Tangled Web

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…Val had never forgotten the rush that swept over him the first time he’d seen Rick’s picture. Rick Ramone was the proverbial tall, dark, and handsome man. His smile confident. The glint of humor sparkled in his dark brown eyes. Val would have gotten a hard-on even if he hadn’t known the man was gay. Just like the one he had now. Val squeezed his erection into submission. The stubborn beast didn’t back down. He prayed his first introduction to Rick wouldn’t result in his dick trying to shake hands with the man first. Still, he idly stroked himself, wondering what it would be like. Lying naked on a cot, sweat-drenched from a long day in the tropical heat. Bodies gliding smoothly in time while their cocks rubbed together, igniting a fire that threatened to engulf everything within a twenty-mile radius. Rick would lock his gaze with Val’s, lift Val’s knees and rock them back while his cock nudged Val’s anus for entry. He’d ease past the muscle and the burn would crawl over Val’s balls then… “Shit.” Val jerked his hand away before he spewed cum into his jeans. He’d worked too hard for a chance like this to blow it on a fuck. No matter how badly he wanted it. Val pouncing on Rick the second they met wasn’t the best impression to make. Maybe down the line… His cock throbbed at the possibility. Val tried to rein his thundering heartbeat back to normal.

After all these years of college, his goal was to get hands-on experience as an intern that would lead to a full-time paid position. Hands-on experience didn’t mean hands on himself or Rick Ramone. He’d be doing himself a favor to remember that. He glanced down at his erection. “Yeah, remember that.” His penis had the nerve to ignore him…

ALSO BY C ASSIE S TEVENS Addicted Behind Closed Doors Betrayed Committed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Legacy Model Behavior Secret Lovers The Things We Do For Love

TANGLED WEB BY CASSIE STEVENS

AMBER Q UILL PRESS, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com

TANGLED WEB AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2009 by Cassie Stevens ISBN 978-1-60272-523-2 Cover Art © 2009 Trace Edward Zaber

Layout and Formatting provided by: Elemental Alchemy

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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CHAPTER 1 Rick Ramone stood before the sealed crypt, wiping the sweat from his brow—a combination of anxiety, excitement, and the humidity of the Guatemalan rain forest. He didn’t dare let his hopes rise too high. In the last two months, he and his colleague, Scott Shephard, had discovered four such crypts in this ancient Maya city. Each time they thought the crypts might be in pristine condition they met with disappointment— looters had violated every one in search of treasure. The remains of each find—still valuable for the information they provided—had been left to the junior archaeologists of their team to study and catalog, while he and Scott searched in other directions. They had a six-month window of time, after 1

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which the chances of being allowed back to this particular area for the next season were slim…unless they found something big. In the last month, they’d tunneled through enough earth to build a mountain, removing boulders of limestone in steamy tropical heat, poor ventilation, and dim light. After days of frustration, their latest search had now ended over a thick layer of chert, a clear Maya sign of a crypt below. And there, beneath the quartz chips, lay the capstones—the top of the tomb itself. Taking opposite sides, Rick and Scott wedged crowbars under the largest slab and pried it off, praying the capstone didn’t shatter. There was a poof as centuries-old air escaped— a good sign this tomb hadn’t been violated. A miracle in and of itself. They waited for the stale air to dissipate, mopping sodden handkerchiefs over their faces. Rick twisted his into a band and tied it around his forehead to keep the sweat out of his eyes. “You want to go first?” He wiped his hands over the seat of his jeans. Scott slicked back his damp blond hair and reseated his straw hat. Hours in the sun had weathered the corners of his eyes into deep brown crinkles. “It’s your turn to go first.” He clapped Rick on the shoulder. “Good luck.” Rick gave a single nod and lay flat on the ground near the opening. After taking a deep breath, he wedged his upper body through the tomb ceiling and fanned a flashlight around the 2

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enclosure. His breath caught at the sight. Against one wall lay the skeletal remains of a long-dead Maya. Pottery surrounding the remains contained remnants of liquids and food. Tiny bone and jade figurines also lay about. On the walls, only a single hieroglyphic painting adorned the tomb. They’d finally done it. He could hardly believe his eyes, and blinked just to make sure he wasn’t imagining it. No doubt about it. This was part of a royal tomb—the find of a lifetime. Afraid he’d pull out and learn it was all a dream, Rick finally forced himself to crawl away from the passage. Scott’s expectant face hovered inches away, blue eyes wide and anxious. “Well?” “It’s clean.” The words came out in whispered, awestruck wonder. Rick cleared the emotion from his throat with a cough and brushed dirt from his denim shirt. “We’re the first to see this tomb in fifteen centuries.” He slapped the flashlight into his friend’s hand. Without hesitation, Scott ducked into the hole for a look. Minutes later, he pulled out, speechless with wonder. “Ohmygod,” finally whispered out. Rick grinned at the validation of his feelings echoed in his best friend’s voice. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ll start taking pictures. You tell the others.” Still half dazed, Scott stumbled toward camp to spread the news, while Rick busied himself with outside photographs. With each click of the button, he added another item to his 3

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mental to-do list. This was a chance of a lifetime—his and Scott’s first truly major find. He’d never forget this moment. Yes, others could do the work, but this was… He nearly laughed out loud—this was theirs. The culmination of years of study, hard work, and determination. They’d gone through a lot to get to this point. There were times the dream seemed out of reach—especially in those years Scott went through the University of San Diego on a full scholarship while Rick did a stint in the Marine Corps to pay for college on a GI bill. But here they were, a true testament to what the words “best friends” meant. Scott had even stuck by him when Rick came out about being gay. Not too many others had. They were too afraid he’d “get” them. Though some came around, Rick never forgot the slight. He forgave it, but didn’t forget. He glanced up at the sound of stampeding feet. This time he did laugh. Scott led the charge back to the site, while other members of their team ran behind him overladen with a ladder and floodlights. “Is there anyone left back at camp?” he asked. “If there is, they won’t be there long,” Scott replied. Rick laid the Minolta inside his backpack, zipped it up, and squatted near the opening with him. Taking care to avoid a cave-in, the team pushed the capstones all the way off to widen the entrance, set the floodlights in place, and threaded the ladder through the hole. “Now, you go first.” Rick waved his hand toward the ladder. 4

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Sketchpad and pencil clutched in his grip, Scott didn’t hesitate to take the lead. Rick grabbed his backpack and followed on his heels…or rather, his fingers. They descended slowly, in awe of their surroundings. A dry, musky smell surrounded them in the coolness of the tomb, so did the silence. If anyone above them spoke, Rick didn’t hear them. “So much to do and so little time left,” Rick muttered as he pulled the camera from his pack and lifted it to his eye. Flash after flash highlighted the magnificence of the interior. He added more items to the growing list of things he wanted to accomplish before the season ran out. “True, but I doubt either of us will be able to sleep. We can make good use of those hours.” Scott was optimistic as always. No one was more upbeat and positive. “Don’t forget, we’ve got the interns arriving soon—they can do the cataloging. I wish we’d had an opportunity like that when we were starting out. I probably would have shit myself if I’d catalogued a find like this my first trip.” “Me, too.” Hell, he was ready to shit himself now with excitement. “I’m really glad we were allowed to do it.” The interns were semi-qualified help—they had the education, now needed the experience—Rick and Scott sorely needed. They’d fought a quiet yet steady battle with their university and finally won the approval to hire interns, convincing the board of regents that offering this field adventure would add prestige to the university and possibly increase enrollment. Nothing could be better for their fledgling archaeologists than a little hands-on experience. It had been a 5

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satisfactory victory; they’d be arriving in three weeks. Unfortunately, the group was limited to those who could afford to pay for the trip themselves, which was a major selling point with the board of regents. Eventually Rick and Scott hoped the university would be willing to bear the cost for those who showed the greatest potential. With a find like this, they might find backers elsewhere, too. Rick’s media card filled up about the same time as Scott’s sketching arm gave out, yet they were both still reluctant to leave. Unfortunately, with the clock ticking, they knew other work needed to start, so they ascended the ladder. The season’s end was a scant four months away. Even with interns arriving, Rick and Scott still had a hell of a lot of work to accomplish in too short a period of time. Rick had stepped from the top rung when Corbett hurried their way. The man looked more like a tourist on vacation than an archaeologist. He wore Bermuda shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and huaraches…always, showing off yellowed feet, cracked and dry, with toenails so thick an arc welder couldn’t cut them. The sight grossed Rick out every time. Corbett lifted a wave Rick’s way. “I just got back from a supply run. Brought a visitor for you back with me—your dad.” What the… “That can’t be good news,” Scott muttered. “I suspect not.” Rick dusted his hands on his jeans and pulled the handkerchief off to wipe his sweat away. It didn’t help. 6

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“I hope Naomi’s all right.” “If she wasn’t you’d know. She’d tell you herself.” If she could. Now Rick worried. Scott and Naomi were so much in love it was a wonder they weren’t joined at the hip. She’d wanted to come on the dig this year, but obligations at Ramone Import/Exports kept her occupied. That and the fact August Ramone pitched a royal fit over the very idea of his precious granddaughter living in the rain forest for six months. The old man wasn’t thrilled Rick was here, but then Rick had also refused to live his life by his grandfather’s edicts or with the family money. August had come close to a having coronary when Rick revealed his sexuality, which made everything prior to that announcement pale in comparison. And still the man tried to manipulate Rick to fall in line with his plans—which had nothing to do with anything other than himself or his company. “Want me to go with you?” Scott asked. No telling what had brought his father here, but Rick doubted it was good news. Scott was nearly family. The only person who had trouble accepting that fact—his grandfather— wasn’t here. And Scott would most probably worry himself sick over why Charles Ramone had come to see Rick. Scott wouldn’t be doing anything but pacing while Rick talked to his father. “Yeah…come on.” They strode across the compound, stopped every so often by someone wanting more scoop on their discovery, only to 7

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dash off to see for themselves. The excitement was contagious. Rick couldn’t wait to get back to work. With each step dread built. It wasn’t good news. Good news would have brought his father right to the tomb they’d just uncovered, wanting to share their joy. But he was sequestered in the tent Rick and Scott shared. Not good. Rick stopped short when he walked into the tent and saw his father pacing a slow path in the limited space. His heart raced, dreading the words to come. Anxiety rolled off Scott, who stood behind him. His father glanced up. They regarded each other silently for a few seconds. Each was a mirrored reflection of the other; the only exception was a sprinkling of gray in his father’s dark brown hair. “Rick.” His father gave him a nod. No hug, no smile, just a nod. “Scott.” Another nod to him. “Dad.” Rick stepped all the way in, letting the screened tent flap fall. Scott ducked it and stood beside him. “Something’s wrong,” Scott said. “Naomi? Charles…is it Naomi?” His father looked away. “Let’s sit, shall we?” He motioned to the cots, then sat in one of the two canvas camp chairs. Scott sank onto the cot. Rick eased down beside him and leaned forward, elbows on knees, palms open. “Just give it to us, Dad. All at once.” His father nodded and let out a breath. “A short time ago, word reached us of a Central American Indian tribe caught in the middle of a drug war. Their village is located on the Honduran-Nicaraguan border—eastern end. Not far from 8

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Puerto Lempira. A dozen people from our company formed a team to go down there. Help them move to a safer area. Offer first aid. Take them food, clothing, and medical supplies. I was against the idea from the start, so was Jay. But…” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking everywhere but at them. “Your grandfather thought it was a wonderful idea. Thought it would be good PR for the company. So our people went—we lost contact with them a week ago. The GPS signal just…died. We understand there’s been a lot of fighting in that area and are concerned our people have been hurt.” His Adam’s apple bobbed with his hard swallow. “Naomi went with them.” Scott muffled whatever curse burst out, but the whiteknuckled fist on his thigh told how he felt about the news. Rick didn’t blame him. He could barely breathe, much less think. What the hell was his grandfather thinking? What was Naomi thinking? “What’s being done to find them?” Rick managed to ask, although he had a sneaking suspicion what the answer would be. “That would be the other reason I’m here,” his father replied. “You have military training and have worked this region many times. Who better to go than you? Jay’s gathering a dozen more people for a new group. He’s even hiring a nurse to accompany them in case he needs the extra medical help. He’s taken care of most of the details on our end, but he doesn’t know the language or the area the way you do. He doesn’t have the skills you do. We need your help.” 9

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As if he would hesitate. “I’ll leave right away.” His father retrieved a thick brown leather packet from the ground and handed it to him. “Here’s a map of the region and money to pay expenses for this expedition. Jay and the others will meet you in La Ceiba day after tomorrow. I’ll wait in Tegucigalpa for word.” Rick frowned. “Why there and not La Ceiba?” “I have other business to take care of there.” Of course, efficient as always. Why not mix in a little business while he waited for someone to save his daughter from this asinine scheme. “I can be ready to leave in under an hour. We’ll ride out together.” “You’re sure as hell not going without me,” Scott told them. Rick wanted to remind him about the site they’d uncovered, its importance, the fact time was limited. Inconsequential in light of this revelation. Nothing was more important than the one you loved. “Good.” Rick stood. “Let’s get packed.” Scott snagged his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “Ready.” If only everything was as simple. Finding Naomi sure as hell wouldn’t be. Rick prayed they’d find her alive…and unharmed. Considering the unrest in this part of the world, he knew he was asking for a miracle.

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CHAPTER 2 Val Lancaster glanced around his small apartment at the clutter of equipment. Although his archaeological trip to Guatemala was still two weeks away, he wasn’t about to take a chance he’d forget something. First impressions were oh-soimportant and he didn’t want his future colleagues to find him lacking in any way. He’d made list upon list of items, then ransacked the family garage for what he needed. Now, with everything spread out around him in a circle that took up the entire room, he whittled it down to basics. “Tent, no. Sleeping bag, yes. Air mattress…” He paused. “No.” He set the object aside. It was dead weight since there’d be cots on-site. “And I won’t need the ground cover either.” 11

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He stacked the plastic sheet with the air mattress. He surveyed the pile. It was going to be a long process. He couldn’t go down there looking like a pack mule, but he also couldn’t go unprepared. This was his career. His first time out and the only chance to make a good first impression. Val raked back his hair and caught sight of himself reflected in the window pane. God, he needed a haircut. Maybe he could shave it all off. The rain forest was hot and humid as hell. Of course, that would give mosquitoes a nice, shiny target. He also admitted to being vain enough to not lose one strand of—as his older brothers teased him—his pretty blond hair. At least they were talking to him now. There were several tense years when they could barely look at him after he told the family he was gay. He owed his sister a lot for helping him cope. Ginny had helped him truly accept his sexuality, himself, telling him over and over again that he was still who he was inside, that the rest didn’t matter. Then she laid out role models for him to follow, men who pursued their goals and ignored any social stigma being gay might give them. Men like Rick Ramone. How Ginny knew of the man was a mystery. She claimed she’d read about his work in National Geographic. Val would only have been more shocked to hear she’d read The Advocate. He supposed that was possible, but he’d never known his sister to read anything weightier than the latest tabloid or entertainment magazine. Of course, being a mother might have changed her view of life and made her want to 12

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expand her horizons, if only for Bobby and Jody. Val smiled. He’d gone through his own metamorphosis since he’d started college. Coming out and surviving the backlash. Realizing a degree in business wasn’t what his soul wanted. Finding his path and seeing doors of opportunity open for him. He’d worked for it all, paying his way. Now this. Talk about a sense of accomplishment. After all these years, he was finally going to meet the man who’d inspired him. Val could hardly believe it himself. A dream-come-true, to study and work with archaeologist Rick Ramone. Val respected and admired the man. Rick’s achievements in the field of Maya archaeology were amazing. The fact he lived his life on his own terms, equally so. Val wasn’t a bugeyed teenager. He knew the difference between respect and idol worship. He didn’t do crushes and never had. But he’d never forgotten the rush that swept over him the first time he’d seen Rick’s picture. Rick Ramone was the proverbial tall, dark, and handsome man. His smile confident. The glint of humor sparkled in his dark brown eyes. Val would have gotten a hard-on even if he hadn’t known the man was gay. Just like the one he had now. Val squeezed his erection into submission. The stubborn beast didn’t back down. He prayed his first introduction to Rick wouldn’t result in his dick trying to shake hands with the man first. Still, he idly stroked himself, wondering what it would be like. Lying naked on a cot, sweat-drenched from a long day in the tropical heat. Bodies gliding smoothly in time while their cocks rubbed together, igniting a fire that 13

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threatened to engulf everything within a twenty-mile radius. Rick would lock his gaze with Val’s, lift Val’s knees and rock them back while his cock nudged Val’s anus for entry. He’d ease past the muscle and the burn would crawl over Val’s balls then… “Shit.” Val jerked his hand away before he spewed cum into his jeans. He’d worked too hard for a chance like this to blow it on a fuck. No matter how badly he wanted it. Val pouncing on Rick the second they met wasn’t the best impression to make. Maybe down the line… His cock throbbed at the possibility. Val tried to rein his thundering heartbeat back to normal. After all these years of college, his goal was to get hands-on experience as an intern that would lead to a full-time paid position. Hands-on experience didn’t mean hands on himself or Rick Ramone. He’d be doing himself a favor to remember that. He glanced down at his erection. “Yeah, remember that.” His penis had the nerve to ignore him. “Fine, then work ought to calm you down.” He stared at the piles around him, trying to refocus on sorting through it. The phone’s ring made him jump. He glanced around, like a kid caught with his pants down, then peeked at the caller ID. The hospital…Ginny. He’d meant to go over there this morning, but… He snatched up the cordless. “Hey, you.” “Hi. Busy?” Ginny asked. The tone of her voice was too upbeat. Something was off. 14

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He was afraid to ask what it might be with all that had gone on lately. His sister had been in hell the last week. Her husband dead, her children missing, and Ginny assaulted and left to die on the side of a dirty Honduran road. All because her idiot of a husband had decided working for the State Department wasn’t as lucrative as running drugs for a Columbian cartel. Their mother was in Tegucigalpa right now trying to work through diplomatic channels to find the kids. Their brothers were working angles from the States. Why the hell the government wasn’t getting more fully involved confused the hell out of Val, but then the whole husband being a drug runner most likely had screwed that tie. His job was to help keep up Ginny’s morale. She’d made it fairly clear, and in a voice that rattled window glass after the first day, that she didn’t want him hovering over her. So he’d cut his visiting to once a day and occupied his worries by focusing on his trip. “Just sorting through everything trying to get organized,” he told her. “I thought you might be spending a few private moments with a boyfriend before you left on your big trip.” Now he knew something wasn’t right. Though she supported him one hundred percent, she never made jokes like that to anyone. She considered relationships private. One did not kiss and tell. “Okay, Ginny, what’s going on?” Val let the demand stay in his voice. She’d very nearly lost her life, had bitched him out royally when he tried to comfort her, and he wasn’t in the 15

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mood to play games. A weary sigh filtered through the receiver. “I’m sorry. I guess… I really need to talk to you. Could you please come by? It’s important.” The forlorn note in her voice tugged at Val’s heart. She’d been through such a horrible nightmare, how could Val refuse to go to her? She’d always been there for him and deserved that same level of support from him, even if she had told him to fuck off when he tried to give it before. “I’m on my way.” “Thanks, Val.” Val hung up and grabbed his keys from the carnival glass bowl on the crowded end table. A quick glance at the mess he left behind sent a small shiver of anticipation running down his spine and straight to his cock. You’re shameless. Maybe by the time he got back home, his hormones would be in check…and stay that way. Talk about wanting a miracle. Maybe Rick Ramone won’t notice the raging hard-on greeting him, his conscience taunted. Val laughed when his ego quietly protested the imagined slight. *

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Maybe it was because Rick Ramone was at the forefront of his mind. But when he stepped into Ginny’s hospital room, Val was struck by the similarity between his sister and Rick. He chalked it up to the naturally bronzed skin, dark brown 16

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hair, and eyes that at times looked almost black. Ginny was the total opposite of Val and his brothers. The Lancaster boys were all fair and green-eyed. Ginny’s heritage was clearly Hispanic. Val had often wondered what Ginny’s father had looked like, but there were no pictures of him and no one ever discussed it. Val hated to think what that might have meant about his sister’s conception. He finally concluded that his mother had been raped. Why else would it be so hushed? He’d always thought of how romantic it was that, as single parents, his mother and father had found each other and formed a new family, adding two new children of their union to live happily ever after. God, he was such a freakin’ romantic. But happily ever after wasn’t forever. His father’s death would always be a painful memory. And now this problem with Ginny. Her smile trembled as Val walked into the room, adding to his suspicion something wasn’t right. “Good, you’re here.” She patted the bed for him to sit. No hug, no hi, just sit. Yep, something’s definitely not right. He chose the chair beside the bed instead. “Val, you’ve got to help me get my children back.” He parked his elbows on the padded armrests as he leaned back. What could she expect him to do? “Everyone’s doing the best they can.” He didn’t believe the words himself, so why would she? Ginny flittered her fingers through the air. She’d yet to meet his gaze. “They’ll never get anywhere. It’s a waste of 17

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time. You’ve got to help me.” “How?” He rested his chin on his steepled fingers. “I overheard the nurses talking about a Dr. Jay Cepeda needing to hire a nurse for a few weeks. He’s gathering a search and rescue team to look for some people who went down to Honduras. You can be that nurse.” Val tried not to laugh, not to tell her how ridiculous this notion was. She was a distraught mother, recovering from a serious attack. Of course she wouldn’t be thinking clearly. “Ginny, sweetie, I’m not a nurse.” “No, but I am.” His eyebrows inched together with his frown. “Excuse me, but I’ve missed something here.” She sliced those brown-black eyes in his direction, grappling for the hand he purposely kept out of her reach. “Look. We have the same initials. All my nursing credentials are in my maiden name. And I used my initials, not my first name. Any work I’ve done as a nurse has been as Lancaster, not Morrison. You can use my credentials and work experience when you go to the interview.” “But, Ginny, he needs a nurse. And won’t he pick up on the fact I’m not a woman?” What the hell was she thinking? “You’re CPR and first aid certified and recertify every year. For what he’s planning that’s good enough. Tell him there was a mistake and you didn’t realize until recently that your sex was wrong. Tell him…” Her jaw clenched. Her eyes looked like coals. “Tell him whatever it takes to get that job.” Hoping to reason with her, Val scooted to the edge of the 18

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chair and gave her the handhold she wanted. She gripped his fingers so hard he thought she’d cut off the circulation. “Suppose I pull this off and he hires me as his nurse, how do I manage to get the children for you?” “Be partially honest with him. Tell him you don’t want money for the job. Tell him the only payment you want is for him and his people to help you get to Las Manas. The priest who helped me is there. He promised to help me get the children. He’s keeping a close watch on the cartel and knows where the kids are.” “Then why didn’t you tell all this to Mom when she went down there? If he knows where they are…” “I did,” she snapped. “Mom called this morning. She’s made contact with Father Montoya, but can’t get the kids. Diplomacy takes forever. By the time they go through all the red tape, the kids could be gone. It’s not like Mom can go in there and grab them.” He splayed his fingers against his chest. “And you think I can? Have you looked at me lately? Don’t you think the blond hair and green eyes will sort of make me stand out down there? Do you realize how dangerous this scheme is?” She locked his free hand beneath both of hers. “You’ll be under the protection of Dr. Cepeda and his men at all times. You’re fit like nobody’s business. You know your way around…” She jerked away. “For God’s sake, Val, you’re going to the Guatemalan rain forest in two weeks…what the hell’s the difference?” “There’s a big difference.” Val rested his hand on her arm, 19

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trying his best to reason with her. Ginny turned her head away, refusing to look at him, shutting him out. He didn’t let the snub stop him. “My trip to Guatemala is a university-sponsored archaeological dig, not a secret mission. You of all people know that.” She picked at a thread on the woven white blanket. “There’s just as much unrest in Guatemala as there is in Honduras and Nicaragua.” “Now I’m going to Nicaragua? Are you nuts?” She sniffed, feigning tears, still refusing to look at him. That pissed him off. Of all the people in the world, she was the last person he’d ever expected to play games. “Val, these are my children. You have to help me.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. If she hadn’t faked it seconds before, she might have swayed him. Hell, who was he kidding? Her life was in turmoil, her body devastated by the attack on her, her heart shattered. He caved. “Val, please.” That quiet plea with no histrionics toppled his resolve. It wouldn’t hurt to humor her. Once she saw Cepeda wouldn’t take him, that would be that…he hoped. A resigned sigh lifted his shoulders. “All right.” Ginny slipped her bruised arms around his neck. “I know you can do it. But, Val, please don’t take any chances by telling Cepeda why you have to go to Las Manas. The cartel has ears in the most unusual places. If you know what I mean.” “I know what you mean. I’ll be careful.” He peeled her arms from his neck and lifted a scolding finger. “This crazy 20

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idea of yours better not interfere with my trip to Guatemala. I’ve waited a long time for an opportunity like this and I’m not about to make a bad impression on Rick Ramone. If I wind up dead, I’m really going to be mad at you.” Her lips quirked on a smile. She opened her mouth, then just as quickly clamped it shut. “Where do I find Dr. Cepeda?” Val asked. “Here’s his address and the interview is late this afternoon.” From beneath the blanket, she pulled a crisp piece of paper on which she’d scribbled the information. “Interview?” He fingered the note, then stuffed it in his jeans pocket. “You were pretty damn sure of yourself, weren’t you? What if I’d said no?” She shrugged and stared at the far corner of the room. “I took my chances. I had to make sure you could get an interview first.” Her gaze shifted back to his. “You’ll find my credentials in one of my suitcases at Mom’s house. Take them with you because he’ll want to review them. Don’t offer him anything with my photo. You can tell him it was an oversight. And don’t leave them there. Tell him it’s the only copy you’ve got.” “Looks like you’ve thought of everything.” He didn’t mean it as a compliment. Judging from the guilty look she returned, Ginny didn’t take it as one. “On the off chance this works, how are you going to explain my absence to Mom if she should call?” Not to mention their older brothers. “Whose idea do you think this is?” she snapped. “Mom’s 21

