Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,68

I stand by what I said at the other house. You care about her.”

He gave me one hard look before answering, “Doesn’t really matter. Does it?”

Maybe he was right.

“No, not in the least. We need a better way to hide the Jeep,” I said as my answer.

“I can arrange that. Let’s get what we need then we’ll lose the vehicle for a couple of days.” As he walked off, I continued to wonder if we’d have a couple of days.

“I’m awake,” Lindsey said with an edge to her voice. While she was wearing the same dress that she’d had on the night before, she’d found some way to style her hair, even applying makeup. She looked stunning, although a lump formed in my throat, forcing me to look away. Everything about Lindsey was a reminder of Teresa. The radiant glow of her hair. The way the light caught her eyes, creating an almost luminescent appearance. Even the tropical dress that barely covered her thighs was something Teresa would have worn.

“Something wrong, Jack, or is it that you can’t stand to look at me any longer?” she asked as she walked closer.

I snapped my head in her direction before checking the ammo on purpose in front of her. She needed a reminder that we weren’t taking a vacation.

While her eyes opened wide, she said nothing else, but I could tell what had occurred the night before was a huge mistake for both of us.

“We need to go,” I ordered, already heading toward the door. No, this wasn’t a vacation on any level.

Within minutes we were driving through the city, the local architecture beautiful. While completely modernized, there were pockets that catered to the ancient history. Beautiful cathedrals and colonial history. Whatever assignment Diego had been on, he knew the area much better than he wanted to let on.

“Where are we going?” I finally asked as he moved away from the more modernized locations within the city.

“The Plaza de Armas. We’ll find everything we need, including an off the beaten track restaurant in order to get something to eat.”

“We’re not here for entertainment,” I countered.

“No, we’re just going to remain prisoners,” Lindsey stated. “What’s wrong with enjoying a meal together? Or is that something neither one of you can do? We haven’t eaten much in two days.”

“It’s called protection.” My answer was curt but necessary, although given the volume of people in the city, including thousands of tourists, the likelihood we’d be spotted was very small.

“Jack,” Diego said, grinning. “You don’t see any soldiers on the streets, do you?”

“I doubt the Serpent’s men will look like soldiers.” I scanned the area as he found a parking space, the various stores teeming with activity, sidewalk cafés already lined with people. There was even a fresh farmer’s-style market in the center of the square, the vivid colors and tropical atmosphere drawing hundreds. For all the dislike I had of Diego, the fact he knew the city was indeed a plus.

We would blend in well enough, the clothes that had been provided creating the aura of tourists out exploring the city and nothing else. “Fine. Two hours then we leave.”

“That will work. Let’s see if my favorite Mexican place is still here. You do enjoy Mexican food, don’t you? Jack?” As Diego cut the engine, yanking the keys, he hid his eyes behind dark sunglasses.

“That’s fine. Stay close to the buildings and do not give your real name,” I instructed.

“Who should I be? Anyone in particular, Jack?” she asked as she climbed out of the Jeep. Her biting remark cut to the very core. She was far too insightful.

“Pick whatever name you want.” I moved us across the street quickly, constantly scanning the street. While there was no one paying a damn bit of attention, my gut still churned.

“Fine. Then I’ll be Sophia,” she said in a whimsical fashion.

I cringed hearing what she’d selected. The damn name was far too close to one I couldn’t get out of my mind.

As we walked the streets, I was surprised at the crowds and the way the number of people allowed tension to ease. At least to a point. The first purchase had been a burner phone, the dollars spent minimal. We would use it only if necessary, but at least we had a backup.

The few supplies would get us through a couple of days, which was all the time I figured we had. The odd thing was that a part of me wanted to remain where we