

Also by Collette Scott

Forever Sunshine

Hannah's Blessing

If We Dare to Dream (The Evans Family, Book One)

Through Winter Skies (The Evans Family, Book Two)

Eyes on Tango (The Evans Family, Book Three)

Kat's Last Chance (The Evans Family, Book Four)

Terri's Gift (The Evans Family, Book Five)

Cooper's Choice (The Evans Family, Book Six)

Sunshine Rising (The Evans Family, Book Seven)

Hope is Calling (The Evans Domination, Book One)

A Blessing in Disguise (The Evans Domination, Book Two)

Deception's Kiss (The Evans Domination, Book Three)

### Eyes on Tango

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2012 by Collette Scott

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover design by Laura J Miller www.anauthorsart.com

Gun image licensed by http://depositphotos.com/user-1009307/Greg-Blomberg.html

Landscape image licensed by http://depositphotos.com/user-1053932/TONO-BALAGUER-SL.html

All rights reserved.

For information address Marimay Publishing, P.O. Box 11821, Tempe, AZ 85284

ISBN-13: 978-1475264814

ISBN-10: 147526481X

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

### Chapter 1

Until 11 am on a sunny but humid morning, Doctor Danielle Ryan was on a long-overdue vacation.

Though traveling alone, she was determined not to allow that daunt her. After an early morning massage that had left her relaxed and refreshed, she hopped a bus for a sightseeing tour. It was a glorious day, with blue skies littered with puffy white clouds that did not, unfortunately, provide much shade from the strong rays of the sun. However, the sight of the magnificent ruins perched on a cliff above the deep-blue sea helped her forget about the sweat trickling down her back and making her top cling uncomfortably to her skin.

Their guide had done a superb job sparking their imaginations with the history behind the ruins, and she stood in the midst of the ancient sentinels of rock as in awe as the natives surely were when they built them. For the first time since her arrival, she was truly enjoying herself, and the fascinating walk through history held her in complete wonder and delight.

The deep greens of the jungle and the dense grass contrasted sharply with the greyish-white of the crushed limestone walking paths. So many bright, vibrant colors that Danielle feared her memory card would fill before the day's end. She had just adjusted her baseball cap over her moist brow and crouched to take a photograph of one of the numerous iguanas lounging in the sun when it happened. There was no hint, no warning.

Yet, from that moment on, her perfect vacation consisting of sleeping in late, languishing on the beautiful beach, and exploring the ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico came to a screeching halt. One minute she was strolling along the dirt walking paths of some of the most majestic ruins in the world, and in the next she was being tackled from behind, roughly thrown to the ground and ordered: "Stay down!"

Landing face first in the dirt with a startled cry, Danielle ignored the stinging in her cheek and the throb where the camera dug into her wrist and hastily tried to rise. It was a futile effort, for the body that held her down was hard and strong, and she was completely pinned underneath a very solid man. His voice was serious, and the loud buzz of warning in her ears advised trouble. Still, in her confusion she noticed two things: he was American, and he smelled strangely of lemons.

Lemons?

"Stop struggling."

Because of the lightning speed with which it all began, she did not immediately comprehend that the rapid popping sound off in the distance was gunfire. She was only aware of the crushing pressure of the man lying on her back and the seriousness of her predicament. Where were all the other tourists? Why was she hearing screams?

"We have to move."

Before she could protest, or even catch her breath to scream, the suffocating weight was gone, and she was roughly lifted from behind to her feet. The hands at her waist were as hard as the rest of his body, and his grip was firm when he pushed her into the thick jungle growth ahead.

"Hey!" Danielle continued her struggles, growing more panicked as she was forced out of sight of any tourists. She knew then that she was facing danger.

For a moment, her life flashed before her eyes. She saw her parents and her brother standing over her body at a Mexican morgue, solemnly and tearfully identifying her dead body. Then she remembered her mother telling her not to go off to Mexico alone and recalled her bitter response, "well, who is there for me to go with?" It was all so surreal that it took her that brief moment of insanity to remind her of what was important. That was when she realized she would never do that to her family – ever. Not without a fight at least.

In a voice that was in direct contrast to his actions, he replied calmly. "We have to get out of sight."

Like hell, she thought. Spinning around, she used her beach bag as a weapon. Complete with towel, wallet, passport, cell phone, bottled water and sunscreen, it was not exactly an effective deterrent, but it was all she had available. Definitely a valiant effort on her part, but his hand was faster. Almost as though he sensed her plan before she started to move, he released his grip around her waist and snatched the bag in mid-strike. His other hand shoved her roughly forward, and she fell headlong into the thick blanket of green foliage. Her knees squished in the mud when she landed, and to add insult to injury he pressed her all the way to the ground. Overheated muck seeped through her clothing and stuck to her damp skin.

"I'm not going to hurt you." This time his voice showed a trace of annoyance, making her flinch even more. "I'm trying to help you."

He dropped to his knees beside her and tossed her bag down while she fought to get up. Before she could catch a glimpse of her unknown attacker, he placed his hand on her back and thrust her back down.

"Please," she gasped hastily, "just take the bag. You can have it."

His hand increased the pressure to hold her prostrate in the undergrowth, leaving her arms pinned beneath her and making it difficult for her to breathe. She wanted to scream, but she could not take a deep breath.

"They're firing, even on the tourists," he said harshly. "People are hurt out there. Just shut up and hold still. I'll do what I can to protect you."