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the one who told me to tell you to do it.” Oh…now she was ordering him to go, not asking. And why him? Why not his brothers? He knew the answer to that one—his brothers weren’t exactly in top shape and both adhered strictly to the letter of the law. Neither had a passport nor did they speak Spanish. “And I’ll think of something to tell our brothers if they ask.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. “I’m counting on you. I know you can pull this off. Val…I’m desperate. And you know Mom is, too, or she wouldn’t have suggested this.” “I suppose if I had children, I’d feel the same way. But don’t get your hopes up.” He glanced at his watch. “I’d better leave if I’m going to make that interview.” As things stood, he barely had time to get home and change into something more than jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers. A quick hug parted them. Two hours later, Val knew the job was his just by looking around the waiting room at the other two applicants. One was in her sixties; another grossly overweight. And here he sat looking like he’d just come off a Marine Corps drill field. Tanned, blond, muscular, athletic. Considering what the job entailed—trekking through the Central American rain forest, facing possible hostile fire—the choice was a given. He studied the doctor when he appeared in his office doorway. Jay Cepeda was shorter than Val had expected, with alert brown eyes set above his high cheekbones. Eyes, he imagined, that would easily see through any falsehood. Maybe 22

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that would be Val’s saving grace. With a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, Cepeda motioned to the older woman. At least he was going to give the appearance of being fair in his selection. “Ma’am, won’t you please come in?” He waved her to his office, shutting the door behind them. Val stared at the closed door. God, he was nervous. He hated lying and wasn’t very good at it either. Maybe it wasn’t too late to make a run for it. That would involve coming up with some story for Ginny, or he could just tell her the truth— that the whole idea was stupid from the start. He couldn’t do that to her. She had it bad enough as it was. If their father were still alive… Val sighed, wishing he hadn’t agreed to this ludicrous charade. He thought about praying to all the higher powers that existed. In his heart, Val knew he was sunk. “Mr. Lancaster?” The sound of his name jerked his head up. When had the second woman been called? He was alone in the waiting room. He forced himself to stand, pasted a smile on his face, and followed Cepeda into his office. “Please make yourself comfortable.” Cepeda waved him toward one of the chairs, sitting behind his desk. “Your application appears in good order, Mr. Lancaster.” The doctor laced his fingers on the glass-topped desk. “Thank you,” he replied, with more confidence than he felt. He braced himself for Cepeda’s request for nursing credentials. 23

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“Are you in good physical condition?” “Excellent shape. I run five miles a day. Hit the gym every other day.” No sense lying about what the man could obviously see. “This trek of ours will most probably involve a lot of traveling through the rain forest and camping out each night. It won’t be a vacation. Do you feel you’ll be able to keep up?” “Yes.” No. The answer should be no. “What interests you about this assignment?” Maybe this would dissuade the man. “I’m not in this for the excitement or the money. All I ask in return is your assistance in getting to Las Manas.” Cepeda cocked his head to one side and looked at Val like a puzzled Labrador retriever. “For what purpose?” “Urgent personal business.” Cepeda nodded slowly. “Do you speak Spanish?” “Fluently.” No denying how this was going to turn out. Another nod and Cepeda glanced at the application before him. “You’re single? You have no children?” “That’s correct.” Cepeda eased back in his chair. His steady gaze dissected him. Val tried not to squirm. Lying wasn’t exactly his forte. He couldn’t play poker either. “Perfect,” Cepeda finally said. “The job is yours if you want it.” Without a glance at the credentials? Considering the applicants Val had seen and the fact time was a factor, Cepeda most likely put physical characteristics above qualifications. 24

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“You’ll help me get to Las Manas?” he asked. “Yes, we will, and you’ll also be paid. It’s no problem for us to see you to your destination.” Val didn’t know whether to laugh at the irony or cry. He couldn’t, in good conscience, let his sister down. “I’ll take the job.” “Good. We leave tomorrow. Be here by six in the morning. We’ll provide you with everything you’ll need. If you have a backpack, use it for your personal items. And remember, we’ll travel lightly. We don’t expect this to take more than two weeks.” Two weeks! He’d be cutting it close to the time he had to be in Guatemala. Under those circumstances, there was absolutely no way he’d be able to arrive with the other interns. And how in the world would this two-week trip put him in a better position to retrieve the children? By then, wouldn’t his mother’s diplomatic channels have found them? It made no sense. Still, he found himself standing, shaking the man’s hand, agreeing against his better judgment. “The sooner we get done and I can get to Las Manas, the better. I’ll see you in the morning.” And just like that Val was back in his apartment wondering what the fuck had happened, how he’d gotten in this position. He’d just finished packing for Guatemala and now would have to repack it for his trip to Honduras and then to go to Guatemala from there. Resigned to it all, Val called his sister. Ginny answered 25

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quickly, as if she’d been waiting for the call, which she probably was. “I got the job. We leave tomorrow and expect to be gone for two weeks.” And put at risk the favorable first impression he’d wanted to make on Rick Ramone. Val scolded himself for being petty. His niece and nephew needed him. They had to come first. He trusted Ginny to know the situation down there better than he did. He’d get the kids and then go to the dig. It meant carrying everything for both trips now, but it was the best—the only—solution he could come up with. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Val. Call me when you get there so I know you arrived safely…please?” “I will,” Val said. “I gotta go. I have to pack.” “Remember…don’t trust anyone.”

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CHAPTER 3 La Ceiba was crowded when Rick and Scott finally arrived in the city. With the heavy tourist season in full swing, it had taken the better part of the day to locate a hotel with vacancies. The six rooms they’d managed to rent at a small resort were nice, and the place had a reputation for good food at reasonable prices. Once they’d secured accommodations, Rick set about locking on transportation for their trip. Rick was glad to have Scott along once the bargaining began. Between them, they haggled the costs of renting a truck and a boat to a quarter of the asking price. However, with their tight timeline, they didn’t have time to bask in the glory of victory. It was just another step in a million more they had in 27

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the long trip ahead. They arrived at the airport in the rented five-ton truck just as Jay and the rest of the team were going through customs. Rick and Jay greeted each other simultaneously with a wave and a shout. Once the agent cleared him, Jay hurried their way. “Hey, Rick, good to see you,” he said with a strong handshake. “You, too, Jay.” He smiled and indicated Scott. “This is Scott Shephard.” Jay grasped hands. “Rick’s talked a lot about your work together. Naomi’s talked about you a lot. Glad to finally meet you. I understand from Charles you two recently made a big discovery. Sorry to pull you away from it, but there really wasn’t any choice. Well… there was initially, but no one listened to me. I was against the first trip from the start. I thought Ross Summerville’s suggestion to send one person to scout the situation first was the better option. And I really didn’t think it was any place to take a woman who’s…” He clamped his lips shut, then mumbled, “Never mind. It’s over and done. We’ll find Naomi, Scott. And it’s a good idea to have you along as a back-up translator and guide in the event something would happen to Rick.” “Don’t worry. I definitely won’t be deadweight for your team,” Scott said with a smile. Jay gave a small laugh. “No, I think that’d be me. I’m not overly fond of field trips. I can hold my own, but no one will be more glad to be heading home than me.” 28

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“We all feel that way, Jay,” Rick told him. “No matter how comfortable we might be with extreme living. So, how’s the rescue team looking?” “Pretty good for rushing around at the last minute. Everyone seems fit and excellently qualified. Had some of the best trackers around agree to go. How are things going on this end?” “We’ve got a truck. We’ll haul the gear down to the boat dock from here and leave two men there to guard it.” “Customs cleared our supplies and the crates are waiting in the freight warehouse,” Jay told him. “Good.” Rick gave a nod of approval. Efficiency. He loved it. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning. We can purchase the weapons we need in Puerto Lempira.” Jay’s features sagged with his frown. Rick knew he’d never been fond of firearms. His father was killed while cleaning a gun before Jay was born. “Is that really going to be necessary?” Jay asked. “It’s bad enough we’re going in blind. We don’t need to be defenseless as well,” Rick pointed out. “I’ve also managed to find us six hotel rooms, but that’s all. It’s the height of tourist season so it’s pretty crowded. Since it’s only for one night I didn’t think anyone would mind doubling up.” “Safety in numbers and all that.” Jay jerked his chin to the line of men headed their way. “Want to draw straws, or let them pick their roommates for themselves?” Rick glanced in the direction indicated. His gaze honed in on a blond man hoisting a backpack over his broad shoulders. 29

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Muscles flexed under his khaki shirt, giving Rick a good idea of the sculpted surface that lay below. He felt gut-punched, all breath gone. His body reacted as if it had a will of its own, which it did most of the time. He tried not to ogle, he truly did. But this magnificent specimen walking his way—God, he had been in the field too long—was like walking candy, and Rick wanted to lick every inch of him. Rick’s pulse quickened, his heart pounding so hard he knew everyone had to hear it. As if sensing his gaze upon him, the blond god lifted his emerald green eyes to Rick’s. The man jerked to a stop, eyes wide, mouth open. Did he feel it, too? That instant attraction? Was he gay, too? Oh, please let him be gay! He wanted him so badly, Rick couldn’t even dredge shame for thinking of sex when they had a serious mission ahead. Judging from the way the man stared at him, the feeling had to be mutual. And that was damn fine with Rick. “Who’s that?” Rick managed to ask. Jay looked around. “Val Lancaster…our nurse.” Rick frowned. “Why does that name sound familiar?” “There’s a Val Lancaster listed on the roster of interns,” Scott said. “Coincidence?” “Stranger things have happened. Guess we’ll find out in a minute.” He turned a brighter smile the blond’s way. That seemed to spur the man to action. Long strides carried him forward. He still had that shellshocked look about him. His gaze locked exclusively on Rick. Rick liked that. He liked it a lot. Want…grew. Jay began the introduction as the man neared. “Val 30

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Lancaster, this is—” “I know who you are.” A broad smile cut his tanned features as Val stuck his hand out to Rick. Rick didn’t hesitate to take it. Heat surged up his arm as their hands locked together. “You’re Rick Ramone. I can’t believe how lucky I am. When I agreed—” He cut off the sentence. “I’ve been impressed with your work for a long time. I’m one of the interns scheduled to work with you and…” He glanced at Scott. “You’re his colleague, Scott Shephard.” “I am,” Scott said with a smile, extending his own hand. Rick and Val exchanged a look, glanced at their clasped hands, then dropped the hold as they smiled. “A pleasure.” Val shook Scott’s hand quickly. The two could have been brothers they looked so much alike. Obviously, no fireworks there. But the fact that Val knew of Rick, meant he also knew Rick was gay. It was no secret. And that meant the extra long handshake they’d exchanged was more than promising. He wanted to grab Val’s arm and huddle away somewhere private so they could talk. Doubling up on the rooms tonight held new meaning. Could they? Should they? Consenting adults and all that. It’d been a hell of a long time since Rick had entertained a serious relationship. Hang on, buddy. You just met. And this is an intern… remember? He still couldn’t get his erection tamed. If anyone looked—and he rather hoped Val did—they’d see it swelling 31

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his jeans. At this rate, he’d wind up limping from the terminal his cock was so hard. And his balls now hugged his body in a desperate attempt to crawl up through his navel for a better look at what his dick had sniffed out. “Small world,” Jay said with a laugh. “Rick is the brother of one of the missing women.” Val nodded. Concern darkened his green eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that. Your military training will come in handy.” He’d checked up on him. Another plus. But something wasn’t meshing. As Rick recalled, all of the interns had just finished their masters programs. How could Val have pursued degrees in nursing and archaeology at the time…and obtain the necessary experience nursing required? He was a little older than the other interns, so that might explain it. “Val also speaks fluent Spanish.” Rick smiled and nudged his questions aside. “Then we’re well prepared.” “I try my best to leave nothing to chance,” Val told him. “And yet you’re suddenly here with us when you’re supposed to be joining interns on a dig that’s been planned for months.” The words were out before Rick could stop them. The light on Val’s face dimmed. He hoisted the backpack higher on his shoulders. “What can I say? Best laid plans and all that. As I understand it, this job shouldn’t interfere with my responsibilities. And it is a job. I’m not afraid of work and got where I am today by taking job opportunities that came my way. This one pays well, and I’m more than qualified.” That made sense. Rick could appreciate the man’s 32

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situation. He indulged himself by curling his hand over Val’s shoulder. Warmth and the flex of muscle greeted him. “I’m anxious to get this done, too. Wait ’til you see what we’ve found. You’ll piss yourself with excitement.” Val laughed. “I’m pretty close to doing that now.” “Now that everyone’s cleared customs, let’s head toward the hotel.” Jay swung his backpack to one shoulder, his duffel to the other. “How do we want to handle room assignments?” Scott looked like he fought a smile. He probably knew where Rick’s mind was headed. They’d all have to be blind not to see his interest in Val. “Each room has two double beds,” Scott said. “We’ll let them pick.” Jay scrubbed at his chin. There was a rasp of stubble there. “We’ve got six rooms and sixteen people. You want two men to stay with the supplies. That still leaves us with fourteen people. Someone’s going to have to triple up. The three of us can do that, then—” Val edged closer. “If you don’t mind, I’d be honored to share your room, too. I don’t have a problem sleeping on the floor. That way you won’t need to concern the others, and I can hear all about the dig firsthand.” Rick didn’t give anyone a chance to protest. “That sounds like a great idea. I’ll sleep on the floor, too, and let these old men have the beds.” He clapped Scott on the back. “I’d feign insult, but it sounds like a deal to me,” Scott said. “I’m not going to be foolish enough to turn it down.” “Me either,” Jay said. “Let’s go. We still have a lot to do 33

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before sundown.” Rick silently thanked them both. He doubted Jay realized what he’d just done for him. Scott, on the other hand, knew him well. *

*

*

Val tried his best not to stare. He couldn’t believe his luck. Rick Ramone…here! The gods loved him after all. And all he’d been able to do was stare at the man in awestruck wonder…with all three of his eyes. To say Rick’s picture didn’t do him justice was an understatement. It captured his looks, but not the aura of life that surrounded him. Val wasn’t sure when he’d finally realized he wasn’t dreaming, but he did know it was the throbbing in his jeans that jerked him back to reality. At that same instant, he’d realized Rick wanted him. He could see the hunger in his eyes. Rick Ramone wanted him. Val had the urge to cup his crotch and squeeze his cock into submission, or whip it out and say, “Take it. Please take it.” Both scenarios nearly had him laughing out loud at the image. He did manage to change laughter into a big smile. That gave him the momentum to move forward, to clasp the hand of the man who’d so affected his life. Then their fingers wrapped around each other’s and heat welded them together. Val longed to step closer—hell, they were already within inches of each other—to slip his arms around Rick’s waist, to pull his lips to Val’s, comb his fingers 34

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through that shiny dark hair, inhale his essence…among other things. Everything he’d known about himself and his feelings about the man weren’t a lie—he did admire him. But seeing him in person, Val knew a part of him would die if he didn’t take the chance and make their relationship more personal. Judging from how quickly Rick had agreed to sharing a room, the feeling had to be mutual. Now, as their team trooped toward the exit, the lie Val had used to get to this point weighed him down once more. He wanted to earn Rick’s respect as an archaeologist. He now craved bodily contact as lovers. What kind of relationship could they have if Val wasn’t truthful from the start? He wanted to confide in him, reveal his true intent. Since Val was ready to trust Rick with his career, why not this? Yet Ginny had been very specific about not telling anyone. While he felt in his heart Rick shouldn’t be lumped in with that faction, Val couldn’t be so sure about the others in their party. Until he got a better feel for where things stood, silence was probably his best option, no matter how much it pained him. If, by some miracle, they got some alone time, maybe then he’d confide in him. For now, he’d pull his weight and then some, showing Rick his worth while they got better acquainted. “So, I’ve been curious about your name,” Rick said as they stepped from the terminal and into crushing tropical humidity. “Is it short for something?” Val laughed. “No, just Val. I wish I had an intriguing story behind it, but my parents always told me it just sounded right. 35

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When my older brothers wanted to be cruel, they’d tell me Mom and Dad had been expecting a girl and had the name Valerie picked out. Then I came along and disappointed them, so they just stuck with Val. You can’t imagine how conflicted that made me.” Rick gave him a look so intense, so filled with something it nearly brought Val to his knees. “Yeah, I would. It’s not easy being gay, is it?” God, he wanted to kiss him, hug him, hold on tight and tell the world to go to hell. “No, it’s not.” Rick clapped him on the shoulder, and Val was certain he’d added the merest brush of his thumb. “Where should I start about the find?” Val kept pace with his stride. He’d never been one for public displays of affection—he was enough of a target without that—but he found himself wishing they could walk arm in arm. The fact Rick had reached out was great enough. “Start at the beginning and don’t leave out a thing,” he said. He didn’t. For the hour-long drive to their next destination, he and Val talked nonstop. From time to time Scott offered his perspective on the dig. The others generally ignored them, most probably bored by the geek talk. Val didn’t care. They rode in the rear of the stake-bed truck, each jolt pressing their thighs against each other’s. He was in heaven, in more ways than one. Then they reached the boat docks and the small fishing trawler Rick had rented. Val’s spirits plummeted. He didn’t 36

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know part of the trip was going to be by boat. He turned green just looking at it. If he’d known sooner he could have gotten a scopolamine patch. Now he was stuck and didn’t know how the hell to tell these men the likelihood of him getting seasick was two hundred percent. “You okay?” Rick bent his head down a little to catch Val’s gaze. His breath tickled over Val’s cheek, sending a shiver straight to Val’s balls. He gave the man a half-hearted smile, dread over sea travel now replaced by an ache that gnawed against his jeans for freedom. “Sure.” Maybe the Dramamine he’d used for the flight would help, though it hadn’t in the past. His pride wouldn’t let him say anything. And there really wasn’t much choice in the matter. He’d come this far, he couldn’t very well turn back or stay here or expect them to send him on to the site. He’d promised Ginny. The kids were in danger. He had to suck it up. Val hopped from the truck bed with the others. Their crew spent another hour loading the medical supplies and provisions onto a boat that was looking smaller by the second. If this was Jay’s version of traveling light, Val would have hated to see what happened when he went full-out. He pushed the thought aside as none of his business and focused on the work, not the dread of the boat trip, moving box after box like an automaton. Sweat soaked his shirt and trickled down his back. Val was tempted to strip it off, but used the annoyance as another distraction to keep his mind off the inevitable voyage. By the time the last box was loaded and two men 37

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posted as guards, everyone was hot, tired, ready for a shower, dinner, and to call it a night. Scott took the wheel this time. Val jumped in the rear with the other men, putting a bit more distance between him and Rick to spare the man his stench. Actually, they all did so. It was funny in a way. They’d better get used to the smell. A rain forest trek wasn’t a walk in the park. More tired now, Val had to curl his fingers under the edge of the bench to keep from falling off. It seemed like Scott hit every bump or hole in the road. More than a few not-somuttered curses spit out when their asses collided with the hard wood. “In case you were wondering,” Rick said, “he’s a better archaeologist than he is a driver.” That got them all chuckling and helped lighten the remainder of the drive. Finally, they came to a stop next to their hotel—a single-story resort camouflaged within thick vegetation and kissed by the scent of the ocean. Considering the groans that went around as they pushed themselves up then jumped down, it was going to be a rough week. Rick didn’t waste any time divvying up the room keys. “It isn’t much, but at least it’s clean and air conditioned, too. The food’s good and portions large. We could all do with a shower before dinner. We’ll meet in the dining room in about two hours.” No one complained. No one said a word. They merely trudged inside, backpacks slung haphazardly over one shoulder or dangling from their weary fingertips. 38

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Rock-paper-scissors decided who would shower first in the room Val shared with Rick, Scott, and Jay. He lost and was glad of it. While the other three took their turns, Val stretched out on the polished wooden floor—hard, but cool against his hot body. He fell asleep thinking that he had to call Ginny, not sure if he’d give her the pleasure of knowing Rick Ramone was here. She’d lord it over him…eventually. He could hear her now… “See? When you just do like I want…” The next thing Val was aware of was Rick gently shaking him awake. “Your turn, sleepyhead.” Val sucked in the scent of clean-washed male, all too aware that he was not. “We’ll meet you downstairs,” Rick said. “Want me to order you something?” “Anything with meat in it…and a cold beer if they’ve got it.” “Sure thing.” Rick patted his thigh and left. Val’s penis came to life. It was the only part of him that did. His body protested as Val rolled to his feet. He dug his cell phone from his pocket, cursed the fact he had a signal, and dialed. Ginny picked up on the first ring. Probably sitting on the phone waiting. “I’m here.” “And?” Her demanding tone grated on his nerves. Val let his sigh echo through the line. “And I’m dead tired, smelly, and starving. And I shudder to think how much this international call is costing me.” “Anything else?” 39

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He cocked his head to one side. She knew! He didn’t know how she knew, but she knew he’d met Rick Ramone. He could tell by her voice. “Nope, nothing to speak of. I’ll try to keep you posted. We head out tomorrow. It could be a while.” “I talked to Mom and told her you were on the way. Once you’ve got the kids, take them to her in Tegucigalpa.” She rattled off the hotel address, and Val committed it to memory since he couldn’t find pen and paper handy. “We’re counting on you,” she added. Her attempt to guilt him grated on Val’s nerves. He knew the kids were in danger, but somehow he couldn’t shake the feeling he was being played. “I know. I’m doing the best I can, Ginny…against my better judgment.” “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?” Now she was just fucking with him. “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?” Silence was her response. “Yeah…that’s what I thought,” he said. “I’ll keep you posted.” He hung up before she could mutter a reply. He smirked at the phone, happy he’d gotten one up on her. Then he turned and found Rick staring at him—an icy, long neck bottle dangling from his fingers. “Thought you could use this now.” He held up the beer. “Thanks a bunch.” He took it with one hand, twisted off the cap with the other, then took a chug. It tasted like nectar of the gods going down his parched throat. “Friend?” Rick pointed to the phone. “Annoying older sister,” he said with a shrug. “I promised 40

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I’d let her know when I arrived safely.” Rick passed a slow gaze down Val’s body as he nodded. Val enjoyed a leisurely stroll of his own, settling on the erection ridging Rick’s fly. His own flared to life and he was rather proud it appeared to match the other man’s. Looked like they were equals all around—height, weight, build, intellect, and right where the money went. Rick hovered in the open doorway, looking better than a present at Christmas—a package Val was sorely tempted to open. He wanted to run his fingers down the man’s chest, toy with the hair just below his navel, then stroke his cock. Once the tip moistened, he’d kneel before him and lick it dry, while his fingers flexed in the cleft of his buttocks. Rick would be content for a while, but not long. He’d shove his hands through Val’s hair and pump away, stopping at the last minute before he came. Then they’d switch positions and Val would find himself shoved against the wall, Rick’s full lips wrapped around his engorged cock. Those dark eyes appraised him. Val couldn’t break free of their hold. Instead, he took another drink and then smiled. “I smell pretty ripe right now.” “I know,” Rick replied. “I won’t smell forever.” Rick smiled. “I know that, too.” He passed another heated gaze down Val’s body, then left and shut the door quietly behind him. Val stared at the closed door. His body was one big hardon. In some corner of his mind, he was aware that he stroked 41

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the long neck of the beer bottle while his thumb had hooked into his waistband and scuffed against the pubic hair just below his belly button. He wished it was Rick’s tongue down there instead, teasing open the fly button, wiggling down the zipper, nosing into… He pulled in a sharp breath through his nose, then chugged the rest of his beer. He was so far gone he couldn’t even taste it. The cool liquid turned to steam the second it hit his body. Val tossed the empty bottle into the trashcan by the television armoire. After yanking clothes from his backpack, he charged into the bathroom. Steam still fogged the mirror from the men’s earlier showers. He looped his clean clothes over the hook on back of the door and twisted on the shower to let it warm up while he stripped. He rushed as if he were on the cusp of jumping into Rick’s bed. And in his mind that’s exactly where he was. Val had denied himself this for too long, telling himself it wasn’t healthy to lust after a picture, an icon. But now he’d met the man, felt him travel through his soul. Val was glad he’d resisted before. This was real feeling, not something borne of an image. They were two separate people—Rick Ramone before, Rick Ramone after. This was real. Val yanked aside the sliding door and stepped under the shower spray. One hand grappled for the soap while he shoved his face into the water. It sluiced over him gently, like the lap of a lover’s tongue. He lathered suds in his hands and followed the path, imagining it was Rick’s fingers against his skin. His touch would be just the way he needed—at times 42

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gentle, at times rough. Rick would know exactly what to do. He might rub his palm over Val’s nipples. Val bit his lower lip as he did so, feeling the bead nudge into the center. His cock danced under the shower, begging for attention. Or Rick might pinch Val’s nipples hard. A muffled moan slipped from Val’s throat when he tweaked them. His balls felt like rocks, pushing his dick higher and harder. He skidded his hand to them, kneading his sac while his erection rubbed against his forearm like a hot poker. It wanted attention, wanted to come…now. Val made it wait, just as Rick would do. Balls cupped in his hand, Val pressed his middle finger against his anus. Water raced over his back, scoring along his muscles, down the crack of his ass, over his thighs. He pushed harder, breaching the barrier of muscle, and clenched his jaw against a hard moan. Val squatted in the stall and worked his finger deeper. It was Rick’s finger readying him for his cock and a long, steady fuck. He fumbled for the soap with his free hand and lathered his pubis, then let the bar drop to the floor. He rubbed around the root of his cock, harder and harder, making it hurt from the wait. He eased his finger free and cupped his penis between his hands, rubbing from base to top like he was trying to start a fire…or, in this case, trying to put one out. His agony doubled. It was one thing to be at a lover’s mercy, but Val didn’t have much restraint when he was in charge of his own orgasm. 43

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He wrapped his hand around his erection. God, it felt like fire even on the outside. He glanced down at the swollen head, the skin stretched to bursting. Then he wormed his finger back up his ass. The heat of the moment swallowed any awkwardness in the position. He thrust his finger in and out while his hand stroked faster, harder. Face upturned into the water, eyes closed, all thoughts lost to what he hoped would be his soon-fulfilled fantasy of Rick doing these things to him. And him doing them back. He saw them wrapped tight in each other’s arms, touching, kissing, exploring until they’d memorized all their hot spots and played every daydream they’d ever had. A rush of heat pooled to Val’s lower back—that telltale sign orgasm was close. Even as he realized it, the fire ignited his balls and exploded. Val bowed into the release, quivering as his jism spurted with volcanic force. He pulled his finger free and had to brace his hand against the wall to keep from toppling over. His head swam, ears buzzed. They’d cuddle now. Bring each other down with gentle caresses and soft kisses. Hug until they fell asleep. Val let the fantasy surround him until his heartbeat slowed to normal. Then, pushing himself on more steady legs, he finished showering.

