blow.
“Mano!” She heard an angry shout, and then something followed in rapid Spanish.
Her eyes flew open, her gaze following the sound to a man standing in an open doorway. Her first impression was that he reeked of arrogance and wealth; the power those luxuries provided was evident in his bearing. A man of average size, she guessed his age to be somewhere around fifty. He had the nerve to glare at Mano as if he could break the man in half.
When his eyes finally fell on her, she resisted the urge to glance away. Something in his gaze sent a shiver of alarm down her spine. “Bring Miss Dansberry in,” he said in a silky tone, dismissing them as he turned.
Sarah’s heart pounded loudly in her ears as she was led into a room, relieved to find it wasn’t a dungeon of torture. Her first instinct was to tell him she wasn’t Miss Dansberry, but the words wouldn’t come. A thousand and one things went through her mind, none of them pleasant. Susan Dansberry was Sarah’s business partner, and more than that, her best friend.
What in the world did this man want with Susan? Was she in some kind of trouble?
“Please sit down.” He indicated one of the Queen Ann chairs in front of a large Queen Ann desk. Left with the impression she didn’t have a choice, Sarah watched him move around to the other side, where he sat in his own heavily padded chair. He was practically swallowed up in it.
Her arms were abruptly released, and she gratefully sank down into the nearest chair, still trying to figure out what he wanted with Susan and how anyone could possibly confuse them. Susan was tall and slender, with brown eyes, brown hair and a pretty face.
Sarah, on the other hand, was short, barely reaching five foot three, which made her figure seem a little too full and soft to suit her. Her one hundred and twenty pound frame had always been too busty, too hippy, and no amount of exercise had been able to change that. At least she had a small waist. She had tons of blonde hair, and right now, she was tossing the tangled mass over her shoulders, her green eyes glaring at the man who apparently was in charge.
He seemed civilized. She hoped he took in her torn blouse and dirty jeans and felt some sort of regret she’d been treated so shabbily by his men. “I want to know why I was drugged and brought here. Who are you and—”
“I’ll be asking the questions,” he interrupted sharply, leaning forward on his desk and directing a scowl at her. “I went to a lot of trouble to get you here in one piece,” he emphasized, one gray brow arching until it reached his severe widow’s peak.
Well, so much for his feeling remorse. “How considerate of you.” Sarah’s sarcastic tone was met with icy disapproval, making her realize she might have gone too far. After all, she didn’t know what he was capable of, besides kidnapping. A sinister light in his watchful eyes made her blood run cold, and she fought against the urge to squirm in her seat. Instead, she forced herself to sit back and cross her arms, striving for calmness. She glanced around the room, looking for an avenue of escape.
“Now we will get down to business, Miss Dansberry.” He opened a decorative box and took out a long, fat cigar. “My name is Raul Rodriguez, and I believe you have something that belongs to me.” He ran his fingers along the smooth brown cigar almost lovingly before bringing it up to his nose and inhaling deeply.
Sarah watched him put it in his mouth, light it, and take several deep puffs before realizing he was waiting for her response. “I don’t know what you mean.” It was the truth. She wondered if his name would mean anything to Susan. This was not the time to tell him he had the wrong woman. She sensed an undercurrent of violence, and the man’s no nonsense attitude was not to be taken lightly. His politeness was definitely a ruse put in place in the hopes of setting her at ease while getting what he wanted.
She knew his type.
“Your brother never mentioned me?” One eyebrow rose higher in disbelief over dark, scrutinizing eyes.
Sarah was an only child. But Susan had a brother Mark, who’d been killed in a horrible accident a few months before. Sarah had only met him a few brief times during the years, mostly around the holidays. His business had kept him away for long periods of time as he traveled all over the world, so Susan hadn’t seen him in three years. Flying to Montana for the funeral had been a difficult time for her. It had been a closed casket service because of his injuries, so Susan hadn’t been able to see him to say goodbye.
Sarah’s mind worked at trying to recall any conversations between them that might explain what this was all about, but nothing came to mind.
“Miss Dansberry?” The impatience in his tone was sharp and clear.
“No, should he have?”
Digesting her remark, he took the time to puff on his cigar, his brown eyes squinting at Sarah through the heavy swirls of blue smoke. She knew he was trying to scare and intimidate her. And it was working. She hated showing any kind of weakness, but he had a way of making her feel like a bug about to get squashed.
“You are nervous?”
“Wouldn’t you be?” she snapped, losing her temper. Her eyes narrowed angrily, hating his superior attitude as he sat there with that evil twinkle dancing in his eyes. What woman wouldn’t be in my situation? “I’ve never been kidnapped before.”
He shrugged his narrow shoulders with cold indifference. “It was necessary,” he said smoothly, examining the tip of his glowing cigar.
