Deadly Seduction (21 page)

Singapore
September 24

There were favors; then there were big, gigantic favors.

Rocco knew he owed Diego more than money. In fact, Travis Franks now owed Diego a favor, too, which was a rare and powerful thing. In some parts of the world, you could trade a favor like that for ownership in, say, a small country.

Still Diego looked very unhappy as Rocco watched him pace outside on the porch, a cell phone pressed to his ear. They were holed up in a safe house, awaiting transport out of the country.

Bangkok was officially off Rocco’s list for a while, maybe permanently. Which wasn’t a bad thing. His most recent trips had all been do-or-die. That he’d survived again was sheer luck.

But Lady Luck had her limits. And Rocco knew it.

The doctor, who had been tending Rufin, now handed Rocco a small bottle of pills. “Painkillers. One every four hours. He’s pretty sore from me poking around, but he should be fine after a few days of rest.” The doctor, who had appeared at Travis’s behest, nodded to the bed. Rufin was pale as the sheets. “He lost a lot of blood, but as bullet wounds go, his was pretty clean.”

Rocco had gotten Diego to fly them under the radar, out of Bangkok, in his personal helicopter. Diego promptly went out and orchestrated a large arms deal to provide himself cover for the trip. Guns weren’t typically his forte—but in economic hard times, even crooks were forced to take on odd jobs.

And in this instance, the CIA was buying the arms, through a variety of covers, naturally.

As soon as the doctor left, Rocco poured a glass of water and went over to the bed. Rufin’s eyes tracked him.

“Here. This will help the pain.” Rocco shook a tablet out then waited while Rufin swallowed.

“I suppose I should have gone with you in the f-f-first place,” Rufin said. “Bohdana would still be alive. And this”—he glanced at his shoulder—“wouldn’t have happened either.”

“I wouldn’t spare a lot of pity for that broad. She sold you out.”

“Yes, but you didn’t watch her d-d-die. Maybe it’s easier for you.”

“It’s never easy. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or insane.”

Earlier, Rufin had told Rocco about the man who’d killed Bohdana. Rufin had no name and the description rang no bells. That the man had chosen to stash Rufin with Jengho Vato meant the mystery man was likely a colleague of Jengho’s.

That Rufin was involved in the manufacture of SugarCane explained Jengho’s and Minh Tran’s interest. It also made Rufin one valuable SOB.

Rocco pulled a chair up to the bed.

“Where are you taking me?” Rufin asked.

“To the U.S. I’m sure we can arrange asylum in exchange for what you know of Dr. Zadovsky’s work. We also want to know what was done to the two men we rescued. The man you called Hades is my friend, Max.”

Rufin looked at him credulously. “You mean they survived? Did Taz regain consciousness?”

“Yes.” Rocco wasn’t going to tell Rufin that both men were on the run. “Why does that surprise you?”

“They typically need medicine to control s-s-seizures. And Taz’s programming was interrupted. It should have killed him.”

“What exactly were you and Zadovsky doing at that lab?” As much as Rocco held Rufin fully responsible, he was trying to keep his questions couched in sympathetic tones to get answers.

Rufin sighed and closed his eyes, but kept on talking as if tired of holding it in.

“Dr. Zadovsky had practically p-p-perfected a method of mind control. It involved drugs and cellular reprogramming; but it worked almost one hundred percent of the time.”

“Cellular reprogramming?”

“Amnesia was chemically induced, then holographic sensory feedback—reprogramming—was input using all five senses. We also found that by attaching diodes to the muscles while transmitting those same programs, the input was absorbed instantly. It then became a matter of fine tuning that input. We even gave them false histories to draw from. Both subjects scored high.”

“It was a game?” Rocco wished he had a tape recorder. As it was, Rufin would have to repeat this story numerous times.

“You could liken it to a form of virtual reality, but with bigger stakes.”

“Could you make them do anything?”

“Almost. As long as it didn’t conflict with their moral values.”

“So you couldn’t make them murder someone in cold blood—unless they were already cold-blooded murderers?”

Rufin looked uncomfortable. “Zadovsky was convinced that with the right programming, he could overcome even that. He was experimenting with overriding morals in other ways. Killing someone isn’t inconceivable for someone l-l-like you. You have rules of engagement that are surprisingly easy to manipulate. But would you ever consider raping a woman?”

“Jesus! No!” Rocco was angry now. “Is that what you made them do?”

