Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
“I appreciate that.” I nod. “Now I’ll definitely be on my best behavior.”
Layla looks relieved. She takes another deep breath, then kisses me before we step out of the truck.
I’m tense as we cross the driveway and head into the house. This is it. This is where Pablo Hernandez lives. The boss. El jefe. The agency has been searching for this place for a long time, and so far, my mission is going just according to plan.
The two maroon-suited men lead us down an enormous marble hall, decorated with pillars and gold leaf, to the back yard where tons of girls in tiny swimsuits are splashing around in a massive pool. My CIA-honed skills kick in, and I instantly scan the area. I spot Pablo instantly, reclining in a deck chair, a cigar in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other.
“Tío!” Layla calls out, a smile plastered across her face. Yeah, she definitely knows how to put on that good-niece act.
Pablo turns, and I get my first look at the devil.
He’s not that tall or that muscular, but the power this man wields and the number of lives he’s taken is unprecedented. I force myself to relax. I can’t act like I know any of this. To him, I’m just the clueless American boyfriend.
“Layla!” he calls out, extending his arms for an embrace, which Layla sinks into. My soldier instincts are on high alert. I want to act now. End this tyrant’s life where he stands. But Layla’s life is on the line here too. I must wait for the perfect moment to make my move if there’s any hope of salvaging this.
And then we’ll see what happens to our relationship.
I can only pray she remains with me when she learns the truth.
“I’m so happy you could come! And who is this man you brought with you? Not some little American wimp, I hope?” He’s speaking Spanish to her, and I don’t let on that I can understand every word.
“No, of course not, uncle,” she replies in Spanish. “His name is Taylor, and he works construction.”
“A construction worker!” Pablo remarks, switching to English. “As long as he’s not some girly perfume salesman like most American men these days!”
I force myself to laugh as Pablo cracks up at his own joke. Layla laughs too, and I smile and nod. “That’s funny, sir. I agree with you.”
Christ, I’m being awkward. But maybe that’s good. Maybe it will just add to my cover.
Two girls in swimsuits bounce up behind Pablo, each taking one of his shoulders. They giggle and flirt and ask him, in Spanish, if they can give him a two-girl, hot-oil massage. Pablo’s eyebrows go up.
“Layla, why don’t you and Taylor go up to your room and get situated? I’m sure you’re eager to rest after the flight. You can join us for dinner in say, two hours?”
“That sounds great, Tío.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I say, doing my best to project respect for a man I truly despise.
I take the gaudy stairs up to our bedroom and find our luggage already waiting for us. I close the door, and Layla collapses onto the bed, exhaling a deep sigh of relief. “Thank God that went quickly. And thank you for being so well-mannered with him.”
“Am I normally not well-mannered?” I tease, bringing out one of those sunny smiles of hers that never fails to make me melt.
“That’s not what I meant,” she giggles. “Hey, do you wanna shower? They’re super spacious here. Lots of room for…activities.”
“Sure, honey. Just give me a minute to unpack a bit. Then I’ll join you.”
Layla stands and comes over to me. I try to see the intent in her eyes, but all I see is beauty. Does she suspect me still, or not? With all my spy training, I still don’t know.
“Okay, babe,” she replies, kissing me softly. “Just don’t make me wait too long.”
I watch the swaying of her hips as she walks away from me. Her ass looks so phenomenal in yoga pants, and my cock awakens, growing beneath my jeans. I go over to my suitcase and begin to unpack. Once I hear the water go on, I wedge my fingers between the miniscule gap in the inner zipper to reveal the hidden compartment. My ghost-phone and gun are both still there.
I retrieve the phone and walk over to the window and dial Neal. He answers on the first ring.
“You in?”
“I’m in and transmitting. This is the location. The home of Pablo Hernandez.”
I hear Neal clap hard once with excitement. “Should I send a team?”
I hesitate before responding. “No. I can handle the target.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve got this,” I reply. “I’m going dark for now. I’ll make it happen tonight. Just have an evac ready for me. Getting out on my own may not be possible.”