Into the Fray (Daring Escapes #3) - Margaret Daley Page 0,14

guided her toward his Jeep. Climbing into the driver's seat, he froze, gripping the steering wheel while he stared straight ahead.

"What's wrong?" Tory asked, following the direction of his gaze.

"It's the man from the lobby."

Chapter Three

"Where?" Tory whipped her head about to stare out the front windshield, her hands curling into fists in her lap.

Guerrero narrowed his eyes as though homing in on the guy. "The man in the white pants and shirt with a straw hat on his head."

Catching a glimpse of his face, Tory observed the man's progress up the stairs into the government building, her fingernails digging into her sweaty palms. "I've never seen him before. Why is he here? Did he follow us?"

"I don't think so." Guerrero twisted about to face her, worry and concern etched into his lean, harsh features. "This is getting very interesting."

"Interesting? This is my life we're talking about."

"I have no way of knowing for sure he was at the hotel because of you. But if he was, then who is he visiting in the building?"

"Let's find out." Tory grabbed for the door handle.

Guerrero reached across her and captured her hand. "There’s no we in this. I'll do it."

"But—"

He shook his head. "I thought we had all this settled. Are you going to protest every time I tell you to do something?"

Tory smiled. "Probably. I have never been described as meek and mild."

He chuckled. "After the last twenty-four hours, I agree. But in this case, you’re to stay in the Jeep and wait for me to return." He pronounced each word slowly and distinctly.

Tory was aware he still held her hand. His scent swirled about her like seductive waves pulling her out to sea. "Yes, sir," she murmured as he released her and straightened away. She took in a deep, calming breath, then another, but still her lungs felt constricted as though she had run out of air while scuba diving.

"If he leaves before I return, don't do anything foolish like follow him.”

"But—"

“Do you know how to shoot?”

She nodded, the question taking her by surprise.

“In case there’s a problem. I won’t be gone long. I’ll see what I can discover inside. If he comes out, don't let him see you." He pulled out his gun and started to pass it to her.

She reached for her backpack at her feet and withdrew her pistol. She wasn’t going to be ill-prepared like she was yesterday when she went to meet Guerrero.

She opened her mouth to reply, but Guerrero quickly lay two fingers against her lips. This time, his fingers were placed to still her words. Their rough texture against her lips jolted her awareness of the man even more. Her heart tripled its speed. Her lungs struggled even more to drag air into them. She couldn't believe how easily a mere touch could cause her to react to his nearness. Okay, so the man had saved her life and had finally agreed to help her when no one else was available. There was no room in her life for a relationship of any kind. She had her life planned. She had to fight this strange pull he had on her.

"Here. Wear this." He retrieved from the back a large floppy hat that Tory had bought at the marketplace and put it on her head.

* * *

Quickly before Guerrero got sidetracked anymore, he left Tory in the Jeep, his strides long and purposeful as he headed into the building. Inside, the man was nowhere to be seen. Guerrero found a vantage point and lounged back against the wall to keep track of the people coming and going on the elevators. He waited, his mind churning with thoughts of Tory and the soft feel of her lips against his fingers. He had no business touching her, but it seemed every chance he could get, he found himself doing just that.

He couldn’t afford to be sidetracked. He’d made a promise to Anna that he’d find her killer and anybody else behind sending the assailants who stole the artifacts she’d been unwrapping after they tortured her, most likely for information.

Why, God, did You let that happen? Anna loved You.

She’d been the one who had led him to the Lord, but that night when he saw his wife’s beaten body, it had changed his whole life. He demanded revenge. Each day that passed without it, his determination grew. That mission was the only thing that drove his life.

Pain that he had thought was buried began to expand, invading and