“Zadovsky tried with Taz. But he attempted suicide afterward. We—I erased the program from him.”

“Like that makes it all better?” Rocco forced a calmer tone. “What about Max?”

“It never worked with him. No matter how much pain and abuse Max suffered, he didn’t break.”

Rocco held up a hand, suddenly having his own moral battle. He wanted to beat the shit out of Rufin. To make him pay. Except that wasn’t how it worked. Besides, if there
was
one person in the world entitled to bend the rules and use Rufin for a punching bag, it was Max.

“There will be others with more questions, but let me ask you this. Can you really replicate Zadovsky’s work?”

Rufin’s eyes filled with tears. “Will they kill me if I can’t?”

“No. You won’t be walking the streets a free man, but you won’t be abused.”

“Z-Z-Zadovsky seemed unable to replicate his own work, so honestly I don’t know if I can either. Perhaps with time. And provided I can recover Zadovsky’s research data.”

“Was that data on the computers we took from the lab?”

“Some, yes. But—” Rufin looked down at his hands. “The really critical information is on microchips that are implanted in Taz. I’ll have to surgically remove them from him.”

Rocco tugged his phone out, to call Travis. He didn’t care what time it was in the States.

Diego came in just then. He stood in the door and motioned Rocco to follow.

Rocco knew by Diego’s expression that whatever it was, it was bad.

“I’ll be back,” Rocco said to Rufin.

Diego didn’t speak until they were in the kitchen. “The dead shooter from that speed boat has been identified. It was Minh Tran’s youngest son. Apparently the kid was hoping to impress his old man by spearheading the search for Rufin. I have to find those two mercenaries before Tran does.”

“I’ll help,” Rocco said.

“No. I can’t afford any more of your help.” Diego frowned, clearly worried. “I suggest you get Rufin out of here fast, too. Minh Tran’s pulling out all the stops on this one. It’s fixing to go supernova ugly.”

Gallup, New Mexico
September 24

Max woke, realized Erin was climbing out of bed. The last time he’d looked at the clock, it was after three. O’dark-thirty. They had just made love a second time. Now it was nearly eight. The sun was up and he felt…incredible.

He gently grasped her wrist, stopping her.

“Did I wake you?” she whispered.

“No.” His eyes caught the slight abrasions on her neck and breasts. From his beard. Call him a chauvinistic pig, but the primitive sense of seeing his mark on his woman felt righteous.

She glanced down, saw what he stared at.

“Sore?” he asked.

“Not…there.”

He smiled and realized his headache was completely gone for the first time since he’d come to in the hospital. Making love to Erin was deeply healing. And addictive. Already his body wanted more.

He felt his cock swell beneath the sheet.
Down boy; the lady is sore.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she said.

“I’ll make coffee.”

Max rigged the small pot up to brew, and then turned on the tracking unit. The red dot they’d left behind no longer appeared on the screen.

Did it mean someone had found and freed Allen? Or had the vehicle been towed out of range? He set the machine aside. He didn’t need it to find Taz. Max knew where his friend was now—knew he had to get to him soon.

Max could feel Taz’s misery. He was confused and scared. Something was wrong.
Help me, help me, help me
, Taz seemed to be screaming.

Stay there, I’m on my way
, Max thought. But he received no sense of a reply.

His headache returned with a vengeance. Feeling caged, Max turned on the television for a distraction.

Erin came out as he flipped through channels. “Can we watch a little news?”

Max paused at the first cable news channel he came to. It seemed weird to realize there was a two-year time gap of world events that he had to catch up on. And what about personal events? Birthdays? Holidays? He suddenly recalled that once upon a time he’d had an apartment in Baltimore. What the hell had happened to it while he’d been gone?

“Coffee?”

Erin moved in and handed him a foam cup. A certain part of his anatomy was disappointed that she’d gotten dressed.

“Last night you said you know where Taz is.” Erin said. “Do you intend to go after him?”

Max nodded, then stared at the television. Two photos flashed on the screen behind the announcer.

ROBBERY SUSPECT
, the graphic caption read. One photograph was blurred, the subject indistinct. The second photo was clearly Taz.

Max hit the volume on the remote. “…this is believed to be the same man wanted by Reno Police in connection with a sexual assault the night before last. The man is believed to be on foot, hitchhiking. Motorists are warned against picking up strangers. Anyone with information on this man should contact—”

Oh. Jesus. No.