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CHAPTER 4 Rick leaned against the wall while he tried to rein himself under control. He had to admit control was going to be impossible around Val Lancaster. The man was beyond tempting. One part of him kept saying, “He’s just so pretty.” But that would have done Val a grave injustice. He was a striking man, but definitely no pretty boy. If that’d been all Val had going for him, Jay never would’ve selected him for this job…and the university never would’ve selected him as an intern, even if he could have paid for twenty trips. Val obviously had something going for him beneath that golden hair. He carried himself with a selfconfidence many people never achieved, and yet he wasn’t 45

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cocky. The man wanted to learn. He listened and asked the right questions, and wasn’t out to try to impress everyone with false posturing. The way he jumped in to help… Rick’s body tightened at the memory. Val’s muscles had flexed smoothly, like a well-oiled machine. He’d longed to see him sans shirt so he could marvel at Val’s bare chest like a lovestruck idiot. Thinking about it had been highly distracting. He’d stumbled more than once, wondering if Val’s chest was smooth or hairy. It was a wonder half the boxes Rick had toted didn’t wind up over the boat instead of in it. He scrubbed his hand down his face, then over the back of his neck. He would have slid to the floor if he weren’t afraid doing so would break his cock in two. The thing felt like a telephone pole wedged in his pants. What was Val doing right now? Showering, of course, but…how? Were his hands rubbing aimlessly over that sweet body, or were they moving along with more purpose? Was he as hard as Rick? Did Val crave Rick as much as Rick did him? Was he in there beating off to Rick’s image? His body clenched. That’s what he’d done when he showered. How could he not, as tight as he was? Watching Val work all day, seeing him stretched out on the floor as he napped… No sane man could resist…no sane gay man could resist. He had images of bending over Val’s body, unzipping those jeans and tugging them down until that long erection sprung free. He’d lick it up; he’d lick it down. “Jesus,” he softly swore and rubbed at his neck again. Coming in the shower had only whetted his appetite for 46

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more. He shouldn’t have returned with a beer for Val. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so bad off. But some instinct had driven him to extend the courtesy. Flowers…beer…same thing in Rick’s book. At least today. Seeing Val on the phone had momentarily shocked him back to reality. Learning it was Val’s sister chased away some of the suspicions that had flared to life. Val’s explanation was reasonable. At that point, Rick would probably forgive him anything. What he hadn’t liked was the frustration he’d heard in Val’s voice. He’d said he was doing the best he could against his better judgment. Then that smirk when he’d ended the call, like he’d gotten the last word for once and was proud of it. As one of the leaders of this little mission, Rick wanted to demand to know what the hell was going on. As a man whose physical wants had him literally by the balls, he wanted to tell Val that he’d help him do whatever he needed to do. He snapped upright when the door to their room opened. How long had he been standing here? Obviously long enough for Val to have showered. Val jumped a little, then stepped into the hallway next to him. His blond hair was darker from his shower. A wayward strand resisted combing and curled around Val’s earlobe. Rick clenched his fist to keep from tucking it back in place. The just-washed smell beckoned Rick closer. He fought the impulse with a will he didn’t know he possessed…and lost. They stood within inches of each other, watching, waiting. And in Rick’s case—pulsing, throbbing, aching, and all the 47

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other terminologies that existed for horny-as-hell-and-want-tofuck-him-now. A drop of water fell from Val’s hair onto his neck. Rick licked his lips as he watched it trickle down, longing to catch the droplet on the tip of his tongue. “You’re killing me right now,” Val said quietly. “You know that, don’t you?” Rick riveted his gaze back to Val’s green eyes. “I’m killing myself.” Lips parted, he eased closer to taste Val’s lips. A door opening down the hall yanked them apart. “We’re outside on the patio. I ordered carne asada for you. That okay?” “Sounds perfect.” Val fell in step beside him as Rick started walking. The couple who’d interrupted them darted around the two men. “Probably hoping to beat us to the restaurant,” Val mumbled. Judging from the blur of feet, Rick would have to agree. “They’re in for a surprise. Place is packed and they don’t take reservations. We were lucky. They pulled the last four tables together for us.” Val’s responding chuckle speared straight to Rick’s crotch. He caught the man’s elbow and pulled him to a gentle stop. “If there’s something wrong, you can tell me.” Rick wondered why he’d said that instead of doing what he really wanted—kissing him. “Your personal business,” he further explained. Val didn’t jerk away, didn’t avoid his gaze. He merely 48

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sighed. “It’s not exactly my personal business.” Rick brushed his thumb over Val’s elbow. “Your sister’s?” “Yes.” He nodded. “I promise it won’t interfere with this job. I’ll handle it afterward. Just help me get to Las Manas and I’ll take it from there.” Rick frowned. “You expect us to just leave you there?” Val gave a soft laugh. “I’m a big boy. You’re helping your sister. I have to help mine.” “Yes, but you’re helping me help mine. The least I can do is return the favor.” “And here I’d swear I was being paid.” Val’s smirk didn’t make his lips. “You know what I mean.” Val glanced away. “Yeah…I know. I need…” He pulled in a breath. “Give me some time to think about it. My sister was fairly specific that I tell no one and trust no one.” “I’d like to think that I’m not ‘no one.’” Val’s gaze clicked up to Rick’s once more. “You’re not.” His lips parted, moving closer. Rick slipped his hand against Val’s back, gently urging him closer still while he reveled in the flex of muscle beneath his fingers. They kissed on a sigh, soft, easy…just the touch of lip to lip, and yet it felt so much more intimate. Footsteps approaching pulled them apart. They glanced up to find the rushed couple staring at them. Rick braced himself for the inevitable homophobic tirade. They were in their late thirties or early forties and looked like what Rick called a successful power couple—attractive, outgoing, always in a 49

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hurry. She wore a white sundress whose halter-top squeezed her small breasts into deep cleavage. He wore pale yellow shorts and a knit top that made his tan look orange. Both were brown from the sun and would probably be regretting it years down the line. They stepped forward together, hand in hand, until they were barely a foot from Rick and Val. He prayed the man didn’t take a swing at them. “Would the two of you be interested in joining us”—the woman glanced around for eavesdroppers—“privately?” Tension seeped from Rick’s shoulders. Much better to be propositioned than attacked. He offered them a smile. “Thank you. I’m flattered that you’d ask. But I don’t do that anymore.” Their gaze shifted to Val. The fact Val didn’t look like a deer caught in the headlights impressed Rick. “What about you? We’d be happy with a threesome,” the man said. Val smiled as Rick had. “Thank you. But I’m more comfortable with twosomes and longer lasting relationships.” He was as gracious as Rick had been in his refusal. “We’re two doors down from you, if you should change your minds.” The man tilted a nod their way. “The door will be unlocked. Feel free to come right on in. There’s always room for more.” The couple smiled and walked on. “We’d better join the others,” Val said. “They’re probably wondering what the hell happened to us.” 50

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Judging from the sparks that had ignited when Rick and Val met, the other men wouldn’t wonder, they’d know…or think they knew. They might flash funny looks, but they’d keep their mouths shut. The food arrived as they reached the table. No one would go hungry tonight. Main dishes came with huge servings of rice and beans. Six-inch-tall tortilla warmers were interspersed with small platters of fruit, vegetables, and salsa. Empty beer bottles replaced full ones; pitchers of iced tea were a grasp away. A breeze rustled the leaves of the ceiba trees that ringed a clearing leading to a stretch of beach. Rick could just hear the waves kissing the sand. Strands of small white lights wove throughout the eaves. Citronella candles and a bug zapper surrounding the porch kept insects at bay. They could have been back in the States. No one was shy about digging in. Everyone knew they wouldn’t be eating this well—hell, they wouldn’t be eating good food at all—once they started out. Pre-packaged rations left a lot to be desired. “What’s the plan?” Jay shoved a forkful of rice into his mouth and glanced up at Rick. “I know you have one. You always have a plan.” Rick arched an eyebrow. “So you didn’t bother with one?” Jay smiled. “Why? Yours are always so much better. Besides, you’re the expert. That being said…let’s hear it.” Some expert. A stint in the Marine Corps and he knew his way around the area…and that was that. He carved into his 51

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carne asada with the edge of his fork, then popped the tender beef in his mouth. “We take the boat south following the route the other team took. Once we dock, we’ll rent another truck, buy some weapons, and head toward the team’s last known GPS coordinates. I presume that’s their original destination?” “Yeah.” Jay nodded and shoveled in more food. “The tribe they were assisting was right on the border. Ross Summerville reported back to us that there were only about thirty people left. That’s where they were when the signal died.” “I’m hoping this is a nothing trip and we’ll find them stranded but otherwise fine.” Rick expected disaster, but preferred an optimistic façade. “How many of our people went down there?” “Ten men and two women.” By the way Jay paused to chew his food and the sudden silence around the table, Rick had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what Jay was about to say. “Pia’s one of them.” “Goddamnit!” He slammed his fork down. It struck his spoon, sending it flying across the table. Scott ducked just in time. “Obviously your father didn’t tell you,” Jay said. “Obviously.” Scott tipped his beer to his lips. “What difference does it make? You still would have gone to find Naomi.” “I don’t like being blindsided.” He stabbed into his food. “Pia’s going to think this was for her benefit.” It wouldn’t surprise him to learn his grandfather had orchestrated this whole event for that reason alone. She’d 52

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paint Rick as her knight in shining armor, cling to him like mistletoe to a tree… “Who’s Pia?” Val focused on his plate while he asked the question. Alan Perez quickly supplied the answer. “It’s his fiancée.” His snicker died with Rick’s glare. “Sorry…just teasing.” “It’s no joke, and you damn well know it,” he snapped. “Pia’s not my fiancée. My grandfather’s been shoving her in my face for years, hoping linking us would link his company with the Salinas family.” And he’d been especially aggressive about it once Rick revealed he was gay. That revelation had been too much for August Ramone. He didn’t like it, so he pretended the truth didn’t exist. And Pia… God, every chance she got she was all over Rick. Like he was a conquest she had to make. The word no wasn’t in her vocabulary. Now this. The silence at the table grew awkward. Alan cleared his throat and shifted his gaze toward his plate. “Once we find a place to camp, I think it’d be a good idea if a few of us scouted forward to see what we can learn. I can take care of that.” “Good idea.” Ever the peacemaker, Jay’s voice was calm. “I don’t think I need to stress how careful we need to be. We can’t afford to trust too many people with what we’re doing or where we’re going. What about the fisherman whose boat you rented? What does he think?” “He thinks we’re eccentric Americans out for the hell of it. His biggest concern was that he and his crew be allowed to trawl for fish on the way. When I doubled his fee, he changed 53

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his mind. Kept asking if we were from Survivor. I let him think what he wanted. If it helps us get where we’re going faster, I’ll tell him I’m from outer space. He promised his top speed.” “Speaking of which…” Fork poised, Val looked at them from under his eyebrows. “I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I didn’t know we’d be going out on a boat.” “Sorry,” Jay said. “I honestly didn’t think about anything but getting here. I was content to leave the logistics to Rick. Is there a problem?” “I…uhm…get seasick.” Alan cleared his throat. “Yeah…me, too,” he sheepishly admitted. “Is it that different than a plane?” Hector Morales asked from the end of the table. All eyes turned his way. This wasn’t looking good. “How many of you have never been on a boat out in the ocean?” Rick asked. Everyone raised their hand except for Scott. The silence this time was awful. There wasn’t even the sound of fork to plate to cut it. “How bad can being seasick be?” Hector asked. “Bad,” Val said. “You’ll wish you were dead. You pray for it.” Hector’s bushy eyebrows furrowed. He looked like he wanted to cry. Rick turned up his palms. “I’m sorry, guys. Flying’s out. The equipment alone makes it not feasible and with tourist 54

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season…” Rick shut up before he blasted Jay for bringing all that crap. He had enough stuff to start his own village. United front, his conscience reminded him. Yeah, his conscience wasn’t responsible for transportation either. Although it sure would guilt him if everyone was puking their guts out tomorrow. Jay wiped his mouth and tossed the paper napkin beside his plate. “Let me see what I can do. I’ll ask at the desk first. With all the cruise ships and tourists, there might be a way to get some scopolamine patches. If that fails and the worst happens, I can give a shot to stop vomiting. It’ll knock you out, but that would be the best I could do and I’d do that as a last resort. We need everyone alert.” “Trust me,” Val said. “If anyone gets seasick, they won’t be alert. I’d compare it to the worst drunk you’ve ever had, without the benefit of being drunk to dull the agony. You will want to die.” Though Rick had never suffered that fate, he’d seen towering hulks of men cave under it. Alternately pasty-faced, then pale green, they’d spend a voyage with their heads over the rail…and be completely useless. It put any team he was running at its most vulnerable. Rick had lost sight of the fact he wasn’t dealing with an elite cadre of professionals. These were ordinary men on a hunt for missing friends—skilled outdoorsmen at the most. “Going out alone at night isn’t wise. Please take someone if you have to leave the premises,” he told Jay. “The last thing we need is to have you hurt or locked up in a Honduran jail on 55

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drug charges, even if the drug you’re looking for is scopolamine patches.” “I’ll check up front first.” The wooden chair legs scraped the cement floor as Jay stood. “Be right back.” The men weren’t so enthusiastic about eating now. The prospect of it all coming back up in the morning diminished their appetites. “How long have your people been missing?” Val shoved his half-empty plate away and reached for his beer. “Almost a week.” The thought turned his stomach. Anything could have happened. Hell, they could have all been killed from the outset. Rick tried not to think along those lines. Each time he imagined Naomi lying dead in the rain forest panic set in. It was clear he was the leader here. He didn’t have the luxury of breaking down. Other lives depended on him remaining levelheaded. Val took a drink. “That’s a lot a rain forest to search when you only have a vague idea of where they might be.” Rick allowed himself a smile. “We know their last location. These guys might not be much on the water, but they’re some of the best trackers around.” “Footprinters?” Val’s eyebrow arched with his question. “A similar organization,” Alan replied. “We decided to form our volunteer group at work one day. August heard about it, loved the idea, and saw we were trained at company expense. We assist in search and rescue whenever necessary and are proud to be able to do so.” And Ramone Import/Exports reaped the PR benefits. Rick 56

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hated to diminish the action, but his grandfather never did anything without a reason, without it benefitting him or the company. The others nodded at Alan’s words, humble as always. “And excellent at what they do or they wouldn’t be here.” Rick meant it. Although the money they were being paid had its incentives, he understood they’d all volunteered before they realized they’d be paid. Rick swore he saw Val’s cheeks redden. Something was definitely up with him, and Rick was determined to find out what that was. Jay swung back into his seat before Rick could suggest he and Val take a walk. He smiled and scuffed his hands together. “Success! We’ll have the patches first thing in the morning.” He glanced Val’s way. “It’s always embarrassing when the nurse remembers what the doctor forgets. Keep doing it.” Laughter floated around the table. Val’s was half-hearted. “I think I’ll take a walk on the beach…relax a little before bed.” Val shoved away from the table and was off before anyone could say a word. “Shouldn’t someone go with him?” Alan braced his palms on the table and craned his neck around. He looked ready to launch himself after the man. “In a second.” Rick took a slug of beer. “Jay, you know anything about this trip he needs to make to Las Manas?” He shook his head. “Only that he wanted us to help get him there and then leave.” That wasn’t going to happen. They might get Val there, but Rick would be damned if they left him alone. 57

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“Judging from a brief telephone conversation I caught between him and his sister when I went back to the room, I’d say it’s family business.” “Like us?” Scott asked. “Maybe they have family in this mess of ours.” Rick shook his head. “Not if he’s going to Las Manas.” “Maybe he knows something we don’t,” Hector said. The others nodded. That was obvious, but Rick doubted it was about their mission. “I think it’s time I found out exactly what’s going on.” This time he wouldn’t take no for an answer. *

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The guilt was awful. Val sat on a patch of cool sand, knees to chest, arms wrapped around them as he stared at the ocean. Opening with a lie was clearly no way to start any relationship—business or personal. And he wanted both with Rick. He wanted to blame Ginny for his predicament, but he was the one who’d agreed. He was the one who’d lied and continued to do so. He was the one who put Rick’s team in danger by not giving them the extra medical assistance they might need. This wasn’t a camp out. This was serious business. God only knew what they’d be faced with. Where the hell had his head been? He was a grown man and yet he’d let Ginny’s panic, her tears, her impatience, her love for her kids sway him into stupidity. How could he be sure she’d even 58

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talked with their mother? By her own admission, Ginny was desperate. It stopped here…now. He’d pull Rick, Jay, and Scott aside…maybe in the privacy of their room…and tell them the truth. It still wouldn’t give them the nurse they needed, but Val would offer the limited services he had at his disposal…without pay. It was a small price to pay to regain his self-respect. He hoped the confession wouldn’t cost him more. If so, he’d only have himself to blame. He shoved to his feet, brushed the sand off his ass, and walked back to the restaurant. He met Rick halfway. “I need to talk to you three,” he said. “I’ll be in the room waiting.” He continued on without another word. Val wanted to tell this story one time and get it out, not rehash it a thousand times over. It didn’t take long for Rick to return with Jay and Scott in tow. Val watched them troop into the room and waited to sit until they’d done so. This was going to be hard enough. He didn’t want to be the only one sitting if they were standing, and vice versa. Each selected a spot on the end of the beds, leaving the only chair for Val. All eyes locked onto him. He let his gaze drift from man to man, pulled in a breath, and started. “I am Val Lancaster, but I’m not a nurse. The nursing credentials belong to my sister Virginia…Ginny.” “What were you doing with them?” Jay asked calmly. “She gave them to me when she asked me to try for this job.” 59

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Jay’s frown deepened. “I don’t understand. It wasn’t common knowledge that we were setting up this team. How could she have found out about it?” “She heard about it at the hospital where she’s a patient.” Jay nodded. “That makes sense. I passed word at area hospitals.” “Why is she in the hospital?” Rick leaned forward, forearms on knees. “She and her husband were living in Honduras with their children. He was with the State Department. Within the last year, Norman became involved with the drug cartel. Something with his arrangement went wrong. He was killed, Ginny beaten and left for dead on the side of the road, and their two kids taken. A priest found her on the roadside and helped her get back to the States. Our mother is in Tegus trying to work through diplomatic channels to find the kids. She’s been in contact with the priest and knows where they are. She wants me to get them and bring them to her. Apparently, diplomacy is…slow.” Jay stared at him, not blinking, not breathing. Val waited for the inevitable anger to erupt. He deserved the tirade. Jay released a shuddering breath. “Why couldn’t you have trusted me from the start?” “Ginny said the cartel has ears everywhere, not to trust anyone. She was afraid they’d take the kids and go somewhere else…or worse. You wanted a nurse. I wasn’t one. I really thought the chances were slim to none that I’d get the job. I’d started out to placate her. Then I saw the other applicants—” 60

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Jay snorted. “Or the lack thereof. When I finally saw you sitting there…well, frankly, I would have taken you if you’d only had a merit badge in first aid.” Val let his head drop with his laughter. Ironic. “I’m CPR and first aid certified. I recertify annually.” “What made you decide to trust us now?” Scott asked. Val met his steady stare. “In a nutshell, I’m not good at lying and the enormity of the situation was overwhelming. I had to have been out of my mind to let Ginny talk me into this. Now that I’m here, I can’t do it on my own. The very nature of what you’re doing indicates I can trust you.” “And the fact he’s Rick Ramone,” Scott jerked his thumb toward Rick. “It doesn’t hurt, but it has no bearing on my decision. My big sister needed my help. So, against my better judgment, I agreed. In the end, my better judgment brought me to this point with all of you.” He stabbed the air for emphasis. “I’m no liar and it was stupid of me to think I could try, even for my sister. I’m more than willing to continue on with you with no pay.” “That won’t be necessary.” Jay’s voice was barely audible. He cleared his throat. “As I said, considering the other applicants, once I saw you I would have been happy with a merit badge.” “You’re fit, you’re competent, you’re here, you’re in,” Rick added. “Thanks for understanding.” “Thanks for your honesty.” 61

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And now the room was too crowded. Val wanted Jay and Scott gone, wanted to wrap his arms around Rick and really thank him. “We’d better get some sleep.” Scott stood and stripped his shirt off. “We’ve got an early morning and a long trip tomorrow.” No one argued that point. Jay and Scott each took a bed while Val and Rick rolled their sleeping bags open onto the floor, side by side. In minutes, they were down to their skivvies, more or less. Val had another boner from hell. There was no way he was doffing his jeans until the lights were out. Judging from the wedge lifting Rick’s jeans, the feeling was mutual. Val tried not to stare. It was impossible considering how much he wanted the man. Rick enjoyed a slow perusal of Val’s body, lingering on his bare feet. A smile lifted one corner of his mouth. Val wanted to cover it with kisses. Jay snapped the lamp off and plunged them into semidarkness. Val pulled his jeans off and had to smile when he heard Rick do the same, then they crawled into their respective sleeping bags. Val lay there staring at the shadows cast on the ceiling from the security light shining through a sliver of curtain. Soon he heard measured breathing from the beds; Jay and Scott were sound asleep. The bag beside him rustled. Val glanced that way and saw Rick’s silhouette. He was hoisted on his elbow watching him. Val rolled toward him, mirroring his position. They reached for each other at the same time, lips meeting as their hands touched the hard surface of their chests. 62

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Val opened his mouth, catching Rick’s tongue as he offered it. They plunged into the heat of each other’s mouth on sharp intakes of breath and tugged closer. A hot hand breached Val’s boxers, cupping his ass. He thrust his cock forward, raking it over Rick’s stomach. Rick’s muffled moan froze them. This wasn’t the time or place. They weren’t alone. But it was one hell of a nice start.

