Page 16 of Her Last Hope
“Sounds like you’ve got this all planned out.” Ramos flicked the ashes of his cigar. The breeze picked them up as they floated effortlessly toward the pool.
Nick nodded. “This is a win-win and could be the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship.”
“Perhaps, but we don’t have time for an auction.” Ramos rubbed the back of his neck. “If what you say is true.”
“It’s true, and we don’t need an auction,” Nick said, leaning back, looping his arm over Leandra’s shoulders. “We’ve got two buyers who are looking for slave labor, and they will take the entire lot.”
“You don’t even know what I have.” Ramos sucked on his cigar, the tip turning red.
“We’ve been watching your operation for months now,” Leandra said.
She’d gathered a fair amount of information on Ramos’ operation, but what she hadn’t found out, Nick’s resources with the Aegis Network had uncovered in less than five hours. Even he was impressed by what they’d been able to uncover and put into place. Of course, some of Nick’s old buddies had come through, making this a well-put-together op with the best of the best.
The plan still had a few holes, and any number of things could go wrong, but Nick wasn’t going to focus on that.
“I want 1.5 million,” Ramos said before he blew out his smoke, his lips forming a circular motion as he snapped his jaw, creating rings.
“Right now, we’ve got the buyers at a million. Best we’re gonna get for this deal on short notice. But we can guarantee we’ll be able to increase your fair market value by twenty percent in six months.” All Nick needed to do was to get Ramos to agree to this sale. That way he could make sure all the current victims were moved to a safe location before slapping handcuffs on Ramos. But in the process, he needed to find out who Skyler had been sold to and help Leandra bring her home to her family.
Ramos put the cigar between his teeth and held out his hand. “If this deal goes off without a hitch, then wecan discuss doing further business. If not?” He shrugged. “I’m going to fuck your beautiful wife while you watch, and then I’m going to kill you.”
Nick knew Ramos believed his own words, but no way in hell, no matter what went down tonight, would Ramos ever be laying a finger on Leandra.
She belonged to Nick.
What the fuck? Where did that come from? Screw her once and she’d be out of his system. She was just another chick that reminded him he was a man with needs, not a man with desires.
Big difference.
At least that is what he told himself.
4
Leandra kicked off her shoes on the back porch of the house Nick had taken her to last night. In typical Florida fashion, the outside wasn’t much to talk about with its chipped paint and overgrown landscaping. But the new hardwood floors in the kitchen and family room, and brand-new stainless-steel appliances, gave the house a modern, upscale feeling. The inside had been freshly painted with warm, neutral colors that brightened up the space when the sun filtered through the windows.
“Sorry about the married thing.” She flopped herself down on the soft leather sofa. It felt cool against her legs, which had a thick layer of humidity covering her skin. “Not sure why I thought that would get him to stop hitting on me.”
“I think it works to our advantage.” Nick sat down on the far end of the couch, his legs stretching out over the coffee table. All morning long, his hands hadbeen on her skin. The attention he showed her in front of Ramos had been above and beyond. However, once on the boat and out of sight of his men, Nick continued to caress her shoulders, or even hold her hand. He explained as he helped her from the boat to the dock that he was sure they were being followed, watched.
Maybe they were, but his affection felt more like desire than a show put on for the sake of a killer.
“Besides, I don’t like the way he looks at you, much less how he pulled your hair.”
“I can’t say I liked it much either. He’s a disgusting man.”
Nick turned his head. His soft-blue eyes cast a concerned look as the sunlight beamed through the window. “Who wouldn’t think twice about raping and killing you.”
She shivered. Ever since Kent passed, she started taking risks she normally wouldn’t. It wasn’t a death wish but more like sticking her middle finger up at life. “I was definitely in over my head, so thanks.” She bit down on her lower lip. The only thing worse than knowing she’d taken on more than she could cope with was having to admit it.
“You’re welcome.” The corners of his mouth tipped upward. “But I think you’d manage to land on your feet…like Cat Woman.” He winked.
Without thinking, she kicked his thigh with her foot, letting her toes feel the hard muscles inside his jeans.
He grabbed her ankle, fanning his thumb over her sensitive skin, resting her foot on his leg.
She should pull away and shut down this insane attraction that had come out of nowhere.
“How long were you married?” he asked, his face turned serious, and his eyes filled with an understanding that made her heart beat faster.
