I could feel the heat of Fallon’s eyes on me. Hell, even Bella was looking at me as if part of this was my fault.

  I was going to grill my brother for hours. If he had anything to do with the bad paint job, he’d regret his poor decision making. Even I had to grin. This was about as much excitement as I could handle for one week.

  “Where is Bruni’s plane?” I asked.

  Carlos sighed. “Other side of the airport.”

  “Any idea who’s in charge?”

  “If you’re asking if one of the assholes is in a suit, that I wouldn’t know.” Carlos grinned.

  “Don Bruni doesn’t get his hands dirty, Viss,” Stefano said as he shook his head.

  “What about Antonio Esposito? Do you know anything about him?” Fallon asked. “He’s my stepbrother.”

  “Whew,” Alessandro hissed. “He’s bad news. All I know is that he’s called the Butcher for a reason. He’s not to be trusted by anyone, including by Don Bruni himself.”

  Her brow furrowed. “This Don Bruni, my grandfather ordered Antonio to kill his own father and my mother.”

  Both Stefano and Alessandro shook their heads. “I doubt it. If that’s the case, then Bruni won’t be happy,” Alessandro said. “The report of their murder is listed as a house invasion.”

  “Bullshit. Antonio did it. I know he did.”

  Exhaling, I thought about the scenario. “She’s right. Something to keep in the back of our minds.” And something that could be used to initiate talks with Bruni. Granted, I’d prefer to put a bullet into the man’s brain, but there was a need for diplomacy.

  Damn it.

  The driver and two other vehicles pulled into the airport without being stopped, heading to the private landing strip.

  As soon as the gear was shifted into park, we all filed out.

  “Get on the plane, Fallon. Do not look back. Get everything ready to go. If anything happens, you will take off even without me. Do you understand?”

  “Stefano and I will be on your plane,” Alessandro said. “At least we have two options of getting out of here.”

  Gio and DiAngelo were guarding their jet and while it wasn’t obvious they were carrying weapons, I knew what they and their men were capable of.

  She turned to face me quickly, shaking her head. “I’m not going anywhere without you. Period.”

  “You will do as I say.”

  “No.” She turned toward Carlos, taking a long stride and rising onto her tiptoes and kissing his cheek. “Thank you for everything.”

  “My pleasure, Ms. Zimmerman. You’re one fine lady. However, there is some bad news. One of the engines was still malfunctioning in the tests. You may need to stroke her carefully.”

  The look in her eyes could only be described as mischievous. “I’m very good at stroking things.” She tossed me another look before heading toward the plane.

  Immediately, Carlos nodded to two of his men to keep her protected during the walk.

  Carlos sighed, shifting to face me seconds later. “Get on the plane, my friend. If we have issues, me and my men will handle it.”

  “Not yet, buddy. Not yet.”

  “Don’t do this. You have a lady to spend the rest of your life with.” Carlos was pleading with his eyes.

  “Don’t forget who I am, Carlos. I never back down.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. That’s what scares me. I’ll handle cleanup this time. The next one is on you.”

  I threw my arm out, once again shaking his hand. This time, he pulled me into a hug, clapping my back.

  “Don’t let her get away, bubba,” he recommended. “She’s the one.”

  “How do you know?” I tugged on the strap, slinging the rifle behind my back. I had to admit I preferred using a handgun. It felt much more personal.

  He pulled away, pointing at me. “By the look in your eyes. You’re in love.” He laughed as he backed away until three of his heavily armed soldiers raced toward us.

  “Fuck. Game on.”

  “Go. Now!”

  “You know I don’t take orders,”

  I’d be goddamned if it wasn’t as if another point needed to be made. The roar of engines was from vehicles driving at a high rate of speed.

  “Shit,” Carlos hissed. “Guns for hire. They’re bad news.”

  “Where are the fucking police?” Alessandro snapped as we raced toward the speeding vehicles.

  “Your friend doesn’t know Cuba,” Carlos yelled in return. “Bought and paid for by the highest bidder.”

  I’d been in gunfights in my life during a time when my grief had fueled me to the point I’d felt invincible. I hadn’t cared if I’d lived or died.

  Now that wasn’t the case. Maybe Carlos was right.

  Yet there was no other choice but to take on the fight. The next few moments were harried, gunfire coming from all directions.

  Carlos’ men were well trained, their manpower a godsend. Bodies were strewn across the tarmac. We were gaining traction. Taking a deep breath, I turned in a circle, firing off a single shot. Then out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of the bastards had broken free, using the melee to head toward the plane.

  The two soldiers who’d walked with Fallon had been called to action when the attack had broken out.

  Only ten feet away from the ladder, I sprinted toward him, lunging forward and through the air. I hit him with full force, both of us tumbling to the concrete. Even hitting his head didn’t stop him. He attempted to butt me with his weapon, but I was too quick for him, delivering two brutal punches into his face.

  The fucker was strong, able to turn me over, so he had control. When he did, the Beretta flew from my hand, spinning until it was just out of reach. Oh, hell, no. I refused to allow the son of a bitch to have the advantage. When he tried to choke me using his rifle, I stretched my arm, struggling to reach my weapon while I snapped the other hand around the cold metal, using all my strength to try to keep him from crushing my windpipe.

