Marie, Laura - Miss: Senorita and the Soldado [The Miss Series 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (22 page)

“I’m doing okay. I wanted to come home as soon as I heard about Mamma, Mathew, and Daddy.”

“I know this is difficult, but you can’t come back here right now. We have more security for the family, and Salvatore and I are making sure that Agent Williams is nowhere near our family.”

“So you don’t trust him either?”

“I’d rather not say right now,” he replied.

Elloisa glanced at Gustavo as he looked up from the laptop.

“Gustavo agrees with us. He doesn’t trust him either.”

“Okay, I have them all loaded,” Gustavo stated then turned the screen toward Elloisa.

The pictures were all numbered and Elloisa scanned through them, giving the names of each person. The individuals were all the main right-hand men for major drug lords.

“Let me think for a minute. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that there was a discussion at one time between these men and Armando in regards to a takeover of some kind.”

“A takeover? Of what?” Salvatore asked.

“Just give me a moment.”

Elloisa covered her face with her hands. A lot of information was clicking through her mind, but she remembered that night. The flashbacks took a hold of her. She recalled sitting on Armando’s lap as he discussed business. Her legs were crossed, and the long skirt she wore had a high slit on the right side. Armando played with her thigh, pushing the skirt higher and higher. She reached for his hand to stop him, not wanting the other men to see any more, but he was putting on a show. Avalar and Demacio were practically drooling at her. Armando was exerting his power, his control and authority. The men ogled her, and she forced herself to remain focused on the conversation, remembering that certain things stood out. Something about a drug cartel and use of a storage facility at South Street Seaport was discussed. Armando had water patrol police on the payroll, plus security guards and police stationed near the facility. She remembered him pressing his hand against her thigh as she stopped his hand from raising her skirt to her hip. He paused, seemed to get the message until he brought that same hand up and over her waist and under her breast line. She jumped forward, only to be pulled back against him. She tried to clear her mind of the images.

“Elloisa, are you okay?” Gus asked, and she felt his hands on her waist then caress over her shoulders. She jumped a moment, unsure who was touching her because she was lost in a daydream.

“I’m sorry. I was just remembering something,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

“If this is too much at once, we can call back later,” Jack asked, sounding concerned.

She explained about the information she remembered. She also gave them plenty of information that could prove significant if they were to conduct a raid.

“They mentioned bringing guns across the border, too. Maybe for that Rojo gang you mentioned earlier. There was some talk about creating a new formula in the lab. I’m not certain what that was for, but it was important to Armando. Some Middle Eastern guy, Muhammad or Humere. I can’t remember. I’m sorry, guys.” Elloisa ran her hands through her hair.

“Son of a bitch! Do you think it was one name? Maybe Muhammad Humere?” Jack asked.

“What?” Gustavo stately loudly in the background and walked closer to Elloisa.

She saw his facial expression and felt her heart begin to race.

“He’s a terrorist, Elloisa. Are you certain Armando was working with him?”

“Yes, Jack. I had no idea. My God, do you think the chemical Armando was talking about creating could have been some sort of bomb or something?”

“It’s a good possibility. We’re gonna have to get some guys from the Anti-Terrorist Task Force on this,” Salvatore added.

“This just keeps getting better and better,” Jack replied.

“I have a suggestion if you’re willing to accept it from a non–agent,” Elloisa stated.

“We respect your judgment and your knowledge, Elloisa. You’re the one who saw these men on a regular basis and know their personalities,” Salvatore replied.

“Once you confirm these major locations, keep them to yourselves and perhaps just a few key people from whatever organizations help you. Armando and these other men have people everywhere. They will find out and they will sabotage the raids. If and when you decide to do a raid on these facilities, try to make it as last minute as possible to ensure no leaks.”

“We discussed a plan with Dad. It was similar to what you are saying. Don’t worry, we’ll capture these criminals and this situation will be over once and for all,” Jack added.

She said her good-byes then closed her eyes and laid her head down on the island in the kitchen.

* * * *

Gustavo was worried about Elloisa. The lost, faraway look she had concerned him. She was remembering something, and it wasn’t pleasant.

He caressed her hair then her shoulders.

“Are you feeling okay?”

She nodded her head, but it seemed to be a lame attempt at ignoring his question.

He slowly turned the stool around, forcing her to face him. Her hands remained clasped on her lap and her head down as well.

“Elloisa?” He placed his fingers under her chin so she would look up at him.

When he saw her glossy eyes and a look on her face he could only describe as sadness, he did the first thing that came to mind. He lifted her up and hugged her to him as he walked her out of the kitchen.

Gustavo headed toward the living room and a large L-shaped sofa with a wide ottoman in the middle. It could easily accommodate two people. He sat down, keeping her on his lap as he got comfortable.

“Talk to me. What is it that you remembered back there?”

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Gustavo didn’t want to push the issue, but obviously she was upset over something. Perhaps talking about it would ease her mind.

“You can’t or you won’t?” he challenged her.

Elloisa sat up and stared at him.

“I feel ashamed.”

He watched her and waited a moment as her statement sunk in.

“Ashamed of what?”

“Of allowing him to do the things he did to me and for choosing to live instead of fighting his actions and dying for the good.”

He squeezed her tighter and widened his eyes.

“Don’t say that. Don’t ever regret choosing life over death.”