"Who? What?"

"Please, lady, just stay down. I can't help you if you draw them here."

His voice was surprisingly earnest, and Danielle cautiously lifted her head to hear the commotion beyond the trees. It only took an instant to realize that he was right, and her panic rose to new levels of fear. People were screaming near the entrance, an area that was thick with tourists. Although she had wandered off to a less populated region beyond the magnificent ruin of _El Castillo_ , the sounds of panicky voices and trampling feet became louder as more people flocked her way. Though many of the voices were speaking in Spanish, she could also hear several in English, and what she heard made her blood go cold.

"To the entrance!"

"Get out of here now!"

"Run!"

The voices mingled, but the meaning was clear: they needed to flee.

The sobbing of children echoed through the dense vegetation, and Danielle's heart began racing in response. Hot rivulets of sweat began dripping down her face. It burned her eyes, and she blinked several times to clear them before struggling to free one mud-streaked arm to wipe the drops away. Her hand came away wet, and for a few seconds she wondered if it was just sweat or tears there as well. She needed to flee. She had to get out of there, but her body was suddenly frozen with fear.

Another scream, this one from a child, made Danielle's blood go cold. The hand on her back tightened briefly when she shuddered, and she wondered if the Good Samaritan was trying to be supportive or preparing for renewed struggles.

As the sporadic gunfire grew closer, her trembling became increasingly more violent. In response, the man threw his entire arm over her back and squeezed her gently in a partial hug. She would have laughed at his chivalrous attempt to console her if she was not so terrified, but then he surprised her even more by scooting closer.

His lips brushed her ear as he bent to speak. "It'll be okay. Just stay quiet and stay down. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

The next thing she knew, the hand was gone. It was replaced by the touch of several loose, decaying palm fronds. They were scratchy and damp, just like everything else in this godforsaken jungle. She stiffened in terror when she comprehended that he was actually burying her with the foliage. It was not a blanket she wanted.

Fighting the rising panic again, she squeezed her eyes shut when he leaned in close again. "Stay here and don't move. I'll be right back to get you out."

Her eyes opened wide. He was leaving her? "What?"

But he was already gone. Straining to hear him slip away over the sound of the commotion, Danielle quickly realized that he was stealthy as well as strong. Knowing she should do the same, she almost came to her feet when she grasped that he might not return at all. After all, who was this guy anyway? Why would he go out of his way to help her? She knew better than to trust a complete stranger, and she called upon her recently deserted practicality to gather courage and flee with the others.

She was about to thrust the fronds away when a new round of gunshots held her in place. They were loud and chillingly close. The gunmen were following those who tried to flee. Despite wanting to run, like a child she squeezed her eyes closed hoping that if she did not see them they would not see her. Though she itched from the feel of the leaves against her sweaty and muddy skin, she was unable to move or even shift away from the nervous pressure of her bladder. She remained as still as the air, which was now heavy with the sounds of terror and panic.

What on earth was going on? What happened out there?

Long minutes passed, and Danielle wondered if she would be found shot to death somewhere in a Mexican jungle far away from her family and friends. Her ears ached with the sounds of the terrorized screams followed by the cold, hard report of intermittent gunfire.

The sounds were horrible, but the fear was worse.

Squeezing her eyes shut again, Danielle pressed her hands over her ears to block out the sound of the gunfight and tried to think of other things. Memories of the previous two days spent on the beach did little to ease the discomfort of lying on the muddy ground. She longed for a drink from her water bottle but was too afraid to move to fish it out of her bag.

Finally, the pattering of frantic footfalls decreased in intensity, and Danielle felt safe enough to raise her head slightly. She desperately needed water. Her throat was parched, and the amount of sweat dripping off her body warned her that she was rapidly becoming dehydrated. With a hand that trembled as violently as her body, she reached for her bag and eased the bottle out as slowly and quietly as possible. Before unscrewing the cap, she raised her head a little more and looked back over her shoulder to the trail beyond. Through the darkness of the thick jungle cover, the trail was a slash of bright light. There appeared to be no one else headed her way.

Was it over? More importantly, was she the only one left?

Aware that her terror was on the verge of taking over the last of her reason, Danielle took another deep breath and forced her attention to the water bottle. She pressed it to her lips, almost choking when the warm water flowed down her throat. Not knowing how long she would be in hiding, she satisfied herself with the single gulp and replaced the cap. While it did little to quench her thirst, it kept her occupied enough to regain some composure. She needed to think rationally now. She had to figure out a way to get out of there alive.

Having always prided herself on her ability to handle stress, Danielle assumed she had mastered her emotions. Yet she had to admit that her situation was nothing short of crazy and beyond anyone's expectations. On the television, sure, but there in a popular tourist attraction? It just did not make any sense. It was not normal that a stunning archaeological site would become a battlefield. With that in mind, she forgave herself for her momentary loss of control and focused on pulling it together so she could take stock of her situation.

Before she could think any further, a sudden movement on the trail caught her attention. Still semi-seated, Danielle froze. A man had rounded the corner, pausing only five yards away from her hiding spot. He was not dressed as a tourist with shorts, flip flops and sunglasses. Nor was he dressed as one of the natives of the area. He was dressed elegantly, more suited for a day in one of the fancier resort's golf courses with his tan slacks and white button-down shirt. His thick black hair was slicked back, and dark sunglasses covered his eyes. They hid most of his medium-complexioned face, but what she could see appeared handsome. His goatee was neatly trimmed and framed full lips that were currently compressed in what appeared to be regret.