Taz was wanted for sexual assault. Robbery.

Now he knew why Taz had closed him out. Shame. Guilt.
Don’t be like me, mate.

Max didn’t speak until the storyline switched. “That was Taz.”

Erin looked stunned. “Max, we have to call the police. That’s—”

“Unforgivable. I know. And even though I know why he did it, it’s no excuse.”

“Why he did it?” She shook her head. “What are you saying?”

Max looked at her. “Part of Taz’s programming was aimed at making him do what they called ‘the morally unthinkable,’ at their command. The more he resisted, the harder they pushed, and the more severe his punishments.”

“Did they…program you this way, too?”

“No. Taz tried to hang himself. They revived him and supposedly removed the program.” Max rubbed his head. “But I have to wonder if it ever really goes away.”

“All the more reason he has to be stopped,” she said gently.

“That’s why I’m going after him.”

“No, Max. Call the police. Or call Dante. Let them handle this.”

“I’m the only one who can get close to him. If he senses anyone else coming, he’ll flee. And if he’s on the run and frightened, the robberies, the assaults, will continue.” Max stood. “In spite of everything, he is my friend. He saved my life.”

“What if he’s gone by the time you get there?”

“I still have to try. But you don’t,” he said. “I’ll call Dante and have him arrange to pick you up.”

“No! I’m staying with you, Max. I know it sounds strange, but after the dream sharing thing, I think I understand some of what you’ve been through. Maybe what Taz has been through. Maybe there will be a way I can help after you bring him in.”

“That’s generous of you.”

“Actually it’s selfish, too, Max. What if I start to dream again? And you’re not there?” She closed her eyes, opened them. “I don’t think I could pull myself out of it. That scares me.”

He tugged her close, hugged her. “I swear you have nothing to fear from me, Erin. And I swear this is the last place I’ll look. If I can’t find him, I’ll turn it over to the police. I have to get my own life back. You, too.”

The drive to Buena Vista, Colorado, their new destination, took nearly eight hours. This time Max stole a cargo van that was parked near the mall with a
FOR SALE
sign in the window.

Erin made a silent promise that all damage would be recompensed, even if it came out of her own pocket. It was the best she could do in the moment. She felt close to overwhelmed, trying to analyze all of it, so she stopped.

Everything about this situation, from her relationship with Max to the murder of Dr. Winchette to the strange phenomenon of shared dream memories, defied conventional explanations.

But there was one sequence of Max’s dream that she couldn’t let go of. A piece that seemed to tie into something Dante had mentioned yesterday.

“You saved Catalina Dion’s life in London,” Erin said. “Is that what Dante meant?”

Max took his eyes off the road for just a second. “Are you guessing? Or did Dante mention it before?”

“Neither. Well, maybe it is a guess. Last night I saw some images that I think were from your dream. You were holding a woman with short blond hair. She was thanking you for saving her.” Erin looked away. “It seemed rather…intimate.”

“It’s not what you think.” Max sighed. “There’s a lot I can’t tell you because it’s classified, but I worked with Catalina on a job where she posed as my girlfriend. Things went wrong and we were trapped, held prisoner. One of the guards…raped her. Violently. I couldn’t stop it from happening, but I did break free and got us both out. And, yes, I did kill the bastard who raped her.”

“Oh, God, Max! How horrible.”

“Cat could barely walk, but she didn’t want the others on our team to know what had happened. She said she couldn’t bear to look at them and see the pity she thought she saw in my eyes. So I swore to keep her secret. Then I hid with her for a week until she could walk. I held her when she woke screaming from nightmares, I let her pummel me since she couldn’t pummel the bastard that hurt her. And I made her look me in the eyes every moment I could, so she’d see there was no pity. Only caring.”

“You loved her.”

“Maybe once, in the way you mean. But I was more like a brother to her. Especially after
that
.” Max glanced over at her again. “When I talk to you like this, the memories just unfold without effort. Thanks.”

“But I can tell you’ve got a headache.”

“Yeah. Time to change subjects.”

“Tell me about where we’re headed. I’ve never heard of Saint Elmo, Colorado.”

“It’s a small ghost town near Buena Vista. Stony had a cabin near there. One summer, while exploring on my own, I discovered a cave that had been totally hidden by dead trees and vines. It was filled with quartz crystal deposits. I had been certain I’d found a diamond mine. Stony had laughed, and made a few jokes about it—called the rocks ‘fool’s diamonds’—as if they were the equivalent of fool’s gold. But I loved that place and went back to it whenever Stony wasn’t around.”