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CHAPTER 5 Hands braced on hips, Rick scanned their new campsite and deemed himself satisfied. It’d been a long day, but they’d managed it seamlessly and in record time. No seasickness, no delays, nothing but smooth all the way. He wasn’t fool enough to be complacent. A truck had been waiting at the docks for them, along with the weapons Rick had requested. Things could go to hell in a heartbeat, as he well knew. But for now, he’d enjoy the moment. They were about five miles from the border, camped next to a small lake with a gentle waterfall that would let them bathe the sweat away. This was the point from which the previous party had launched—a well-used staging area and 64

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considered fairly safe from what he could glean. A quick perimeter check confirmed that. Hector and Alan now scouted farther. Last known coordinates of the previous team were within two miles of their current location. Rick had found no signs of struggle, death, or anything to raise alarm. The clearing was trampled flat, devoid of vegetation. Charred pits from campfires dotted the area among muddied footprints, holes from tent stakes, and minor debris of human habitation. Truck tire tracks paralleled their own. Large tents now occupied the area. Each contained cots, camp stools, screening, and mosquito nets. The stake-bed truck had allowed them to pack in everything Jay brought with barely room for the men. Somehow they’d managed, though Rick came close to leaving more than half the stuff back on the docks. Val had stepped in and organized the loading. Rick swore he could pack twenty pounds of shit in a one-pound bag. In fact…he had. Rick smiled and continued his scan. The lake and waterfall were just beyond a line of trees, out of sight but still near. A well-established path led to the water and around the shore to a cave behind the waterfall. Caves littered the area, some hidden behind centuries of growth, some underground with only inches of earth between safety and death. They’d need to be watchful and keep to established trails when possible. Some of the men took advantage of what little privacy the small cave provided, washing off behind the waterfall, while the others stood watch or finished set-up. Rick had found stone benches built into the cave sides and 65

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back. The cave had obviously been home to many people over the years, perhaps even the tribe his sister had come to help. If someone wasn’t looking, it couldn’t be found. It’d make a great hiding place…if it came to that. Rick prayed it wouldn’t. He wanted in and out. They were as prepared as they could get. “Water’s cold, but it feels good.” Scott walked his way as he towel-dried his blond hair. Drops of water still clung to his smooth chest. His jeans rode low on his hips. He’d dropped weight fast since they’d received the news Naomi was missing. Last night was the first time Rick had seen him take the time to eat, and he had a feeling the action had been merely to give Scott something to do. “I’m heading there now,” he said. “Jay said the medical tent’s set up and ready.” Scott jerked his chin toward the cottage tent in the middle of their camp. “Let’s just hope it’s a precaution we don’t need.” Rick knew the chances of that were slim to none. He’d never been on any mission that someone hadn’t gotten hurt. “I won’t be long.” He gathered fresh clothes, soap, and towel and set out for the lake. The men he passed along the way nodded, but said nothing. They could bullshit with the best of them, but Rick couldn’t say any of them were real talkers. That was a plus when they were on a job like this. Talking was a distraction when every sense needed to be on alert. Jay jerked his head to the side, ear cocked, when Rick came up behind him. “Good.” Jay gave final tug of his 66

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bootlace and stood. “I didn’t want to leave Val by himself.” Rick glanced at the waterfall. A golden god stood beneath the gentle cascade. His jaw dropped. His cock saluted, pushing its randy head toward the waistband of his woodland cammie trousers for a look of its own. “Later.” Jay clapped him on the shoulder and headed up the trail to camp. Rick was barely conscience of nodding in reply. He was locked in place, mesmerized by the sight of Val’s hands scouring soapsuds over his sculpted body. Over those pecs that looked like twin mesas. Down the ripples of his washboard stomach. Under his arms where the hair looked like spun gold and down to its match at his pubis. He was perfect head to toe. Great feet. This was a person who really took care of himself. Rick squeezed his erection while he watched Val soap his flaccid penis. It lifted into the stroke, giving a hint of what his cock would look like fully aroused. Val tilted his face into the water. It fell over him in a smooth curtain that rinsed the suds away. Like it worshipped him. Like Rick did. He longed for his hands to replace Val’s. To feel the strength and texture of those muscles etched so perfectly into his body. Val raised his arms and slicked his blond hair back. Then he opened his green eyes. His gaze widened when he saw Rick standing at the far edge of the lake watching him. His cock burst to life, cutting a path in the curtain of water that surrounded the man. They stood like that for what seemed an eternity before Rick managed to push enough blood into 67

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the head on his shoulders to move. He kept his gaze locked onto Val until Val ducked back and into the cave behind him. Rick quickened his step and prayed his erection didn’t trip him. They’d spent the night as close to each other as possible, yet unable to do anything more because of the other two men in the room. Touch of any kind was forbidden after the kiss that scored through Rick and ripped a groan from his throat. At the time, he didn’t know how he’d survive the night as hard as he was. Then he worried about the day to come, how he’d be able to function wanting Val as much as he did. Fortunately, his responsibilities helped keep him locked in place. But now? Temptation was too much. If he stepped behind that waterfall and found Val already dressed, he’d tear the clothes away and wrap his hand tight around that beautiful dick. He’d gouge his fingers into the clefts of Val’s ass and yank him close until the fire from their hard-ons erupted in a pyroclastic flow of jism. He jogged along the hard-packed path around the lake, each footstep pounding impressions into the dark brown earth. When he reached the slick rock ledge that led to the cave, Rick slowed to keep from losing his step. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. What if Val had dressed? What if he’d changed his mind and decided he didn’t want him? What if… Rick ducked behind the veil of water. Val’s smile greeted him. He was just hauling up his jeans, getting ready to hide that gorgeous length of flesh. Rick couldn’t help himself. He tossed his gear onto the stone bench. Two strides put him 68

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before Val. He curled his fingers over the other man’s hands. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Not yet.” He shoved Val’s jeans and shorts out of the way. His erection surged hot and heavy into Rick’s hands. A gasped groan closed Val’s eyes and opened his mouth. Rick covered it quickly, lashing his tongue against Val’s as he swooped his thumbs over Val’s hard balls, his fingers around his penis. Val thrust into the caress and grappled for Rick’s zipper. His hands were steady, confident, much more so than Rick’s frantic grasp seconds before. Cool fingers raked down his zipper and plunged into his crotch. Val slid his other hand under Rick’s T-shirt and lightly pinched his nipple. Rick yanked his lips off Val’s mouth on a hard groan. Sweet shocks zinged across his skin. Val fisted Rick’s T-shirt and yanked it up. He hated like hell to break the hold he had on Val’s cock, but also hated the thin cotton keeping them apart. Smothering a growl of frustration, he peeled the T-shirt off and tossed it to the bench with his other things. Val used the temporary distraction to push Rick’s cammies and shorts down to his knees. He wiggled his hand between Rick’s thighs, cupping his tight sac, then kneading his balls while his middle finger explored his ass. A surge of heat burned his dick from root to tip. Rick fought the rise and cradled Val’s cock in his hand. Val’s muffled groan sent more shudders of delight through him. He traced the under-ridge to his glans, then smeared the pre-cum around the crown. 69

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“God,” Rick gasped out, “I want to do everything to you all at once.” Val pressed his lips together, then moistened them with the tip of his tongue and captured Rick’s mouth. Rick matched the heat, swirling his tongue with Val’s as he clutched the man’s butt cheeks. Val’s finger probed Rick’s ass again. Rick ran his hand down Val’s crack, seeking the same. It was awkward, and so hot Rick could barely stand not to come. They realized the futility of the maneuver at the same time, laughing into the kiss that still welded them together. Foreheads butted together, they cupped each other’s ass. Their erections pressed together, hot, hard yet velvety smooth. Drops of pre-cum dotted Rick’s stomach, his and Val’s mingling. They stayed locked like that while one kiss after the other stoked their need for more…more. As if by simultaneous command, they started to rock into each other. Cocks glided in perfect rhythm, like they’d done this a thousand times before instead of this being their first. Rick’s balls were as hard as the rest of him, tightening with every stroke. Sweat slickened their chests, despite the cool water that misted over them. Hard nipples nudged against his, adding to the fire and his desperate need to come. He felt the flex of Val’s ass beneath his fingers as Val fought to hang on. Rick did the same. Knowing Val stayed with him. He broke off their kiss on another grunted growl. “God, I can’t… I’m gonna…” 70

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Val pivoted hard and let loose, and Rick came, too. Hot jets of semen spurted from them in waves he thought would never end. Once…twice…and a third time they emptied themselves, rubbing ejaculate over their stomachs with bodies and hands as they pulled in deep breaths of air. Finally, the fire faded, leaving only the glow. Soft kisses replaced frenzied ones. Smiling, they rubbed noses—Eskimo kisses—something he’d never done with anyone else. It tugged at Rick’s heart. Reluctantly, they pulled apart, laughing again as the sticky semen smeared over their torsos. Together they cupped water and washed each other, then alternately took turns licking the remains. Val delved lower, tongue feathering toward Rick’s cock. It lifted to meet him, hungry for more. “Rick!” Hector’s shout jerked them apart. They scrambled for clothes. “Rick! Quick! Alan’s been shot!” “Fuck!” Rick hauled his cammies up and yanked his socks on, then stabbed his feet into his boots. “Go!” Val said. “I’ll get your gear and be right behind you. Jay’s gonna need help.” Adrenaline coupled with a surge of testosterone pumped through his veins, helping him dress and hurry him on. Rick barely heard Val’s feet pounding the path behind him. He was too busy cursing himself for letting his guard down. He’d depended on others to assure him the place was safe. Not good. These people were amateurs. He was the one with more training. He was the one who should have known better. Val darted past him and on to the med tent when they 71

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reached camp. Even though he was mere steps behind him, by the time Rick got to the tent Val was already giving Alan a shot to numb the wound, while Jay prepared to… What? Blood soaked Alan’s olive drab T-shirt that now lay cut in two on the floor of the tent. Rick could see the wound sliced over his arm. He’d never seen the big bear of a man look so pale. He shook from head to toe, gasping for breath. Even his thick pelt of chest hair quivered. “How is he?” Rick took a step closer, then stopped when Jay lifted his hand. “It’s a graze,” Jay said. “Won’t even require stitches, though I know it hurts like hell.” “I…I…” Alan gasped. “I think I pissed myself.” “I would have, too,” Rick freely admitted. “Jay and Val will take care of you. You’re safe. Just take one deep breath and calm yourself.” Alan nodded and did so. He glanced to where Val cleaned the wound, lips trembling in the attempt to smile. “Can’t even feel it anymore.” “Thank God for lidocaine,” Val said. “Once it wears off you’ll be feeling it again.” “At least the bullet didn’t tear through muscle or become lodged in you,” Jay added. “These aren’t the most sterile of conditions and transportation out could be tricky.” Tricky, hell. It’d be nonexistent since taking him out would leave the rest of them stranded and in danger. If one went, they all did. Rick held his breath while he waited for Jay’s declaration 72

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that they should leave now. Jay always erred on the side of caution. Rick didn’t know why in the world he’d agreed to this trip. To his surprise, Jay kept his mouth shut. “What happened, Alan?” That should help take his mind off things. “Hector and I were fanning out. We got separated. GPS was working, so I wasn’t worried and kept looking for signs.” Alone…in the rain forest? Rick bit back the urge to chew them both out for being stupid. “Thought I’d found a fresh trail. I heard what sounded like a firecracker, then realized it was a gunshot. Then I felt the sting in my arm and looked down.” He swallowed. “Hector burst through the trees a few minutes later and hustled me back here.” Odd that no one heard the gunshot, but then the heavy brush did have a tendency to swallow sound, and several of them had been at the lake. The waterfall would have masked the sound, too. “How far out do you think you were?” Rick asked. “About a mile, maybe two.” He rubbed a shaking hand down his face. “I can’t remember. Rick…I didn’t sign up to get shot at.” Not much he could say in response that wouldn’t come off badly. These men weren’t prepared for the rigors of tropical rain forest. None of them were; their expertise lay in California mountains. “I’m going to take some men and do a sweep to see what I can find.” 73

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Jay glanced up from his patient. “Be careful. I don’t want to deal with any more bullet wounds.” That made two of them. He shoved the screened flap to one side and strode outside. With a wave of his arm, Rick motioned the men to gather up. “Take me to where he was shot, Hector.” No one hurried. Rick could feel the fear. Hell, he could smell it. These men were trackers, not soldiers. He was depending on them to help find Naomi and the others. They were depending on him to keep them alive. And he’d damn near failed before they set out. Too many minutes later they were on their way, rifles slung over their shoulders. The weight of heat and humidity dragged the team down fast. The path was tangled, overgrown, and in some places completely obliterated. He kept the men at a pace he hoped wouldn’t kill them—slow and quiet. God only knew who watched from the thick rain forest. He imagined eyes everywhere, watching from the shadows. He hated like hell not having Val and Scott by his side right now. Both were dependable as hell. Odd that he’d feel that way so quickly about Val when he knew these men surrounding him much better. Maybe that was the problem—he knew them and their limits all too well. Val had already displayed the characteristics of a good leader as well as a team player, and he balanced the roles well. But Jay needed him back at camp to help him with Alan. Val also had someone else depending on the success of his later mission. Rick wouldn’t do anything 74

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to jeopardize that. As for Scott…Naomi needed him, pure and simple. If something went wrong now, someone had to get to her. Despite Jay’s dedication, Rick wasn’t sure he had the right stuff to forge on. Jay would insist they go back. Scott would go on, at any cost. Two opposite ends of the spectrum. Maybe Val could be that happy medium between the two. Again, placing a lot of faith in a man he’d just met. A man who’d lied about his true purpose at the beginning. But he told you before the end of the day, his conscience reminded. A man he’d be mentoring the next few months and should keep at arm’s length. So great to have a strong something in common—personally and professionally. And Val was hot as hell. The brief encounter behind the waterfall wasn’t enough. He had a feeling a lifetime wouldn’t quell the ache either, but he sure as hell wanted to give it a try. Barely two days and he was already falling hard for the guy. Nothing before had ever felt more right. Like he’d been waiting for Val all his life. He pulled in a hard breath to ease the erection that started to lead the way—a combination of adrenaline, fear, and lust— and trudged onward. He had to stay focused. One misstep could very well be their last. Drug cartel or soldiers in the thick trees. Stepping on an old landmine that had never been retrieved. Even falling into one of those subterranean caves so prevalent throughout the region. How in the hell had he allowed himself to be talked into this rescue trip? There had to have been better ways to find their people. Rick couldn’t believe Ross wouldn’t have had a 75

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backup GPS locator. Rick had one. So did Scott. The trackers, too. He’d be willing to bet Val did as well. And Ross prepared for everything. It didn’t make sense. Should have thought of that sooner. Too late now. Within two hours, they were crouched on a low wooded rise looking down at the remains of the Indian village. It looked close, though it was really a half-mile away. A clearing surrounded the village—land stolen from the jungle for farming—and now left them an open target. Most of their small shacks were toppled, either razed to drive the occupants out or collapsed under the weight of neglect. Only a few remained to house the men in ragged woodland camouflaged clothing who milled about; automatic rifles slung over their shoulders. They could be drug runners or soldiers; it was impossible to tell and Rick wasn’t about to go down there and ask. Small crates sat in the open, clearly marked as medical supplies and food. Left by the previous team or brought in by the men to house weapons and drugs? Whoever these men were, they paid little attention to their surroundings, laughing from time to time, smoking cigarettes, napping, clearly unconcerned. On the perimeter of the village two armed sentries strolled their posts, paying more attention to the monkeys squawking overhead than anything else. Every once in a while one of them would take a shot, laughing when the monkeys shrieked and headed for cover. Wonder how they’d like it? It was more than tempting to take a couple of potshots of his own. “What do you suppose happened to the villagers?” Hector 76

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whispered. “I don’t know,” Rick replied, “and I’m not sure how to find out.” “All I see is soldiers. Maybe the villagers and our people managed to escape.” “Yeah, but to where?” In the silence behind them a twig snapped, followed by thrashing brush as someone ran off. “Shit,” Rick swore. “After him. And no shooting. All we need is to have those men after us. Try to surround whoever it is.” From the noise the person made trying to get away, it was apparent they weren’t dealing with a soldier. Fifty yards into the chase, their prey stumbled and fell. “No tire. No tire.” Spanish for, “Don’t shoot.” An elderly man lay on the ground, rheumy eyes wide with fear as he shook his hands before him to ward them off. Rick and Hector reached down to help him to his feet. “We won’t hurt you.” Rick brushed leaves and dirt off the old man’s back. His light gray shirt and trousers had grown dark with sweat and dirt. Scuffed Nikes, holes worn in the toes, were held onto his feet with duct tape. “We’re here to find the Americans who were in the village below.” The old man’s face brightened. “You! A Dios. I speak English. I am Lonzo.” They introduced themselves. “She say you come. She say I know you safe. A Dios. A Dios.” He crossed himself and pressed his gnarled hands 77

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before him in prayer, casting a reverent gaze to the treetops. “Who said?” Rick asked. “The other lady, not the one who look like you.” His smile faltered. “You are friends of the Americans who were here?” “Yes.” Rick nodded and pulled a twig from the man’s sparse gray hair. So, Pia had told this man to look for them, not Naomi. How the hell could Pia know they were coming? “Good. There was another earlier. I shoot with gun she leave. She say I know who safe. No him.” “Where’s the gun now?” “I run. I drop.” “Can you tell us what happened and where they’ve gone?” Lonzo clasped his hands together and cast his eyes heavenward. “Like angels of mercy your people. Bring us food, help sick. Then the soldiers come with niños. They say we leave or else. We go. I no move so fast. I fall and tell them go. Be safe. No one hurt. I keep that way. Keep people safe. She give me gun. Tell me help on way. That I know. I see you. I know you help.” Rick closed his eyes and breathed a prayer of thanks that everyone seemed to be all right. “Do you know where everyone was headed when they left here?” “Refugee camp. Not far,” he replied. “Good walk, quick drive.” “Lonzo, we’ll find your people.” Rick squeezed his bony shoulder. “For now you’ll return with us to enjoy a warm meal and a safe bed.” “Gracías, señor.” He clasped his hands to the heavens 78

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once more. With Lonzo along, the trek back to camp took twice as long and night was closing upon them when they returned. The men were hot, exhausted, and hungry. The small campfire and tents never looked better. The thought of stepping beneath that cool waterfall, even sweeter, but nightfall made doing so foolhardy. The last thing they needed was to run afoul of a wild animal. Rick would lose all of them at that point, except for Val and Scott. Staying within the safety of the campfires was the wisest course. Dinner was going to be field rations, but no one complained, especially not the old man. To him, it was a feast. While they settled around the fire to eat and find Lonzo a cot for the night, Rick walked on to the medical tent to check on Alan. Val and Scott were bent over a miniscule chessboard, playing by Coleman lantern. Jay sat on the edge of his cot monitoring the game. They all looked up and smiled when he stepped in. “You made it,” Jay said. “I was beginning to wonder if I was going to wind up with more patients tonight.” “Or if we were going to have to send a search party out for you,” Scott added. “You were gone a long time. Everything okay?” Rick sank into the folding chair and started to brief them on events. The canvas groaned with his weight and he prayed it wouldn’t break. He watched a mix of emotion pass over their faces—relief that their people were presumably safe 79

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followed by confusion over Pia’s actions. But none of them responded with questions or opinions of their own. They’d head out at first light. No discussion was necessary. “How’s Alan?” he asked. “He’ll be all right,” Jay said. “Once I got him cleaned up, I discovered the wound was a little deeper than I’d hoped. A few stitches took care of it. It could have been much worse, Rick. Nothing good ever came of having guns. Lonzo’s wild shot could’ve killed.” Rick rubbed his fingers over his eyes. He didn’t need Jay telling him something he already knew. “Do you want to be without defense if we’re attacked, Jay? The cartel’s soldiers aren’t the only danger here. What would you do if a jaguar came at you?” “You’ve put guns in the hands of men who barely know how to use them. Which do you think is worse?” He shoved to his feet. “I’m going to check on this old man you’ve brought home.” He made it sound like Lonzo was nothing more than a stray mongrel. The slight pissed Rick off. Where the hell was Jay’s compassion? Back in the States in his comfy office? “Here…” Val nudged his arm, and Rick looked over to see a packet of food. “I cooked dinner.” The lantern highlighted Val’s smirk. “I hope you like Italian.” Rick chuckled. The label on the foil packet read Spaghetti and Meatballs. “What? No dessert?” Val tossed him another packet—peach cobbler. “Sorry, no 80

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candelight.” Rick stretched his legs out before him and ripped open the entrée. “Coleman will do.” “You look half dead,” Scott said. He should talk. Dark half moons held up his reddened eyes. Whiskers shadowed gaunt cheeks. He looked…scary. Naomi was going to have a piece of Rick’s ass when she saw Scott. Her last order was for them to take care of each other. Rick prayed it wasn’t her last directive and they’d find her safe and sound tomorrow. He’d gladly take a little bitching from her. “I’ll admit I’m beat,” he finally said. “Go on…finish your game.” He motioned to the chessboard. Scott managed a half-hearted laugh and slapped his thighs as he stood. “I was actually trying to figure out how I could knock the board down so I wouldn’t have to admit defeat. We’re one for one on our other games.” “Only by sheer luck and the skin of my teeth.” Val laughed lightly while he put the tiny game away. Scott clapped Rick on the shoulder. “You should think about getting some sleep. You could use it. I’m going to see if Jay needs any help with our new arrival, then try to follow my own advice.” “He’s one heck of nice guy.” Val stuffed the board and chess pieces into a plastic bag and squeezed the zippered part closed. “Very nice,” Rick said around a mouthful of food. “You’ve been together from the start. Make a great 81

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team…partners.” Rick wondered if there was a hidden question in there. “Yes, he’s engaged to my sister. He’s not gay, if that’s what you’re asking.” He scowled at Val. “You’re not asking, are you?” Val laughed lightly. “No, I thought I made it clear earlier today where my interest lies. I know he’s not gay. I also know he and Naomi are engaged.” He spanned the distance between them and placed his hand on Rick’s knee. “I wasn’t asking anything. I was admiring your teamwork and camaraderie.” “Oh…” Rick glanced up and shrugged. “Sorry…tired and jumped to conclusions.” Val curved an eyebrow his way. “Don’t worry. You’re the only man for me. Come on…” He patted Rick’s thigh and stood. “It’s time to call it a night. I’ll walk you home.” He didn’t phrase it in the form of a request, and since they were sharing a tent… Val peeled back the screen and held it open for Rick. “If you’re really nice, maybe I’ll rub your back.” “Maybe I’ll let you,” he shot back. Val snickered. “Probably won’t be as good as Pia could do.” Rick groaned. “Ah, man, don’t tease me. You don’t know what it’s like.” “To be completely irresistible? Not a clue. I’m just one of the many who bask in the wonder that is you.” “Stop.” Laughing, he vaulted to his feet. “Could I just say that my grandfather is big on arranged marriages and leave it 82

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at that?” “Fair enough.” Val tilted a nod his way. “It must really kill him that you’re gay.” “He’s pretending he never heard me tell him.” Rick stepped from the tent. Val inhaled deeply when he walked by. It felt like he’d drawn in Rick’s soul. Goose bumps sprouted down Rick’s back and it was all he could do not to swing around and pull Val close. “He won’t be able to ignore what’s right before his eyes. As for Pia…she’s going to realize she doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting near you. Mind you, I’m not the jealous type, but what’s mine is mine. No one fucks with that. Except me, of course.” “Of course,” Rick added with a smile. “And…right back at you.” Rick had never wanted anyone more. He wanted to lay in the comfort of Val’s arms and forget everything else for the rest of their lives. He’d given up hope years ago of ever finding a true partner, someone he could share everything with. Now, here he was, in his life when Rick least expected. They walked across the camp in perfect time to one another. He wanted to lace his fingers through Val’s, bring them up to brush over his lips, kiss him, hold him so tight the whole world would see. Unfortunately, the whole world didn’t want to see. And those in camp sure as hell didn’t, no matter how accepting they might say they were. Val opened the flap on their tent, then quickly zipped it closed once they were inside, before the mosquitoes could 83

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swarm in. He flicked a switch on the small battery-operated lantern at the entrance. Soft yellow lighting cast shadows around the interior. The cots were small, draped in netting, and about a foot off the ground…and seemed miles apart. Rick eased onto his cot and finished picking at the food in his packet. It wasn’t the best, but he’d sure had worse, much worse. “How old are your sister’s children?” Val stretched his long frame out on his cot and tucked the thin pillow under his head. “Six and four. A boy and a girl. They must be scared to bits right now. Ginny’s been crazy with worry trying to get them back. Obviously, I’m just as insane for going along with her scheme. Guess it runs in the family since this was all supposedly our Mom’s idea.” Rick crinkled the empty foil packet into a ball, then opened the peach cobbler. “You were one hell of an asset to Jay today, far beyond what I’d expect of someone who’s certified in first aid.” “I was the only one who was able to give my dad chemo shots.” He sat up and tugged at his bootlaces. “My brothers and sister, even my mom, couldn’t do it.” He gave a small laugh. “They wouldn’t try either. Me?” He shrugged. “It was my dad. I would have done anything to help him.” “Did he make it?” The boots clunked to the ground. “No.” Val upended the boots on the small posts at the bottom of the cot—a precaution against scorpions that might want to set up home there overnight. “He died last year.” “I lost my mom, too. Heart attack,” Rick softly replied. 84

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“Hard.” “Yep.” Nothing more they could say on the subject would have greater impact than those few words. Rick sealed his empty packets in a garbage bag. “I’m going to refill my canteens for the night. Need anything?” “No, I’m set.” Val hoisted himself to his elbows before Rick could walk out. “You blame yourself for Alan being shot, don’t you?” His shoulders sagged. Val had great instincts. They’d serve him well in the years to come. “I do,” he said without turning around. “Don’t. Alan was patrolling. You were here. There’s nothing you could have done other than be with him when it happened. And you know better than anyone else that you can’t be in two places at the same time. Lonzo was a frightened old man. He would have shot no matter what. Just count our blessings he didn’t kill Alan and that those cartel soldiers didn’t hear it.” He was right. The knowledge lifted the weight off Rick’s conscience. “Thanks. I appreciate that, too. I’ll be right back.” By the time he returned, Val had stripped down for the night. He lay there under the mosquito netting, soft yellow light bathing his tan skin in worship. A hard-on tented his boxers. He raked his fingers through his hair, digging furrows through the gold as he yawned. That broad, beautiful chest begged Rick’s tongue to trace it. Rick zipped the tent flaps closed. The open screened 85

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windows, small as they were, pulled the night breeze through to cool them. “I think our cots are too far apart.” Val blinked up at him, those green eyes nearly luminescent with the smile behind them. “We can push them closer together.” Rick stripped off his T-shirt. “I smell…again.” “As you might have noticed…it doesn’t bother me.” He dropped his hand to his crotch and stroked his erection. Rick’s mind went crazy thinking of all the things he wanted to do with Val. He forced himself to undress slowly and not rip his clothes to shreds getting to Val, or tear through the tent like a frenzied ape trying to find exactly where his lube and condoms were, wondering if he even had any. It wasn’t like he’d packed expecting sex any time soon. Val swung his feet to the ground when Rick sat to take off his boots. He knew Val was coming for him, stalking like a hungry cat, ready to suck his cock deep. Just the thought set his body hair high on goose bumps. Mesmerized, he watched Val walk closer, his dick pushing hard against his white cotton boxers. Reaching out, he grabbed the elastic and yanked them down. Val’s erection bobbed free, its dewy eye a breath away from Rick’s lips. His trousers tangled around his boots. His own cock screamed to be loose. And all Rick could think about was wrapping his lips around Val’s dick. His hands shook as he cupped Val’s hips. He flashed his tongue over the crown, licking up the drop of pre-cum. Val’s knees buckled as Rick sucked him down to the root. 86

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They tumbled together to the cot, the smell of canvas overwhelmed by the scent of raw sexuality pouring off them. Val parted his thighs, giving Rick full access to everything. Rick smothered a groan and pulled back to suckle his balls. The night air brushed over his ass. His fog cleared enough that he realized Val was stripping him down, yanking, tearing at his trousers to get to Rick. And those damn boots were still in the way. He didn’t want to stop long enough to take them off. Hell, he wasn’t coherent enough to do so. Val shoved his foot into the crotch of trousers and pushed. Rick tugged for freedom…it wasn’t happening. He didn’t care. There were much worse things in the world than being lightly bound and at Val Lancaster’s mercy. He swung around as Val did, thrusting his cock toward Val’s lips. Fingers tickled his testicles, kneading them while they probed the hole beyond, and heaven wrapped around his penis. Groaning, he flashed his tongue around Val’s sac, then feathered beyond. Val tensed with his moan and pre-cum smeared over Rick’s cheek. Val nibbled the underside of Rick’s erection, then suckled at the frenulum. Rick thrust wildly as he toyed with the sensitive tag of flesh. Then Val covered his glans and seated his finger up Rick’s ass. He tossed his head back, clenching his teeth against the cry he wanted to shout out. Then he licked up Val’s cock, and deep throated him. One plunge seated his finger against Val’s prostate. They froze, muscles quaking as they fought to draw out the moment. Then they found that sweet rhythm…sucking 87

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and pivoting together. Rick felt Val’s balls tighten right when his did. Thrill coursed through him. So good. So hot. So perfect. They froze again, breath held, then exploded into each other’s mouths. He inhaled the salty-sweet taste, grinding his face into Val’s crotch so he didn’t lose a drop. Reveling in the feel of Val’s hand anchored to his ass cheek, making sure he didn’t move anywhere but into Val’s mouth. Hard breaths tickled his pubic hair. He looped his tongue around Val’s softening penis, gave a long lick, and released him to kisses dotted along his hip. Kisses Val mirrored. They hugged each other tight and Rick knew he never wanted to let go.