Another man joined him, carrying a semi-automatic rifle with both hands. Dressed more like a gangster from an American inner city than a tourist, his bandana covered most of his head and was darkened by a thick swath of sweat. His body was hidden behind a loosely hanging shirt and jeans.

Danielle felt her heart leap back into her throat. While still partially concealed under the palm fronds, her hat and sunglasses had fallen off when her strange rescuer had thrown her to the ground, leaving her exposed in the shadows of the trees. She hoped her blond hair would not give her away.

"We got the three."

"All dead?" The man she had studied spoke in fluent Spanish, a language she understood but could not speak well.

"Yes, sir."

" _Excellente_." He followed up with an approving nod. "They will speak to no one."

"But sir, Tango is missing."

The handsome one let out a sharp curse, and the approval on his face was replaced with a dark anger. Danielle shivered at the ferocity of his outburst. "No sign of him?"

"No sir." The second man shifted the weight of the gun. "He's not here."

"I saw him from a distance. Did he tip those men off to our meeting and then run? Pit us against the enemy?"

"I don't know, but he's not here now."

"Obviously he's been lying to us all along. The treacherous snake! The deal is dead. When I find him, I'll tear him limb from limb for ruining this. Now I have to report this to JW, and he won't like it."

"Yes, sir."

The handsome one shook his head with some form of remorse, but Danielle had a hard time understanding his sympathy when he was so cold just moments before. He clucked his tongue. "Such a senseless waste... Collect the others and get out of here. The _policia_ will be here soon."

With an abrupt nod, the second man turned around and jogged back down the trail. Making a final sweep of the jungle around him, the well-dressed man seemed to pause and make eye contact with her. Fearing the worst, Danielle bit her lip to keep the scream rising in her throat at bay when a small, cold smile appeared on his lips. Remaining as still as a statue, she watched him hesitate then casually stroll down the path in the direction of the exit. She heard him whistling.

Whistling?

Danielle ignored the goose bumps rising on her arms in response to his emotionless cruelty. How could he whistle when people were injured and even dead? So cold, so heartless. She was certain that the whistling, coupled with the horrified screams and gunfire, would stay with her forever.

As soon as she could no longer hear movement, Danielle decided to move. She was no longer safe where she was. If he had seen her, he could backtrack at any moment with one of his guns and do away with her. Glancing right and left, she took stock of her options. The exit was covered by the handsome one, the trail by the gunman and the cliff was not a viable option without stairs. That left the thick jungle. Though unappealing, she knew she could not take the chance and stay.

First returning her water bottle to her bag, she then thrust the palm fronds away from her legs. It took her a moment to come to her feet, and her legs nearly buckled under her weight when she did. Nevertheless, she forced herself to move forward.

The jungle behind her was thick with vegetation and root systems, and within three steps she was regretting her decision. Each forward motion through the dense mass of plant life threatened to topple her, and Danielle was reminded of the doomed characters in a horror movie. They would stumble, fall and turn to find their stalker above them. She shivered despite the oppressive heat. That could not happen to her.

Scanning the jungle before her, she picked her way forward. Roots protruded from the moist ground, perilously placed to hide amid the undergrowth and catch her unaware. Rocks, the same limestone that caused the ruins to gleam brightly in the sunlight, loomed dangerous in the shade of the growth. Within minutes, she had gone as far as she could and threw her arms up in surrender. She could no longer see the trail, but she was already out of breath and sweating so profusely that she felt weak.

She would never make it out on her own, and she wondered where her mysterious savior had gone. Had he escaped safely without her while she battled with the jungle? A strange feeling of loneliness and despair filled her with the thought, but even worse was the idea that he had been shot too.

As if on cue, a shout followed by two sharp gunshots caused Danielle to startle violently and loose her balance. She fell to the ground, feeling the wetness of the swampy area soak through her ruined shorts. After the silence of the past several minutes, the noise frightened the birds in the branches above, and they flew off with a sudden flapping of wings. She glanced up and watched their flight as anguish overwhelmed her, wishing she could do the same. Without knowing how, she was certain her savior was the recipient of that last gunshot, and her vision blurred with the tears she had struggled to hold back.

She knew he would not be back. Now she was truly alone with no idea how to get out of the jungle alive.

### ****

Shaking his head with regret, Hayden Evans returned his gun to the holster secured in his waistband and spun on his heel. One well-placed shot was all it took to remove the threat remaining at the site. The inexperienced kid went down quickly. Now all he needed to do was go fish the girl out of the trees. They needed to move quickly, for he already heard the sirens. Although they were still a good distance away, he and the girl needed to be long gone before the local police descended on the site. He could not be seen, especially now that everything had gone to hell.

Staying low, Hayden hurried back along the trail. He did not encounter any other stragglers, and he was grateful he was in the remotest part of the site. Two bodies, an older man and woman, lay across the path directly ahead. They were obviously deceased, so he did not linger. Time was of the essence now, no matter how much the sight tugged at his heart.

He spied the girl's hat and glasses and scooped that bit of evidence up as he passed. The foliage he had hidden her in was just a few feet away, and the sounds of the sirens were even closer. Jogging the final few steps, he pushed his way through the trees and halted in surprise. The spot was empty. The palm fronds had been hastily discarded and now rested in a small pile, an indication that she had moved on her own rather than being snatched, but Hayden felt a moment of fear. He had told her that he would be right back, but it had taken him longer than he expected to get a good look at the remaining shooters. There were three in total, plus Rocky. Four men hunting him... no, three now that he had shot the fourth. If she was running around on her own, she was in serious danger.

