Page 64 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

Diego's lips tightened again at the flash of emotion she allowed him to see.

"I don't know what happened." God help her and Diego both if she told him anything Ian didn't want him to know. "One minute we were driving down the coast, the next we were flying in that limo."

He inhaled slowly, his nostrils widening as his expression turned savage. She could have sworn pain flashed in his eyes.

"That is unfortunate," he finally expressed. "I would know who to kill for this action against my son."

"You and me both." She gave him delicate snort as she moved past him back into the sitting room. The tiny bathroom was much too small for comfort when dealing with Diego. "It wasn't exactly a party out there."

"Do you know he would be angry should I retaliate for his sake?" Diego bit out. "He denies me even the smallest pleasures now. Bah. His arrogance. It will get him killed."

And he was telling her this why? Kira stared back at him hesitantly. Diego wasn't known for his compassion or trusting nature. Quite the opposite. So why was he talking to her?

"Maybe he's trying to protect you?" She put several feet between them, though how that would help if he pulled that gun she didn't know.

At her suggestion, his gaze sharpened.

"Do you think this is true?" He frowned as though he hadn't considered that thought. As though the suggestion suddenly filled him with hope.

"Well." Kira licked her lips nervously. "He doesn't let me have any fun either. He even took my guns. Said it was for my own protection."

God, she was playing games with the master here. Ian was right, she had lost her mind.

Diego lifted his hand and stroked his jaw, his sharp eyes watching her like a cobra watches its prey.

"You like to live on the dark side, do you not, Ms. Porter?"

She wagged her brows. "Darth Vader was my hero."

His lips twitched as he wagged his brow in turn. "You are a very naughty little girl."

"Well, I used to try hard." She rolled her eyes mockingly. "As I said, Ian seems to think I should let him have all the fun. He's protecting me."

"And you do not like protection."

"Not used to it." She shrugged as she took a seat on the couch and curled her legs to the side as though she were talking to a normal lover's father rather than one of the most notorious drug lords in the world. A man that could kill her as easily as he could smile at her.

"Neither am I used to this protection," he said thoughtfully. "It would indicate more than a mere job, am I not correct? Perhaps a bit of feeling?"

Kira frowned as though confused. "You're his father, correct?"

A smile split his face then. "Yes. I am his father. He would try to protect me. I did not consider this."

Kira spread her hands and stared back at him questioningly. "What else could it be?" Besides an attempt to make certain that the man he was there to destroy didn't destroy other lives first.

"My son, he has chosen well for his woman." He nodded sharply, opening his lips to say more only to turn in surprise as the door slammed open.

Ian stood framed in the doorway. His overly long dark blond hair was mussed around his face, his expression cold and stony. Deep lines bracketed his mouth and his eyes glowed with fury.

"Is Deke okay?" Kira came quickly to her feet as she watched him warily.

The look on his face wasn't the least comfortable.

"Deke's awake. The doctor is still with him but he'll be okay."

"Ah, this is very good." Diego smiled. "I was telling your woman, you are a man of loyalty. A man to be proud of."

Kira would have winced if the situation weren't as dangerous as she could sense it becoming.

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