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CHAPTER 6 Each bump and pothole in the mud-sloughed road bounced Val against Rick. They’d left at dawn. No one was anxious to linger. The plan was to head out to the nearest refugee camp where Lonzo indicated everyone had gone. Five minutes after they’d piled into the truck, the clouds opened up long enough to make their already questionable road conditions now nearly impossible. But Rick maneuvered the obstacles like a pro. With luck, Rick would have his people back and safe by the end of the day. Then it was off to Las Manas to retrieve Ginny’s children…by any means necessary. He tried not to let visions of life in a Honduran prison dance through his head. Four of them were crowded into the truck cab: Rick, Val, 89

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Scott, and Jay. He didn’t understand the logic in doing so since there was room in the back for one of them, but he didn’t complain since it put him right next to Rick. He, Scott, and Jay reviewed maps during the trip, marking their passage and annotating unique landmarks, which were few. Locked into their individual thoughts, no one said much on the long and tedious trip. The good news was each mile they put behind them did bring them closer to what passed as civilization. Once they retrieved their people from the refugee camp, it would take little more than a day to get back to Puerto Lempira. Then everyone would go their separate ways: Rick’s people back to their lives, Scott and Naomi back to the dig, and Val off to find the kids…with Rick’s help. They’d both wind up in a Honduran prison, or maybe vulture snacks. He shook his head to clear the image. Shortly after noon, they caught sight of the dilapidated refugee camp. His spirits plummeted and his hope with them. Val had no preconceived notions about what he would find here, and shock muted him at the sight. Shelters were no more than clapboard shacks and lean-tos hastily thrown together. Clotheslines ran through the center of the camp, so overloaded the contents came within inches of the muddy ground. Outhouses ringed the edges. Chickens, pigs, and goats wandered about unrestrained, and the stench from the animals mingled with the stench of human waste to create an odor Val swore he could see. The people were undernourished and dressed in remnants of clothing. Children clung to their parents fearful of the strangers, their bellies distended from 90

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malnutrition—some of them attired in tattered rags, the youngest naked. The eyes were what haunted him the most; in them, he saw the loss of their hopes and the horror of the nightmare their lives had become. No trees sheltered them from the sun and elements. No grass or vegetation remained on the ground. Everything was mud and filth. Not even desperation filled the air. These people had nothing and no dreams of acquiring anything more than that. Rick pulled to a stop beside a nearly identical—right down to the splattered mud—olive drab stake-bed truck and cut the engine. Jay wasted no time shouldering open the door. A hot breeze dried Val’s sweat but didn’t cool. That’s how these poor people felt every day of their lives. “There must be a thousand people here,” Rick said as he hopped to the ground. “How in the world are we going to find our group?” “Maybe the truck arriving will draw their attention.” Scott surveyed the crowd for anyone, looking for Naomi. Val’s heart went out to him, too. “These poor people,” Rick muttered. “I know.” Val jumped down beside him and brushed his hand over Rick’s shoulders. There was nothing more he could say. “There she is!” Scott shouted. “I see her! I see Naomi! Naomi!” He hoisted himself as high as he could and waved his hands. Val expected him to leap down and run toward her. 91

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Instead, he managed to climb to the hood of the truck and continued to wave his hands frantically. Val watched Rick crane his neck. All the people swarming the truck made it impossible to see. “There’s Ross!” Jay pointed to a tall man rushing toward them. His height put him above the hoard. He pushed his way through. Rick’s broad smile chased away his worry. Ross cut from the pack and extended his arm. Rick grabbed it, then gave the other man a one-armed hug. “Thank God we found you.” Ross chuckled. “I didn’t know we were lost. Why are you here?” A squeal shattered their eardrums. Scott leaped from his perch. Mud splattered with his landing, shooting people back, and giving him a clearer path to his destination. Val couldn’t believe his eyes. “Oh, my God…it’s Ginny.” He jerked his head toward Rick and pointed. “It’s my sister.” Rick looked at him funny. “No…that’s Naomi. My sister.” Thinking the heat and humidity had finally done him in, Val looked again. It wasn’t Ginny, but it sure as hell looked like her. He shot another glance to Rick. People looked alike all the time, but this was an awful big coincidence. “Uncle Val!” He jerked his attention back toward Naomi and the two children who clung to her hands. Jody’s ever-present stuffed puppy dangled from her hand. Bobby’s pants pockets bulged 92

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with treasures little boys collected. “Holy shit!” Val sprinted for his niece and nephew. Naomi jerked them to a stop when they tried to break free from her hold. “Let them go!” Val shouted. “Let them go!” She threw a glare his way, daring him to take the children. “Let them go, Naomi,” Rick called out. She did so without hesitation. Jody and Bobby ran Val’s way, splashing mud every direction. Val bent and swooped them into his arms. He squeezed his eyes against a rush of tears as they tightened their hold on him. Someone had a lot of explaining to do. *

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“What the fuck is going on?” Ross asked. “I have no idea.” But I sure as hell intend to find out. Naomi glanced a final time at the two children now in Val’s arms, then closed the remaining distance between her and Scott, the telltale tummy bulge leading the way. With another squeal, she threw herself into Scott’s arms, knocking him back several feet and almost down. “Oh, my God!” Scott swept her into his arms. “We’re going to have a baby!” “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” she cried. “I’m so sorry.” “Shh, sweetheart.” He kissed her temple and held her tighter. “I’ve been out of my mind with worry.” 93

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“I couldn’t believe it when I found out. I wanted to tell you, but didn’t think by phone or email was the right way,” she wailed. “I wanted to do it in person, wanted to see the look on your face.” Scott buried his face into her hair. “In case you missed it, the look was relief followed by surprise and joy.” He pulled back far enough to look into her face. “What are you doing here?” “I was planning a trip down here anyway to see you. I figured I’d let Granddad’s company pay for it, then zip over to you. It was supposed to be a short trip to deliver relief supplies. Then”—she frowned—“things got confusing.” “No shit to that,” Rick told her. “What the hell are you doing with Val’s niece and nephew?” Naomi’s mouth worked, but no sound came out. She jerked her head toward Ross. “Ask him.” Rick whipped around to Ross, hands on hips. “Well?” “Could we not talk about this right now? All I want is to get the hell away from here and get on the road. Which we would be if someone—” He sucked in a breath. “Never mind.” Rick looked at Val, walking their way with the kids still clutched in his arms. He looked like he’d been gut-punched. That’s about how Rick felt. Val set the kids on their feet, then swung them into the truck cab. “You two sit there and don’t move.” Then he rounded on Ross. “I presume there’s no cell phone coverage, no satellite phone, no reliable radio, no computer.” 94

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“None,” Ross replied, putting a step between them. “You?” “No…or I’d be chewing someone’s ass right now,” he said through clenched teeth. “Or maybe yours will do.” Ross closed the gap between them. “Look. All I know is that I was given a packet of uncut diamonds and told to retrieve those kids. Then get the hell out of there and get the kids to Tegucigalpa. I could’ve done all that on my own, but all these people had to come with me. Then I had to deal with all those people.” He waved his arms behind him. “About the only one who was really worth a shit to me was her.” He stabbed his finger in Naomi’s direction. “The kids thought she was their mother until they got closer and saw she wasn’t. Still, it was enough to have them trust us and get the hell out of there.” “Who sent you?” Rick asked. Ross’s lips thinned. “Your grandfather. Now…could we please get the hell out of here before something else goes wrong?” Val pulled in a hard breath. “Fine. I’ll get the men to help you load up your gear.” He took a giant step back and motioned Ross forward with a sweep of his arm. Ross hesitated, then led the way, speaking over his shoulder. “There won’t be much. We’re taking essentials only and leaving the rest behind. These people need it more than we do.” “Agreed. We can lighten our load, too,” Rick said. “On it.” Val snapped his finger at the men. “Let’s go.” 95

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Damn, he’s hot. Rick hauled in a breath of his own to calm himself, then brushed his hand over Naomi’s shoulders. “Got a hug for me in there somewhere?” “You bet.” Naomi slipped her arms around her brother. “I see you found Lonzo.” Rick glanced to where Hector was helping the old man down from the rear of the truck. The instant Lonzo was steady on the ground, Hector rushed off to help the others. Lonzo smiled when he spied Naomi and tottered their way. His gaze drifted over her shoulder and that smile widened more. “There’s my granddaughter!” he shouted and hobbled across the compound as fast as his spindly legs could carry him. A young woman, heavy with child and two toddlers hugging her legs, met him halfway. They shared a tear-filled embrace before she led him away to the rest of his family. From that happy reunion, Rick’s gaze settled on Val as he returned with two five-gallon water containers. The flex of his forearms, his confident stride, warmed Rick and that heat unfortunately pooled into his groin. The erection blossomed unchecked, then deflated when he saw Pia Salinas tagging behind Val, backpack slung over one shoulder. She was tall woman with an oval face and a nose too long and straight. Dark hair fell in a heavy braid down her back. Her gaze was riveted to Val’s ass, which he agreed was certainly yummy-looking. The woman needed some serious gaydar. Her long-legged gait paused when she saw Lonzo and his granddaughter. The old man replied to whatever question she 96

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asked with a shake of his head. Pia’s frown clearly told she didn’t like the answer. The granddaughter tugged Lonzo away, and all three continued on their previous paths. “Bad things happen wherever Pia is,” Naomi told him softly. “What do you mean?” he asked. Hands twisted before her, she let out a breath. “It seems she’s responsible for our continual streak of bad luck. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was purposefully trying to delay us. When she fixed the meals, someone always got sick.” “That’s a lot to suggest when you’re all eating MREs.” All a person had to do was open the prepackage meals. “Could be they drank the local water.” “Someone swore they saw her put something in the food. Of course, there was no proof. Then she left one of the trucks parked out of gear on a slope. It rolled down to the river. The men were able to haul it out, but Ross said the axle was broken. They siphoned what gas they could. I’m telling you, Rick…accidents happen where Pia is—uncontrolled fires, food provisions dropped in the mud—minor things that keep adding up. Major things that leave no doubt—like two GPS devices missing or broken.” Almost sounded like Hector was in on whatever was going on here. Rick frowned at the idea. If one saboteur was good, two might be better. What he couldn’t figure out—one of the many things he couldn’t figure out—was why. Whatever was going on, a lot could happen between now and the time they 97

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reached the city. Everyone bore watching. “What do you know about the kids?” he asked. Naomi shook her head. “Nothing. I was shocked when they showed up with those soldiers. Shocked even more so when they thought I was their mother. Of course, they didn’t think so for long, just a second. My heart sure went out to them. They told me bad men took them from their parents.” Rick kept his voice low so the kids wouldn’t hear. “Killed their father. Beat up their mother. Long story best left for later.” “Who’s in Tegus who wants them?” Naomi asked. Rick gave a humorless snort. “Far as I can tell, two people. Dad and Val’s mother, and I have the sneaking suspicion they’re connected. But I can’t begin to guess how.” Well, he could guess, but he wouldn’t. “I can’t believe we actually made it out,” she said. “When the soldiers told us to go, we thought it was just us. They meant everyone. We left supplies behind and crammed everyone into the truck. I had visions of us being mowed down…” He wrapped another hug around her. “We’re only a little more than a day away from getting you on a plane home.” She didn’t smile, didn’t blink, just stared up at him. “A lot can happen in a day, Rick.” No shit. He locked gazes with Pia as she neared. At least she had the good sense to not make a scene and throw herself at him. She walked by him without a word, merely giving him a 98

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sidelong glance and climbing into the back of the truck. “See what I mean?” Naomi whispered. Yes, he saw every well. Pia definitely deserved some close watching…much more than usual. “I’m going to help the others load up. You’ll stay with the kids?” “Of course.” He gave her a hand up into the cab. “You’ll ride with me on the way back.” Naomi snickered and shook her head. “I ride wherever Scott rides. I’m not going to be away from him ever again.” He grinned. “That should make things interesting in our tent at the dig.” She tapped him on the nose. “Then I suggest one of you find another tent. I will have my man alone.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Yes, ma’am.” He and Val would appreciate a little privacy, too. Rick hurried away to help the others. Spotting Lonzo still reuniting with his huge family, Rick detoured. Lonzo spread his arms toward him, singing Rick’s praises to his family who, in turn, thanked him over and over for bringing the old man to safety. Once the accolades died, he drew Lonzo off to one side. “What did Pia say to you a few minutes ago?” “She ask if I see anyone else. I say only you and your people.” “Thanks, Lonzo. Be safe.” He squeezed the man’s shoulder and continued on. Pia was definitely working some 99

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angle. Now all he had to do was figure out what it was. *

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Rick never realized kids could talk so much. Jody and Bobby went at it nonstop, barely pausing for breath. The hours were filled with guess what? and why? all of which Val answered with the patience of a saint, while Rick navigated the treacherous roads. Considering how uncomfortable it was, he knew they were lucky the kids weren’t complaining or crying. They were happy to be with their uncle, passing the time quickly. The two had been through hell and back. He hated thinking of them torn from their parents, seeing one die and the other beaten—if they saw that. He hoped they didn’t. Bobby, being the oldest, kept his little sister close. Rick easily imagined them huddled together for protection against the horror going on around them. The two had somehow become pawns in a game Rick wasn’t aware existed. It made him sick inside. Made him glad he’d divorced himself from the family business—suspiciously beyond the import/export enterprise he’d thought it was—and made his own way in the world. Rick wondered if Val had pieced together the likely scenario of past events. They couldn’t talk with the kids here. Considering the supposed resemblance between their sisters, it was reasonable to presume Naomi and Ginny…and therefore himself…shared a father. What it didn’t explain was how none of them knew about it. That didn’t speak highly of Rick’s 100

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father—a concept Rick was having trouble absorbing—and he wondered if that meant an affair outside the marriage. Which was an even harder concept to absorb. Trying to connect the dots without all relevant information gave him the headache from hell. He tried to focus on the road ahead, the truck Ross drove behind him, and the stream of conversation flowing from the kids. Remembering which stretches of road were troublesome helped Rick avoid unnecessary delays, and he still hoped they might somehow make it. His goal? To make it back to civilization by nightfall. It didn’t happen. It was close to dusk when he finally realized they had no choice but to stop. Luck agreed and showed him a nicely protected clearing just ahead—flat and semi-dry. He cut the engine and silence blessed them all. One by one, they climbed from the truck road-weary, sore, hungry, and exhausted…and still had a camp to set up. No one was happy to know they’d have to be out one more night. Driving through was simply too dangerous, even if the roads were in pristine condition. Of course, camping out wasn’t much better, but they’d at least have a defensible position if attacked. Rick scanned dark clouds purple with sunset. Those clouds could open up at any minute, drenching them to the bone and thwarting every attempt to secure adequate shelter. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, bracing himself for complaints. Someone squeezed his shoulder and he knew it 101

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was Val. The touch poured strength into him. He pulled his head up and refocused. “Thanks. I needed that.” “I know,” Val quietly replied, then motioned toward the cab. “The kids are dropping off, believe it or not. I think it would save time if we just put up the largest tent and have everyone sleep there tonight.” It’d be crowded, but what was one night? He’d be able to keep a closer eye on Pia that way, too. “Good,” he said, and Val waved the men into action. Funny how they all took Val’s direction without question. A born leader, for sure. The thought warmed him. Naomi stretched to tiptoes beside him. “Ahh…something more here than just him being Bobby and Jody’s uncle. An introduction would be nice,” she whispered. Rick nodded. In the rush to pack up and get on the road, he hadn’t had time to introduce two of the most important people in his life. He watched Val and Jay hoist the medical tent from the back of the truck. There wasn’t time now either. “Soon.” He gave her a wink and got to work. Heat and humidity dragged them down. Darkening clouds toyed with them overhead. Few spoke. They all knew the drill. Those who were unsure toted boxes, started fires, and set up camp. Even the kids had roused themselves to help Naomi set out meal packets. They were never far from her side, yet their eyes tracked Val’s every movement. As the sky grew darker with night, they huddled closer to Naomi—Jody hugging her stuffed puppy, Bobby with his hands deep in his pants 102

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pockets. Their fear, though they’d tried their hardest to hide it, broke his heart. Rick watched for anything out of the ordinary, the merest hint that someone sabotaged their efforts. He saw nothing, but then clever saboteurs often covered their movements and actions well. And, other than Pia, he didn’t know who to watch. By the time everything was as complete as it was going to get, Rick would have given anything to be near the waterfall lake…or at least have a small sprinkle of rain to cool them off. A cold beer. A bottle of aspirin for his pounding head. “Here.” Val tapped a canteen against Rick’s arm. “You look like you could use this.” Smiling, he wrapped his fingers around it. “There you go…reading my mind again.” Val gave a small laugh. “Sorry it’s not a cold beer.” Rick grinned. “My point exactly…reading my mind.” He uncapped it and gulped down half. “Just proves what a great team we make,” Val said. “I can’t wait to get to the dig. Actually…I can’t wait to get to Tegus and find out what the fuck’s going on.” “That makes two of us.” Someone definitely had some explaining to do, and they’d better be doing it with the truth. “Come on. I want you to meet Naomi.” They walked toward the campfire where the children now lay slumped against Naomi, sound asleep under the arm she’d wrapped around each. Rick didn’t know whose face lit up more—Val’s or Naomi’s. Scott’s expression was the brightest 103

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of all, sitting on the other side of Bobby watching Naomi with the children. “Poor little ones are so tired,” she whispered. “I’m not tired,” Bobby mumbled, and rolled against Scott. The adults chuckled. Val bent down and cupped his head. “We can sure see that.” Pride swelled Rick’s chest. He wanted to declare to the world, Yes, this is my man. This is the man I love. A little premature perhaps, but he couldn’t help it. “I’ve heard so much about you.” Val smiled down at Naomi, then sat on the other side of Jody. “I’ll bet your sources weren’t as informative as mine,” she told him. “Ah…Jody and Bobby have a tendency to over share.” Naomi gave the brightest laugh Rick had heard in ages. “That’s an understatement. I can’t say I know all about you, but I’ve learned a lot. Puts me on notice to be aware of little ears in the future.” She placed her hand over her belly. Smiling, Scott laced his fingers over hers. It was perfect…everything. Rick should have known Pia would find a way to ruin it. She slithered into their midst like she had every right to do so and passed a scathing gaze down Naomi, then covered it with a false smile. “August will be pleased to know he has two grandchildren on the way.” Pia smoothed her hand down to her belly. Black eyes looked up at Rick. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, my 104

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love.” God help him, Rick wanted to choke her. He might have done just that if Val hadn’t hooked his bicep and put himself between Rick and Pia. “Take your lies somewhere else. We all know it’s not true. You won’t play your games here.” Rick loved the guy more by the second. Pia sniffed and walked away. “I don’t like her,” Bobby mumbled. That feeling was more or less unanimous. “Neither does my mom.” No one breathed. Wide eyes transmitted surprise between the adults. Val squatted down to Bobby’s level. “Why’s that, buddy? Does your mom know her?” “We saw her kissing Dad. Then Mom and Dad had a fight about her. I don’t know what’s the big deal about having sleepovers, but Mom got really mad. I decided I’m never having a sleepover. I don’t want Mom yelling at me.” “Sleepovers?” Bobby shrugged and burrowed deeper into Scott. “Mom yelled at Dad for sleeping with the lady. Mom doesn’t like her and neither do I.” What the fuck? Val looked a blink away from exploding. He curled one hand into a fist, then forced the fingers open on his thigh and wiped the anger from his expression with his other hand. Bobby yawned and his eyes closed, innocent to how much 105

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he’d told them…as it should be. “I’ll get them tucked in,” Naomi whispered. “No, we’ll take care of it,” Rick said. Val needed something to take his mind off this new development. “I’ll get one and you get the other.” Rick gently scooped Bobby into his arms. The child curled into him, tugging at his heart all the more. He watched Jody snuggle deep into Val’s arms, too. “Uncle Val, make sure that lady doesn’t take my puppy after I go to sleep,” she mumbled and shoved the love-worn stuffed animal between them. Val’s scowl demanded Naomi explain. She shrugged a shoulder. “She’s caught Pia holding the puppy a few times when she’d drifted off.” Pia was a piece of work, but even Rick didn’t think she was capable of stealing a child’s toy. Most likely, she’d picked it up when Jody dropped it. The kids’ dislike of the woman would naturally put her in a bad light and twist things around. They carried the kids inside and placed them in cots between where Val and Naomi would sleep. They’d be no more than an arm’s reach away in the night. Val dropped a kiss to their foreheads, brushed his fingers over their cheeks, then stood and stared down at them. Rick couldn’t resist. Behind Val, he wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged him while he, too, watched the sleeping children. “What the hell is going on? What kind of monster puts kids through this?” Val asked. They both knew the answer. Little was sacred where drugs were concerned—except the drugs and the money it brought 106

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in. Rick kissed his cheek. “Come on.” They crept from the tent and cast one last look at the kids, nearly colliding with Pia in the process. She dodged them and kept walking toward the treeline. “Where are you going?” Rick asked. “It’s dark and dangerous out there.” “Like you give a shit. I’m attending to my personal needs,” she shot back. “I don’t have the leisure of whipping it out and pissing against a tree like you men. Chill out. I’ve got a flashlight.” She also had an attitude unlike the Pia he knew. Flirtatious and over the top, yes. Hard core and ballsy? Rick was tempted to follow her, then wondered if that was part of her plan. “Others are heading that way, too.” Val pointed. Hector, Alan, Jay, and Ross also wandered to the privacy of the bushes. “She’ll be safe.” “Yeah, but will they?” Rick headed toward the campfire. “Sure you want to turn your back on her?” Val asked softly. A smile lifted on corner of Rick’s mouth. “Actually, I’m counting on Naomi kicking her ass if Pia makes a move against us.” “I’d pay money to see that.” But he didn’t think it would ever be enough to make Pia leave him alone. She was obsessed. Rick didn’t get it. “I don’t understand what her fixation is with me.” Val’s grin widened. “Oh, I do. And if we weren’t sharing a tent with other people tonight, I’d show you.” 107

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Rick’s joy rushed back in. “Tomorrow is another day.” “My feeling exactly.” They ducked behind the far side of the truck, away from prying eyes. “And there’s no one in here right now.” That info got another part of his anatomy grinning, too. Rick pressed Val against the truck. Their lips met a second later. Val deepened the kiss, clutching Rick tight while their tongues danced and hipbones melded into one another. Sanity cut through their rising lust. Smothering light chuckles, they pulled apart and leaned against the truck to stare into the ink black jungle. God only knew what stared back. “We should get back to the safety of the fire,” Val said. “It’d probably be a good idea to set a rotating watch, too.” Val cupped his shoulder. “Why? Anything out there has us outmanned, out-experienced, outgunned.” Not to mention Rick wasn’t sure whether the “enemy” was internal or external. Probably both. “Tell you what…I’ll sleep by the entrance. No one will get in or out without me knowing it.” “No.” Rick shook his head. “The kids need you near them and I want them out of—” He’d almost said the line of fire. “I want them protected as much as possible. I’ll sleep by the entrance.” With a rifle by his side. “The second anyone touches the zipper on that screen door…” Val dropped his hand. “What’s really going on here, Rick? Pia and Norm? I hate to defend the homophobic ass, but the kids have got to be mistaken. How in the hell…” “I have no idea. None of this makes any sense.” He gave 108

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him a rundown on his brief discussion with Ross and Naomi, but Val didn’t buy the idea of Pia sabotaging. “What would be the point?” Val asked. “What’s the point of any of this?” “Apparently to rescue the kids, which they accomplished. So why send us out?” Rick’s shoulders sagged. “My guess would be because they lost contact and freaked out.” “I can attest to the freaking out part. Ginny was…” Val’s sigh tickled Rick’s ear. “This whole thing with Pia and Norman…is this whole thing because of jealous rage? Pia took the kids because Ginny made him break it off?” “Or because Ginny killed him?” Rick hated himself for saying it out loud. He braced himself for Val’s protest. Seconds ticked by. “A couple of days ago I would have defended her to the last,” Val finally said. “But this”—he waved his hand—“this is all too much. Everything is getting more tangled by the minute. And us… God, Rick, does this mean we’re…related?” The thought make Rick sick inside. “I honestly don’t know what any of it means. But we’re going to find out tomorrow.” “If we manage to get somewhere tomorrow to make contact.” “Oh, we’re going to get to some form of civilization tomorrow. Even if I have to tie ropes to this truck and drag it all the way.” Val managed a half-hearted laugh. “Then I’ll be hauling with you.” 109

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Rick grabbed the back of Val’s head and nailed him with a hard kiss Val had no problem returning. Val cupped Rick’s erection, stroking in time with their tongues. They yanked apart on a gasp. “God…I could just fuck you right up against this truck.” Rick licked down the column of Val’s throat. “And I could just let you.” Val ground his pelvis against Rick’s. “Come quick!” someone shouted. It took precious seconds for Rick to recognize Hector’s call for help. Scott and the others were halfway to the treeline by the time Rick and Val dashed around the truck. Hector shook. His face was pale against the firelight. Ross, Alan, and Jay darted from the jungle. Hector stumbled to his knees, quivering finger pointing into the darkness. His lips moved, but no words came out. Wide dark eyes puddled with tears. Scott grabbed the man’s shoulders and forced him to calm. “It’s okay. You’re with us. It’s okay.” Hector shook his head, slinging tears over his face. “I didn’t see until it was too late. Oh, my God… I’m so sorry. I didn’t see. It’s Pia.” Ross yanked Hector to his feet. “What about Pia? What the hell has the bitch done now?” Rick and Val peeled Ross’s hands off the man. “Back off,” Rick ordered, then gave Hector a little shake of his own. “Focus, Hector.” “She’s dead,” he gasped out. “Pia’s dead.” For the second time that night, no one breathed. 110

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“I didn’t see her until it was too late,” Hector blubbered. “I…” He gulped, chin quivered, more tears poured down. “I just went to take a shit. I didn’t see her…” Rick squared his shoulders. “I need you to take us to her, Hector.” “Can’t…can’t.” He shook his head. Rick squeezed his arm. “Yes, you can. You’re one of the best trackers I know.” “I don’t want to see,” he cried. “I don’t want to see what I—” “You don’t have to. Just take us there.” Hector nodded and hauled in a shaky breath. “Scott, you stay here and get Ross calmed down. Val…Jay…come with me. She could be hurt and need medical attention.” Hector shook his head. “No use. She’s gone. Those eyes…” He jerked around and strode toward the trees. Rick had to hurry to follow. Jay was right on his heels. Only Val had the forethought to run into the tent to grab a med kit, and he still managed to catch up as the thick greenery swallowed their path. Flashlights fanned around them. Rick prayed they didn’t light up the golden glow of a jaguar’s eyes. Bugs were thicker here, buzzing, stinging, slamming against them with kamikaze precision. He couldn’t imagine someone like Pia delving much farther, but still they walked. He glanced behind him. Flames from the campfires flickered through the thick foliage. About twenty yards in, Hector stopped and pointed. 111

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“There. Over the log.” He, Val, and Jay hurried forward. A wave of ants swarmed over the log where Hector had taken his little break. Pia lay on the other side, her body covered in a blanket of ants and bugs devouring her body. Wide eyes stared, unblinking. Her head lay pillowed on a large bloodied rock. Hector’s “deposit” lay between her sprawled feet. “Looks like she tripped over the log and hit her head,” Jay said. “It’s okay, Hector,” Rick called out. “You didn’t get anything on her. Come help us.” Jay grabbed his arm as he reached for her. “What are you going to do?” “We’re taking her back.” “Are you crazy?” Jay jerked his arm toward her body. “Look at all those ants.” “Well, I’m sure as hell not leaving her here like this,” Rick snapped back. “No one deserves this.” Not even a bitch like Pia.