  We both groaned from exertion. The look in his eyes was feral. He likely had no clue who I was. It was all about the thrill of the kill.

  I’d had enough. The engines on the plane were fired up and ready to go. Suddenly, Cuba seemed oppressive.

  “Aaahhhh…” I gritted out, stretching. Still stretching. The moment I wrapped my fingers around my weapon, I didn’t hesitate.

  I barely had time to close my eyes before I pulled the trigger, the shot at close range.

  Fuck.

  Now I’d need a goddamn shower. Shoving him off, I scrambled to my feet as I heard footsteps.

  “Go. Go. Go!” Alessandro directed.

  This time, I didn’t argue, but before I climbed onto the plane, I rubbed my face with my arm and searched the area looking for Carlos.

  Found him.

  Or maybe he found me.

  After issuing a salute, which he’d done several times since the start of our friendship, he headed toward the airport.

  It was damn good to have friends.

  Once I was inside the plane with the door closed, I allowed myself to take a deep breath.

  “How are you doing in there, Captain Zimmerman?”

  Alessandro had had the forethought of grabbing a towel. As he tossed it to me, his eyes reflected the scene of horror with my appearance.

  “We have a problem,” she called and Bella woofed immediately afterward.

  I wiped my face and moved into the cockpit. The pup was sitting in the co-pilot’s chair. Right where she should be. “What?”

  “They won’t let us take off. I’ve used every compliment I could think of.”

  “You mean you cursed them out in every language you know.”

  She threw me a look and instantly, her gaze fell slowly to my blood-coated shirt. Swallowing, she did what she could to accept the horror of what she was seeing. “Something like that. What do we do? I don’t know if I can outrun gunfire.”

  “Just wait. Carlos will come through. He always does.”

  “You’re going to need to tell me more about your friendship. That’s a demand.”

  I continued staring out the windshield, noticing the several members of the National Revolutionary Police Force had finally arrived. And they were asking questions. Answers were being given, with finger pointing at the plane.

  Well, fuck me.

  If only one thing would go right about the situation, I’d promise never to do a bad thing in my life again.

  Good thing I was crossing my fingers.

  Fallon requested clearance to take off again and again was denied.

  “Listen here, buddy,” she threw out, overriding her use of Spanish. “I am getting out of the goddamn country. Either give me clearance or you’ll need to purchase some new equipment and perhaps a building cause I’ll run right over you.”

  Stefano whistled. “Tough lady.”

  “You have no idea,” I told him. “Try and calm down, baby girl.”

  “Not today,” she hissed.

  A few seconds passed. A full minute and I was certain she was going to follow through with the promise made.

  When we were given the all clear, the two men behind me broke out in a cheer.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Alessandro growled.

  “Yeah, let’s do that.” I squeezed her shoulder and mentally ticked off another serious issue.

  How many others would we be forced to face before we could begin spending the rest of our lives together?

  CHAPTER 31

  Fallon

  “I have a meeting with my father in about an hour.”

  Vissarian’s declaration wasn’t a surprise. I’d overheard him discussing various upcoming meetings involving the entire Dmitriyev clan. That’s what I’d taken to calling them.

  Not out of disrespect, but because being a member of the regime wasn’t all about family. Carlos had risked his life and had lost several of his soldiers because of his friendship.

  While I hadn’t learned much about the rather handsome Cuban, I was no dummy. His bread and butter was in the sale of illegal drugs.

  Hell, I’d snooped while we’d been stuck in the warehouse, finding bags of white powder. A blind person could have connected the dots.

  Still, what he’d done had been honorable.

  Then there were members of the Costa family.

  I’d heard all about them and the alliance they’d entered into with the family after peppering Vissarian with questions. Alliance or not, they’d dropped everything to come to our rescue.

  From what I’d overheard from phone calls and how he’d dealt with other members of his family, he was tight-knit with all of them.

  There was something admirable and desirable about that.

  Enough so I’d felt a hint of jealousy. I missed my little family that had been destroyed because of love.

  And the hunger for power.

  I only hoped that wouldn’t taint my perception in the future since I couldn’t get Vissarian out of my mind. He was like a mad Russian scientist, able to connect with my brain. We were a lot more alike than I would have believed.

  God, just looking at him kept my pussy wet. I shifted in my seat, reminding myself this wasn’t a vacation. This was simply a stop mid-action in a war that neither one of us had wanted.

  “I should be there with you at this meeting. This does affect my life as well.”

  He stood over me with his hands in his pocket, blocking out some of the midday scorching sun. “Not this go-around and don’t argue with me, Fallon. I need to talk to my father. He knows more about your family, Ludolf Hoffman, and the Brunis than he’s ever shared.”

  I sensed he was angry, furious that he’d been kept in the dark. “Don’t be too hard on your father, Vissarian. I’m sure he has a reason he felt keeping information from you was necessary. Like keeping you safe.”

  “As someone once told me, I can take care of myself.”

  “I don’t know about that. I think you need my help.” I tried to break the heavy mood. It wasn’t my place to interfere with the family business, but I was terrified of what came next.

