Laws of Attraction (17 page)

Dallas admired the hell out of the audacity in Mia’s bright, answering smile. “Such a sweet compliment. Dallas chose my ensemble. He has impeccable taste, in clothes, and spouses.”

Before his little spitfire got inspired to break out the Taekwondo moves, he steered Mia away from a scowling Isabel toward the table. Although he wouldn’t blame her.

He tugged out a chair for her at the rectangular table set for seven. Esteban hurried in with a crimson-suited Soledad on his arm. He pulled out his daughter’s chair at the far end before sliding into his place at the head. After Carlos seated Isabel directly across from Dallas, Carlos sat next to the petulant beauty, which put the swarthy bodyguard opposite Mia.

“Please excuse my tardiness,” Esteban said, glancing at the empty chair to Soledad’s right. “Is Zane not joining us today?”

Dallas cleared his throat. “Something came up that needed his attention.”
Like a fat lip
.

“Where were you,
Papa
?” Soledad arranged a napkin over her skirt. She and her cousin looked enough alike to almost be twins, but were so very different. Soledad was definitely spoiled and immature, but didn’t display her cousin’s calculated cruelty.

“Business,
mi hija
. It is never-ending.”

“You spend far too many hours of the day overseeing minute details, when I could be helping so much more. I fear you will make yourself ill.”

“Hard work is healthy for the soul, eh,
Señor
Dallas?”

“Yep,” Dallas replied. “A principle I live by.” Especially when you were working 24/7 to neutralize your enemies.

Thunder boomed, lightning sizzled, and the power went out.

Over Isabel’s dramatic squeal, Esteban calmly requested a server to light the iron candelabra in the table’s center. “It seems we will be dining with atmosphere.”

Yellow flames slanted Esteban’s distorted shadow across the plaster walls as he accepted a bowl of gallo pinto from one of three servers bustling in with trays laden with savory dishes. He scooped rice and black beans onto his plate, then passed the bowl to Isabel before nodding warmly at Mia. “And what work is it you do,
Señora
Mia?”

“I …” Mia’s gaze dropped and she toyed with her fork. “I’m taking a leave of absence at the moment.”

Isabel sniffed. “How marvelous to be privileged enough to loll around and let your husband support you. Of course, I would not know about such things.”

Dallas covered Mia’s hand with his, surprised to find her delicate fingers icy. She appeared outwardly unruffled, but was obviously still stressed after the discussion in the car and hostile encounter with Zane. “Mia’s gonna set up our house and then stay home with the baby. It’s a Herculean task to raise children to be decent, caring and responsible human beings.”

Mia sipped her water. “But of course, Isabel, you wouldn’t know about such things.” She let a brief pause tick past. “I mean, not having any children yet.”

Isabel hesitated, clearly unsure whether or not she’d been insulted. Dallas’ lips twitched. The woman’s brainwaves washed up a little short of the beach. He didn’t need to toss Mia any life preservers. If Isabel kept tangling with his quick-witted wife, she’d drown.

Esteban thanked the server who’d carried in pitchers of tomato juice cocktails. “A wise decision,
Señor Dallas and Señora
Mia. Being a good parent is difficult and requires
mucho
time and energy. Do you know yet whether you are having a boy or a girl?”

“Nope,” Dallas said. “But girls run in the family.”

“Daughters are a blessing.” Offering Soledad a fond smile, Esteban filled his tumbler with scarlet juice. “I do not know how I would have survived after losing my beloved Angelina if I had not had Soledad to love and care for.”

Dallas winked at Mia. “Twins also run in the family.”

Isabel’s pointed interest flicked to Mia’s loaded plate. “Oh, my. That does explain the appetite. And the waistline.”

“Isabel!” Soledad gasped. “Mia, I apologize for my cousin’s thoughtless remarks.”

“Why apologize for the truth?” Isabel trilled. “A woman can expect to get fat when she is expecting.”

“Be careful you don’t burn your tender tongue on these.” Mia handed Isabel a platter of chorizo stuffed roasted jalapenos. “I’m not offended, Soledad. I have no problem with people speaking a piece of their minds. After all, Isabel doesn’t have a thing to lose by it.”

Isabel flounced in her chair. “She is so right.”

This time Dallas couldn’t restrain a grin.

Mia shot him an impish grin in return that did funky things to his blood pressure.