“I take it you and Mark was friends?”
Sarah didn’t like the sound of his laughter, nor the way his eyes moved over her.
“Not even close, Miss Dansberry.” Raul crushed out the half-smoked cigar in a crystal ashtray, snapping his fingers to get the attention of someone behind her. “Would you care for a drink?”
No, she wanted a gun and someone to show her the way out of there. “I want to know exactly what’s going on, if it’s not asking too much.” Sensing movement behind her, she turned to see Mano had walked to the bar and was in the process of pouring his boss a drink. Her lip curled, and before she could stop her runaway tongue, said scornfully, “I’ll have to get myself a dog when I get home and train him to jump at my command.”
She realized her error at once, but it was too late to take back the words. Susan had several dogs, among other various pets. It came with the territory of having kids. The breath locked in Sarah’s throat as she watched Raul for any kind of reaction that indicated he knew he had the wrong woman, releasing a breath when he didn’t.
“You’re here because I want you here. Before your brother died, he gave you something…a very priceless item that belongs to me.” Accepting the heavy glass from Mano, his gaze never left Sarah. “I want it back Miss Dansberry.”
She watched him stir the amber liquid with his little pinky, before bringing it to his mouth. Shooting beams of sunlight through the glass window behind him captured the jewel in his opulent ring.
“I’m waiting.” His face was an expressionless mask, giving nothing away, unlike his icy tone.
Whoever said ignorance was a blessing had never been sitting in her seat. If Susan received something from Mark, she certainly hadn’t shared that knowledge with her. Sarah knew Raul would only wait so long, and he didn’t seem like a patient man.
“Why didn’t you just ask me for it? If I still have it, I’ll be glad to give it back to you.” Hopefully, it was one of the many souvenirs Mark had sent Susan and the boys over the years, and at this point, Sarah was willing to say anything to save her ass.
His laughter threw her off, causing Sarah to frown. Even the two thugs behind her were making a noise that sounded like a cross between a grunt and a chuckle. She didn’t find anything amusing, and the more Raul laughed, the more she worried.
“You have a sense of humor, Miss Dansberry, but this is not a joking matter.” He sat back in his ornate, throne-like chair, narrowing his eyes on her. “You expect me to believe you’d just give it back, when your brother took it from me in the first place? I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Sarah just barely managed to stop herself from saying something smart in return, something about his age. However, he didn’t look like the type of man who would find being the brunt of a joke very amusing. In fact, although she’d heard him laugh, he didn’t look like he had an amusing bone in his body.
“You’re trying my patience!” The situation wasn’t going his way and his tone clearly revealed he was getting very annoyed.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Rodriguez, but I’m scared and confused by this whole mess. My brother wasn’t a thief; why would he steal something from you?” She was stalling, but if she admitted the truth he might just kill her, and then go after Susan. She couldn't let that happen.
“That need not concern you. But I know he gave it to you to hide for him.”
Why couldn’t he be a little more specific? Sarah doubted Susan was hiding anything. If Mark had sent her something before he died, Sarah would know about it. She couldn’t imagine her friend of ten years having something so important and keeping it a secret. They told each other everything.
“Miss Dansberry!” Raul slammed his glass down on the desktop, his lips drawn back in an ugly snarl. The red creeping up his neck revealed his blood pressure was probably rising as well. His hands were clenched into fists of pure rage. At the moment, he looked far more dangerous than his thugs.
Sarah’s heart skipped a beat as the liquid in his glass sloshed over onto the table. “I’m sorry, but I—”
“Enough!” He leapt to his feet, and Sarah jumped in her seat. “I’m tired of this game. You will simply remain here until you return what belongs to me. But my patience has limits,” he warned.
Her eyes grew round with disbelief. “And exactly where is here?”
He waved her off. “That need not concern you,” he said in a flat and emotionless tone, the last traces of civility gone.
“And what should concern me?” she hissed, forgetting her situation. What did he expect, for her to break down and cry? To beg him to let me go? He might have gotten that from Susan. Susan was a sweet, fragile woman and single mother of two. But Sarah had a temper and she wasn’t afraid to use it.
Raul leaned so far over his desk that he practically towered over her; if a man just over five feet could tower over anyone. She sank further into her chair to get away from him, seeing that her unconscious reaction pleased him. He was enjoying the battle, certain who the victor would be in the end.
“You should be concerned about a lot of things. Let me explain the rules of my hospitality before you go back to your room. For the time being, you will be treated as an honored guest in my house.”
Right, she thought to herself, not believing a word. She pressed her lips with barely suppressed fury, trying to remain quiet.
“You’ll be allowed to shower and change into clean clothes. Later you will dine with me, enjoying good food and wine, and soothing music. You will continue to have the comfort of a bed. Then, in the morning, we will have this discussion again.”