Sighing heavily, Hayden placed his hands on his hips and took a moment to reflect upon what happened so he could plan his next step. Things had fallen apart too quickly; something had gone seriously wrong.

His meeting was to take place at the _Casa de las Columnas_ where they would set up a time to make the exchange. He arrived ready to make the deal and fly back to the States with the cargo despite the warning trickle down his spine that started immediately upon waking that morning. It was one of those suspicions of dread he could not shake.

After years of learning to trust these feelings, he accepted that his intuition was on fire.

He did not cower in fear, but he did heed his instincts. As planned, he dressed the part and mingled with the tourists with the full intent of going forward with the deal. It only took him a moment to locate a worthy target to use as cover. Following the only alone young woman off the tour bus from Cancun, he kept far enough away so she would not notice but close enough that he could be mistaken as her companion until he could break off at the signal. All had gone according to plan.

Unfortunately, the woman he chose ended up being far prettier than he imagined. Though her face was partially hidden behind the baseball cap and sunglasses she wore, he noted the small, straight line of her nose and pouty lips when she raised her camera to take a picture. She was attractive, tall and lean, with long, tanned, runner's legs and round breasts covered in a bikini and a pink tank top. While he trailed her from a safe distance, he focused on her narrow waist and wondered how she could be alone. Surely there was a pack of men hounding her.

Regrettably, his distraction had momentarily taken his mind off the matters at hand, an error that had been paid for with the blood of the innocent. Somehow the tenuous bond of trust between him and Rocky had been shattered, and he had no clue how or why. That he did not know what started the shootout was unacceptable. Their tardiness evidently had been deliberate. Their arms and eagerness to shoot, sloppy. Normally Rocky was more cautious than that, a sly man who covered his tracks well. There were far too many unknowns, especially considering there were three other gun-wielding men dead in the plaza. Who were they? Why were they here? Were they officials? Only one thing was clear: things had fallen apart and he had screwed up when he shoved that girl into the trees.

Returning his attention to the crushed vegetation, Hayden studied the area around it. He could not see any returning footsteps in the mud, nor could he see where anyone else had entered their makeshift hiding spot. Spinning in a slow circle, he noticed a single print going deeper into the jungle. She had moved into the heavy darkness, and she was still alone. Not sure why that gave him such relief, he made a quick decision to follow and began to move. Although he knew his predicament was perilous and he should ditch her now, he foolishly had involved her in this mess as soon as he tackled her to the ground. There was no way he could abandon her yet despite all the unknowns.

Following the trail of footprints and bent vegetation, Hayden was nearly on top of her location before he saw her. It had grown steadily darker under the canopy of trees, and he immediately saw the wisdom of her move. Unless someone was specifically looking, they would not quickly find her in her current spot.

She was seated partially in a puddle, her sneaker-clad feet almost completely submerged. Her head rested on her hands, and her elbows were propped on her bent knees. The way she had curled into herself made him suspect her initial shock had worn off, leaving fear in its stead. The twinge of pity struck him as odd when so many others had fallen out in the deep green expanse surrounding the ruins, but he could not resist the sympathetic feeling from rising. Maybe it was because he had a little sister, or maybe it was because he had nearly scared her to death when he reacted instinctively and forced her to the ground. Either way, he had no time to ponder it. Knowing they had to get out of the area, he closed the distance and reached out to place his hand on her shoulder.

Before he could speak, she was swinging again, her mouth opened in a startled gasp. Their eyes met, his brown and hers pale blue, and the look of horror she gave him reminded him of his appearance.

"Wait," he whispered, catching the same bag she had attacked him with previously. Despite her attempts to yank it back, he easily disarmed her and replaced her dropped belongings. "It's me, it's me."

The panicked look in her eyes remained, so he dropped to his haunches and handed her back the beach bag. "It's okay. I'm back to get you out."

Suspecting his clothing may have something to do with her alarm, he hastily reached up and pulled the blue-checkered bandana off his head and ran his hand through his damp hair. Although she flinched, she did not move away. Instead, her wide eyes scanned his face, none of the fear dissipating until her nostrils suddenly flared.

"Lemons," she whispered.

Unbuttoning the long-sleeved shirt, he pulled it off, leaving only his white T-shirt. It was saturated with sweat and clung to his chest uncomfortably, and there was little relief when he took the extra shirt off. He was thirsty and hot, plain and simple.

He glanced at her curiously while wrapping it around his forearm. "Lemons?"

"You smell like lemons."

He cocked his head to the side and stared at her, wondering if she had sunk into some kind of shock. She blinked back at him, her round eyes studying him carefully and lucidly. Shrugging, he dismissed the random comment. "We have to get out of here. Are you coming with me or not?"

Her voice was clear and steady when she answered. "I hear sirens. Shouldn't we wait for them?"

"You can if you want, but I don't trust anyone. I also don't want to wait while they clear this place. It's big and will probably take hours," Hayden replied quickly. She did not need to know that he also suspected he might be the cause for this massacre.

Her lips formed an 'O' of surprise. "I didn't think of that."

She glanced down at her feet, and her brow furrowed in thought. He was growing impatient but understood her need to debate her next action. She did not know who he was, so the question was whether or not she would take a chance. For some strange reason, he really hoped she would.

