Текст книги "Confessed"

Автор книги: Lisa Cardiff

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

“You’re not playing with me right now, are you? Because I might reach through the phone and strangle you if this is a hoax.”

He chuckled. “Good thing I’m absolutely serious.”

I curled my free hand into the hem of my skirt. “I missed you. It feels like it’s been months instead of weeks since I’ve talked to you.”

“I know. I wanted to call you every single day, but I couldn’t. I had to make Ignacio and Emanuel think I was done with you.”

“I realize that, but it didn’t make it any easier.” I slipped the elastic band out of my hair and leaned back on the bed. “Are you sure it’s safe for me to come?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have arranged a flight for you if it weren’t.”

My brows knitted together. “But you said you were still working out some details,” I pointed out.

“I am, but it’s nothing that you need to worry about.”

I nodded before realizing he couldn’t see me. “Okay.”

“Can I expect you to get on that plane tomorrow?”

I smiled, the tension in my chest easing for the first time in weeks. “It shouldn’t be a problem. I’m already packed.”

“Why’d you do that?”

I propped my hand behind my head as I chewed on my lower lip. “If I didn’t hear from you in the next day or two I planned to go find you.”

“Hmm. Good to know.” I heard a hushed male voice in the background. “Hold on a second,” he said. I heard his phone brush against his hand, muffling the conversation.

I tapped my finger on my thigh waiting for him to talk to me again. Seconds felt like hours. I stared at the empty white walls of his apartment. I listened to the faint hum of the air conditioning unit. Then, he was back.

He sighed. “I have to go. I need to take care of a few things.”

“Oh,” I said, sitting up. My mood shifted and suddenly I felt melancholy. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“Tomorrow,” he said softly.

“Sounds good,” I replied instead of saying goodbye because I wasn’t ready to sever the connection yet. I wanted to squeeze as many words as I could out of him.

“I’m sorry. I wish I had more time to talk. I miss hearing your voice and talking to you whenever I want.”

“I understand.” My voice wobbled.

“Hey, don’t get all sad on me. I don’t have anything planned after I pick you up at the airport except for spending every moment with you.”

I smiled. “I love that.”

“I love you,” he responded.

A shivered ran through me and my smile came back. “I love you, too.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hattie

A salty breezed shuffled through my hair as I paused at the bottom of the stairs of the private jet. I scanned the area, looking for Ryker. A smile split across my face the instant I spotted him. He was leaning up against the wall with his legs spread, and his hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his linen pants. The top two buttons of his gray polo shirt were open, his eyes trained on me.

I broke into a sprint, my turquoise ballet flats slapping against the asphalt, the wheels of my luggage bellowing protest. I halted about a foot away from him, suddenly feeling shy. My eyes trailed down his wide chest to his narrow waist and back up again.

“Come here,” he said, crooking his finger at me, his lids heavy.

I closed the distance between us and his strong hands immediately circled my hips, pulling me flush against his body. I could feel the heat radiating from his body right through my clothes.

“Hi,” I whispered.

“Hi,” he said, a lopsided smile on his heavenly lips.

I brushed his smooth jaw with the pads of my fingertips and my skin tingled. “I can’t believe I’m finally here. It seemed like I’d never find my way back to you.”

Tenderness washed over his face, and his eyes crinkled at the corners, softening ever so slightly. Like magic, I swayed into him, burying my head in the crook of his neck. His familiar scent filled my lungs and I smiled like a kid on Christmas morning.

“The car is waiting for us. Are you ready to go?”

I dragged my hands up his chest. “When are we going to the Vargas compound?”

He framed my jaw with his hands, tilting up my face. “Tomorrow.”

“Where are going now?”

He kissed the corner of mouth. “It’s a surprise.”

I narrowed my eyes, but I couldn’t erase the smile on my face. I was too happy. “What kind of surprise? It better be good.”

“I think it is, but you’ll have to let me know what you think,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“I’ll do that.”

He stared at me for a second, then he brushed his hand down my face. “How’s the baby?”

I slid his hand from my hip to my belly. “I think I’m showing a little.”

“Maybe a little.” He pressed a soft kiss on my temple. “We need to find you a doctor.”

I nodded. “Tomorrow.”

Grabbing my suitcase from me, he threaded his fingers through mine and pulled me toward a black SUV with dark tinted windows.

***

An hour later, we stopped in front of a large white stucco bungalow with a thatched roof. It sat on a nearly deserted stretch of white sandy beach bordered by the clearest blue water I’d ever seen. Orange and pink brushstrokes painted the sky where it met the ocean. A few boats dotted the horizon, but other than that, it looked like our private paradise.