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CHAPTER 7 Val watched Tegucigalpa grow nearer as their plane began its descent. The private aircraft had been waiting for them upon their arrival at Puerto Lempira. Of all those onboard, he was the only one who hadn’t slept during the flight, despite his exhaustion. The activity in camp last night kept the kids awake and scared. Thank God, Naomi was there to help comfort them. Scott kept things running and on schedule. Few wanted to ride with Pia’s body that day—decomposition wasn’t pretty. That had required redistribution of what little equipment and supplies remained in order to cram people into one truck. Val and Rick were a mass of bites. They’d used mud to ward off the ant attack when they recovered Pia’s body. It still 113

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wasn’t enough to protect them. The damn insects found the tiniest bare spots and exploited them. Hector got the worst of it. Considering they’d all used the jungle as a toilet, Hector was too afraid of getting shit on him to use the mud. Hector lay in the back of the plane with Jay, on his way to a hospital that could better care for him. Jay said he’d suffered a severe allergic reaction to the ant bites and kept him knocked out with heavy doses of Benadryl. Why he couldn’t be cared for in Puerto Lempira was a mystery, but then so was everything else regarding this trip. The instant they’d arrived where there was cell coverage, everyone whipped out their phones. All the men reported to their families, Ross notifying Pia’s parents and making arrangements to have her transported. Val had never been able to contact Ginny. She’d been checked out of the hospital, wasn’t at their mother’s house, and he couldn’t reach either of his brothers to find her. His mother also didn’t answer her cell phone. Val didn’t know whether to be worried or more pissed than he already was. He decided “pissed” when Rick finally reached his father and delivered a brief statement: “We’ve got the kids and will be in Tegus on the first available flight. I presume you’ll tell Eva Lancaster?” Val would have loved to seen the looks on their faces. After a brief silence, Charles Ramone told them a private plane would be waiting and at their disposal. They parted company with Ross and the rest of the team hours later. Val knew Rick felt guilty for leaving Ross with all the work of 114

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getting everyone home, but he also knew Rick wanted answers. They all did. Now, would they get them? He glanced to where the children slumped in their seats, still fast asleep. Poor kids. To be dragged through something like this. Treated like nothing more than a collateral bargaining chips. And for what? Drugs or an affair gone wrong? Whose affair was to blame for putting them in this predicament? Norman and Pia’s? Or his mother and Charles Ramone’s? If drug smuggling was involved, he supposed he couldn’t blame the older affair for putting the kids in harm’s way. He squeezed the bridge of his nose. Rick was going to kick some major ass if his grandfather’s business was caught up in drugs. He’d turn them over to DEA in a heartbeat. Val prayed he didn’t have to make that choice. He laughed to himself. To think less than a week ago his biggest concern was packing for his internship in Guatemala. Now everything was a tangled mess of lies and deceit. The only good thing—except for the fact they’d gotten the kids— was falling in love with the man in front of him. He hoped to God this mess didn’t fuck that up. The landing gear thunked into place, jerking everyone awake. “Seats up, seat belts on, kids.” They nodded, did as he asked, and dropped off to sleep again. Scott groaned. “God, I stink.” “Not as much as me.” Rick stretched and leaned out. 115

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“There’s supposed to be a limo waiting for us.” “All I want is a hot shower and a soft bed,” Naomi said. “And a private room.” Scott gave her a wink. Val smiled at her blush. Yeah, he could go with a private room. Just he and Rick tangled in the sheets, only coming up for air when… “When are we leaving for the dig?” he asked. “Day after tomorrow.” Scott brought Naomi’s fingers to his lips. “Tomorrow, I’m going to marry this beautiful woman.” That shot Jody up. “Can I be a flower girl?” Her brother cast her the evil-eye. “Girls are so dumb.” At least some things were back to normal. “I’ve got an ambulance waiting for me,” Jay told them. “Maybe I’ll be able catch up with you later. If not, I’ll see all of you when you get back to the States.” He flashed Naomi a smile. “Which will put you very close to your delivery date.” “Don’t worry.” Scott kissed her hand again. “We won’t cut it too close.” The pilot banked left for the final approach to a private airstrip just outside the city. Val could see the limo and ambulance already waiting. So was their little welcome party: his mother, Rick’s father, and Ginny, hands sheltering eyes from the glare of the setting sun. “There’s your mom,” he told the kids. “Where?” They strained against the seat belts for a better look. All they could see from their angle was sky. Jody started to cry. 116

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Val spanned the aisle and grabbed Bobby’s hand. “Hold your sister’s hand. It won’t be long now.” Rick glanced around and shot him a look so filled with love it sent Val’s stomach somersaulting. He would have kissed him if he could have reached him. Would have done him right here in the middle of the aisle if he could. His only option was to smile back and hope Rick got the message. The plane rolled to a stop mere yards from the limo. Everyone was in plain view now, the relationships more than apparent. Ginny clasped her hands under her chin. Tears trickled over her bruised face. “There’s Mom!” Jody squealed. “Grandma and Grandpa are here, too!” “Apparently, this was all on a need-to-know basis.” Rick’s tone was light, but the sarcasm heavy. Val had to agree with him. “What happened to Mom?” Bobby asked. “Did she fall?” How could you explain to a child? “I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it.” Ginny would be wearing those bruises and cuts for a while. The ones inside would never heal. He unbuckled their seats the second the door opened. They were off like a shot seconds later. Val watched the reunion from the window. Everyone was all smiles for the kids. They wouldn’t be smiling for long. Rick stood and stretched in the limited space available. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d prefer to clean up and get the kids down for the night before we begin the grand interrogation.” 117

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“On second thought,” Jay said, “I think steering clear of this is my best option.” “After all we’ve been through, don’t you want to know?” Naomi asked. “I’m sure I’ll find out without having to deal with all the family drama.” He had a point. There would be drama. But there would be answers. They debarked with all the dignity being dirty and bedraggled could give them. No one squealed or welcomed them with open arms. Ginny, Eva, and Charles stood there looking guilty; no one bothered to look them in the eye. The slight dug under Val’s skin. For the kids’ sake, he wouldn’t rant and rave. That would come later. However, he also wasn’t going to let the moment pass without saying something. He walked up to Ginny. Finally, she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “You lied to me. Lied.” Then he jerked his head toward his mother. “And you helped.” Eva teared up. “You don’t—” He snapped his finger up. “Not now. I’m hot, tired, filthy, and have insect bites in places you haven’t seen on me since I was little. Not. Now.” “And we’re still doing better than Pia,” Rick added. Without another word, they brushed by and into the comfort of the limo, where the kids sat on the far seat enjoying Popsicles. “Want one, Naomi?” Jody opened the built-in refrigerator by her feet. 118

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Naomi smiled. “I would love one.” Jody happily obliged, while Bobby eyed the adults. “Why does Naomi look like you, Mom?” Val raised an eyebrow Ginny’s way. “Yeah, Mom, why is that?” Ginny draped her arms around the kids. “Because she’s my…sister.” “How come we never saw her before?” Jody asked. Val braced his elbow on the armrest. “Yeah, Mom, how come?” Ginny glared at him. He glared back. “It’s all a little complicated,” she told the kids. No shit. “If Naomi is your sister, that makes her our aunt,” Bobby said. “So what does that make Rick?” Ginny’s face turned crimson. “He’s Naomi’s brother and my brother, too. That makes him your uncle.” Bobby frowned. “I’m confused.” “We all are, buddy,” Rick replied. Val tried not to snort. “Can we go home now, Mom?” Jody asked. “I miss my toys and animals.” Ginny brushed Jody’s hair over her shoulder. “No, baby, we’re going to be living with Grandma for a while.” “But what about our stuff?” Bobby definitely had his priorities straight. “Grandpa’s taking care of all that. He’ll meet the movers tomorrow and all of our things will be sent to us.” 119

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“Oh…” Bobby shoved his hand in his pants pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. “Then he’ll need a key.” Ginny’s eyes widened, then filled with tears as she closed her hand around them. “Thank you.” She clutched them to her chest and stared out the window. Tears drifted down her cheeks. She swiped them away and forced a smile. “You and Jody can make a list of what you really want so Grandpa knows what to put in our suitcases.” “So, where are we going?” Jody demanded to know. Ginny combed Jody’s bangs from her eyes. “To a hotel. Eat your Popsicles and enough questions for now.” “But we need to make a list for Grandpa,” Jody told her. Val’s mother rubbed at her temple. “We’ll do it after we get you cleaned up.” “What hotel is it?” Bobby asked. “Enough.” Ginny’s tone clearly said the discussion was closed. Val had to admit she disappointed him…yet again. She’d been worried sick about the kids, they’d been missing for nearly a week, and, in less than five minutes, her patience level was gone. “I miss my Daddy.” Jody’s face crumbled with the words. The Popsicle dropped to the carpeted floor as she wailed. Bobby tried not to cry, but failed. Heaving another sigh, she draped her arms around them and pulled them close. Charles fished keycards from his shirt pocket and passed one each to Val, Rick, Naomi and Scott. “We’re staying at the 120

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Royal Sun Resorts.” Rick plucked one from his fingers. “In case there’s any doubt, you’re paying for everything and we all have very expensive tastes.” Grinning, he gave the keycard back to his father. “But we’ll cut you a little slack. Val and I only need one room.” “These are king beds not two.” Rick’s grin widened. “Perfect. Wouldn’t you agree?” he asked Val. Val cheered at the shock in their faces—sheer horror was a more apt description. “Definitely agree.” He dropped his hand to Rick’s thigh. Rick grabbed it and squeezed. If it weren’t for the kids, Val would have laid a tonsil-tickling kiss on him. Eva jerked forward, eyes agog. “Have you lost your minds?” Val smirked. “Haven’t lost a thing. In fact, I feel like I’ve found exactly what I’ve been looking for.” Her eyes narrowed as her lips pursed. “Don’t mistake hero worship for anything more. You’ve idolized this man—” “It’s not hero worship, Mom.” He’d been expecting that argument from the start. “How can you possibly be sure of that?” she snapped. “Because I’m not twelve,” he shot back. Her lips thinned to a tight line when she saw Rick brush his thumb over Val’s knuckles. Rick leaned forward and opened the little refrigerator. “Got any more Popsicles? I could use a little something to cool me off.” The innuendo hit its intended targets. Val didn’t think it 121

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was possible to love anyone more than he loved Rick at that second. Charles tugged Eva’s arm, urging her to sit back. “Yes, I’ll be paying for everything.” Silences but for the children’s sniffles as Rick handed Popsicles to Val and Scott. Then… “Naomi and I will be getting married tomorrow,” Scott said. Charles stared at them. “I’d hoped for a larger event with all the family there.” “And I’d hoped you would have had better sense than to send your pregnant daughter into what you knew might be a hostile situation.” Scott lifted his eyebrows and sucked on the frozen treat. Charles’s gaze dropped to Naomi’s midsection, then darted away. Clearly, the man never had a clue. “Could we please, please, save all this discussion until later? We’ve been through hell and back these last several days,” Eva said. “And we’ve been having a picnic. Sleeping in the rain forest, worried sick, scared for our lives.” Rick bit off the tip of his Popsicle and chewed. “By the way…what do I call you? Mom, Grandma, Mrs. Lancaster…Ms. Lancaster?” “Eva is fine.” She pushed each word out through clenched teeth. She glanced at Charles from the corner of her eye. “Obviously he’s the child who inherited your smart ass gene.” Val couldn’t help it. “Then I guess Ginny didn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades and got the full brunt of the 122

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prevaricator gene from both of you.” That earned him a glare. One he had no problem lasering back at his sister. Bobby pulled his head up and looked at his mother. “That lady you don’t like is dead, Mom.” Ginny frowned. “What lady?” “The one who had the sleepover with Daddy.” She jerked as if she’d been slapped. She glanced at Val, then Rick for what he guessed was confirmation. “Tripped on a log and hit her head on a rock,” Val told her. She released a long breath and looked down at the kids, but not before he saw the relief in her eyes. Yes, definitely a lot of lying going on here, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he feared knowing the whole truth. *

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For all they’d been through, Rick’s father should have gotten everyone a suite. Still, there was no doubt the plush bed with its multitude of pillows would cradle them in welldeserved comfort. The last rays of sunlight enhanced the golden décor. Coupled with the air conditioning, it made the room feel like the best thing this side of heaven. Rick smiled to himself. No, the best thing this side of heaven was standing next to him. “I’m so filthy I’m afraid to move,” Val said. Rick echoed that sentiment. They reeked, they itched, and every muscle in their bodies cried out for relief. Val set his backpack on the floor just inside the door. “I 123

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say we strip where we are, dump everything in a laundry bag, and have someone come get it. I bet with the right tip we’d have our stuff back in two hours.” “Works for me. Even if my dad wasn’t paying for everything,” he added with a grin. “It’s a wonder they let us through the lobby looking like this.” “Probably too afraid to stop us.” “Do we look that dangerous?” Val grinned. “Oh, you look plenty dangerous to me.” And now another muscle cried out for relief. Rick snagged the large plastic laundry bag from the closet. Two white robes hung there. At least they’d have something to wear while they waited for their cleaning. Careful as they were in undressing, dirt and debris—and dead ants—collected on the carpet beneath them. His father might be paying, but Rick still didn’t like inconveniencing hotel staff. If they wanted to stay clean, he had no choice but to ask housekeeping to vacuum. “You want the shower first?” Val asked. “You can go…” He glanced up from under his eyebrows. “Think there’s room for two?” “If not, I’m sure squeezing in won’t bother either of us.” Val grinned and shoved the rest of his clothing into the bag. Rick admired his sweet ass as he walked into the bathroom. He pulled the bag closed and let his erection lead him into the bathroom. Val already had the shower running. Steam slowly filled the room. Val’s groan speared him. “Hot water feel that good?” he asked. 124

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Val peeled the shower curtain to one side. “Not as good as you will in a few minutes, but damn fine.” He slipped his arm around Rick’s waist and pulled him beneath the spray. Rick moaned and tossed back his head to catch the water. “Shit, that does feel good.” Val ripped the paper off the soap. Rick peeled his eyes open halfway and watched the suds billow in his hands. Val scrubbed his face, chest, arms, groin, and legs fast. Rick knew the feeling—he couldn’t stand the grime another second either. He switched positions and handed Val the small bottle of shampoo, then he scrubbed off. He watched the dirt swirl in the bottom of the tub. God, were they ever going to get clean again? Val shook his head under the spray. More dirt trickled down his chest. Red bite marks scattered over his arms, marring the smooth tan. More dotted his chest, and Rick knew from Val’s curses at the time that a few had breached the waistband and gotten too personal. Rick had those as well. He’d never be able to look at an ant or an insect bite again without remembering this. Remembering the sickening roil in his gut when they’d found Pia’s lifeless eyes staring out from a sea of ants. The image weighed his shoulders. It felt like the life went out of him; even his erection faded. Rick knew it was exhaustion. He’d been running on adrenaline for days. They all had. And there was so much more crap to deal with before the night was over. He wasn’t sure he had the strength to 125

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handle it, wasn’t sure he wanted to know or if he cared. Naomi was back with Scott. Val’s nephew and niece were safe with their mother. Rick’s life was back at the dig… And standing before him. “Here.” Val pulled him under the water. Rick sighed as the hot water washed over him. “This feels good.” “Like you wish you could fall asleep under it.” He laughed. “Yeah.” “This is the kind of dirty you feel deep in your bones.” Val’s hands slurped together as he worked up more suds. “Not the happy dirty from working all day.” He was right. It was the dirt and filth from which nightmares grew. And the kids… He winced at the thought of what they’d been through, the nightmares they’d face years from now. “Shh…” Val’s voice soothed him. “Turn around and let me get your back.” Rick didn’t hesitate. Strong hands skidded down his back, smearing soap in their wake. He dropped his head and braced his hands against the shower wall, flexing into the touch. Slow circles eased his tension. Val followed the line of his muscles, drifting over each one with care, deepening the strokes until they had no choice but to cave under his command. He felt the small pop as his backbone released, freeing nerves caught in the vertebrae. Then Val moved to the next knot of muscle and bone. He followed the line downward, loosening Rick’s spine, 126

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easing the pain from the top of his head right down to his tailbone. Rick’s anus flexed when Val’s fingers neared. His cock stirred. Val spanned his hands at Rick’s waist, working his thumbs into his lower back. Rick tossed back his head on a moan, not for passion, but for the sweet relief of muscles too-long held tense. Hands drifted down his legs, working his hamstrings, his calves. More soap glided over him, washing away the filth, replacing it with the sweet touch of the man he loved. “Val, I…” “Shh…” He kissed the backs of Rick’s thighs and feathered his fingers up the fronts. “Relax.” He gave a half-hearted chuckle. “If I relax too much more, I’ll be a puddle in the bottom of this tub.” “Then I’d either toss a blanket over you and let you sleep, or curl up beside you.” Rick glanced down. “What? No offer to carry me?” Val’s eyes clicked up. “You’re joking…right? Haul and drag maybe.” He snickered. “Thanks for the ego boost.” “How’s this for an ego boost?” He looped his hand around Rick’s half-hard cock. It swelled into the grip. Rick sucked in a gasp and grabbed Val’s hand, reinforcing the hold on his erection. “Don’t worry.” Val’s voice vibrated over Rick’s skin. “I’m not letting go anytime soon.” He stroked hard, and Rick felt his knees buckle. He turned, needing to touch Val, needing his mouth. The shower beat at 127

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his back now. He stared at blond hair turned dark by the water, watched with breath held as Val’s tongue snaked toward his cock, then cried out when Val darted lower and licked his balls. Rick widened his stance. Val nestled his face against him, sucking at Rick’s testicles, tightening his hold on Rick’s cock, rasping his whisker-roughened face over him. Rick cupped his head, wanting desperately to take control, wanting desperately to submit. Slick fingers rolled his sac and pressed against his anus. He whimpered and thrust his hips forward. Val sucked one ball into his mouth, nearly toppling Rick with pleasure. He slammed his free hand against the wall to keep upright. The hand on Val’s head furrowed deeper into his hair. Val nipped his way upward, pulling the taut skin between his lips. Rick stabbed for his mouth. Val dodged the attempt and latched onto the under-ridge. Rick groaned, felt his balls dive deep in his body trying to reach Val’s hot mouth. Val kneaded toward the tip, fingers tugging the testicles down into his grip, while they promised his ass they’d be fucking it soon. Rick couldn’t think. He closed his eyes against vision gone black. He fucked the air, mindless pleas mingling with the sound of the water. His cock ticked off each millimeter of Val’s agonizingly slow crawl toward the tip. Pent-up semen felt like dammed lava. Eruption imminent. Val lashed his tongue over the frenulum, then sucked the crown between his lips. Rick cried out, trying like hell to go deeper. Then Val breached the anal muscle. “God damn!” 128

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Val dug his fingers into Rick’s hip, forcing him at his own pace. He sucked and licked his erection, burrowed his other fingers deeper into Rick’s ass, teasing, taunting, then finally hitting his sweet spot. Rick thrust forward and froze. Val sucked him deeper, tongue massaging the under-ridge, coaxing the jism to his waiting mouth. Another push, the roll of fingers over Rick’s prostate. “Coming! Now!” Val growled, the vibration shooting Rick over the final crest. He shot hard, feeling the force in his gut, wondering if he’d split his dick in two. And yet more jism spurted out, leaving him gasping and spent, weak-kneed. He felt Val’s hand drop from his hip and glanced down to see Val reach for his own cock. “No,” he gasped out. “Mine.” He tugged Val to his feet and pushed his back against the wall. “Don’t expect me to take my sweet time,” he warned him. “I want your cum in my mouth too badly. But I promise you a good fucking later.” “I look forward to that.” Val’s husky tone slithered into Rick’s heart. Rick captured Val’s nipple between his teeth and rolled. Val’s groan branded him some more, made him feel allpowerful. “You might get that fucking sooner than I anticipated.” He brushed his half-hard dick against Val’s erection, then crawled his mouth down Val’s torso. “God, you’ve got a beautiful body, a beautiful cock. I’ll bet it fucks really good, too.” 129

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“Please…” Val thrust into air, seeking Rick’s mouth. “Don’t worry, love. I won’t torture you the way you did me.” He shoved his hand between Val’s thighs and kneaded his hard sac. Val writhed into the touch, hard dick waving the air in front of Rick’s eyes. Rick watched the length, marveled at the pearly string of pre-cum leaking from the tip that defied the water bouncing off them. He sucked it off and watched more replace it instantly. “I…I thought you weren’t going to torture me.” Val wiggled his fingers through Rick’s hair, cupped his ear, then traced his jawline. Rick caught his thumb and sucked it between his lips, giving Val a taste of what he’d be doing soon. Val thrust, his cock nudging under Rick’s chin. Rick rubbed his cheek over it, letting Val feel the ride of whiskers over delicate flesh. He only begged for more. Rick fingered his hole, pushed, and sank into his heat. Tight. So tight. He pressed his palm harder against Val’s balls, worked his finger deeper, then sucked that beautiful cock down his throat. Short, frantic jabs pivoted Val’s hips. Rick knew he held back for him. He was just as determined Val let go. He sucked harder, working his tongue around the length, squeezing that hard sac. Val smacked his head against the wall. Tension screamed from his body. Rick reached up and pinched his nipple. Val thrashed and lifted his chest for more. He pinched again, 130

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harder. Heat poured into Val’s groin. He rolled his hips into deeper stabs, clutching Rick’s head to keep it just where he needed. Rick moved with him, feeling the salt of pre-orgasm against his tongue. Val gasped. Froze. Pushed deep. A low growl built to a body-clenching groan. Rick felt the surge, the pulse of nerves, and drank in the explosion. Every. Last. Drop. Val slumped into the wall. Rick peppered his fading erection with kisses and released him slowly, urging him down into the tub with him. Val draped his arms around Rick’s neck, eyes heavy-lidded with orgasmic bliss Rick knew all too well. “You have the most gorgeous feet of anyone I’ve ever met.” Rick peppered more kisses against Val’s throat. “I have a thing about feet.” “I have a thing about you,” Val gasped out. “But you need to know…it’s not hero worship.” “I know.” He pressed Val’s hand to his own pounding heart. “Because I feel it, too.”

