Page 2 of Ravaged Hearts

“Not nervous. Just in a heightened state of readiness, the same way I’d be before any op.”

How reassuring it must feel to have a history of successfully completing dangerous missions. The only time I’d put my life on the line, I’d almost been killed and my friend had ended upmurdered right before my eyes. Rubbing shoulders with narcos wasn’t an experience I was eager to repeat.

Perhaps sensing my escalating anxiety, Vaughn added, “It’s not too late for us to back out.”

“No. I don’t want that.”

There were too many innocent lives riding on the outcome of this meeting. La Mano Roja, orthe Red Hand, had a transportation job for Vaughn, and any details they gave him at the meeting might reveal clues about my father’s whereabouts. And if we didn’t show up, el Capitán would most likely ask another pilot to do the job, which would jeopardize the chance to recover the women we suspected he was trafficking.

I exhaled a deep breath. “What if I stay here at the hotel while you go?”

“No. This room isn’t secure. If la Mano Roja has been watching us, there’s a chance el Capitán will send someone to snoop while I’m out, and I don’t want them finding you on your own. The only place I know you’re safe is with me.”

Vaughn dragged his hands through his hair. “Either we go to the meeting together, or we don’t go at all.”

There was no way we were backing out. This meeting was too important.

“Then we’re going. I can do this.”

“I know you can, but you can’t act tense around these guys. It’ll make them edgy. Keep your cool no matter what.”

“Stay calm. Don’t freak out. Got it.” I went to the window and peeled back the curtains just enough to glimpse the street two floors below. The brightly lit sidewalk was alive with people, food vendors, and stores selling beach inflatables and souvenirs. Despite it being the offseason for tourists, Puerto Escondido was far busier than Playa de la Palmera.

I shut the curtain and faced Vaughn with my arms folded. “You know, I might feel less anxious if you explained what you need me to do in the meeting.”

All Vaughn had said was to dress slutty, a task I’d accomplished by overdoing my makeup and squeezing my curves into a tight black minidress. It was a hand-me-down from Mari, who’d bought it online in a size too large for her petite frame. I hadn’t bothered to try it on before today, because where the hell would I wear a dress like this in Playa de la Palmera? Luckily, the stretchy scrap of Lycra managed to cover my assets despite my tits doing their best to escape the plunging neckline.

I totally looked like a hooker, and I was ninety-nine percent sure that was to be my cover for this meeting. Vaughn didn’t need to worry about upsetting me. I was down to be his obedient little escort, because pretend sex worker or not, there was no chance he’d let another man touch me.

“I’ve already explained what’s required.” A roguish grin appeared on his face, making me nervous for a different reason.

“You mean your one and only instruction to do whatever you tell me? That’s hardly comforting.” Especially given how poorly I reacted whenever Vaughn turned into a domineering ass. Having an argument in the middle of a narco meeting wouldn’t be a good look.

“Never mind about that.” He called me over with an arrogant flick of his first two fingers. “Come here.”

I made my way to where he sat on the bed. When he gestured me closer still, I stood between his parted knees. “What is it?”

Vaughn took my hands and guided them to the nape of his neck. I weaved my fingers through the silky ends of his hair because I’d noticed he liked me doing that. It was a safe place for him, and I savored any opportunity to touch this man.

He ran his palms up the backs of my thighs. “This dress is very distracting.”

Goose bumps pebbled where his fingertips roamed. “Is it?”

“It makes me want to take it off you. So I guess it’s not the dress that’s distracting but what’s underneath.” Vaughn’s eyestrailed up my body, and when his gaze landed on my lips, I leaned down and kissed him.

It felt strange being the initiator, but not in a bad way. As Vaughn’s confidence built in our fledgling relationship, so did mine.

Was it naive of me to think of this as a relationship? Things between Vaughn and me felt intense already. But a small voice in the back of my mind asked troublesome questions.

How long would Vaughn stay with me? Until Carlos was dead? Longer? Despite my best efforts to keep him at arm’s length, Vaughn had already made a lasting impact, and it was clear that saying goodbye to him would come with a whole truckload of heartache.

I told the annoying voice to shut the hell up, because I was determined to enjoy each moment with Vaughn for however long I had him. We’d just take things one day at a time.

When I deepened the kiss, Vaughn chuckled against my mouth.

I pulled back and lifted one brow. “Is there something amusing?”

“Kind of.” He licked his lips. “I don’t really kiss.”

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