No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [49]
“Have you located Destin?” Chavez asked.
“He’s in Antigua. We’re on our way.”
“Be very persuasive, Gomez.”
“He’s there with his wife and little boy. We don’t anticipate any trouble.” Gomez hung up.
Yes, it was often easier to use the wife and children of a target to gain information, Chavez thought. He had done it himself on many occasions.
Destin had a son.
He felt a sudden surge of anger. He also had a son, but he’d had no opportunity to teach and guide him as Destin had. It must be the ultimate thrill to mold a human being in your own image.
His son …
She couldn’t take her gaze off Galen’s hands as he poured the coffee. Powerful hands, nails cut short, the fingers long and graceful and capable. She felt the heat move through her as she remembered how capable.
“Dessert?” Galen asked.
She looked up to see him smiling at her. Bastard. He knew exactly what she was thinking. “No, thank you.”
“Sure? It’s apple pie. Barry cut the dough for the crust.”
She smiled at her son. “Then I’ll have to try it.”
“I’ll help.” Barry jumped off the chair and ran after Galen into the kitchen.
She heard them laughing and chattering.
“He likes Galen.” Dominic paused. “But not as much as you do.”
She stiffened. She had been waiting for him to make a comment. He knew her too well not to realize what was going on between her and Galen. He would have had to be blind, she thought ruefully. Galen had never made any physical move toward her in anyone else’s presence, but he had kept his promise. He never lost an opportunity to touch her, and she had moved from wariness to anticipation. Admit it: not anticipation, lust. Her whole body readied when he walked in the room.
“Don’t look so apprehensive,” Dominic said. “I’m not judging you. I know what kind of hell you’ve been through. If Galen helps, I’ll be grateful to him.” He hesitated. “But I admit I’m worried. You really know very little about him. He’s a complicated man and not the most stable.”
She knew what an understatement that was. “I’m not looking for a lifetime commitment, Dominic. I may never see him after we leave here.”
He still looked troubled. “Forgive me. It’s none of my business.”
“Yes, it is.” She reached over and covered his hand with her own. “We’re family.”
He smiled. “We are, aren’t we?” He returned the pressure of her hand before releasing it. “Did I tell you Barry has a new tune he wants to play for you on the keyboard?”
“Jesus.” Galen rolled over, bringing her with him. His breathing was labored as he fought for air. “Or should … I say, eureka.”
Oh, God, she was shaking. Elena’s fingers dug into his shoulders. “Don’t talk.”
“Have to talk—happy.” He hugged her close. “Am I damn good or what?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said unevenly. “It’s just an orgasm.”
“It’s a home run, a touchdown, a first million on Wall Street.”
“And you’re giddy as a loon.”
“Yep.” He hugged her close. “See, it didn’t take so long. Nothing wrong with you that Galen couldn’t fix.”
“The master problem-solver.” Her smile faded. “Challenge met. Problem solved.”
“No way.” He snuggled her closer to him. “Just a giant step. It’s going to take a long, long time to perfect the process.”
How long? she wondered suddenly.
You really know very little about him.
Yet she felt as if she did know him. She knew his body and his wit. She had laughed with him and shared danger. But she knew what Dominic meant. Did you ever know anyone until you knew what made him what he was?
He lifted his head. “What’s wrong?”
As usual, he had sensed what she was feeling. “What could be wrong?”
“Tell me.”
She looked away from him. “It might be nice to know a little more about the man who gave me my first orgasm.”
“Nah, mystery men are always more sexy.” He studied her. “You mean it.”
“I realize I have no right to pry into your—”
“Shut up,” he said roughly. “You want to know something. Pry.”
“Why do you do this kind of work? You seem to have plenty of money. Why take the chances?”
“It’s what I do. I get bored. I tried to quit a few years ago and nearly went bananas. I have