Page 79 of Hearts Of Darkness

“I wouldn’t dare,” he says mildly, but he’s giving me the benefit of his coldest, most unflinching of gazes. “How’s theshoulder?”

Nothing escapes his attention. I know he just saw me wincing.

“Hurts like a bitch.”

“You want morphine?”

I shake my head as I watch Eve draw further and further away. Her head is down, her slim shoulders hunched over… She’s fucking furious.

He follows my gaze, and his lips start to curve. “If I didn’t think you’d kick my ass, I’d say she was growing on me.”

“I will, so keep your damn mouth shut.”

“Fair enough.” He shrugs, and true to his word he doesn’t speak again until we reach the landing strip.

Eve heads straight for the aircraft steps without so much as a backward glance. Tomas is hovering nearby, and his eyes flicker to mine for instruction. I shake my head.Let her go.If she liked the damn horses so much, I’ll buy her a dozen new ones. Everything is expendable and replaceable in this game.

Everything except Eve.

“We have a location on Sanders,” he says, coming over to join us.

“Since when?” I say, going very still.

“Couple of hours ago.”

Anger rises up from the pit of my stomach. “Why the fuck am I only hearing about this now?”

“You were ‘otherwise engaged’,” murmurs Joseph, and I turn to glare at him. That deadeye shit of his is getting on my nerves today. He better wind it in before my fist connects with his face.

“So, Sanders isn’t decomposing in a body bag.”

“On the contrary, he’s in Thailand. He was spooked after Colombia, sensed something was about to go down. He’s been laying low. We intercepted a coded message from him this morning. I’ve arranged transfer to a safe house of ours in Singapore. As soon as Tomas delivers Miss Miller back to Miami, he’ll fly straight there and collect him.”

I glance over at the aircraft where Eve’s pale face is glaring down at me from one of the cabin windows. I remember Rick’s warning in Colombia, something about beautiful women and starting wars…

“Is he still loyal?”

“I believe so.”

I savor my satisfaction. I knew Sanders would never betray me. He’s got the connections to help us rebuild our army, too.

“Get me an ETA on the other aircraft,” I say, turning toward the steps. “I want it here within the hour. Anything salvageable goes onboard with us.”

“Sure thing,jefe.”

I findEve at the back of the plane talking with Manuel.

Jesus.If I was mad before, I just found a whole new trigger.

She keeps her face turned away as I prowl up the aisle toward them. Manuel’s not so cool about it. He glances up, and his face pales beneath his bruises.

“Leave us.”

“Yes, señor.” He scrambles to his feet immediately.

“Hang on a second.” Eve places her hand on his arm, and Inearly explode. “You don’t have to go because ofhim.”

“No, señorita, I really do.” Manuel backs away from her like she’s covered in anthrax.

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