  “Oh, really.”

  “Yep.” I popped the p hard, which made him laugh.

  He nodded several times before hanging his head. “What to do with you.”

  “I guess anything you want.”

  “Be careful making offers you don’t mean.”

  “Try me, buddy.”

  I took a deep breath, inhaling his aftershave. Why did he need to look so scrumptious when I felt so exhausted?

  “Oh, I plan on doing so over. And over. And over.”

  “Promises. Promises. Do you believe in karma?” I asked. Yes, the question could be considered out of the blue yet after everything we’d been through, I was beginning to believe there wasn’t a single thing occurring in a person’s life that hadn’t been predetermined.

  Hearing Vissarian’s chuckle created a series of flutters. We’d flown into Las Vegas in the dead of night after refueling in Texas.

  Carlos had been right. I’d needed to stroke engine number two, but under the circumstances, the jet had handled the flight beautifully.

  “I absolutely do,” he answered and sat down in the chair next to me.

  I casually looked over, no longer shocked that even in hundred-degree heat he was wearing a confining suit.

  The consummate businessman.

  I lifted my sunglasses to get a better look before we both heard a splashing sound. Jerking up, I almost immediately raced to the pool to jump in and save Bella. But she hadn’t fallen.

  The little monster had purposely jumped in and was having the time of her life frolicking under the waterfall. The house was surrounded by gorgeous mountains, the backdrop with cactus and tufts of some strange grass in the forefront. With vibrant yellows and pinks in flowers, I could easily describe the setting as beautiful.

  His house was large, but I certainly wouldn’t call it a mansion. The furnishings suited him perfectly and I’d spent an hour going from room to room to try to learn more about him.

  He’d said nothing, merely trailed behind me as I’d touched his things.

  Without asking.

  But he hadn’t seemed to mind.

  “If so, I guess we’re both going to hell,” I said almost whimsically.

  He didn’t expect my answer, choking to the point I laughed. “You’re serious.”

  “Probably. We killed people.” I had felt guilt for doing so, but when I’d served in the Air Force, I’d shot down a plane full of insurgents. What was the difference? Just as he’d protected me more than once, I’d been able to return the favor.

  And it had felt damn good.

  “Because it was necessary.”

  “All in a day’s work.”

  “Not in my typical day. At least not any longer. I’m curious. After your analogy for using protective measures, what do you think about love?” He asked the question with a single eyebrow lifted.

  “It’s like a hurricane.”

  “O-kay. Explain.” I did so adore the dimples that only showed when his smile covered his entire face.

  “Horrific wind that sucks you in and refuses to let you go.”

  Even under his dark shades, I could tell he had no clue what to make of me. Why not keeping him guessing?

  “When you put it that way, I want nothing to do with it.”

  “Okay, bad boy. How would you describe it?”

  There was something so adorable about the way he scratched his facial hair. Now it was a full-on beard. He’d still yet to shave and I found the look incredibly edible. I giggled at the thought.

  “Love is like the first taste of peaches in the springtime after they’ve had a chance to ripen. Sweet and juicy. Love is like running into a rainstorm, feeling free while water soaks your skin. And love is very much like feeling the excitement of being lost in someone else, experiencing things that you used to take for granted as if for the first time. That’s what love is like.”

  I eased my legs off the lounge chair, leaning over so I could really take a good look at him. “You read that somewhere. Right?”

  This time, his grin was lopsided. “Maybe. But it’s true.”

  “Have you ever felt that way?”

  He removed his sunglasses and reached over to slip mine down my face. “Yes. Twice.”

  As his eyes darted back and forth across mine, I took and held a shallow breath. No other man had ever made me feel the way he had. Everything about him was exciting, even if at times I wanted to smack him across the face.

  “When was the last time?” Why in God’s name did I ask? What if there was another woman out there in the wild I’d be forced to hear all about? Oh, stupid girl.

  “About four days ago.”

  A tiny thrill tore through me. “Love at first sight?”

  Vissarian wrinkled his nose. “More like a bit of lust with contempt mixed in.”

  “Mmm… Sounds like a match made in heaven.”

  “What if I told you that’s exactly how it feels?”

  “Then I’d say you were… right.”

  For a beat we stared at each other, uncomfortable and awkward like two high school kids forced to endure the first dance.

  Woof. Woof!

  Bella broke the sweet moment, racing toward us. When she jumped on Vissarian’s legs, she did the unthinkable.

  She shook.

  A full body shake with her head dancing back and forth.

  Then she proceeded to plant her front, very wet paws on his chest and crisp white shirt.

  He threw out his arms and I thought for certain he would be enraged.

  But he wasn’t.

  His laugh floated through the air and he tussled with her, even kissing her on the muzzle. Something told me that there wouldn’t be another time in his life when he didn’t have a fur baby by his side.

  “Oh, look. You’re all wet,” I teased and climbed off the lounge altogether. I hadn’t packed a bathing suit with me so shorts and a tank top would have to do. “Care for a cold beverage? I scoped out what you have in your tiki bar. Maybe a piña colada.”

  “Maybe a cold beer. I think I need one before dealing with my father.”