* * * *
Had she been shocked? Not a chance. Pearly liked a joke as much as anyone. He glanced across the aisle and grinned. She checked her shoes out, looking damn pleased with them.
Sam looked down to see the earth hurtling up to meet the wheels of the plane. He sucked in a long breath of contentment. He’d made the flight without thinking about choppers hitting the sand and smashing onto the rocks in a fiery, thundering explosion. He would never allow anyone to know how deeply the loss of comrades, friends, and strangers had bothered him.
Thoroughly disgusted with himself for the momentary slide into personal emotions, he took his Glock out of the holster to check the magazine. Primed and ready for anything. A firefight didn’t worry him. He had a lifetime of experience, and the sound of weapons firing didn’t bother him. He slid a glance toward Pearly. But what about her? Sure, she had to be proficient with weapons, but facing down a killer like Antigua and his goons may be something new to her.
Better stop thinking that way, Horn. Your life may depend on her. Trust her
.
The familiar bump of the plane making contact with the tarmac took Sam’s thoughts onto a different subject. Antigua. In a short while, they would be mixing it up on the ship, living together, more or less. He wondered how long it would take the rich boy to spot Pearly.
The thought of another man looking at her like he did fired his temper. That had come from nowhere. Pearly had never made him think she wanted anything permanent with him. He’d have to work on that little problem.
They were earthbound once again, and he unfastened his seat belt. He helped Pearly out of hers after noticing she struggled with it. “We have arrived, Pearly.” He glanced out the widow. “Our limo is here to take us to the ship. Nothing but the best for my princess.”
She rolled her eyes before grabbing her purse and makeup kit. “I can’t see why the bureau went to so much expense. A taxi would have been just as good.”
He followed her to the exit door, enjoying the swing of her fine ass. “Wouldn’t do, babe. We have to make everyone think we’re the ugly Americans with more money than brains.”
“You’re a cynic.”
The chauffer took her makeup kit and led the way down the exit steps. Sam took in the way rays of sun played in her hair, not to mention the wind catching her skirt to knock him over with a glimpse of the sexiest legs in the world.
She didn’t grab for the flyaway skirt, just went on down the steps and turned to smile at him.
Glory be. He’d seen her smile before, but this took the cake. She showed all her pretty white teeth, and her full, luscious lips tipped up like sweet cream cups. Her blue eyes sparkled with merriment while she chatted with the captain. Maybe if he hurried, she’d have some left for him.
“Thanks for the smooth flight, Captain Larkin.” Sam shook hands with him and waved at the other agents who yelled out he should be in jail for hiding cards. “Next time we play for cash.”
He laughed at their middle finger gestures and mimicked throat cuts.
God, it’s great to be an agent.
He didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud until Pearly arched her brows in question. “Do you really feel that way?”
She opened her pretty mouth to say something, but snapped it closed.
Sam stood back while she climbed into the limo and punched in their contact’s number. “Yeah. Horn here.” He turned away from the small group of people standing nearby. “We’re at the location and will be on board in a few minutes. Any last minute info on the target?”
Just as he had expected, there wasn’t any news, good or bad. They were to stay with their plan of action.
Thinking about Pearly’s cute little body, he hoped this thing came off without a hitch and she went home in one beautiful piece.
Chapter Seven
Lana ignored the tightening in her stomach. That feeling gripped her every time she went after a person, murderer or bootlegger. This time, she had a partner she’d only known in bed. This relationship had started off assbackwards, and she couldn’t keep thinking of him as her lover. Horn now officially became her back up, her partner.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” His question seemed out of place, especially since they were headed for the black zone.
She focused on the dozens of brilliant flowers clamoring over the fences of houses painted pastel colors. “Yes, I guess it is.”
He reached for her hand, and she didn’t pull it away.
For a few minutes, she let the smooth ride take her mind off the mission. This could have been the way fate had wanted them to be. Fate. She’d never believed in it, not until Horn appeared in that bar.
She had the craziest urge to cry, thinking this could be the strangest affair in history. Their passion began in a bar, lust won out in a hotel room, and, finally, they would strap on their weapons and go do battle with Goliath.