"My feet are wet, and these bugs are driving me crazy," she commented.

Returning her gaze to his, she offered him a wistful half-smile that showed him exactly how pretty she was despite the mud-stains and sweat that marred her clothing and every bare patch of skin. His heart lurched in his chest. Though startled by his reaction, he never had a chance to return it, for raised voices suddenly reached his ears.

"She was in here. Find her before the _Federales_ do."

He stiffened. He knew that voice. It was Rocky.

Without another word, Hayden reached for her arm and yanked her to her feet. This time she came willingly. Their eyes communicated the need to remain quiet and flee immediately. With an abrupt nod, Hayden set off, dragging her along behind him and using his free hand to push aside the thick jungle growth.

Because of the pursuit, he had no time to keep the trail he bushwhacked as natural as possible. Instead, he plowed his way through as quickly as he could. It proved to be a difficult task and slow going. Heart pounding in his ears and sweat pouring into his eyes, Hayden ignored his exhaustion and cleared the way for the girl. It was up to him to keep her safe, and that was not a responsibility he took lightly. After what seemed an eternity, midday sunlight loomed ahead, indicating a break in the jungle and hopefully a chance to rest. He paused under the cover of the trees, aware of the girl's harsh, ragged breathing behind him.

"Get down," he ordered.

He was pleased when she responded immediately. Without another glance in her direction, he continued forward and scanned the opening ahead. The threatening sound of a helicopter broke the eerie calm, causing him to hang back until he was certain it was out of sight. The opening was another small branch of the trail around the ruins. There was no one lurking in this area, but if the men after them had any sense they would take the trail and wait for them to appear. That meant they had precious little time.

"Come quick."

Again she did not hesitate, and his admiration of her spirit grew. In a show of unspoken trust, she held her hand out to him as she reached the other side of the trail, and he took her wrist in a firm grasp before resuming his struggle with the jungle. Muscles screaming in agony, knees ready to buckle, Hayden was relieved long minutes later when they reached the far wall of the ruin. The girl let out a high-pitched squeak of dismay, hastily suppressed when she bit down hard on her lower lip.

Though she was obviously exhausted, she did not waver when he tugged on her wrist again and pulled her along the length of the wall. He knew they were close to the cliff dropping into the Caribbean, so if there was no opening in the ancient wall they were stuck.

Several minutes of ankle-twisting, thigh-straining slogging through the growth, sunlight again appeared before them. Hayden drew up, and the girl stumbled into him. He felt her forehead rest against his back out of sheer exhaustion and knew he could not press her much further. It was too hot and humid. They both would collapse if they kept up the punishing pace.

"Now what?"

The defeat in her breathless voice hardened his determination. While it was true there was a path to cross and a clearing that would leave them wide open, the other side of the wall, and the temporary freedom that granted them, was just a few yards beyond. Inhaling deeply in an effort to catch his breath, he glanced at her over his shoulder. Though she was flushed the color of a ripe tomato and sweat dripped down her face in rivulets, he could not help his smile of admiration. For her courage or her beauty, he did not want to consider at the moment. All he knew was that his smile turned into a wide grin.

"We'll just run for it," he said with a wink.

She gave him a horrified look. "Run for it?"

"Absolutely. Let's go."

Grabbing her yet again, Hayden dragged her behind him out of the relative safety of the trees. In the bright sunlight, the heat immediately penetrated their skin, seeming to suck what little energy they had left. However, he did not let that slow him, and his sheer determination kept the girl going, stumbling and forced to place her free hand on his waist to keep her footing.

A shout came from behind them, followed by pounding footsteps easily overheard over their own. They had been spotted, but Hayden's suspicions that they were amateurs were confirmed. They were much too loud in their pursuit.

Running headlong to the edge of the cliff, he paused to wrap his hand around the girl's waist, and he used the last of his strength to guide her around the edge of the wall. Just a few more steps and they would be out of the park and on their way back through the jungle until they could find a spot to enter the road.

After that, he had no idea what they would do.

### Chapter 2

Heart pounding so hard she feared it would explode right out of her chest, Danielle finally felt her knees give out an instant before her legs buckled. Stumbling into the back of her guardian, she was unable to regain her balance and fell forward. Too exhausted to care, she closed eyes and awaited the impact. It never came. With frightening speed, her companion turned and caught her before she landed face first on a large, foreboding block of limestone hidden among the roots of a tree trunk. His grip was solid when she sagged against him.

"Okay, easy," he murmured. Still holding her upper arms, he lowered her to the ground and took a look around their surroundings while she struggled to regain her breath.

"I'm sorry," she gasped.

Though she liked to think she was in fairly decent shape, the last two hours had proven the effects of the oppressive heat and humidity far outweighed her ability to keep up. Reaching blindly into her bag, she grasped her water bottle and pulled it free, no longer caring if their pursuers entered the jungle behind them. Now that they were on the other side of the wall, she knew she had to take a break or die from sheer exhaustion.

Thankfully, he did not protest. Once his dark eyes scanned the area they had just covered, he sat down across from her and eagerly reached for the bottle she handed out to him. Though she had very little water left and what was left was hot, the feel of the liquid dribbling down her parched throat helped to revive her slightly. As she watched the muscles in his throat work, she assumed it helped him as well. His eyes closed when he took the large, long gulp as if he was savoring it like he would a cold shower after their painful, midday slog through the jungle. If she had not been so exhausted, she would have smiled at the sight and the fact that she was sharing her water with a complete stranger. Funny how desperate times caused desperate measures.