“What do you think?” Ryker said as he opened my door.

“It’s beautiful.” I climbed out of the passenger seat and tilted my head to the side. The faint roar of the ocean mixed with the soft swish of the trees swaying in the wind brought a smile to my face.

“You’re not disappointed. We can go somewhere—”

“I love it,” I cut in, then I shook my head. “What is this place? How’d you find it?”

“Somebody gave it to Ignacio a couple of years ago in exchange for a debt. He has never used it.”

“He doesn’t care that we’re here?”

He slipped his fingers through mine. “He doesn’t have a choice.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Do you want to explain?”

“Not today. I want today to be about us.”

I hesitated for a second, not sure what to say. He’d hid the truth from me in the past. I didn’t like being in the dark. It made me nervous. “Ryker,” I said, drawing out his name. “Don’t keep secrets from me.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I promise.”

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “You’re not hungry, are you?”

“No, I ate more than enough on the plane, but I think you already know that since you arranged the whole thing.”

“Then, let’s catch the last few minutes of the puesta de sol.”

“The what?” I said.

“The sunset.” He smiled at me as he guided us through the house and to the patio overlooking the ocean. “One of these days, I’m going to teach you Spanish.”

“Maybe,” I said noncommittally as I gazed at the beauty in front of me.

The palm trees lining the sides of the patio swayed in the gentle tropical breeze. Tiny white lights zigzagged from tree to tree. A small round table complete with a white tablecloth and three flickering candles in different sizes was positioned in the middle of the patio.

“This is amazing,” I whispered.

Ryker pulled out my chair, and I sat down. “I’m glad you like it. I was a little worried the traffic would make us miss the sunset, but it all worked out,” he said, waving his hand in the direction of the setting sun.

“Yes, it did. How’d you do all this?”

He poured two glasses of champagne from the open bottle in an ice bucket and handed me one. “Rever helped.”

Dumbfounded, I shook my head. “How’d that happen? I thought he left the country with Anna.”

Ryker’s lips tightened. “That didn’t work out so well.”

“What happened?”

He sighed. “Long story. She lied about everything. About being pregnant. Her continued involvement with the Alvarez Cartel. Her feelings for Rever.”

I glanced to the side. “I’m sorry,” I said, not sure what to say.

“It worked out. Rever and I are in a better place now, and he’s already over it.” He held up his glass. “To new beginnings.”

“To us,” I said, tapping my glass against his. I took a sip and the tiny bubbles danced on my tongue. “I’m glad you and Rever worked things out.”

He rubbed his finger along the rim of his glass. “Growing up, we were never close. I used to blame our problems on him, but in retrospect, I realize Ignacio pitted us against each other. He bragged about all of my successes to Rever, and he constantly reminded me that Rever was his only legitimate son and heir. I never stopped trying to prove I was smarter and braver than Rever.” He shook his head. “I thought a long list of accomplishments would erase the error of my birth and make me worthy of my father’s love and attention.”

“How do you feel now?”

“I’m indifferent. I don’t care what he thinks anymore. He’s not perfect, but you know what I do care about?” He tugged on my sleeve.

“What?”

He inched closer to me and his knee brushed against my bare thigh. A ribbon of heat shot up my leg. “That you’ve done a half of dozen things to avoid kissing me tonight. Should I be offended?”

Flames rolled up my face and my exhalation fractured. I planned to spend my life with Ryker. I suspected he knew me better than my parents and my friends, but I’d been unable to relax around him since he picked me up at the airport. Now that we’d overcome all the obstacles to our relationship, I was scared and more than a little nervous. The incongruity of my emotions didn’t escape my attention.

I held up my thumb and index finger. “I’m a little bit nervous.”

Grinning, he stared at me with his smoky eyes. “We’ll have to change that,” he said playfully.

My eyebrows lifted, and I leaned forward a couple of inches. “I’m curious. How do you plan to do that? Do you have a magic wand tucked in your pants somewhere?” A laugh burst from his mouth and for a blissful second I didn’t understand what was so funny.

“As a matter of a fact, I think I do.”

I shoved his shoulder when the innuendo registered in my brain. “Shut up. I didn’t mean it that way.”

He angled his head to the side. “No?”

“No,” I said, unable to stop the smile from spreading across my face.

“That’s too bad.”

“Why’s that?”

He tugged on my arms, sliding me onto his lap and my eyes flared. My breasts grazed his firm chest, and he splayed one hand over my lower back. The heat of his body burned right through me.

“I think you’re on to something,” he whispered next to my ear, his thumb tracing my collarbone.

