Page 7 of Wait for You

Her cupid’s bow mouth stretched into a thin line. “Are you defending them?”

Mat resisted the urge to scrub his hands over the dark hair on his jaw in frustration. “No, Gen. But I need to know what you know if I’m gonna be able to help you find your brother.”

She sighed, and her shoulders drooped as she broke his gaze. “He was using,” pausing, Imogen refused to meet his patient stare before continuing, “recreationally. I don’t know who his dealer was, but it had to be a Lazcano.”

Whether she realized it or not, she didn’t really answer his question. A thoughtful frown tugged at Mat’s lips. “What about enemies? Was there any evidence of foul play?” He cocked a brow and asked what he thought was a reasonable question. “How do you know Emil’s not just on a beach somewhere takin’ a break?”

An outraged noise bubbled out of her throat before she shot to her feet. “I thought you, of all people, would understand.” She blinked, and he caught the shine of tears before she scored him with, “But you’ve changed. You’re not the same man I knew,Mateo.” The way she uttered his full name with such disdain nearly made him cringe.

Where his anger burned hot and bright like a flame, hers was a block of dry ice. It had the ability to sear you with its freezing coldness, leaving frostbite in its wake.

He stood, mainly to block her exit. “In case you forgot,princess, I’m tryin’ to help you.”

He didn’t think eyes of such a warm color could appear so cold, but her chocolate gaze turned as hard and impenetrable as a brown diamond. She lifted her jaw and asked with scathing directness, “And how, exactly, does interrogating me help?”

Mat clenched his teeth. If he wanted her cooperation, he had to rein in his irritation. After a calming breath, he tried a different tact. “I’ve been undercover here for over a year. If Emil had anythin’ to do with the lieutenant, I’d know about it.”

She wilted at his revelation, and he reached for her hand to give it a comforting squeeze. Even though they were no longer together, a part of him would always carry feelings for her. “I’m sorry, Gen. But I ca—”

Imogen jerked her hand out of his grasp and shook her head. The fact she clearly didn’t want him to touch her penetrated his chest like a falling icicle. Its cold bit then spread into an icy numbness.

“No. He wouldn’t just vanish. Unless the cartel made him. I know they had something to do with it.” Renewed fierceness entered her voice. “And if you won’t help me find him, I’ll do it myself.”

By God, she tried his patience. “No. You won’t.”

When she stiffened and opened her mouth, he bulldozed over any complaint she was about to make. “Before you try and freeze my head off, just listen, ‘kay?”

After a moment, she gave him a nod, so he told her, “I already sent word through the lieutenant’s scouts to bring me any information they have on Emiliano Sanchez. I’m gonna geta message to the Rangers, too. We have more resources than the sheriff’s department. One way or another, we’ll find him.”

Imogen’s eyes glistened; when she spoke, her voice had lost the ice. “Thank you.”

Hoping she didn’t let those tears escape, he added, “The best thing you can do for Emil, is go home. Every second you stay, you’re at risk of discovery. If the Lazcanos find out what you’re doin’, your brother won’t be the only one missin’.”

“No.” She scoffed as if he hadn’t just told her what she was doing would likely get her killed.

It was maddening. Enough that anger started to burn a trail up his throat. With a growl, he grabbed her shoulders. “This ain’t a game, Gen. You’re gonna get yourself killed!”

“I won’t sit around and do nothing based only on your word. Five years is a long time.” Again, her gaze froze him out, and he didn’t miss the implication behind that statement. She didn’t trust him. “I’m the only one making Emil a priority. There’s no way I’m leaving without knowing what happened to him.”

Imogen’s lack of trust in Mat stole the oxygen from his lungs, extinguishing the fire of his anger. He dropped his hold on her. When he’d regained his breath, his voice sounded as empty as his chest felt. “It has been a long time, but I’ve never not made good on my word. If you can’t trust me, and you stay . . . at least let me show you the ropes so there’s a better chance of both of us keepin’ our heads?”

Knowing she’d won, a small smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. “I’ll accept your terms,vaquero.”

Cowboy.

Hearing her use the nickname she’d sometimes teasingly called him tightened his stomach muscles. It was a big step up from Mateo, and if he was being honest, he liked hearing it roll off her tongue. A littletoomuch.

Before he could tell her, he heard the latch to his room click, and he grabbed Imogen for a kiss as the door opened behind them.

CHAPTER 3

Imogen

The instant Mateo’s lips met hers, time ceased to exist. The present collapsed, buckling onto itself until she’d fallen through its folds straight into the past. Memories of Mat flooded Imogen’s senses, and the last five years disappeared as if they’d never been. Everything about him was so familiar. His taste, smell, even the feel of his hands on her back.

As his closely trimmed beard tickled her chin, she breathed him in.

Pepper and oranges.

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