He squeezed her fingers, still seeming a million miles away, his sunglasses shielding his eyes. She thought once he would say something, but he didn’t. He simply held on to her hand.
“Horn.” The silence sat heavy on her, and she had to end it.
“I’m sorry, Pearly.” His mouth set in a half smile. “I do that. The trick is to block out everything around you. It’s the only way to get by in this job.”
She didn’t like his answer. “Don’t do it anymore.” She took his hand from hers. “Not while we are supposed to watching each other’s back.”
He gazed out the window for a moment before turning toward her. “I won’t let you out of my sight unless I have to.” The time obviously became top priority, and he looked at his watch for the tenth time.
Damn, she’d grown tired of talking of nothing but the mission. Lana dared a personal question. “Where do you call home, Horn?”
Off came the sunglasses and he eyed her with a grin. “Want to come home with me?”
“Forget I asked.” He obviously didn’t want to discuss his private life. “I really don’t want to know. Just making conversation.”
“I own a very comfortable condo in Panama Beach.”
Okay. Like a fool, she gobbled up the crumb of information.
“How do you like it?”
“I’m never there long enough to decide.” He touched her hair, quickly drawing back his hand. “How about you, Pearly? Where do you have your mail sent?”
He didn’t really care where she lived. He just humored her like he would a child. “My place is in St. Augustine.”
“Nice area.” He looked away again, and she didn’t attempt to engage him in conversation again for the rest of the ride.
The scene quickly changed from serene neighborhoods to the bustle of a wharf side activity and noise. Children ran alongside the limo, trying to sell fruit and flowers. Strolling musicians added to the pleasant atmosphere. The air hummed with the activity and friendly haggling between vendors. The limo pulled into the passenger loading area where their future waited on that huge white and blue monster in the water.
Horn took her arm to whisper in her ear. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like boats.”
He didn’t laugh as she’d expected. “That makes two of us. That’s the reason I joined the Army.”
She sighed with relief. That probably meant he wouldn’t want to swim in the ocean. Or worse, throw her in. “I do swim. But I prefer solid ground under my feet.” She glanced at him to gage his reaction.
He nodded. “That much we agree on.”
They didn’t go further into the subject. Their luggage had been loaded on a cart, and they followed it to the boarding area. Their driver waved as he drove away. The finality of the moment weighed heavily on her. There would be no one but her and Horn.
They were to be together for days, and Lana didn’t want to think that far ahead to the endless hours they’d be stuck to each other like Velcro. Days, evenings, and nights.
Horn touched his weapon, a signal he had already gone into the serious mode of being an agent. Lana sensed their lives would be forever changed from this moment, and she joined him in fierce expectancy. The weight of the Glock in her purse reassured her that this mission would end successfully.
He didn’t make jokes or tease her on the long walk up to the deck of the ship they would live on together. She took in a shaky breath, not knowing which worried her more. Antigua or Horn.
She glanced up to find Sam gazing at her, his jaw set and lips set in a serious line. He accepted the flowers a beaming girl handed him and promptly turned them over to Lana.
Get on with it, girl. Start being sexy
.
“Oh, look darling.” She buried her nose in the sweet blossoms and smiled flirtatiously at him. “Did you send these?”
“Sure I did, sugar lump.”
She knew his mind hadn’t been on her. His head lifted, ears tuned in to the thousand different voices buzzing around them. She put her arm around his waist and forced him to look at her. “You’re supposed to be hot for me, darling.”
He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. “Hell yes, I’m hot for you, baby.” He dropped his duffle bag, turning her to face him. She thought he might kiss her, not pull her against his body in a kiss that went through her blood like hot lead. She forgot the onlookers and the flowers in her hand. The bouquet dropped to the deck as her arms went around his neck, pulling his mouth firmly to hers.
She’d lived on memories until now, but they paled in the heat of his demanding mouth as he bent her to his will and led her out of reality. No, she couldn’t lose her sanity right now. Breaking the kiss shattered the moment of careless passion.