Anticipation zipped through my nerve endings. “Really? How so?” I said breathlessly as I clutched the solid muscles of his shoulders.

His hand curled around the back of my neck, toying with the knot of my halter top. My heart hammered against by breastbone and my stomach coiled into a ball of longing. He leaned back and his eyes locked on mine with so much smoldering heat, my breath tripped in my lungs.

“If you’re ready to go inside, I’d be happy to show you.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” I choked out, my chest aching with love for him.

He rose out of the chair, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Almost immediately, his mouth found mine. I closed my eyes, and I released all the fears and anxiety plaguing me. This night was about reclaiming our future, and I’d be damned if I would waste it tying myself into knots, worrying about things I couldn’t control.

He laid me down on a platform bed covered with white rose petals. White gauzy material hung from the ceiling in billowing waves. Candles lined the mahogany nightstands. Shadows from the flickering flames danced on the creamy walls. The ocean scent from the open patio doors filled the air.

“This is beautiful. I love it.”

He kneeled on the bed and brushed his fingertips down my cheek. The light touch sent shivers down my spine. “You’re beautiful.”

Caught in his gaze, words escaped me, but it didn’t matter. In a flash, his lips swept over mine in a soul-searching kiss. A languid heat flowed through my limbs as his lips made their way down my body. In a haze, I barely noticed the clothes disappearing from my body one item at a time. His hands and his lips touched every inch of my skin, teasing me, loving me, and worshipping me until I thought I’d spontaneously combust.

“Too slow,” I whispered without opening my eyes.

I felt his lips curve into a smile against my neck. “I want to show you how much I love you.”

“By teasing my body until I die?”

The deep rumble of his chuckle sent goosebumps tumbling down my arms. “Is that what I’m doing?”

“Yes.” I grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked it over his head.

“You’re so impatient.”

“I want to feel and touch you too.” I kissed the hollow of his neck as I unbuttoned his pants and shoved them along with his boxer briefs down his legs.

He groaned softly. “Okay. You win. I can’t resist you. You know that, right?”

I wrapped my arms around his waist. His skin felt so smooth and toned beneath my fingertips. “I’ll keep that in mind in the future.”

He traced a line from my knee to the inside of my thigh just inches from my aching center. He drew lazy circles with the pads of his fingers, and I struggled to catch my breath.

“Touch me,” I moaned.

I gasped as he slid one finger inside of me. His finger moved in and out as his thumb rubbed maddening circles around my clit.

“Like this? Is this what you want?” His voice was husky with desire.

“Yes. No. Yes. No,” I mumbled, my hips bucking of their own volition, already greedy for more.

“No?” He chuckled again as he spread my legs wider and braced his hands next to my head. In one smooth motion, he shifted his body above me, teasing me with the feel of his hard length as it grazed my sex.

“Yes,” I moaned as he trailed wet kisses down my neck. Seconds from unraveling, I wrapped my legs around the backs of his thighs, locking my ankles together. “I need you.”

His hand cupped my backside, and he pushed inside of me. The sensation of being stretched and filled by him felt like it lasted for an eternity. For a few beats, he didn’t move as if he were too busy savoring the feeling of being connected again. Then, it started. His first few strokes were slow and gentle. The ocean breeze swept up my needy moans and carried them out to sea.

“I never want to leave this bed,” he said against my mouth, his hips rolling in sync with mine.

“Neither do I,” I whispered, meaning every word I said.

Then, his hand circled my waist, driving into me harder and faster until we were both lost in the moment.

Lost in the passion.

Lost in the pleasure.

Lost in each other.

With my head buried next to his shoulder, I clung to the roped muscles hugging his spine as our hips moved against each other. It was as though the last three weeks of uncertainty and darkness hadn’t happened. Everything was light again. The rightness of being with Ryker made my heart swell and my head spin. I loved this man.

As the thought registered in my mind, my release rushed through me fast, hard and unexpected. Cries of pleasure somersaulted from my mouth one after another as a million nerve endings burst into flame inside of me. Two hard thrusts and Ryker followed me over the edge.

For long seconds, he buried his head in the crook of my neck, slowly rocking in and out of me. Time stood still. I never wanted it to end and for the first time since I met him, I believed it didn’t have to.

“What’s the date?” he murmured, not lifting his head.

“The fifteenth. Why?”

He pressed a kiss against my lips. “Because I never want to forget the day we started our lives together.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ryker

Hattie, Rever and I stood on the tarmac next to the airstairs, leading to Ignacio’s private jet. Ignacio stared through us like we were invisible.

He handed his small carry-on bag to Noah. “Give me a minute,” Ignacio said.