His eyes opened again when he lowered the bottle. "We can't stay here."

She sighed heavily. Although she knew that, the idea of moving again was not appealing. Aware that the muscles in her legs were trembling, she offered him a pleading glance. "Can we just wait a second?"

"Not long," he said brusquely.

As he came back to his feet, Danielle perused him from head to toe. Despite his earlier appearance, he was definitely American and very Anglo. The angular face, with his straight nose, square chin and high cheekbones, covered chocolate-brown eyes, but his dark tan was just that – a tan. His thick, mahogany hair was cut short, above the ears and trimmed neatly in the back, something she knew firsthand considering her position behind him for the past couple of hours. The white T-shirt clinging damply to him outlined a strong back and broad shoulders tapering down to a lean waist. He was tall and lean overall, with long legs and arms that she knew were extremely strong.

Very handsome, very masculine and he smelled like lemons. Appealing under normal circumstances but she was not convinced she could trust this stranger.

Though he had dressed like a Latino, he obviously was not. That made her nervous and suspicious at the same time. Why was he helping her through the jungle instead of leaving her to fend for herself? He had disappeared. She had heard gun shots. She knew there was more to the story and could not help but feel uneasy. Then there was the suspicious bulge in the waistband of his khakis. Though she did not want to admit it, she suspected she knew what it was. And she did not like it.

"You don't have to wait for me," she said in a low voice. "I'm out of the park. I can find my way back to the road."

His alert brown eyes finally returned to her after scanning the trail they had plowed. It was his turn to study her, and she fought the urge to squirm under his intensity. Those eyes of his did not seem to miss anything, and judging by the twist of his lips he had correctly determined her line of thinking. After staring at her for what seemed an eternity, he suddenly flashed another handsome smile that showed a set of bright white teeth.

"Don't you think that if I had any intention of hurting you I would've done so already? Dragging you through this mess hasn't exactly been fun for me either."

Stunned by his response, her eyes went wide in surprise. He was actually mocking her.

Following up with a bemused shake of his head and a chuckle, he ignored her narrow-eyed glare and reached out to push a few strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail and now clung in sweaty tendrils to her cheek. His fingers were gentle and almost paternal.

"Look, you're in pretty big trouble," he said. "They saw you, and now they're looking for you. They have no idea who I am."

"Then why are you hanging around risking yourself for me?"

The barely veiled amusement on his face suddenly eased to a more serious look. Though his gaze never left her face, he suddenly scowled. "To be honest, I don't know, and I probably shouldn't... But we'll have to consider that later. They're back."

Not knowing whether or not to trust him, she glanced over her shoulder. She did not see or hear anything except for the exhausting sight of the jungle, but he apparently did, for once again he was pushing her down and covering her with his body.

She was growing weary of his manhandling.

At the same time, she was not completely immune to the intimacy of his very male body pressed against hers. So what if she had a root digging painfully into the small of her back and the ground around her was hot, moist and thick with decaying foliage? He was tone, well-built, and handsome, and despite his mysterious behavior she was not immune. Not immune but definitely crazy, she realized.

Just like before, his soft lips brushed against her ear, and his voice was so low she could barely hear him. "Ten yards away. Lie still and keep quiet."

When her breath hitched in her chest, he pulled away. What he took as acquiescence, she took as relief. His weight was crushing, and the heat from his body made her suffocating internal organs feel as though they were on fire. She suspected the water she just sipped was now making its exit through every one of her pores, and the discomfort of the heat was distracting her from the danger.

The desperation began to rise from the deep well she had stuffed it into, and briefly she feared she would lose the tenuous grip on her control. Feeling her tension, his hand slipped across the damp ground, and the same paternal touch again lightly stroked her flushed cheek. She remembered a time when her grandfather had done the same while she curled on his lap to hear him read to her from the comfort of his rocking chair. If she just closed her eyes, she could remember her grandfather's deep voice rumbling from somewhere in the cavern of his broad chest.

Fighting the urge to lean into his palm, Danielle grasped severity of their situation. Well, of hers. If anyone came into the jungle to search for them, that meant they were serious about getting her. But why? Had she heard something she was not supposed to in that brief conversation? Either way, she had to leave immediately, get back on a plane and hightail it back to the States like any normal person would. That was exactly what she would do as soon as she got out of the menacing jungle that threatened to take her life with each overheated step she took.

What had begun as a pleasant, restful vacation away from the pressures of work, family and friends – well, lack thereof, she had to admit – was now a nightmare even her recent life could not compare to. At this point, she would rather face her ex-best friend and ex-fiancé in their pre-wedding bliss than continue lying on the ground with creepy insects that made her skin itch just thinking about.

Above her, she felt the man stiffen. One moment he was idly stroking her, and the next his hand was gone. She felt rather than heard him release the dreaded object she knew was hiding in his waistband, and then she heard the whispered voices. They were close, and though she could not understand the mumbled Spanish she heard the excitement in their voices. They had found something, and she hoped it was not them.

A sudden burst of gunfire shattered the tense silence. This time it was louder, closer, and even more terrifying. Her entire body went as rigid as stone, and a frightened wail escaped her lips. Leaves exploded around them as the spray of bullets pounded into their partially concealed depression. Birds squawked, and the fluttering of wings mixed with the excited voices and deluge of bullets. Danielle curled into a tight ball, certain she was about to die.