She turned away from him and he pulled her onto his lap. She straddled his waist as he made her look at him.

“What did you remember?”

“I remembered the men who were there that night and how they discussed this big deal. Armando had made me stay there and sit on his lap.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Gustavo caressed her arms and comforted her.

“What did he do?”

“He was being Armando. He was showing his power and his control. He especially enjoyed showing me off.”

“You were remembering that particular time and the information you gave to your brothers?”

“What did he do to you?” Gustavo asked, and he could tell she was getting tense. He began grinding his teeth.

“There’s no need to get into it. There were so many times he did things to me that I regret allowing.”

Gustavo held her hips firmly, and she placed her hands on her thighs.

“Did he touch you in front of them?” Gustavo asked.

She swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter,” she began to say and tried to pull from his lap, but Gus held her firmly, giving her hips a squeeze.

“Did he?’ He pushed for an answer, and she nodded.

Gustavo released an annoyed sigh.

“It wasn’t your fault. He’s a powerful man, and dominant.”

“There was a time when I loved those things about him.”

“How did you get involved with him?”

Elloisa explained about meeting him at a party and then dating him for a few months. She spoke about him meeting the family and dining with them.”

“My God, that’s crazy.”

“He baited me and I hadn’t a clue. He set my father and brothers up to look like criminals. He had everything covered. He staged the whole thing and let me see it in action. I fell for it all. I was in love with him, and when it seemed that my family members were the criminals, I turned to him.” She felt the tears roll down her cheeks.

“I’m ashamed of that.”

Gustavo caressed her cheeks.

“No. Do not be ashamed. He tricked you and he used you. You eventually figured it out.”

“I did. I couldn’t take it any longer. I began to hate him and everything he stood for. I wanted to leave, but I was scared, not only of his capabilities, but also that I had no family of friends left here in the States. He said he killed them all.”

“He really did cover his bases. Did seeing what happened to Rosalie make you begin your training?”

“Yes. I knew that if I were to escape that I would have to do it on my own. I was prepared for it in a matter of two months.”

“I was really impressed at how far you made it on your own.”

“I wouldn’t have made it out of the convent if it weren’t for you.”

“I think you would have.”

She smiled then added in honesty, “I can’t believe how much I disliked you.”

He chuckled then pulled her closer against his chest. He rubbed his hands over her back then across her backside.

“I gave you little choice.”

“You were annoyed with me from the start.”

“You destroyed my whole operation. How was I supposed to react to you?”

She released a sigh. Then she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

“But you like me now,” she whispered, sounding breathless.

“A whole lot.” Gus pulled her closer and kissed her.

Elloisa loved the feel of his hands caressing her back and her rear as he deepened the kiss. She never thought she would feel safe again, never mind in a man’s arms. But Gustavo was not just an ordinary man. He was a trained killer. A secret agent aware of the intensity and brutality she had experienced. No one else could possibly comprehend her emotions, her fears, her inability to trust, and her fear of continuing life while looking over her shoulder like Gustavo could.

She felt his hands move under her shirt, over her spine to her ribs then cup her breast. She moaned against his mouth and savored his attention to her body. Caress after caress, he broke down her defenses and captured her heart. Her savior, her man, her soldado.

* * * *

Gustavo had never desired anything more in his life than he did this woman in his arms. The taste of her lips, the feel of her chocolate locks between his fingers caused a great hunger to burn inside of him. He wanted her in every way. His body tingled and tightened with need to be inside her, making love to her and washing away any remnants of her past. She was a kind woman, young and brilliant, and she hadn’t deserved to be the victim of the crimes she experienced against her.

He lifted her shirt higher, needing better access to her luscious body. The curves of her hips, the roundness of her ass drove his need further. He felt like a hungry lion. No food, no other could satisfy the hunger within him except Elloisa.

She was so responsive to his touch, which provoked his next move. There were no plans, just impulse and natural reaction to his woman. He released her lips and panted for air as his mouth collided with her breast. She was his woman, and she would never be abused or neglected again.

He removed her shirt then took in the sight of her straddling his hips. Red, parted lips, moist and seductive called to him. She had toned arms, a flat belly, and a voluptuous figure accented by a white lace bra. It was a great contrast to her tan skin that had been kissed by the Mexican sun she would never see or feel again. There would be other places she could tan, and he thought about vacations in Hawaii, Bermuda, or even the Virgin Islands. He wanted a future with Elloisa. He was ready for change now that he found her.

“What are you thinking?” she asked in a raspy voice that made the bulge in his pants grow harder. He lifted his hips, indicating his desire. She shyly smiled before the look of passion covered her expression.

The feel of her feminine hands pushing under his T-shirt then against his skin made him tighten and clench his teeth. He could lose himself right now, just from the feel of her hands against his pectoral muscles.

He thrust his hips upward.

“I want to be inside you now, Elloisa. I can’t hold back.”

She pulled his shirt from his body then pressed her forehead gently against his.

“Then don’t. I need you, too.”

She kissed his mouth and ravished it with such need and emotion he became frantic. So did she as they quickly removed the remainder of their clothing. She lifted her rear and took him inside her with no preamble. She was ready for him.

They made love slowly, and with each thrust, they seemed to pull closer and closer together, fastening their hearts tighter together. Up and down with every thrust, Gustavo felt Elloisa gave more of herself to him. He would hold this moment in his heart forever.