After we had revealed Emanuel’s deception, we told Ignacio it was time for him to retire. He screamed at us. He threatened us, but in the end he agreed. I think he knew it was time to hand over the reins of the Vargas Cartel. He had some lingering health problems from being shot in the chest and Emanuel’s deception made him look weak.

Noah met my gaze, and I nodded. “It’s fine. He’s not going anywhere.” I’d hired Noah to escort Ignacio out of Mexico. Unlike the other people affiliated with the Vargas Cartel, he didn’t harbor any feelings of loyalty toward Ignacio.

Ignacio stared at his feet for a minute, then trained his dark eyes on me. “You know, I’d always hoped that my sons would take their place in the Vargas Cartel.”

Hattie squeezed my hand, showing her support without words.

“I know,” I conceded. “You didn’t exactly keep it secret.”

Ignacio pursed his lips and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess not.”

Rever grinned and slapped Ignacio on the arm. “Looks like you got your wish.”

Ignacio scoffed. “I’d never dreamed my sons would push me out to make it happen.”

“Senator Deveron and his son were indicted last week,” I pointed out. “It’s only a matter of time before the US government requests your extradition for cocaine smuggling, money laundering and a long list of other shit the Deverons feed them.”

Ignacio shrugged. “It’ll never happen.”

“Either way, it’s time for new leadership,” I reiterated for the hundredth time in the last week. Ignacio believed the Mexican government wouldn’t approve his request for extradition because he had too much evidence implicating high-level government officials. He was probably right. Even if the Mexican government imprisoned Ignacio, they’d orchestrate his escape from prison and subsequent disappearance like so many other powerful drug lords before him.

“That’s what you say now, but don’t be too stubborn to call me when things fall apart. I’m not too proud to come back and help my sons.”

Rever rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry. We’ll be just fine.”

“I doubt it.”

“You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Rever snarled.

“I successfully managed the business for almost two decades. That’s unheard of in the world of drug cartels. You need my guidance.”

“Guess what?” Rever said. “You didn’t do such a good job. Emanuel nearly stole the whole thing from you while you were busy meddling in our lives.”

“I would’ve figured it out with or without you two,” Ignacio snarled.

“You know,” Rever hissed. “I’m done with this shit. Ryker, I’ll meet you in the car.” He turned on his heel and left.

Hattie leaned into me, pressing her lips against my cheek. “I’ll go talk to him.”

I turned to watch her until she was safely ensconced in the car. I had a hard time leaving her alone. I felt like she could be snatched away at any second.

“I give this six months,” Ignacio said.

I turned to face him. “What?”

“You and Ryker trying to run my cartel.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, but immediately regretting it.

“You’re too soft and Rever’s a hothead. Rever will kill indiscriminately, and you’ll spend all your time cleaning up his messes and apologizing for his behavior.” A bitter laugh tumbled from his mouth. “I’m almost sorry I won’t be around to watch it happen.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Unlike Rever, I refused to be baited. Ignacio had been lashing out at us for days. The insults made Rever crazy, but I understood what Ignacio was doing. He wanted us to change our minds and let him stay.

“We’ll see.”

Ignacio gripped the metal tube stair railing. “Yeah, well, I better get going before that asshole you hired drags me up the stairs.”

“Love you, Dad,” I said when he reached the top of the stairs.

He paused, his entire body tensing. “I know.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I love you, too. I love both of my sons. I just wish you’d let me be in your life.”

I smiled even as my heart constricted. “Maybe someday.”

He rubbed a wrinkled hand along the side of his face. “Goodbye, Ryker.”

“Goodbye, Dad,” I whispered.

Epilogue

Hattie

I dug my toes into the pristine white sand and the waves crashed around my ankles. I lifted my chin, letting my head hang back, drinking up the sun. A few wispy white clouds dotted the blue sky. A seagull swooped and cawed as it dove into the turquoise water. It was a perfect day.

Three years had passed since Ryker and I officially started our lives together at this beach bungalow. While there had been moments of uncertainty, particularly in the first year, our life together exceeded my wildest dreams.

Almost two and half years ago, I married Ryker in a small, private ceremony on this beach with only Rever and my best friend, Vera, in attendance. When I asked Vera to be my maid of honor, she cried. Without confronting her, she confessed she’d sent emails to Evan informing him of my whereabouts after we broke up. Apparently, she wanted to show him I had moved on. Once she learned about Senator Deveron’s connection to the Vargas Cartel and his role in my abduction, she said the guilt nearly killed her. She told me she thought she had lost her best friend. I promised her she hadn’t.