Another helicopter suddenly sounded overhead, drowning out the noise. Rather than accepting the distraction, her unofficial guardian seized the opportunity. In a flash, his weight was gone, and she turned to see him on one knee with a gun in his hand. Two deliberate shots were fired, the sound drowned out by the helicopter, and then he was reaching for her and hauling her to her feet. Ignoring her look of horror, he bent and grabbed her bag. He thrust it at her before tucking the gun back in the holster at his waist and reaching for her wrist.

"Let's go. Quick."

She dug her heels in as best as she could, her heart beating furiously against her ribcage, and her breathing coming so rapidly she feared she was hyperventilating. "Did you –"

"Now," he commanded. Gone was the almost-charming man who had smiled so jauntily at her. In his place was a stony-faced and deadly serious stranger unwilling to wait for her to move. His grip was firm, and he half-dragged her away from the spot.

It was a slow, painful scramble. Danielle stumbled, tripped and sank in the mud. The hovering helicopter covered the noise of their movement, and though she did not know if it was friend or foe, she knew she could not go much further in the company of a man who intrigued and terrified her at the same time. Danielle's legs burned as if she had run a marathon, advising her that she could not escape from him yet. Her exhaustion was rapidly getting to the point where the heat was overtaking rational thought, but she now knew he could be as dangerous as the men hunting her.

"We're going to take a chance and cut through this field," he said over his shoulder.

She peered around him and spotted another burst of sunlight. In a clearing sat another park building, and beyond the gate lay a small parking lot filled with cars. She would have breathed a sigh of relief at the simple sight of civilization, but she was far too frightened to believe her ordeal might be ending. They still had to get through the fence.

Grasping her wrist, her guardian sped up as soon as they had cleared the jungle. Running in the shadow of the trees, he pulled her along a long dirt road. The ground was rocky and uneven, and her legs trembled from the effort. Though not a praying woman, she hoped they would not give out on her before they found cover.

As the exit loomed ahead of them, Danielle's heart sank. There was a lock on the chain link fence with a large park sign saying " _prohibido._ " The sight appeared to her as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Heart sinking, her footsteps slowed. "Now what?"

"Keep going."

"I don't think –"

As soon as she began to speak, her legs buckled. Terrible cramps, a pain unlike anything she had ever experienced before, caused her to cry out sharply. Stumbling to her knees, she would have toppled onto her face if her benefactor had not turned swiftly and caught her. He lowered her to the ground while she struggled to take a breath, but the pain was so intense she could only curl into a ball and wrap her arms around her middle tightly. It was over. She could go no further.

Standing above her with his hands on his hips, he swore under his breath. If she had been able to speak, she would have told him to leave her, but once more he amazed her by bending down and scooping her into his arms. In two long strides, he carried her to the shade of a tree and placed her down behind the thick trunk.

"I'll be right back," he said. "Stay here."

With the last of her strength, she managed a partial smile. Were those not the same words he had told her before? Unable to fight the exhaustion, Danielle allowed her eyes to slip closed as she battled the cramping. No longer caring if someone found her, no longer caring if she was shot, all she knew was that her body was shutting down and her only defense was jogging down the dirt road to the exit.

But the funny thing was that this time she did not doubt his return.

### ****

Hayden jogged along the edge of the fence in the shadow of the trees. The gate that separated the drive from the parking lot beyond was closed and latched but thankfully the chain was not padlocked – their first sign of good luck after the fiasco of the afternoon. He remembered seeing this building on his way up to the meeting and knew his backpack was stashed nearby. He was glad for his forethought. Had he not stashed his pack in a moment of laziness, their movement would have been even slower, and he probably would be suffering from the same heat exhaustion that his little blonde was.

The thought sobered him. If left untreated, she could easily become critical in this heat and humidity. He needed to evacuate her now.

Continuing at a steady pace, Hayden left the gate closed but unlatched, hoping no one would notice before his return. Cars sped down the road toward the ruins, unseen but undoubtedly were more police. Using the vehicles in the parking lot for cover, Hayden hurried to the edge and retrieved his pack, slinging it over his shoulder and returning to the only unlocked vehicle he noticed during his pass. An old Toyota van, white in color with rusting, sun-bleached paint, was perfect for his needs. The several mile drive back to town would be all he needed it for, and he could safely leave it on a quiet street in Tulum no worse for wear.

He had to get the girl to safety. He was no fool, and he knew that their punishing run in the heat had won its battle against her. Slipping into the van, he made short work of the old ignition system and started it up before jogging back to the gate and into the concealment of the trees.

His steps slowed as he approached the chit palm he had placed her under. Smudged with mud from the top of her blond head to her toes, face red from exertion and eyes closed, she did not pose the same attractive picture she had when he first saw her. However, he still smiled when her eyes fluttered open. Those pale-blue orbs were enticing with their honesty and entrancing with their depth of emotion.

"Ready to move?"

She groaned but studied him carefully. "Did you kill those men?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't think so."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't know if I should go with you or not."

He heard the tremble in her voice betraying her fear as well as her pain. Although he left the van running, he was not willing to force her. She had been amazingly cooperative so far, so Hayden stifled his impatience and sat cross-legged on the ground next to her with a patient smile. Trying to put her at ease and succeeding were obviously two different things.

"I thought we had this discussion earlier," he reminded her gently.