She patted his cheek. “I believe you, honey.” She leaned against him until her knees felt solid again. “So does Antigua.”
She’d seen their target accepting flowers and champagne from the crowd of women surrounding him. Antigua gave one of those totally arrogant male acknowledgements in their direction. He elevated his fine chin and raised his glass to them. So, they wouldn’t have to seek him out. Antigua had initiated a friendship toward them.
Horn didn’t release her, but observed Antigua with cold intensity. She could hear the deep baritone of his voice with her ear pressed to his chest.
“Party’s on, baby.” Horn took her arm to guide her closer to the celebrating group. “I see he’s not carrying, but the two goons behind him are.”
Lana almost purred her comment. “My guess is the woman with snake eyes would be holding weapons for him.”
“We’ll call her the Cobra.”
Lana understood his meaning. The woman would have been beautiful if not for her obsidian stare. It would pay to know her presence at all times.
The clamor of the crowd running to the rail to wave to their friends and relatives diverted Lana’s attention. Horn inclined his head toward the mêlée. “Want to forgo the farewells and go to our stateroom?” He picked up his duffle bag. “I could use a quick nap.”
On the outside, that had sounded reasonable.
Lana glanced around and opted to agree. After all, they were on duty and he happened to be serious about his work.
What about her?
Images of her clothing flying across a hotel room and her climbing all over him brought a hot blush to her face.
Grow up, ninny
.
This is hardly the same situation
.
She nodded and took his arm in a lover’s possessive way. “It was a short night.”
Lana slid a glance toward the man she had known only through blurred photos and poor videos. Like the bureau’s description, Antigua stood out, slender and not too tall, but definitely the man in charge. He seemed immune to the adoration lavished on him by the large group of beautiful young women. She took note of the stony-faced men flanking Mister Popularity.
“That’s two.” Horn’s murmured comment were her thoughts exactly.
“The others are probably scattered about, checking the crowd for agents.” She put on her sunglasses, smiling as she added a quip. “We wouldn’t draw attention, would we?”
He rubbed her back, looking every bit the attentive lover. “Whatever do you mean, sweetie?”
“What I mean is there’s no one over twenty-five on this boat.” She couldn’t help it, the need to dig at his arrogance. “That leaves you out.”
“I don’t recall hearing any complaints from you, sugar-lips.” He patted her ass.
“A lot can change in two years, love.”
Shut up, you idiot. He’s not playing
.
“I’ll let that go. For now.” As added emphasis, he pulled her to his side, squeezing her hard. “You smell good enough to eat. How’s that sit with you, Ms. Pearly?”
Lana forgot any sharp comeback. Her gaze riveted on Antigua.
The man held up his champagne glass and moved a few steps away from the all female escorts. His dazzling smile beckoned to Lana. “My friends. Come.”
His body language had to be the most nonthreatening Lana had ever seen. “Okay, Horn.” Her smile hurt her cheeks after holding it so long. “What do we do?”
She had her answer before he said a word. He tugged her toward the man. They were going to meet Antigua. Horn’s friendly expression would have fooled anyone but her.
“Spot of bubbly, dear,” Horn’s hand plastered to her ass, “before we go to bed?”
Antigua sauntered toward them, offering his sun-bronzed hand in greeting. “Have a drink with me.” His hazel-brown eyes raked over her in a quick, appraising manner. “I am Carlos Antigua, and these ladies are my friends.” After the women poured champagne for them, he waved them away. “The voyage promises to be much more enjoyable now.”
Lana nudged Horn’s ribs when he appeared ready to say something to cause trouble. “Thank you for the lovely greeting, Mister Antigua.” She sipped from the crystal glass and hated to admit it, but the wine trickled over her tongue in a golden kiss of bubbles. “This is wonderful.”
Horn tipped his glass to his lips and downed the contents. “This stuff must be pretty expensive, Antigua.” He accepted a refill, ogling the shy girl waiting on them.
Antigua’s expression amused Lana. He found Horn disgusting. “I spare no cost for my friends.” His gaze dropped to Lana’s breasts while he chatted as if they would be his best buddies. “We will see a great deal of each other.”