Page 35 of The Witness

“No,” I said calmly. This wasn’t up for negotiation. The plan was insane. Sabrina would never be bait as long as I had breath in my lungs.

I searched the suite for a distraction while I toed off my shoes. The room wasn’t large by fancy hotel standards, but it was clean and bright with tall windows. At first, I thought it was retro, but on second look, I knew the furniture was original art déco stuff.From the black lacquer desk to the gilt mirror with a single crack snaking across the corner. My eye caught on a small brass wall plaque that informed us this was Clark Gable’s preferred room at the hotel. Nice.

“I’m not asking,” she huffed, and I turned. Her fists were planted on her hips, shoulders pushed back—ready to fight.

“No,” I repeated.

“It’s my life that’s been hijacked. My mother that’s in hiding, and my restaurant that’s been vandalized.”

I winced and shook my head as a wave of guilt over not telling her about the incident at Viande hit. I should have known Smith had an ulterior motive for keeping the information from her. The master manipulator was hard at work.

“Do you see another option?” She stalked across the room to stand toe to toe with me. The determination rolled off her in waves.

“I’ll kill him.” My crossed arms formed a barricade between us. Distance would let me stay sane, keep me from carrying her away to some far-off corner of the world where she’d be safe. I’d always had overdeveloped protective instincts, but Sabrina had kicked them into overdrive. It wasn’t rational how much I cared about her.

“Sandoval?” She was incredulous.

He wouldn’t be the first man I killed who deserved to die.

“Yes.” I nodded once to punctuate my vow. She would not risk her life on my watch. I couldn’t even think about it without wanting to drag her back to Miami or off to Fiji.

“No!” She ground out the word from between clenched jaws.

I looked away from her and out the windows. I concentrated on the ocean and the old weatherbeaten lighthouse in the distance, racking my brain for an argument that would make her see reason.

Her small fist packed an impressive punch as she drove it into my upper arm, but I held my ground and grunted.

“If you kill him, then you inherit all my problems and whoever takes over his organization will come after you. Gunter is right. We need a bigger entity to contain his, his… evil.”

“I can handle the fallout and keep you safe.”

“Would you stop?” She stamped her foot on the thick carpet. “You’re not killing Sandoval. Unless you agree to help me and Gunter, I won’t identify Sandoval for you or anyone. I will not have another death on my conscience.” Her voice fell almost to a whisper on the last sentence.

“Sabrina.” Her name came out gentler than I’d intended. More plea than demand. She was ripping my guts out. I’d never survive watching her risk her life like this.

“God, men are stubborn.” She met my gaze, her defiant chin tipped up, her eyes swimming with a mix of emotions I couldn’t untangle. Frustration for sure, but there was something else. It was the same heat and longing that coursed through my veins—desire.

“I’m not being stubborn.” In two steps, I closed the small space between us. I slid my hands down her upper arms, enjoying her reaction. Goosebumps raced over her skin, and her breath hitched. “I’m protecting you.”

She shook her head but leaned into my body. I needed more than these fleeting touches. I needed to show her how much she had addled my brain the only way I could. Dipping my head, I brushed the softest of fleeting kisses over her lush lips. She was precious.

“Again.” Her arms around my neck, she dragged me back down so our lips met.

The kiss was achingly careful. We were unsure, sinking into an attraction that was unwise but tempting nonetheless. I gathered her close, holding her slight frame like spun sugar. She moaned;the sound raced through my veins, sending my blood surging. I reveled in the reality of her.

Gasping for breath, we finally broke apart.

“There has to be another way.” I held her pressed to my chest. Her hands clutched my shirtfront. Surely, she could hear my heart pounding in my chest like a jackhammer.

She stiffened and pushed back to look at my face. An ironic smile twisted her kiss-bruised lips. “I’m sure if there was, Smith would have figured it out by now. I’m willing to risk it, but only with you at my side. Protect me so I can be brave.” Her hand rested flat over my racing heart. It stuttered and nearly stopped at her words.

“Fuck, I hate this idea.” My hands practically shook as I cupped her jaw and angled her face to taste her once more. No part of me wanted to let her anywhere near Rafa Sandoval.

Our lips met in a fusion of shared desire. The kiss ranged from desperate to carnal. We devoured each other with tangled tongues and open mouths. Our hastily stolen breaths were ragged and rushed. Only my hold of her body remained gentle. I would protect her from every danger, even my desire.

“You are sure I can’t change your mind?” I feathered a kiss against her temple.

“I hate this plan too, but I love the idea of Sandoval rotting in a Cuban jail awaiting his execution while I go home to live my life.” Her eyes glittered with purpose.

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