After obtaining a new rental, I purchase camo shorts, a green tank top, baseball cap, water bottle, and field glasses. Of course, I have all this back at my apartment. Being followed by Moon or his thugs is not part of the plan. The tables have turned.I know the area around Moon’s home. I end up parked two streets over and hike until I find a place to sit and watch. The sun beats down on me and I do my best to conserve the water. I don’t know if Moon is home. If he is, I’m following him. If not, I’ll stay in a hotel and come back tomorrow.The sun finally begins setting and a spectacular array of light washes across the horizon. Arizona sunsets are to die for. I smile at the thought. Following Moon could get me killed. It’s the whole sick cop humor thing. I’ll appreciate this sunset like it’s my last.About an hour later, one of the Cadillacs pulls out. I have no idea if Moon’s in it and that doesn’t matter. I know my plan could take a few days before it pays off. I stand up from whe
I take the long way around to the rental car. It’s still there. I hide in the shadows for ten minutes. Nothing moves, so I finally make a dash for the car. I need to go straight to the police. I would have called already, but I worried Moon or his thugs would hear me.I slip inside and close the door as quickly and quietly as I can and lock it. My fingers are shaking and I have a difficult time getting the key in the ignition.I freeze at a voice and the cold metal of a barrel against my head. He was in the fucking back seat and I didn’t look when I opened the door and the light went on. I want to pound my head into the steering wheel.“Drop the keys and place your hands on your head.” My heavy breathing fills the car. “Moon wants you alive, but I won’t die because of a fucking puta.”Even with my limited Spanish, I know what he called me. I do as he says. He grabs my hands and a large chunk of my hair at the same time. The gun barrel leaves my head and he speaks into a phone. “Got he
We’re in the library and I’m sitting in one of two stuffed chairs staring at a wall of books. Gomez hands me a shot glass after filling two.“Tequila, drink it.”I down the glass without a second thought and he downs his. There’s no lime to disguise the taste or help the burn and I can’t stop from doing the funny twist thing with my mouth. He ignores this, takes the glass out of my fingers, and refills both. We drink another shot together.“You’ve made a real fucking mess, pequeña.”My head feels decidedly fuzzy. “I swear if you’re calling me ‘little sister,’ I’ll bite you again.”A chuckle escapes him. “It means ‘little one.’ You fucking fight like a wildcat, though.”“What good did it do me? I’m still here,” I pout. He refills my glass, we drink, and he walks over to the house phone.“Philip, bring us some chips.” I’m relieved because I need something in my stomach. My head is spinning and my belly rolling. He hangs up the phone and turns to me. “You’re safe here. Moon shouldn’t hav
I’m lifted from the chair and I let out a small groan. “Go back to sleep. I’m carrying you to my room,” Moon says. My arms and legs are useless, so I do what he says.When I finally wake up, light hits my eyes and I struggle to climb out of bed before I puke. I run into Moon’s bathroom and barely make it to the toilet. Chips and tequila are not a good combination when they come up. When I think everything is expelled from my stomach, I turn on the shower and strip off my bra and panties. Moon must have removed the rest of my clothes last night. My toothbrush is in the drawer beside Moon’s, and I thoroughly brush my teeth and rinse out my mouth.I’m never drinking again. The water burns my scrapes, but I don’t care. I wash from head to toe, including my hair. I feel horrible and that doesn’t change as I stand under the water and let it pound down on me. I have no idea how long I remain like this, but I finally realize I’m delaying the inevitable. I leave the bathroom wrapped in a towel
Gabriella cooks a large brunch, and even with a hangover, I’m ravenous. She’s especially quiet, and I notice a cautious look every few minutes as she serves us in the kitchen dining area. I wonder how much she knows. She can’t be oblivious about who Moon is or what he does.She leaves us alone after I take my first bite and tell her how wonderful it is. I’m dressed in shorts and a tee. I wore a tight shirt because I don’t have a gun to conceal. I sneak a look or two as Moon eats, but mostly I keep my head down and concentrate on the food.I have no idea what to say.I’m startled when Moon clasps my fingers. “No, I won’t keep you here against your will, baby.”I think about those words for a few minutes. He releases my hand and we continue eating.I finally look up. “What if I go to the police?”His lips make a small quirk. “I’ll lie.”He says it so easily. “Will they find Dandridge’s body?”“No.”They’ll ask why I didn’t go straight to the police the first night. They’ll ask for proof
In the afternoon, I take more ibuprofen to combat my nagging hangover headache. It has barely taken effect when Moon’s aunt arrives with her gaggle of girls. Hell, they’re not girls; I should refer to them as women. They look bright eyed and helpless, so I’ll stick with girls. Forget that they’re beautiful and elegant and feminine.I’m dressed in black BDUs. Moon sent one of his men to my apartment. Now I also have a utility belt and my favorite kickass boots. My top is a tight black unadorned tee that hugs my breasts and is long enough to tuck in. Because I’m working guard duty tonight, I’m taking it seriously. Moon walked into his room after I put my gun on my hip and pepper spray into its slip holster. He approved and we almost ended up back in bed. Moon left no doubt in my mind that he’s completely turned on by this kickass female.Currently, he’s meeting with the house security team. They’re all pulling a shift tonight, but only two will monitor the cameras while the other four o
When I head back to the dining room, Lupe and Gabriella are setting up the promised refreshments. They’ve included several bottles of wine along with cheese, crackers, and fruit. There’s also a carafe of water. They leave without a word. I fill a wineglass with water and walk to the head of the table where the ladies left me a seat. Cori is sitting next to me.“She served us food, which is a miracle, so I’ll give you props. Ladies,” she glances around the table, “the queen bitch isn’t here. Introduce yourselves and be nice at least until QB returns.”They laugh and the tension leaves the room.“I’m Angela,” the woman on Cori’s right says. She’s petite, Asian, and as beautiful as the other women. One by one they introduce themselves. A few give what I think must be their working names.“Please serve yourself if you’re hungry. I ask that you don’t have more than a glass or two of wine. We need to stay alert. If something goes down, you’ll follow me to a safe location.” I sweep my eyes t
My money, or more accurately, Moon’s, is gone two hours later. He hasn’t sent another text and I’m finding it impossible to sit still. The ladies are taking bathroom breaks and stretching their long, shapely legs. It’s a little after midnight and the women look the same as they did when they walked in the door—gorgeous, rested, and dressed to the nines. I’m grumpy, tired, and dressed to kick some ass that I seriously hope doesn’t need kicking. Moon’s ring tone startles me.Heading home. Keep your eyes open.His aunt is in the car with him, so I understand that he can’t talk. I think about his message for a minute and decide if he thought trouble was imminent, he would be a little more forthcoming. He’s being cautious and I’ll be the same. He gets another smiley face.The women wander back into the room in ones and twos. They decide it’s movie time, so we head to Moon’s mini theater that’s on the other side of the hallway. The teasing continues about me and Moon while I do my best to k