Sarah’s intuition told her what he was getting at. “And if my answer doesn’t change?” A light flared briefly in Raul’s eyes, and she knew she’d asked him the right question, sensing at that moment just how dangerous he was. Cruelty dripped from every pore, sending a chill down her spine. She didn’t know what kept her from jumping at him to hurt him any way she could, before he hurt her.
“Have you ever been,” he paused for effect. “Tortured, my dear?” Sarah’s mouth fell open with incredulity. “Of course, you haven’t. However, I will stop at nothing to get back what is mine. So you might as well tell me and avoid going through any unnecessary, ah, discomfort. Then you can go home.”
“You expect me to believe you’ll just release me?”
He shrugged, obviously not caring what she believed.
“You’re a fucking monster!” She couldn’t think of anything more suitable to call him, resorting to using a word she saved for the bedroom. Torture brought to mind many unpleasant images, all of them painful, maybe even degrading. A chill ran over her.
"Watch your language!" he growled, revealing his distaste with a scowl. Then, as quickly as it came, his anger evaporated. “You misunderstood me,” he continued in a deceivingly kind voice. His expression was almost sympathetic. “I would never hurt you … myself.” The evil darkening his eyes fell upon the men behind Sarah, filling her heart with instant dread.
She turned, drawn to Mano’s unfriendly gaze first, instinctively knowing he was the one she had to worry about. The way he was looking at her now confirmed it. His eyes were stripping her, telling her what he was going to do to her if given the opportunity. Raul had known exactly what to threaten her with.
Her gaze returned to his. “You’re worse than a monster; you’re a bastard!” She jumped to her feet, hands clenched at her sides. Heat filled her cheeks with burning revulsion.
Raul ignored her outburst, motioning at the two men. “Take our spirited little visitor to the second floor bathroom and allow her to shower and change into clean clothes. Then return her to her room until dinner.” He turned, clearly dismissing them.
Sarah couldn’t believe what was happening. What in the world had Mark given Susan that could warrant this kind of treatment? Jesus, am I going to live through this? Other than Susan, who would care if she was ever heard from again? Growing up an orphan, she was alone in the world.
Her feet instinctively found each step as she was marched back up the winding staircase. She knew where the bathroom was, having been allowed to leave her room to use it several times a day. It had been embarrassing, though, knowing one of her captors was always waiting for her just outside the door. Something told her having the privilege of getting a shower wasn’t going to be any different.
She was brought to a jerky halt before the door, and Mano turned the knob, sending it flying against the wall. Her gaze fell on a small stack of clothes that had been placed on the vanity top. They didn’t look like much but the thought of a shower and clean clothes was appealing after four days. She took an eager step into the room, only to come up short when her arm was suddenly grabbed. She looked angrily into Mano’s leering eyes, frightened enough by what she saw there to hold her tongue.
“I’ll take your dirty clothes,” he said in a thick, guttural accent, his bushy eyebrows meeting in the middle of his wide forehead.
What?! There was no way Sarah was going to strip in front of him, and she refused to let him see he intimidated her. She had until morning to worry about what he had in store for her. For now, at least, she knew he couldn’t hurt her. With a scowl, she jerked her arm free, trying to shut the door in his ugly face. “After my shower,” she hissed.
His eyes narrowed threateningly. “Now!” he insisted, catching the door with the palm of his large, beefy hand. Sarah glanced past him to where the other man stood, hoping he’d intervene, but he just stood there silently, with a leering grin on his face.
With a sinking heart, she knew Mano wasn’t going to back down. Swallowing her pride, she hissed, “Give me a minute!”
He surprised her by letting her slam the door in his face. She quickly stripped out of her filthy clothes, leaving her underwear on just in case he decided to barge in anyway. She opened the door a crack and handed them to him. He snatched them with a hateful laugh, and she quickly shut and locked the door, leaning against it for a moment to steady her nerves. Tears of helplessness filled her eyes, but she refused to let them spill over.
“Ten minutes!” his voice bellowed through the door.
Sarah jumped, swearing beneath her breath. God, they might as well kill me now. She wasn’t about to inform them they had the wrong woman because they’d just go after Susan and then they’d both be in trouble. Drawing the shower curtain back, she turned on the water, adjusting it until the temperature was bearable. She stepped under the hot spray, deciding at the last minute to leave on her bra and panties. She didn’t trust Mano and besides, they needed washing too.
Mindful of the time, it didn’t take long to scrub away the grime and shampoo her hair, but as she reached to turn off the taps the unexpected appearance of a hand on the shower curtain froze her into place. Mano! How had he got in? She flattened herself against the tile wall, watching helplessly as the shower curtain was ripped back with enough violence to tear half of it off the rod.
Only it wasn’t Mano standing there, but a man she’d never seen before.