Esteban’s eyes narrowed at Isabel. “I do not tolerate discourtesy, especially at my table. If you are feeling ill-tempered, the servers will take your food to your room and you may finish your repast in solitude.”

He turned to Mia. “You are
muy
gracious,
Señora
Mia. And you are welcome to enjoy your fill.”

“The meal is excellent,
Señor
Esteban. We appreciate the food and the company, especially since it takes valuable time from your work.” Mia speared fresh pineapple slices and added them to her plate. She cut the fruit into dainty pieces. “I’d love to hear more about that. Your effort and dedication built one of the most successful recycling companies in the nation from the ground up, long before renewable resources came to the forefront. What inspired you, and how did you get started?”

“You have done your homework,
Señora
Mia.”

The power chose that instant to reappear, lights blazing. Esteban studied Mia in a long, considering look while Dallas took an uneasy swig of his cocktail. She’d hit the exact note to flatter Montoya’s ego without sounding fawning, and the question was natural. But would the drug lord take exception to her personal interest?

“I’ve been following your company’s progress—and other similar success stories—for quite a while.” She granted the older man a sunny smile. “I admire entrepreneurial spirit.”

“It has been a laborious journey,
Señora
. And I am afraid it bores my daughter to distraction to hear me repeat the tale.” Esteban’s cell phone buzzed from inside his sport coat. “Pardon me.” He read the screen, frowned. “I must answer this.” Rising, he hurried out.

Mia’s glance snagged Dallas’ as unspoken communication flashed between them quicker than the lightning. They both suspected it was Harper Grayson returning Esteban’s call—regarding a missing million dollars. And with the electricity blipping in and out like a genie on crack, Dallas could only pray his surveillance equipment was functional.

Mia pressed her napkin to her lips. “I’m suddenly feeling queasy … darned morning sickness.” She scooted back her chair and stood. “Soledad, where’s the restroom?”

“Oh, dear. It’s all the way down at the end of the hallway, and to the left.”

Hell no, she wouldn’t
! Dallas started to get up. “I’ll come with you.”

Mia’s fingers on his shoulder pressed him back into his seat with a thump. “I’ll be fine. You stay and entertain the ladies.”

He fired a warning glare at her. “Mia—”

“This isn’t an activity I need accompaniment for,
honey
. Stay.”

At the doorway, she turned back and blew him a saucy kiss.

Dallas watched the sweet sway of his wife’s curvy ass as she sauntered out moments behind Esteban, and rubbed the odd ache beneath his breastbone.

He. Was. So. Screwed.

He couldn’t do a damned thing but there sit with his fists clenched. If she got caught where she didn’t belong, she’d blow the whole operation. His gut roiled like
he
had morning sickness.

And she’d get herself killed.

“Do not worry, Dallas,” Soledad soothed. “I’ve heard such occurrences are common in pregnancy. Your wife is quite normal.”

If only you knew
.

Dallas’s blood pressure spiked from a far less pleasant cause as he tried to carry on innocuous conversation with the women and cryptic Carlos—while preparing to have to draw his gun any moment.

Thunder, lightning and rain whipped the trees outside the huge bay window into a frenzy. Ten minutes dragged by slower than ten hours.

He couldn’t eat. Could barely swallow his water. Sweat beaded on his upper lip, trickled down his spine.

Fifteen minutes.

Where
was
she?

Twenty minutes.

When Rosa arrived with silver pots of hot, aromatic coffee and a gooey
tres leches
cake, he could no longer sit still. He shoved to his feet and paced to the window.

“Dallas?” Soledad’s voice from behind him made him start. “Do you wish for me to check if she is all right?”

God no
. “Ah … I think she wants privacy.”

She blew on her coffee, tasted it, then breathed a soft sigh. “You should have dessert and try to relax.”

“No, thanks. I’ve about had my fill.” He stared at the river of rain sheeting the glass as the lights again wavered precariously.

Five more minutes, then come hell or ass-deep floodwaters, he was going after Mia.

The storm’s fury had begun to abate, and scant seconds remained on the clock of Dallas’s silent ultimatum when Mia finally walked into the dining room. Her posture was rigid, her cheeks flushed, her slender body vibrating like a bowstring.

Dallas’ mouth went dry as he strode to her and slid his arm around her waist. “Everything okay, darlin’?”

She looked up at him, those eloquent whiskey eyes too bright. “Perfect.”