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CHAPTER 8 “I didn’t realize we were going to be so…informal.” His father swung the suite door open to let Rick and Val in. In the living room area ahead, Scott and Naomi were wearing the same thing as they were—the hotel robes. They sat on one side of an olive green leather sofa, Naomi’s feet tucked under her as she cuddled under Scott’s arm. “If it’s any help, we are wearing underwear,” Rick said as they walked by. “Laundry has everything else.” Ginny and Eva sat in flanking chairs, false smiles plastered on their faces, trying to make small talk with the couple. They were dressed as they’d been at the airport in bright tropical prints Rick felt subtly mocked what the rest of them had been 132

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through. Guilt nudged the assessment aside. Ginny had been through a hell of her own and still bore the marks of the beating the cartel thugs had inflicted. Dark circles ringed Eva’s eyes, proof she’d gotten little to no sleep during this ordeal. As for Rick’s father…he looked…gray. Rick wanted to feel sorry for them. He did feel sorry for them. But nothing excused the lies told that had put the rest of them in danger. He and Val slipped in the vacant spot on the other side of the sofa. “Kids asleep?” Val asked his sister. Ginny nodded, but didn’t meet his gaze. “Out the instant their heads hit the pillows.” She traced an invisible pattern on the arm of the chair. Rick’s father pulled another chair from one of the bedrooms into the circle. He sat on the edge, took a breath, then eased back. Tension made his movements stiff. “So where do you sleep?” Rick couldn’t help himself. It was a two-bedroom suite and a fair question under the circumstances. A flush stained Charles’s cheeks. Lips tightened. “I have my own room.” “If I’d known you were springing for suites—” “Enough.” He lifted his hand to stop further digs. Rick leaned forward, forearms on knees. “I think we all agree about that. We deserve a full explanation, not the pretty lies tossed our way. A woman is dead because of you.” None of them looked up. Eva closed her eyes and turned her head away. Charles stared at the floor. Ginny still made 133

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her little designs, acting more like a child about to be scolded. “I don’t even know where to begin.” Rick flopped back. His robe gaped. He left it that way. It made the three uncomfortable and as far as Rick was concerned, they deserved it. “Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we?” Val waved his hand at the parents. “What the hell? An affair I can understand, but why lie about it all these years? Why the big secret?” Ginny lifted her palms, anger blazing from her eyes. “I’m the big family shame. My existence threatens the very foundation of the Ramone family and, most importantly, the structure of Ramone Import/Exports.” Naomi snorted. “And people call me a drama queen.” Ginny glared at her. Naomi didn’t flinch. Rick watched his father. Anger built there, too. “Dad, how could you not openly acknowledge your daughter? Because of us? Because of Mom?” Charles balled a fist on the armrest. “Oh…she’s not my daughter. She could have been my daughter if someone hadn’t been fucking my father on the side.” Rick felt Val’s tension on one side and Naomi’s on the other. He knew they all stared at Eva. The woman’s jaw clenched, grinding teeth cutting the sudden silence in the room. His father launched to his feet and jabbed a finger in Ginny’s direction. “She’s my sister.” Ginny glared up. “Half sister.” 134

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Charles splayed his fingers against his chest. “You can imagine my surprise when I found the woman I thought I loved, the woman I intended to spend the rest of my life with in bed with my father!” Rick waved him back in the chair. “Calm down, Dad. It’s over.” “Oh, it’s never over,” he shouted. “It’s always there, eating away at everything. And if you really think I’m going to sit back and watch you with him”—he jerked his finger at Val— “you’re wrong! God, it was bad enough to discover you were a fucking queer. Now to see you consorting with…with…” “The enemy?” Val finished for him. Charles stepped forward, smacking his shin against the low coffee table. “Yes, the enemy. It’s bad enough I have to take credit for a bastard child who isn’t mine”—his finger swung to Ginny—“but I’ll be damned if I watch the two of you skipping down the garden path hand-in-hand!” After all this time thinking his father had accepted him, this revelation cut right to Rick’s heart. Shit, he felt like crying. He wanted to grab Val’s hand and hold tight, wished Val would do it. A show of affection would be the one of the worst things they could do right now. Scott cleared his throat. “Why did you have to take credit for fathering her?” Charles sank into the chair and buried his head in his hands. It was Eva who answered, “Because if Dora Ramone had actual proof her husband had an affair, she’d ruin him and take 135

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the company. All of it. August pleaded with Charles to accept paternity, pleaded with him to marry me.” “And that wasn’t going to happen,” Charles mumbled. “But the lie had to hold. Of course, presumed granddaughter or not, Dora refused to acknowledge a bastard child into the family. Said no illegitimate child was going to have a toehold in her company. August definitely didn’t want Ginny around. So…” Eva shrugged. “Then she met Glen Lancaster.” Charles pulled his head up on a sigh. Tears glistened in his eyes. “He wanted to mend the bridges. Thought it was Eva who refused to allow me to have a relationship with my daughter. He couldn’t know the truth, no one could.” “And so the lie grew.” Val shook his head. “This makes no sense.” “Life often doesn’t,” Eva replied. “Everyone makes mistakes.” “But yours is a whopper, Mom.” She shook her head, looking at him for the first time. “Dora would have taken everything. August would have had nothing. I had a child to support. I…I loved him. I didn’t want him to suffer.” “August clearly didn’t love you back with the same intensity.” Charles snorted and jerked his head toward her. “She’s still seeing him. Has been ever since Glen died. Hell, maybe she was seeing him while Glen was alive.” The fact Eva didn’t deny it had to hurt Val. This time Rick 136

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did reach out, giving Val’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “How could you lie about your feelings toward another person all this time?” Naomi’s voice choked. “Your rage toward Ginny… Toward Rick… Dad, you let those little children think you’re the grandfather who adores them.” Rick knew how she felt. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. His father crumbled into the chair, burying his head once more. “I didn’t lie. I do love them. I do… It’s just… everything…” “Is caving in,” Rick said. Charles nodded. “All of it.” “This isn’t about drugs.” Val gave a sad laugh. “It’s about blackmail.” “Ginny didn’t even know until the night they were attacked.” Eva’s voice was barely audible. “She found out from…” Ginny smothered a sob in her hand. “The ransom demand came shortly thereafter.” Charles scrubbed a hand down his face. “When August didn’t respond as quickly as they wanted things…escalated. Ginny was beaten as a warning and left with Father Montoya to get home. Norman was killed when that didn’t happen fast enough. Then the threats against the children came next after they promised to link Ramone Import/Exports to drug smuggling.” No wonder his father looked so gray. Rick didn’t give a damn. “All this going on, all this subterfuge, and you still 137

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couldn’t manage to tell any of us the truth. You still sent Naomi into a situation where she could have been kidnapped and killed. Sent me.” Rick stabbed his thumb into his chest and swiveled his gaze to Ginny. “And you sent Val. Lied to him when you knew the truth.” “Who was I to trust?” she screamed. “My husband was dead. My kids were next. All because of them! Can you imagine how it felt to let people think my husband, who never broke any law ever, would have his name and reputation linked with drug smuggling?” “I have connections. We’ll get it straighten out, sweetheart,” Charles said. “Fuck your connections. And don’t sweetheart me. I have half a mind to go to Dora Ramone myself and tell her exactly what’s going on.” Rick expected her to rush from the room. It would have been a great exit adding weight to her words. Instead, she parked her chin on her fist and stared at the drapes. As great a threat as it was, she knew no good could come of it. Rick studied her, so much like Naomi. The resemblance was uncanny, especially with both of them together. The dark hair and eyes, caramel skin tone. There wasn’t a hint of Eva Lancaster in her at all. Genetics was funny like that, he guessed. “Did you ever have a paternity test done?” he asked. Charles and Eva both shook their heads. “We couldn’t risk that,” Eva said. “And I knew.” Val leaned forward. “And clearly someone else knew, too, 138

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besides you, Charles, and August. Something one of you did raised a red flag.” Both vehemently shook their heads. “There’d be nothing to gain,” Charles said. “I’d hardly call several million dollars worth of uncut diamonds nothing. Someone knew something. And the thing about blackmailers is…they never have enough. They always come back for more.” Rick let Val’s words sink in. “What did Ross know?” His father smeared tears from his eyes. “Only that my grandchildren had been kidnapped. I asked him to deliver the diamonds. Your grandfather turned it all into the guise of humanitarian aid.” “Is that where the diamonds came from?” Scott asked. Charles nodded. “He didn’t want to provide them. He never gave a damn about Ginny, much less her children. I told him to give me the diamonds or I’d go to DEA first and your grandmother second. Told him I’d see he and the business were finished. I’d lost my woman to the man…I wasn’t about to lose my grandkids.” Val nudged his sister’s leg. “No matter what’s been said today, that ought to tell you how he really feels.” Charles let his tears go. “I do love you, Ginny. I so much wanted you to be mine. I do love you. I’m so sorry for the harsh words. So sorry. I…” Ginny reached over and grabbed his hand. He clutched it. “I love you, too. You’ve always been my Dad. You always will be.” 139

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Val shot a glare to his mother. “It ought to tell you something, too, Mom. I know you think I’m less than something because I’m gay. That I have no capability of knowing what you all call real love. I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like to know you’d willingly put me in a situation where I could’ve been killed. Was the truth so hard? Do you think I’m so unworthy—” “Ginny and I came to you because we knew you could do it, that you would do it. Your brothers…” Eva tsked. “I love them, but they couldn’t find their asses in a sunlit room. You were the only one we could depend on. For crying out loud, Val, Grant squeals when he’s sees a spider. Do you honestly think I’d trust him in the rain forest? I needed someone I could depend on. That someone was you. When we lost contact with Ross, we didn’t know what had happened. We thought August betrayed us, that the diamonds were fake. “You don’t think I know how stupid I’ve been? I knew it all those years ago, but too late. When your father died, I was so grief-stricken, so lonely, so scared, so…dumb. And there August was…charming, attentive…and I was twenty years old again, wanted and beautiful…and clearly just as stupid and naïve. I broke it off with him a month ago. He hasn’t given me a moment’s peace since then. And, yes, I…whored myself to him again to save my family. If I’d done it sooner, Norman would still be alive.” Talk about being to hell and back. And this was a hell of their own making. Rick brushed his hands over Val’s back. The tension there mirrored his. He wasn’t sure how much 140

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more of this any of them could take, wasn’t sure he really wanted to hear any more, and wished he didn’t know half of what they’d been told. They’d wanted the truth. They sure as hell got it. “Is that all of it?” he forced himself to ask. Charles and Eva nodded. “Okay.” Rick sighed. “I guess we’ll all move forward from here.” “If we’re going to make it as a family, we’re going to have to,” Naomi said. “This lie can’t continue. It’s ludicrous to think one woman can and would topple a multi-million dollar company over an affair. Grandmother might cut off Granddad’s balls, but she wouldn’t destroy the business.” “You don’t know your grandmother,” Charles muttered. “Apparently, I don’t know you either, Dad.” Naomi stood and reached for Scott. “I’m tired. I’m done. I’d like to get some sleep. I want to be fresh for our wedding tomorrow.” Scott pushed to his feet and wrapped his arm around her. “Despite all this, Naomi and I would like it very much if you were with us tomorrow, Charles.” He opened his mouth to say something, then clamped it shut and nodded. Rick watched the couple leave. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for him and Val to do the same thing. He rubbed Val’s back. “I need a drink. Let’s go raid the minibar. Maybe we’ll even find our clothes are back.” As if they’d need them. “Sounds like a plan to me.” 141

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They were halfway to the door when Eva hurried up behind them. She wrapped a hug around Val and, though the words were whispered, they carried well. “Please don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

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CHAPTER 9 “There’s beer and wine.” Rick squatted before the minibar, picking through the contents. “You know it’s an electronic system. You’re charged the minute you pick something up.” Val placed the packets of clean clothing on the dresser. “I know. I wish I could pick them up a thousand times. Beer or wine?” Val whipped the bedspread down. “Both and any other liquor in there.” “I hear you on that one.” All the booze in the world wasn’t going to erase what they’d just learned. He shrugged off the robe, plumped the 143

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pillows against the headboard, and sat down. Rick’s appreciative gaze swung up his body. Val’s penis filled at the hunger in his eyes. Rick set the beer cans and small wine and liquor bottles on the nightstand next to the lube and condoms he’d placed there earlier, then kissed Val. Val tugged on the robe’s belt. “Wearing too much, babe.” “Not for long.” He doffed the robe, while Val popped the tops on the cans and handed a beer to Rick. “Cheers.” Rick lifted his can in toast, then crawled over Val’s body to the other side of the bed. They sat in silence, staring at the blank TV scene, absorbing all they’d been told. Lies…all of it. But the truth was even more far-fetched. “Is your grandmother that formidable?” “I suppose she can be. You sure don’t want to piss her off. She’s got this look she gives when you’ve screwed up that makes you think you’ll be melted on the spot…or wish you could melt to get away from it. But to the extent they believe?” Rick took a long swig. “I’d have to agree and I don’t even know her.” Right now, he couldn’t be sure he knew any of those people back there. Ginny’s rage, his mother’s duplicity? He was glad his father wasn’t around to witness it. But if he were, would any of this have happened? Val stared at his beer. Chugging it down no longer seemed like such a good idea. His stomach was roiling enough as it was. “I can see her wanting to cut off your grandfather’s balls 144

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for screwing around on her. But why would she want to destroy a company that’s her life-blood, too?” Rick reached over and set his can aside with Val’s. “No, it doesn’t make sense. Take it over, yes. Destroy it, no.” He draped his arm and leg over Val’s body and wiggled them down to lie on the bed. Smiling, Val wrapped his arm over Rick’s shoulder and kissed his forehead. He felt Rick’s smile against his chest, felt the erection nudge his hip. This is how they should have been spending their time—enjoying each other, not dealing with the refuse of someone else’s past affairs. “Cruel as this sounds, I find it impossible to believe that my mother was the only affair your grandfather had.” “I agree. And it wouldn’t surprise me to learn he had other illegitimate children elsewhere. What I don’t understand is his supposed fear of my grandmother. Why continue doing something if he knows or suspects she could ruin him?” “Because he can. Because it’s a power play. Because he can’t help himself. So he becomes more skilled at covering it up.” He shrugged. “I’d think she’d become more skilled at finding him out.” “Maybe it’s not the affairs that bother her, but the threat of illegitimate children. Embarrassment issue aside, those children could very well force the courts to accept their legal rights to inheritance, even to the company itself. Is she going to stand by and let a bastard child take something she’s help build? Even believing Ginny was a granddaughter, she wouldn’t acknowledge her.” 145

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Rick thumbed Val’s nipple rather absentmindedly…like it was his security blanket. The thought warmed Val. The harsh words Charles had thrown Rick’s way chilled him. “People often say things they don’t really mean in the heat of anger.” He sifted his fingers through Rick’s thick hair. “They might not mean them, but they sure thought them and said it out loud. There has to have been some basis for intent at some point. It felt like he stabbed me in the heart tonight. All those years ago when I came out, he was so calm and understanding. Then to have this thrown in my face.” “He was scared and hurt, and getting ready to admit the biggest secret of his life. He lashed out in fear, subconsciously dragging you down to the same level of upset he was at. Leveling the playing field…more or less.” “It was more like driving a permanent wedge between us. It’s always going to be the elephant in the room.” He lifted his head to look at Val. “At least you know your mom sees you as…” Val pressed his fingers against Rick’s lips. “Both our parents must see us as fully capable or they wouldn’t have come to us for an impossible task in the first place. They trusted us and our abilities enough to believe we could get the job done.” “Yeah…just not enough to tell us the truth.” “I’m not sure we’ve got the whole truth now. This whole thing seems far-fetched to me. There’s got to be more here, more they’re not telling.” “I don’t know if I want to hear any more. I might have 146

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been able to excuse the mistakes they made when they were younger, but the simple fact is they jeopardized those two kids. There’s no excuse for that.” Rick settled back down and continued idly toying with Val’s nipple. Tiny shockwaves of pleasure darted down Val’s body, loosening the chokehold emotion had on his throat. “No wonder I love you.” Rick looked up. No shock widened his eyes or gaped his mouth. He drew closer, locking his leg over Val’s. His palm flattened over the nipple. Emotion poured from his face, bathing Val in a sensation he never thought he’d ever experience. He knew what Rick was going to say, knew it because he could see it clearly. “I love you, too. We are…perfect together, perfect for each other.” Val couldn’t agree more. No mistakes here. Even the web of lies that had thrown them together earlier than they’d anticipated had helped bond them quicker than any archaeological dig. “I want to be inside you so bad,” they said in unison, then laughed. “Clearly we have some negotiation to do.” Rick bent down and lightly bit Val’s nipple. Val gasped and locked his fingers against Rick’s head to keep him in place. “You win. Just…love me.” “I already do.” Val closed his eyes when Rick’s lips touched his. Rick nipped and licked, first one and then the other, working his 147

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way deeper inside each time. Val played back, pulling Rick’s lips between his, then flashing his tongue over Rick’s to invite it inside. They settled into the kiss with contented sighs, kneading harder with every pass. Val pulled Rick on top of him, nudging his erection in place next to Rick’s. He brushed his hands over Rick’s broad shoulders, loving the strength that rippled beneath his fingers. Loving the raw scent of male that melded with his own. Rick ground into him, their pre-cum blending on their stomachs. Val moved his hands lower, basking in the heat that pooled in Rick’s lumbar. He swooped over the curve of his ass and cupped a butt cheek, digging his nails into the flesh. Rick gasped and broke the kiss, dragging his lips over Val’s jawline until he could suckle the earlobe between them. Val turned his head to one side, offering his neck and those oh-so-sensitive tendons. Rick latched on, kneading downward first with lips and then teeth. Val clamped his palms on Rick’s ass and thrust against his cock. Rick’s soft groan tickled Val’s neck, then he nuzzled in for another taste, rasping whiskers against whiskers. “I…I should’ve shaved.” Val crawled his fingers into Rick’s crack, working deeper and deeper until he could feel the fire from Rick’s balls screaming his name. “Should you?” Rick’s voice rumbled through him. “Are you sure?” He licked Val’s collarbone from shoulder to shoulder, then twirled his tongue into the well at the base of Val’s throat. Val rocked into him, trying to set the rhythm his body so 148

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desperately craved. Rick stilled his movements with one hand on his hip and slid away. Val fumbled for a handhold, anything to make him stay exactly where he was. Already he missed the heat from Rick’s body over his. He whimpered a protest, ready to beg if necessary. Then Rick rasped his whiskers over Val’s nipple. Val cried out and arched his chest for more. He splayed his knees wide and locked his heels around Rick’s waist. “Uh-uh. You’re much too impatient.” Rick bit his nipple and pinched his scrotum. Val slammed his heels into the mattress and thrashed his hips. An electrical shock would have had less impact. He didn’t know whether he liked it…or loved it. All he felt was the path of fire from chest to groin. Rick pinched again, pulling the skin away from Val’s testicles while he raked his cheek over the other nipple. He walked his fingers up Val’s balls, plucking, kneading, then nudging his finger between the two firm orbs. Val pressed his knees to the mattress, opening himself more fully. One hand flexed on Rick’s shoulder, the rhythm matching his gasps for breath. The other hand fisted Rick’s hair. He tugged on the strands, earning Rick’s soft growl of pleasure. Rick raked first one cheek and then the other down Val’s torso, sweet torture as the sandpaper rasp marked his skin. He pivoted his hips, not so silently begging for Rick’s mouth around his cock. Rick paused. Val held his breath, watching Rick admire his penis. Pre-cum leaked from the shiny deep red tip. 149

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“You look like I feel”—Rick circled his thumb against the base of Val’s cock—“ready to split apart.” His tongue lashed the droplet away, then he licked hard down the underside. Determined fingers pushed Val’s thighs up and back. Val caught his legs behind the knees and pulled them to his chest. Rick wedged his shoulders between them, rasping his cheeks over the tender flesh. Val fisted the sheet to keep his hands off his cock. Rick sucked his balls, pulling them into his hot mouth one at a time, urging them away from Val’s body, tracing a deep line between them. Pre-cum pooled on Val’s stomach, hot from release and then cool from the air. Rick nudged lower, pulling Val’s ass cheeks apart to plunder the hole hidden between them. Val cried out with the first touch of tongue to ass, rocking wildly into Rick’s mouth, praying for the strength not to masturbate when he wanted to come so much his teeth hurt. One finger traced a lazy line up his dick. Rick drove his tongue deeper, catching the pre-cum that dribbled out and smearing it over the head with his finger, then drawing a fresh drop down to his mouth and slurping it. He drew in a shuddering breath and crawled to his knees. Val watched through half-closed eyes. He’d never seen a more beautiful man. Long, hard cock thrust from a nest of jet black curls. Deep red, swollen and dripping…just like Val’s. He licked his lips, wanting a taste of the meat. Rick’s smothered groan slid his attention away from his target. The rip of the condom packet nearly did Val in. He felt the surge and clenched his teeth against orgasm. Watching Rick roll the rubber in place didn’t help his efforts. He fisted his 150

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cock and squeezed until the sensation abated, squeezed again when he heard lube squirt into Rick’s hand. He lay there shaking like a damn virgin ready to shoot when those long, callused fingers reached for his anus. Gasped when the cool gel touched him. Groaned loud and long when Rick breached the tight band of muscle. “Damn, sweetheart,” Rick cried out. “You’ve got me too close to coming, and I want in your ass so bad I can barely stand it.” Val caught the back of his neck and drew him down for a kiss. Rick sank into it, lashing his tongue with Val’s. Val lifted his knees high until he felt Rick’s erection nudge his testicles. Rick pulled back until the tip was poised right where they both wanted. “Give it to me,” Val said against his lips, then kissed him hard again. Tension locked Rick’s muscles. He pushed forward, swallowing Val’s groan with his own as the head sank in. Deeper and deeper, each inch a sweet burn that screamed of possession, while the restraint sealed the earlier vow of love. When he’d reached the hilt, Rick pulled his head up, sucking in gasps for air. Then he levered himself to his knees until Val’s ass rested on his upper thighs. Val danced his fingers up forearms sculpted from hard work. He reached for Rick’s hard brown nipples, flicking over them until Rick’s eyes rolled back in his head. When he focused again, Val knew the lust in the dark brown depths matched what was in his own eyes. Rick reached for Val’s 151

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erection then, grinning, and brushed the back of his finger up and down the length. Val thrust into the caress. Up…and down. Up…down. In…out. A slow glide in his ass while Rick’s finger coaxed Val’s orgasm front and center. And with every second they both grew harder…hotter. “Fuck me,” Rick snarled, cupping Val’s sac with one hand, stroking his cock with the other. Val moaned and pumped his hips, loving the feel of Rick’s cock beating into him, the feel of mutual control, mutual satisfaction. Rick milked Val’s balls, tightened his grip on Val’s cock. Val clenched his muscles tighter, wanting to give Rick a ride they’d both remember when they were old and gray. He felt the fire in his ass, the burn in his cock. They were there. Coming together. A thrust. A gasp. Frozen. Then… Val thought he’d never stop coming. Strings of jism spurted over his stomach. Rick slapped his hand over the growing puddle and smeared it over Val’s skin, then his own. Rick’s cock throbbed with each jet he pushed out. Groaning with the force, grinding deeper. They sagged, gasping for breath, spent…for the moment. Rick eased from Val’s body and flopped to his back, then reached for Val and pulled him on top. Cum may have stuck them together, but it was Rick’s smile that glued Val in place. Kisses meant for afterlove stirred their cocks. The urgency was quenched, but not the driving want. Val didn’t think he’d ever get enough of Rick, if they lived a thousand years. He 152

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took his time, covering every inch of Rick’s body he could reach—and a few not readily accessible—with kisses. Licking every drop of cum off his torso, even removing the condom and cleaning his cock, laving his balls, finger-fucking his hole. Side by side, hard kisses marking every second, they stroked each other until cum filled their palms and covered their stomachs once more. Val was almost asleep when Rick’s cell phone rang. Rick fumbled for the nuisance on the nightstand, only to realize it wasn’t there among the liquor, beer, condoms, and lube. “This better be important,” he muttered, and stumbled to his backpack. The phone stopped ringing before he could reach it. Nevertheless, he checked the display. Val shoved himself to his elbows. “Who is it?” “The hospital where Jay took Hector.” Frown deepening, he sat on the edge of the bed to call back. Val walked to the bathroom, wet washcloths for both of them and tossed one out to him. Rick caught it with one hand and dialed with the other. Val heard one ring before a woman answered. “Someone called me from your number.” Rick’s frown turned to pain, grief. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Val was by his side in an instant offering quiet support. He knew without asking Hector didn’t make it. “Where is Jay Cepeda?” Rick asked. “I see. Has the United States Embassy—” His shoulders sagged a little more. Val dropped his hand to Rick’s thigh. Rick gripped it and 153

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squeezed. “On my way.” He ended the call and sighed. “Hector died. They can’t find Jay. I’m listed as the primary point of contact. I need to go.” “I’ll go with you.” Rick shook his head. “No, I need you here to make sure everything else runs smoothly. Make sure Scott and Naomi get married. Make sure Ginny gets her household goods packed up. This could take a while and everything else needs to stay on target.” Before anything else goes wrong? “I’ll let the family know and keep them out of your hair.” Rick cupped his neck. “If anyone can, it would be you.”