“It sounds neat.”

“‘Neat’ doesn’t come close.” He smiled. “You’ve seen a geode rock before, right?”

“Cracked open? Yes. My father had a gorgeous one on his desk. The inside was filled with crystals.”

“Well, imagine sitting inside one. That’s what this cave was like. Later as an adult, I realized the crystal formations were significant on their own and I always intended to go back. I had memorized the GPS coordinates—another one of Stony’s superstitions was that if he wrote down the location, someone could find it.”

“And Taz memorized those GPS numbers, too,” she said.

He nodded. “I got an impression of him seeing the cave for the first time. I know he was there by the sense he’d expected that I’d exaggerated.”

“I wish you’d let me go. Please? I’ll stay in the car.” Erin knew that the blisters on her feet wouldn’t allow her to hike. She couldn’t even wear regular shoes yet.

Max shot her a glance. “I’d feel better knowing you’re at a motel. It’ll be too late to hike in today, but I want to get an early start in the morning.”

The meaning hit her low in the abdomen.

They’d have tonight together.

It was nearly seven by the time they reached Buena Vista. Another beautiful area that Erin longed to explore.

Max stopped for supplies again, and they ate at a small diner before checking into a motel. This time the room only had one bed. A king-size.

Embarrassment fled at the smoldering look Max gave her.

Erin had to ball her fists at her sides to keep from grabbing him, to drag him to the bed.

“I want to change the bandages on your feet,” Max said. “I picked up some better ointment. It should help.”

He motioned her to the bed, where he gently peeled off the bandages then moved to get a towel. He rinsed her blisters with peroxide, blowing on the stinging.

“Almost done. This has an analgesic,” he said as he soothed on a new type of cream. Then he replaced the bandages. “There. What else can I do?”

Erin then looked at him. “Outside of a kiss to make it better?”

The remark had been flippant, but before she’d finished speaking, his lips brushed across hers. And when he would have pulled away, she brought her hands up, encircling his neck. Max didn’t move as she explored his mouth.

“Those soft kisses drive me crazy,” he said, his breath uneven. “And make me want more.”

“Me, too. Please.” Erin punctuated her request with an even softer kiss.

Max drew her closer then, pulling her across his lap as he caught her mouth.

She opened fully to him, her tongue dueling with his. Her fingers stroked the hair at his nape while her other hand dropped to the waistband of his jeans and moved lower, clasping at his straining erection.

“Don’t make me beg,” she whispered.

With a growl, he peeled her shirt off, and swept away her bra. Then, still cradling her in his arms, he lowered his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth.

Erin arched her back, offering herself more fully.

Max stood and laid her on the bed. His mouth never left her body, his lips traveling from one breast to the other, sucking, teasing. She felt him unfasten her pants, tugging them just low enough for his hand to slip in and cup her.

She rocked against his hand and met his gaze. His eyes were a dark kaleidoscope of desire.

“Got to have you.” He grasped her pants and tugged them off before straightening and removing his own jeans.

Erin gasped as his cock sprang free. Her gaze shifted back to his and the raw hunger on his face made her want him even more. He knelt on the bed, hovering above her.

“You are so damn beautiful, Erin. I could come just looking at you.”

She rose slightly, one hand at his shoulder, her other hand going lower, encircling his shaft. She felt his cock jump in her grip.

“The feeling is mutual,” she whispered. Her lips brushed over his, then moved down his throat.

She simultaneously squeezed her hand, stroking his shaft up, then down.

Rational thought fled as desire took over. As he lowered his body, she raised her pelvis, felt the throbbing head of his penis slide against her. He positioned his cock at the slick opening between her legs. She raised one leg, welcoming him in, bathing him in heat and moisture.

Max caught her mouth, kissing her. “Lift your other leg,” he whispered.

When she did, he slid fully, tightly inside her. Erin started to peak immediately. “Harder!”

He pulled back, then forward, going deeper still. “Hold on.”

She felt his hands slip under her hips, cupping her buttocks, cradling her closer as he pistoned his hips in and out, pushing her over the edge and into the most satisfying climax of her life.

At her cry of release, Max pumped deeply into her, before collapsing with a shuddering explosion.

But before that even finished, he rolled over, pulling Erin on top of him, their bodies still intimately joined. “Now I just want to hold you forever,” he whispered.