What had she done? He bent to kiss her temple and whispered, “Is Esteban still alive?”

She nodded. “But tied up,” she murmured.

“Good Lord, not literally?”

Mia choked. “
No
.”

Isabel sauntered over carrying a saucer of half-nibbled cake and a brimming cup of steaming coffee. “I would also be sick if I ate the amount she did.” She batted her lashes at Dallas, about as subtle as a case of herpes. “I noticed you didn’t eat any cake. Perhaps you grow weary of sweets, and would like to bite into something … spicy … for a change.”

Mia’s body stiffened further and he gave her a reassuring hug. “A man who’s well-fed at home doesn’t have any desire to dine on take-out.”

“How can any
real
man possibly be satisfied with …” Isabel wrinkled her patrician nose. “So slight a morsel?”

“Ah, Isabel,” Mia said sympathetically. “I know the picture is fuzzy when you don’t have High-Def reception.”

When Isabel’s brows scrunched in bewilderment, Dallas had to cough into his hand.

Mia’s chin angled up. “Let me make it perfectly clear. My husband is not the least bit interested in you, but since he was raised to be a gentleman, he’s reluctant to be rude. So stop hitting on him.”

Isabel’s glance slithered from him to Mia, then back. Something cold and vicious crawled across her expression. She abruptly turned to set her cake on a passing server’s tray, at the same time tilting her cup of hot coffee toward Mia’s breasts.

Dallas shoved Mia aside and bumped his left forearm into the steaming missile, knocking it away. Scalding coffee spilled down his leather sleeve, sloshing over his hand before the cup tumbled to the carpet.

Gritting his teeth, he shook his burning fingers.

Isabel scrubbed frantically at the few drops scattered on her skirt. “My Vera Wang! It’s ruined!”

Mia’s horrified gaze arrowed to Dallas’ red, stinging flesh, then her eyes flashed amber fire at Isabel. “You tried to burn me, and instead burned him!” She lunged at the other woman.

Dallas grabbed with his uninjured right hand, barely catching the hem of Mia’s jacket. “Whoa!”

“I saw what she did! Let me go! I’m going to shove that entire
pot
of boiling coffee right up her Vera Wang!”

“Easy, darlin’.” As Mia struggled against his grip, he reeled her in, cocking a brow at Isabel. “With one gimpy hand and all, I’m not sure how long I can hold her. Unless you want to be drinking your coffee from a very uncomfortable angle,
Señorita
, perhaps you should mosey upstairs.”

“I do not understand why the little wife is so incensed at a mere accident.” Isabel widened her eyes in false innocence.

“Accident?” Mia snarled. “You’re about to be a walking, talking
accident, bitch
!”

Soledad rushed over and grasped Isabel’s shoulders. “Isabel,
go
.” She propelled her cousin from the room.

Mia yanked out of Dallas’s grip and ran to the table. She dunked a napkin into his water goblet. “Rosa, bring some ice!” she called. Chest heaving, she ran back to him and laid the cool, wet cloth on his burn. “She hurt you. How bad is it?”

“Not bad. My sleeve diverted most of the coffee.”

Rosa quickly fetched the ice, and Mia filled another napkin with it, then hurried to Dallas. “Let me see.” She lifted the wet cloth. “
Really
red. No blisters … yet. It could be second degree, though.” She settled the makeshift icepack over the back of his hand, easing the sting. “You should go to the ER.”

He laughed. “Hell, I once played an entire last quarter with a cracked clavicle.”

“Pretty much the response I expected.” Worried, sympathetic topaz eyes met his. “But you should see a doctor, just in case. Burns can cause deep tissue damage.”

“Don’t fret. It’s nothing serious.”

Soledad reentered alone, clearly upset. “I must apologize again for my cousin’s dreadful behavior. She and her lover are fighting again, and it makes her bad-tempered. Are you all right
Señor
Dallas? Do you require medical attention?”

“Nope.”

Soledad tsked. “Isabel views every other woman as competition, and is too accustomed to getting her way with men. Since you keep refusing her…” She grimaced. “We always desire that which we cannot have the most,
sí
?”

His gaze sought Mia’s strained face.
Hell yeah
.

Mia and Soledad shared a troubled look. “Soledad, do you have antibiotic ointment and bandages?”

“I do not believe so, but I will send someone out for them.”

“Relax, ladies,” Dallas said. “I’m hardly knocking on the Pearly Gates here.”