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CHAPTER 10 Rick tipped the valet and stepped into a waiting taxi. He’d never gotten dressed so quickly in his life. Plans and procedures raced through his head. It kept him from dwelling on anything else—Hector’s death, Jay’s unavailability, the family crisis, that he couldn’t reach Ross. Minutes before he’d been wrapped in comfort and drifting into a blissful sleep. Val’s touch had made him feel right and whole again, not tainted and wounded by his father’s earlier words. Filled the void in his heart with acceptance and love. Now…reality. No. He shook his head. This continuing nightmare had nothing to do with reality. If not for his obligation to the 155

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people who’d agreed to this farce of a rescue, Rick would grab Val, Scott, and Naomi, head out to the dig and wash his hands of the whole mess. But Hector didn’t deserve that. None of the others did. They’d volunteered out of compassion for another person, not a hidden agenda, despite the fact they were all well paid for their efforts. Now two people were dead, another injured, children traumatized. As much as Rick wanted to pull up stakes and head back to the safety of his world, he had to make something right, do right by Hector, even if doing right meant escorting Hector’s remains back to the States. He tried to call Ross again. Still no answer. No voicemail either. No error code. Odd. Once they’d left the rain forest, they’d all had clear signals—those who’d had cell phones. He decided to try a text message and hit send. Not the best way to hear a friend died, but it was his only option for the moment. There was no way to tell Jay. He wasn’t staying at their hotel and was one of the few who hadn’t brought a cell phone. He wouldn’t have left Hector unless he’d thought the man was in the clear. So either Hector had taken a sudden turn for the worse after Jay left, or Jay was still in the hospital somewhere. He started to call the hospital, then decided to deal with it all when he arrived. Maybe they’d found Jay by now. Maybe he already knew and found a quiet corner to deal with his grief before tackling the myriad of tasks involved with transporting a deceased U.S. citizen back home. Hell, maybe he wouldn’t care. He hadn’t given a damn about retrieving Pia’s body. The trip, the danger, the weapons…all took a toll on Jay’s well156

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ordered, pin-neat life. The kids dealt with it better than he did. He’d never liked camping as a child, scorned getting his sneakers dirty, or holes in his jeans. God forbid a germ entered his clinic. So, what he hoped to accomplish by coming along… “We here,” the driver announced. Rick snapped out of his reverie as the taxi pulled to a stop in front of the hospital. A tall blonde in a white lab coat stood at the entrance. He assumed that was who he’d spoken to—Dr. Schiller. She waited inside while he paid the driver, hands buried deep in her pockets, eyes large behind her blackrimmed glasses. She wore white sneakers, blue scrubs, and an identification badge dangled from her pocket. She met him as the automatic doors swung open, but didn’t offer her hand in greeting. “I’m Dr. Schiller. You are Rick Ramone?” “Yes.” “Come.” She did an abrupt turn and started down the hallway, giving him no choice but to follow. They took a staircase up to the second floor. Her stride increased. So did his discomfort. No nurses’ station. No staff. No hospital rooms. Everything on this floor looked like offices. She stopped two-thirds of the way down the hall and motioned toward the door. “If you’ll go in…” Going back the other way sounded like a more reasonable option. “What’s—” The door swung open to a small conference room. A man in a dark gray suit stood to one side, revealing three other men 157

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similarly dressed. “Mr. Ramone…if you please…” He swept his arm before him and Dr. Schiller hurried away. “Do I have a choice?” he asked. The man shrugged. “A man like you always has choices. You wouldn’t be where you are now if you hadn’t made the right choices in life. We can only hope this will be one of them.” “Hector Morales isn’t dead, is he?” “Please.” The jerk of his hand insisted Rick enter the room. He could step across the threshold and find out what the fuck was going on, or he could haul ass, at which point all four of them would probably tackle him and drag him into the room. Great choices. “All right,” he said, and walked in. The door closed quietly behind him, punctuated by the barely perceptible sound of a lock. Rick rolled out one of the brown leather club chairs and sat down. So did his host. A folder lay on the table in front of the man. Judging from the look of it, Rick thought it contained pictures, maybe some papers. “Your friend Hector isn’t dead,” the man said. “We apologize for the ruse, but it was necessary in order to get you here alone. I’m Special Agent Carmichael with the DEA.” He presented his ID. It looked like the real deal. “These gentlemen are my associates. We’ve been involved in a joint task force for several years trying to gather evidence on a large drug smuggling operation.” 158

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“Involving Norman Morrison.” Rick held up his palms. “I didn’t know the man or know of him until a week ago.” Carmichael smiled. “He was working with us, deep cover.” So that either made him a hero or a bastard. Rick was going with bastard since it put his wife and children in potential danger. “I presume you intend to let his wife know that.” Carmichael made a fake wince. “That’s one of those lesser of two evil things. ‘Your husband was a drug smuggler,’ or ‘Your husband married you as part of your cover?’” He weighed the issues in his hands. Yeah, definitely a bastard. “If it matters, Norman loved his wife and children. It was a source of discontent between us.” Rick snorted. “It worked out great for Ginny, too, didn’t it?” “One works the angles one can. Had you been a little more receptive to Pia, this wouldn’t have happened.” Rick slapped his palms on the table and came halfway out of his seat. “Pia?” he shouted. “Pia was DEA?” They glanced at the table, not at him. The answer was fairly clear. “Oh, my God, you’re investigating Ramone Import/Exports! How long has this investigation been going on?” “Years,” Carmichael replied. “August Ramone approached us privately with his suspicions. Apparently he found what he felt were inconsistencies. We agreed and launched from there. 159

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Pia seemed like the logical option.” “Me?” He thumped his chest. “You were investigating me?” It sure explained why Pia was so persistent in hooking up with him. “Your father, Charles.” Rick flopped down in the chair. This was fucking hilarious. “So when you couldn’t get your little spy in through me, you went through Ginny to get to him.” “Naomi was too young. You were disinterested. That left only one daughter.” Showed how much they knew. “Ginny’s not my sister, she’s my aunt.” “Oh, she’s your sister all right.” Carmichael flipped open his folder. “We ran DNA.” His father would be happy to know that. He’d need a little joy when he discovered DEA thought he was running drugs. “Why am I here?” he demanded to know. “We need your help retrieving something.” “Now…now you need my help?” Carmichael released a world-weary sigh. “Things have gone somewhat…awry the last couple of weeks. We have reason to believe we might have a different suspect. Norman had information on a flash drive. Procedures were clear. If there was a threat, he would hide the drive in his daughter’s stuffed puppy.” The puppy Pia had apparently had her hands all over. Now Pia was dead. “Someone killed Pia.” “Yes, we heard the incident go down. She had a small 160

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comm device in her…on her person and called to tell us she’d done everything but pull the stuffing out of the dog and the drive wasn’t there. Then we heard a crash, her muffled cry, and the connection went dead. We now have her remains in custody for autopsy.” One of their people was a killer, a drug smuggler. He was getting info dumps from hell tonight. “We think the drive is still in the Morrison house,” Carmichael said. “Cartel operatives have been monitoring it closely. We can’t send a stranger in there to get the thing. It has to be family. We cleared you many years ago. Just in case. We like to cover all our bases as thoroughly as possible,” he added with a grin. They’d done a bang-up job so far. “I’d have more faith in that if things weren’t already so fucked up. Pia dead. Hector close to it. And where the hell is Jay Cepeda? Tucked away for his own private briefing?” “We have a man on him.” Another “just in case?” “How did your carefully structured investigation go to shit?” “We’re wondering that ourselves. One day everything’s going according to schedule; the next thing we know the Morrisons are kidnapped and people we don’t know are blackmailing August Ramone. We provided the demanded ransom, but it took time. The kidnappers weren’t as patient. We still aren’t sure who they were, but they definitely skylined our whole operation.” He slid photographs Rick’s way—pictures of the village, 161

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the soldiers who’d overtaken them, the refugee camp, the second team. “Our operative was able to get these uploaded to us. We’re evaluating them.” Operative. They couldn’t even give Pia the respect she deserved by mentioning her name. “Look, all we’re asking is that you go into the house tomorrow and retrieve the drive. Help us nail this bastard.” “And what about the bastards who terrorized those children, killed their father, beat their mother?” Carmichael shuffled the photos together. “We’ll get it resolved. Will you help us or not?” Rick knew if he said no, he wouldn’t be leaving this room tonight. He also had the feeling that helping them once meant helping them in the future. So much for choices. “You find a nice story for Ginny,” he told them. “No one needs to find out that the person they loved was using them, even if it did turn into love later.” “All right.” Carmichael added a nod. “If you want this done seamlessly and without suspicion, I’m not your man. My sister…my other sister,” he clarified, “is getting married tomorrow. It’ll look odd if I’m not there. I also barely know Ginny. It’ll look odd if I show up at her house alone. You’re best option…your only option is to have Val Lancaster retrieve the drive.” The other three men in the room shifted in their seats, shooting Carmichael looks Rick couldn’t decipher. That’s when he realized he’d been played from the start. It wasn’t Rick’s help they wanted. It was Val’s. But they couldn’t bring 162

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Val here on a ruse. “It’s what you wanted all along,” he told them. “I don’t appreciate being fucked with.” “Consider it a measure of the trust we place in you, Mr. Ramone.” “For some strange reason, that doesn’t comfort me.” Rick shoved his chair back and stood. “I’ll take that taxi back to the hotel now.” “In a moment.” Carmichael reached into his pocket. “We’ll want to have you both monitored with tracking devices.” Rick smirked. “And here I’d hoped you were going to put a man on me.” *

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The room was dark when Rick walked in, but not for long. Val sat up and flicked on the bedside lamp. He squinted up at Rick, blond hair sleep tousled, sheet bunched around his hips, which now sported white boxers. “What happened? Did you find Jay? Was it venom from the ants? You look like shit.” “It’s nothing compared to how I feel. Hector’s not dead.” He stripped off his shirt and sat on the edge of the bed next to Val. Liquor bottles still dotted the night table. He unscrewed the vodka and shot it in one gulp. “I don’t understand.” Rick handed him the rum. “Drink this first. You’re gonna 163

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need it.” Val waved it off. “I polished off the beer we opened earlier. Don’t think my stomach could handle liquor on top of it.” Rick drank it himself and undressed. He gave a detailed account of everything, even added his own feelings and evaluations of what he could only think of as all-this-crapgoing-on. Val didn’t interrupt once, probably due to shock, but Rick knew Val’s emotions would run the same course as his. Anger took the top spot, flaring when Rick showed Val the tiny tracking device Val would need to wear. There was no question whether he’d agree. They both knew he would. “So…where would you like it?” Rick asked. Val poked the device into his deep navel. “One of the many benefits of having an innie.” “If I wasn’t so beat I jump on that one.” “If I wasn’t so upset I’d let you.” Rick wanted to say he’d passed upset long ago, but he wasn’t about to start lying to Val. “I’m going to take a shower.” He needed something to wash away the stench from the meeting. Val didn’t budge. Fifteen minutes later, Rick found him still sitting in the same position staring at the far wall. Rick hauled on a pair of boxers and crawled into bed next to him. When Val cut the light, Rick spooned against his back. Val’s sigh relaxed him into Rick’s body. He wrapped his arm over Rick’s and laced fingers. “We’ve been manipulated from the start,” he said. “Caught 164

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in a web of lies and deceit that make my head want to explode. And each time I think it can’t get any worse, yet another tendril whips out. I’d die before I’d let Ginny find out the husband she loved, the father of her children, married her as part of an undercover assignment.” “They’ve promised she won’t find out.” Even as he said it, Rick knew their promises only worked as far as it got them what they wanted. “I hate her not knowing Norman didn’t have an affair with Pia, that Pia was his partner instead. There’s no glossing over that. This is all so fucked up. Where’s the end, Rick? We do this now for one reason, and I’m not saying it’s an invalid reason—at least I pray to God it isn’t—then how long before these guys are back for us to do something else? Blackmailing us with threats to tell Ginny the truth. They’re no better than the ones who started this mess in the first place.” And which mess would that be? They were all piling up at an incredible rate. “I know,” he replied softly. He knew all too well and it ate a hole in his gut. “I’m scared, Rick.” “Yeah. Me, too.” He kissed his neck. “I don’t like you going in alone, even if it is necessary.” He twisted around a little. “Know any ninja moves to help save the day?” “I might. If I wasn’t so tired…” Val settled into him once more. “If I wasn’t so worried…” Rick kissed his shoulder. “I’ll find some way to make sure you have back-up tomorrow.” 165

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“How can you do that without jeopardizing everything?” “I don’t know, but I’ll find a way. You’ll be safe…” “Or you’ll die trying?” Val jabbed an elbow into his ribs. “Not an option. I’ll blow the whole deal rather than have you hurt.” “Now you know how I feel.” Val rolled over. “Then you also know how my heart would break if you risked your life for mine. You know how devastated and guilt-ridden I’d be for the rest of my life.” “Don’t you think that’s already tearing me up?” Rick spanned his palm over Val’s ass. “All I had to do tonight was tell Carmichael no.” “Then we wouldn’t be lying here right now and they’d have only found another way to approach me.” He cupped Rick’s jaw and traced his thumb over the whiskers. “Stick to the plan. Scared as I am, I can take care of myself. I don’t need to be worrying about you on top of it all. And honestly, do you think for one second Carmichael is going to trust either of us? He’s lost too much already. He won’t risk it. Someone will be watching, I guarantee it.” Rick prayed it wasn’t someone with a bullet aimed at Val’s head. If something happened to his man, Rick didn’t care whether it was friend, family, or foe, he’d see them destroyed. Even if he had to lie, cheat, steal, and kill to bring them down. Maybe he wasn’t so different from his grandmother after all.

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CHAPTER 11 Val stood in the entryway of the Morrison home, gripping the two brand-new—tags still on them—suitcases Ginny had given him. The things were huge…and empty. Her instructions were to stuff as much of their clothes in them as possible. He’d expected her to argue about him coming alone. She didn’t, said she never wanted to see the place again. Val recognized the words for what they were—fear. He could certainly appreciate that—he was scared to death. It felt like his heartbeat echoed off the stucco walls. The house wasn’t unlike those he’d find in the suburbs back home. A modest rental in line with whatever job Norman was supposed to have with the State Department. Thick walls kept 167

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the place cool. A profusion of greenery guarded it…and made a haven for anyone wanting to spy on the place. His skin crawled knowing someone was probably perched in a tree watching the place. At least the movers would be here soon and he wouldn’t be alone. But that didn’t give him a lot of time to find the elusive flash drive. He might as well be looking for a diamond in a sea of glass. None of this made sense. For a family supposedly torn from their beds, the house looked remarkably tidy. Nothing seemed out of place. A light layer of dust covered the catch-all table by the front door. The brick red throw rug under his feet wasn’t disturbed in the haste to remove the family. The front door hadn’t been forced open. He stepped down into the sunken living room. Everything was wide open. He could see all the common areas from this point and the hallway leading to the bedrooms. More dust on the dark furniture. Not a sign of fingerprints. No toys. No clutter. No signs anyone did any living here at all. Not even pictures on the wall. If he didn’t know this was Ginny’s house, he wouldn’t know. If the information Norman collected was that vital, why hadn’t anyone bothered to search for it? Yes, Norman’s people anticipated it would be on the drive, but why take that risk when all they had to do was come and take the computer sitting on the desk in the corner? Better yet, why hadn’t the cartel seized it or ransacked the place? Both sides were playing each other. Each waiting for the other to make a move and give themselves up. And he was 168

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stuck in the damn middle not knowing what to look for…other than on the said computer which, now that he thought about it, was a little too obvious to hide information. If Norman had decided to hide it in plain sight on the hard drive, Val didn’t know what to pull off the damn thing. Norman’s people would have had better luck seizing the shipment of household goods and searching it themselves. The suitcase wheels clicked over the tile as he walked toward the bedrooms. Norman would have had the drive close at hand in the event of an emergency. The master bedroom seemed a logical place to start. He stopped short when he came to the first room—Bobby’s room judging from the Spiderman décor. The bed looked like it had never been slept in, much less have had someone pulled from it in the middle of the night. He peered into the next room, an homage to every Disney princess ever created. Every doll, every stuffed animal, all in place. Staged. Like a fake house. If the key hadn’t worked, Val would have thought Charles’s hired limo driver had taken him to the wrong place. The only logical explanation was that either Ginny had lied about the event, or someone had been in the place and tidied up. Neither were things he wanted to consider. Val frowned. How could Ginny have had time to grab her key ring and Norman not have had time to grab the drive? How had the key ring survived the attack on her? Again…she’d either lied or there had been time…and someone else had tidied up. 169

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More lies. More mystery. It churned his gut. Val left the suitcases in the hall and did a quick check of the rest of the house, searching for signs of break-in. Nothing. No dishes in the sink. No coffee in the pot. He swung open the refrigerator half expecting it to be empty, then breathed a sigh of relief to find it wasn’t. He glanced at the clock on the microwave. Time was short. The movers would be here soon. He might get lucky and find the damn drive while he packed up the suitcases. He’d interrogate his sister on inconsistencies later. He dug in his pocket for the list of things Bobby and Jody wanted. The note was tangled in with his pocket debris, so he scooped everything into his palm. Ginny’s damn key ring mocked him. How much crap did a woman need on a key ring? Car key, house key, luggage key—worthless now—a freaking “John Wayne” can opener, a flashlight, and a small Swiss Army knife. At least she’s prepared. He grabbed the first suitcase and swung it onto Bobby’s bed. Plastic ties kept the zippers closed. He reached for the multi-tool in his other pocket, then shrugged, tossed the note beside the suitcase and pulled the blade out on the little pocketknife. Holy shit! A flash drive stared back at him, part of the knife. He’d—they’d—had it all the time. He remembered now—Bobby had returned the key ring to his mother at the airport. “I’ll take that now.” Val muttered a million curses, all of which included fuck. 170

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He didn’t need to turn around to know Jay held a gun to his back. “So much for your dislike of weapons.” “Give me the drive, Val.” “Or what? You’ll kill me?” He forced a snicker and prayed he didn’t piss himself. “You’re going to kill me anyway, Jay. But in broad daylight? Movers will be here any second. Do you really want to risk witnesses? Or are you going to kill all of them, too? You know the place is being watched…don’t you?” So much for backup. “I suspected,” Jay said. And yet he’d still dared to walk in. What was on this flash drive was probably worth a fortune…or Jay’s life. The rumble of a moving van shuddered through the house. All Jay had to do was pull the trigger and Val was a dead man. He could dart out the back door before the movers walked in the front. If anyone was watching from the bushes all they’d have to do was track Jay to retrieve the drive and do whatever they wanted with him. Val waited for the airbrakes to squeal to a stop in front of the house, waited for the shot that would end his life. He slipped his hand around the suitcase handle. Could he swing and duck, throw it, use it as a shield? Damn soft-sided shit probably wouldn’t stop a BB. “Put the gun down, Jay. You don’t want to do this.” Rick. Val didn’t know whether to be mad or relieved. He was going with relieved. He didn’t know how Rick had managed to get here and didn’t much care at this point. 171

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Between the two of them there was hope of talking Jay down. If not…well, at least they’d die together. “The hell I don’t.” Hate laced Jay’s voice. Val dared a peek over his shoulder, sliding the suitcase more firmly into his grip. Rick stood behind Jay, directing Jay’s attention his way. But that damn gun was still aimed at Val. “Val’s never done anything to you, Jay. Don’t make him a part of whatever it is you’re doing.” Rick held up his palms. “Whatever’s wrong, whatever you’ve done, we’ll get it figured out.” “Oh, I figured it out a long time ago.” He barked out a laugh. “He paid for medical school, helped me set up my practice. Generous to a fault…until the night he saw me kiss Naomi.” Val eased around, taking the suitcase with him. Jay was lost in his story. Rick’s shoulders sagged under the weight of yet another revelation. “My grandfather is your father,” Rick said, and it truly looked like the words nearly killed him to say. “Told me, ‘She’s not for you.’ I wanted to know why. Wasn’t I good enough? I was a doctor with a growing practice. He yelled, ‘Good enough? Good enough? You’re her uncle, you ungrateful bastard. Do you honestly think I do all this for you out of the goodness of my heart? I do it because I have to. Because your mother has my balls in a vice.’” He gave a humorless snort. “I confronted her. She had him by the balls all right. She told me the man I thought was my father 172

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came at him with a gun when he caught them in bed. August shot him instead and the two of them covered it up.” Val dared a step in his direction. “Stop!” Jay whipped his gaze Val’s way, then back at Rick. “You…next to him or I’ll shoot him now.” Rick fanned the air. “Calm down. I’m moving. See?” Yep, we’re gonna die together. “So you and your mother decided to hit Grandfather where it hurt the most,” Rick urged him on as he stepped beside Val. “It was easier than I ever imagined,” Jay admitted. “Very lucrative for me for a long time. Until your mother fucked it all up,” he yelled at Val. “Whoring bitch. She was the reason August left my mother in the first place.” Val supposed August having a wife didn’t play in to it. Clearly, the old man had the morals of a… Hell, August had no morals when it came to his cock. “Then years later, Eva came sniffing around again. They weren’t so careful this time. Dora found out and went on a rampage, started looking closer at all those who’d benefited from August’s generosity. So I did a little digging as well. I knew it was only a matter of time before Dora learned the truth about my parentage and my sideline. It’s easy to manipulate when you have all the facts, or what people believe are the facts. “I was only trying to stop Norman and get away from the increasingly complicated demands of my associates, to avoid prison. Charles and Eva are the ones who made it so much more interesting.” 173

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“You terrorized those children,” Val spit out, hefting the suitcase more from rage now than desperation. “Killed their father! Had their mother—” “Movers,” a voice called out. Jay jerked around, startled. Val swung the suitcase, knocking Jay’s arm. A shot went wild, pinging off the stucco walls and whizzing past Val’s ear. Jay stumbled back. Rick kicked Jay’s leg out from under him and another shot split the air. Jay rolled to his stomach, gun flailing. Val nailed his foot on the man’s wrist and smashed the suitcase against his head—for all the good it did. Rick knocked the weapon free and grabbed Jay’s arm, twisting it behind his back. Footsteps pounded down the hallway. The barrel of a rifle swung around the doorframe. Another was right behind, taking the lead. Val got a flash of a moving company logo on their white T-shirts. “Freeze!” A third man ducked in—Ross. “Fuck. You.” Rick pushed to his feet and glared at the other man. “Sorry,” Ross said. “Wasn’t exactly sure where things stood when you showed up with the other team.” He cuffed Jay’s wrists. “Either of you hurt?” “No,” they said together. At least Val was pretty sure he wasn’t. He leaned against the wall. If he could just stop shaking… Ross hauled Jay to his feet and pushed him toward the men behind him. “You get the drive?” 174

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Val forced his legs to move. He snatched the key ring off the bed and tossed it to Ross without further explanation. Ross caught it in one hand. “Thanks. I’ll catch up with you later at the hotel and we can connect the dots.” “Yeah, looking forward to it,” Rick replied sarcastically. Val walked over to Rick and wrapped his arms around him. “Forget what I said last night. You can be my hero any day of the week.” Rick buried his face in Val’s neck. “Back at you.” “I hope to hell they restocked the minibar.” “Let’s go find out.” Rick patted him on the back and hugged him again. “Let’s see if one of these assholes can give us a ride back.” “Aren’t you supposed to be at a wedding?” “They didn’t have all the necessary paperwork. Scott’s trying to book a flight back home for them. He’s determined to marry her…now.” “I gotta say I know exactly how he feels. Great ninja moves, by the way.” “Thanks. If you’re lucky, I might let you wrestle me later.” Val grabbed him close and wrapped his arms around him. “I’d even let you win.” “I’d even let you be on top,” Rick choked out. Val buried his face in Rick’s neck. Rick did the same, clutching him tight. *

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“Norman’s really dead?” Ginny cried. “It’s not something faked for the sake of your mission?” Ginny’s grief tore Rick’s soul in two. He’d quit fighting tears five minutes ago. Ross still had some serious gaps to fill, but at least he’d given Ginny a story about a husband who loved her dearly, and Rick didn’t doubt the man did. He couldn’t imagine the hell Norman had been through, trying to keep the woman and children he loved safe, while still trying to do his job. Rick wondered how many times he’d wanted to chuck it all and leave, how many times he tried to do that and been forced back into the game. Eva and Charles stood as far away from each other as they could. Neither looked at each other or their daughter. Too much had happened to mend some bridges. Rick hoped the one between Ginny and Charles could be rebuilt somewhere down the line. His own with his father was now shaky at best. It’d be a long time before he could forgive those harsh words, and he sure as hell would never forget them. Scott and Naomi sat hand in hand listening, crying, setting aside their own frustration to support Ginny. Ginny clutched a shredded tissue between her fingers. Her brown eyes never once left Ross’s face. Ross covered her shaking hands with his. “Yes, I’m so sorry. Everything happened so quickly. We moved as fast as we could. Jay hit us at a vulnerable spot we didn’t know existed. Norman’s…remains have been recovered and you’ll be able to…” She managed a nod. “And he never had an affair 176

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with…her?” “No.” Ross shook his head. “A cover to protect you all. Norman hated it.” “What about the sabotage during our trip?” Naomi asked. “Pia and I did it together,” Ross admitted. “We were trying to stall until our people could get to us. Pia had spent years building up animosity against her. People kept their distance from her because of it and she was better able to do her job. This time it took focus away from me and allowed me to do mine. We thought the kids were a ruse and that we were making a drug deal. The original intent wasn’t to make a big excursion. I was going in alone. When August changed it all, we had to do something.” Ginny pulled in a shaky breath. “His keys… Can I please have them back?” Ross cocked his head to one side. Rick could see the questions and suspicions mounting. He wouldn’t have it. He put his arm around his half sister’s shoulders. “Keys?” “Yes,” she choked out. “The last thing he said was to grab his keys. The first thing was that he’d get the kids. He wanted us dressed and out of the house fast. Being with the State Department, you do anticipate emergencies. I thought this was one. A hostile takeover. Terrorism. He’d always said, ‘Never leave without the keys,’ so I grabbed them. Those men caught us as we walked out the door. Bobby said…” Her face crumpled under the emotion. Val’s arm came around her from the other side, and she leaned into his comfort. 177

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“Bobby said Norman put the keys in Jody’s puppy. Jody didn’t like it because the puppy was lumpy and not squishy. Bobby took the keys out and put them in his pocket. He kept them there until we…” “Until you were in the limo.” Val kissed her head. Ross covered his eyes. “Pia looked all over that dog inside and out, found the small pouch, but no keys. When we were finally in a secluded spot, she called to report in. Jay overheard, knew he was screwed, and killed her. That’s how he knew there was a drive with info and that it was probably still in the house as we suspected. He drugged Hector to the point of death to have an excuse to stay here—the Benadryl with the scopolamine patch nearly did Hector in. We couldn’t arrest Jay without proof, didn’t know where the drive was…” He dropped his head and rubbed at his neck. “I’m sorry for…everything. We’ll do everything in our power to see you’re settled and taken care of.” Charles cleared his throat and faced them for the first time since Ross had walked through the door. “Is my father going to be tried for murder? He’s apparently responsible for the death of Jay’s father.” Ross pulled in a sigh and stared into space for way too long before he finally answered. “Technically, it sounds like an accident, self-defense, but the fact he and Jay’s mother covered it up… We’re going to take that as it comes. Clearly, Jay has information that’s vital to us. His confession certainly cleared you. Should he be willing to cooperate…” Jay and his mother would go into witness protection. Ross 178

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and his people would be able to cut off a major drug trafficking line. In the grand scheme of things, that long-ago murder was insignificant. Besides, Jay’s mother couldn’t testify without implicating herself, unless she got immunity. Her lifestyle or her life? Whatever she’d extorted from August all these years, Rick hoped she’d saved up. “We’ll take it a step at a time and keep you informed,” Ross said. He looked at Val and Rick when Charles turned away. “Anything you two need? We could have done this without you, but not as quickly.” Val shook his head. Rick struggled for something and then… “Yeah, there is something.” He jerked his head toward Scott and Naomi. “They want to get married…now. There’s a little issue of paperwork.” “I can make that happen,” Ross said. “Nothing for the two of you?” “Yeah,” Val said. “Don’t come knocking on our door again.” Ross nodded, but didn’t promise. Six hours later, Scott and Naomi were married. Eight hours later, the others were on a private plane back to the States. Twelve hours later, Rick stood at the threshold of an ancient Maya tomb and watched the joy beam in Val’s face. And he knew this was a find of a lifetime.

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Cassie Stevens gets to the heart of the matter in her gay erotic romances. Readers will find deep emotions and sizzling sensuality seamlessly woven into stories that always promise a happy-ever-after. You can visit Cassie’s website at: www.cassiestevens.com

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