Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,73

he’d been shown early on. He also inspired me to become a doctor because of the goodness inside of him.”

“Do you have any idea why you were kidnapped? If they’d wanted to bring you back, I would have thought that’s what would have occurred.” Diego’s voice was more soothing than Jack’s, giving me some comfort, even though I knew I didn’t deserve anything. I glared down at the bag, the small trinkets I’d wanted to purchase for some crazy reason seeming outlandish.

I’d acted like a stupid child on vacation in my attempt to push aside all the ugliness. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t run from my past any more than I could entice two troubled men into caring for me.

“I honestly don’t. But what you found out about my application for Doctors Without Borders was wrong. My friend was able to maneuver the system. I called him. I begged to be allowed onto his project, even though he certainly didn’t think I was ready for such treacherous work. I knew I had to get away from my family in a location where they couldn’t get to me, or so I thought. I realize now that I was a fool to believe I could run away.”

I finally opened my eyes, noticing the way they were looking at each other.

“You have endangered all our lives by not telling us the truth,” Jack said harshly.

“How? What does the Mancini family have to do with this? They have no influence in South America.” I’d been trying to figure out a connection. “The Serpent never mentioned any names. He was very cautious.”

“That we’re going to find out, but it might take until our return. Would your father share the fact you were contracted in marriage to anyone?”

I could see Diego’s eyes in the rearview mirror even in the darkness after asking the question. “Not a chance. My father wouldn’t risk the wrath of the Mancini family on any level.”

“It will be interesting to find out the truth.” Jack turned his attention to the streets, his body language tense. “If I had to guess, I’d say your father already did something against the Mancini family. If that is the case, you may be in more danger on American soil than where we are. The mission may need to be aborted.”

“You can’t do that, Jack,” Diego insisted.

“Yes, I can, and I will if it’s necessary.”

I shuddered at the thought. Was there anywhere I could live a normal life?

“What I do know is that you disobeyed us again, going against the very clear rules we laid out. I don’t know what it will take to get through to you.”

Jack’s voice was almost unrecognizable, the change in him more terrifying than I could admit openly. What I’d said about the woman from his past had been correct. My instincts had told me from the moment he’d come into the bathroom that whoever she’d been had torn him apart, keeping him from being able to connect with anyone else.

However, all the buttons I’d pushed had yanked the sadness back into the open. The man who’d insisted on closing himself off, refusing to give a shit about anyone, was cracking under the pressure.

Of me.

Of my protection.

Of the feelings that he’d developed against all the protocol he lived by.

We were all damaged souls to a certain degree. “You’re right, Jack. I did. I was a foolish girl who didn’t think twice about venturing out on her own. I apologize. I assure you that it won’t happen again. However, if something my father did is behind the reason I was taken, I want to know about it. I’ll do exactly what you tell me to do at all times, but you will find a way to get me back home. If my father didn’t pay you enough, I have a trust fund. I always knew it was money I didn’t want anything to do with, but in this case, I’ll make an exception.”

“That won’t be necessary, Doctor,” Diego said as he pulled into the alley behind the apartment building, easing to a stop. “This isn’t about money for either one of us, at least not completely, but you are correct in that we will gag and tie you down if necessary if that will allow us to get out of this country. Take her upstairs. I’ll find a place for the Jeep until we have a plan in motion.”

Jack tugged my arm, pulling me out of the vehicle, snatching the keys