Dangerous Stranger - Piper Stone Page 0,83

the balls.

Either that or the price paid was well worth the possibility of losing his life.

Jorge had a wife and two children, his love and pride for them unlike anything I’d ever seen. I looked away, disgusted with the entire situation. “I believed in and trusted you, Jorge. I just don’t understand. Was the money that precious to you? Is there something wrong with your kids? I would have helped if you’d come to me.”

Even from the distance, I could see tears trickling from the corners of his eyes. As he coughed again, another string of blood sliding down his chin, I knew he likely didn’t have long. I walked closer, crouching down until he was allowed to look down into my eyes. “Talk to me, Jorge. What in the fuck happened?”

“I had no choice. I thought it was... by the time I realized, it was too late.”

“What was too late?”

He began to sob, his chest heaving.

“What did Alviro Calleja do to you?”

“Nothing!” he yelled as loudly as his parched and damaged throat would allow.

“Is Calleja Don Francesco Piero?” I watched his face twisting as he processed the question, giving me the answer without even saying a word.

“You don’t understand,” he insisted.

“I believe I do.”

The sound of thudding feet brought a snarl to my lips. I snapped my head in the direction, yanking the SIG from my holster.

Montego held up his arms, still closing the distance, his face twisted. “Boss, we have a problem. Fuck. I had no idea.”

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes then redirecting my attention to Jorge. “Then help me understand, Jorge. This. Is. Your. Last. Chance.”

“There is... no Alviro... Calleja.”

Chapter Sixteen

Savannah

Light.

Sun.

Warmth.

I stood at the window as the warm glow sent what appeared to be a blaze of fire across the ocean water. The colors splashing across the sky were incredible, the palette more vivid than I’d ever seen before. I was mesmerized, pretending that I was waiting for my lover’s arrival, a perfect day at the beach planned.

Instead of what I knew would be another hunt, danger following us around every curve. I’d stared out the front window after Rafael had left, maybe hoping I’d see headlights, even though I’d known better. He was going to do his job.

Also known as killing another human being.

I wasn’t as incensed as only a few days before, the knowledge of what he did no more shocking than all the treacherous acts my stepfather had performed. Evil walked inside everyone. At least that’s what my mother used to say.

Sinners and saints.

I was a little bit of both.

A nervous laugh escaped my lips, thirst forcing me to leave my beautiful perch. Coffee was in order. I’d thrown on a tee shirt and sweatpants, remnants from some previous visit. I couldn’t help but wonder whether the clothes belonged to Rafael. I stood staring down at the weapon he’d left before taking the Glock into my hand. The moment brought back both pleasant and excruciating memories.

The great stepfather had insisted that both Lily and I learn how to shoot. My mother had been totally against the idea, even vocalizing her disapproval. The argument my sister and I had witnessed had turned into the first time Wallace had smacked my mother hard enough she’d been tossed into a wall.

The next few years only escalated the violence as the asshole’s drinking had gotten worse.

I turned the gun back and forth. The weight felt good in my grasp, even creating a false sense of security. Maybe the asshole had at least been good for something after all.

As I walked into the kitchen, I tugged the hem of the shirt to my nose, inhaling deeply, longing once again to feel close to Rafael. Only the scent of Tide or some other detergent wafted back to me.

I was surprised just how disappointed I was, longing to find something that kept me close to him. I carefully placed the gun on the counter, pushing it all the way toward the backsplash with a single finger. For all my bravado, the defiance that naturally spewed from my mouth, I’d also realized that I wasn’t a killer.

I thought about the hidden room, the concept terrifying me even more, making the situation that much more real. I just couldn’t understand how Rafael could live this way.

As I found the coffee in the cabinet, pulling the coffeemaker closer, I realized just how different he’d been the night before. I’d been allowed to see a completely different side of him even than