I didn’t see her as much as I would’ve liked over the last few years because Ryker and I floated between Mexico, the US, and his flat in London. Our son, Easton, was almost three years old, so we figured we had a few more years of traveling before we had to commit to living in one place.

My parents didn’t accept Ryker in the beginning, particularly after they discovered his connection to the Vargas Cartel, but their opposition had softened after Easton was born. My relationship with them was complicated, and I didn’t think it would change anytime in the near future. They hadn’t pushed me out of their life, and for that I was thankful. Easton needed as much family as he could get.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Ignacio since that day on the tarmac, but I didn’t mind. Ryker never indicated whether he kept in contact with him, and I didn’t think I’d ever ask. Ryker’s mom spent a month with us after Easton was born, but she claimed she’d met the love of her life. She’d moved to some undisclosed location, and we only saw her once a year. When I asked Ryker if he cared, he just shrugged, claiming he was happy his mom had found someone after spending most of her life alone. Something told me Ignacio had rekindled things with Ryker’s mom, but when I asked him about, Ryker just smiled and changed the subject.

Rever was a surprisingly gentle uncle, but we only saw him a handful of times a year. Ryker and Rever ran the Vargas Cartel together for the first six months after they forced Ignacio out. Fortunately, Rever quickly proved he was more than capable of running everything alone, and Ryker bowed out. I suspected Ryker still managed the books, but he never confirmed it. I think it was his way of keeping Easton and me as far away from the violence as possible.

I finally finished my master’s degree last year and after turning down several job offers, I started writing a book exposing how criminal organizations have infiltrated governments throughout history. I didn’t know if I’d ever do anything with it, but it kept me busy.

A light, tinkling giggle floated through the air as Ryker’s arms closed around my waist, and two tiny hands wrapped around my leg.

“Found you, Mommy,” Easton said.

I gazed down at Easton’s gray eyes so much like Ryker’s and my breath caught in my throat. He and Ryker were proof the most amazing things could come from hardship. “I guess this wasn’t a very good hiding place.”

Ryker spun me around to face him. His fingers trailed down my cheek, and his lips tugged down at the corners. “Coming back here this weekend was your idea. Why are you crying?” he asked, studying me with quiet concern.

I smiled through my tears. “Because our life is perfect.”

His lips curled up into a smile, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “After everything we went through to get here, don’t you think we earned it?”

“Yes.” I scooped Easton up and plopped him on my hip. “I think it’s time for your nap, little man.”

Ryker wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and we strolled over the hot sand back into the beach bungalow.

Easton rubbed his eyes. “I’m not tired. I want to play.”

“You have to sleep.”

“Why?” Easton asked, his lower lip puffing out in a practiced pout.

Ryker snatched Easton out of my arms and placed him in the middle of his bed. “You need to rest because when you wake up we’re all going to build the biggest sand castle ever.” Ryker pulled the covers over Easton body.

“So you need to sleep too?”

“Yes.” Ryker kissed Easton’s forehead. “Mommy and Daddy are going to take a big nap, too.”

I raised one eyebrow. “Really?”

He smirked as he threaded his hand through mine and pulled me out the door. “Yeah, I have to show you something.”

“Something important?”

“I’d like to think it’s important, but I’ll wait for your confirmation.”

“Hmm,” I said. “The magic wand in your pants?”

“Exactly.” He tipped his head back and laughed. “Only you would remember that.”

“Only you would twist my words like that,” I countered.

He lifted me up and swung me over his shoulder. “Hey! Don’t manhandle me.”

“You like it when I manhandle you,” he said, spanking me lightly on the backs of my thighs.

“You wish,” I said, laughing as he dropped me on the bed.

Grinning, he stretched his body out over mine. I ran my hands over his sculpted tan chest. “No, you’re wrong,” he whispered as his lips brushed against mine. “All of my wishes came true the minute you said ‘I do.’ I have a perfect wife, a perfect son, and the perfect life. I don’t need anything else.”

I cupped his chin and placed one of his hands on my lower stomach. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes,” he murmured as he feathered kisses down my neck.

Ribbons of heat raced down my body, and I arched my hips. “That’s too bad,” I rasped out, my voice already thick with desire.

“Why’s that?” he asked as he untied the top of my bikini.

“Because I’m pregnant.” We’d been trying for over a year. Just last month, Ryker and I decided to let fate take its course. If it didn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to be.

He lifted his gaze, and his eyes locked on mine, his smile widening. “Seriously?”

I nodded. “Seriously.”

“Hattie.” He laid his hand tenderly against my cheek. “Do you know how happy you make me?”

“Show me.”

And he did exactly that.