"That was before you took out a gun and shot two men."

"One in the leg, and the other in the knee," he said automatically.

She shook her head. "Who are you?"

"I think I also remember telling you we could discuss that later."

"But what if I go with you now and you kill me?"

He could not prevent the chuckle that burst from his chest. The memory of her round backside and long, lean legs suddenly rose into memory. There were many things he would like to do with her, but killing her was definitely not one of them. "What if you stay here and they kill you?"

She exhaled rapidly in a frustrated sigh. "Damn, you're right. Which of you gun-toting creeps is the lesser evil?"

"Gun-toting creep?" He threw his head back and laughed despite the seriousness of their situation. The sound caused a monkey high in the trees to shout back at them, but he ignored it and continued releasing some of his tension. Reaching out, he took her hand in his, came to his feet and slowly pulled her up. With a touch of relief, he noticed she came willingly. He grinned down at her. "I've been called many things, lady, but 'gun-toting creep' is definitely new."

"I'm serious, and you're laughing at me," she growled. She gave him a stern look, but her lips twitched. Apparently she was able to see the humor in the situation, too. He suddenly felt better, like maybe they would be able to get away from the area without any bullet wounds after all.

"Can you walk?"

She nodded slowly, bravely, despite the pain shining in her expressive eyes. "I ache everywhere."

"I'm going to get you out of here to a safe place where you can rest."

Though she complained of pain, she surprised him again with her fortitude. He had considered having to carry her to the van, but she made it on her own and with a speed that made him smile. This girl certainly did have courage. She even climbed in without commenting on the lack of keys in the ignition, even though he saw her gaze rest there before she reached for the lap seatbelt and secured it. Grinning at her discretion, he pulled a Gatorade from his backpack and handed it to her.

"It might be warm but should help the muscle cramps."

She fumbled with the cap while he pulled the rickety old van onto the road. The engine sputtered and coughed as he accelerated, perhaps too quickly for the old van's liking, but it faithfully carried them away from the danger. Hayden was pleased the activity had eased and briefly entertained the idea that they were almost safe.

Reaching across the seat, he plucked the bottle from her hands and removed the cap. He handed it back without glancing her way.

"Thank you. My hands seem to be shaking too much to be useful," she said.

"We're almost safe."

Though he would never tell her, he was not yet that confident. He kept his eyes peeled around every corner, ready to slam on the brakes if he saw a roadblock ahead.

"Thank heavens," she whispered.

When they reached the intersection of Highway 109, he continued heading west. Though he knew his bungalow would not hide them for long, he needed to stash her safely before ditching the stolen van. In her current state, he could not ask her to keep running. She needed a break.

Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, he watched as she took long sips of the tepid Gatorade. Her eyes were half-closed, but the raging color was fading from her cheeks and her breathing was more steady and regular. It gave him hope that he would not have to bring her to a hospital after all.

He turned onto the dirt road of his eco-friendly resort and stopped several yards before the thatched roofs were visible. Putting the van in park, he shifted in his seat to look at her. She lowered the bottle from her lips, leaving a drop tantalizingly perched on her lower lip. It hovered briefly before her tongue snaked out to wipe it away as she stared at him expectantly.

"Where are we?"

Mentally shaking himself from the sight, he cleared his throat. "My cabana. You're beat, so I'm going to drop you there then hide the van." When her eyes widened, he grinned again. "I told you I wasn't going to hurt you. Sooner or later you'll have to believe me."

Despite the frightening circumstances of their strange meeting, she graced him with a smile. It was a true smile, and the flash of small, pearly-white teeth caused a flutter in his chest that he once more refused to acknowledge.

"You're right, of course. But then again, who's to say you can trust me? I could be a psycho, too."

Eyebrows rising in answer, he left the van running and opened the door. So, she had a sense of humor hidden in there?

"Just get your bag."

Glancing at her over his shoulder, he was pleased when she again did as he asked. He liked that about her. She was unbelievably reasonable. In fact, the longer she was in his company, the more he liked her. Not good.

"How far of a walk will it be?"

He nodded in the direction of the cabana. "Not far. Just up ahead are the cabins. I was lucky and got an ocean view."

Still grasping the Gatorade bottle as if it was a lifeline, she fell in step beside him. He noticed her pronounced limp after being seated for those few minutes. Frowning, he realized leaving once darkness fell might not be possible.

As he led her through the gardens leading to his cabana, he considered their options. His eco-resort had wireless, so as soon as he returned from stashing the van he could check out other resorts until he could return her to Cancun. A few phone calls needed to be made as well. He had to explain himself now, report in and update Alpha on what went down. Sighing heavily, he accepted that he had plenty of work to do... and explaining.

Feeling her gaze like a hot brand, he glanced down at her with one eyebrow arched in question. "Everything okay?"

"You sighed."

"Just tired, like you," he lied.

She sent him a sarcastic half-smile. "Yeah, right."

She left little doubt that she did not believe him. Nevertheless, when he led her straight to the colorful bungalow perched on a small cliff overlooking the beach, she seemed to forget his comment altogether. Her mouth opened in surprise, and she glanced around appreciatively.

"This is where you're staying?"

In answer, he placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her up the concrete steps to the patio. She was taking in the small cabana with wide eyes, her gaze running over the thatched roof and wall of windows with so much relief she seemed not to notice his proprietary gesture. Pausing in front of the door, he watched as she stared at the quaint hammock swaying gently in the ocean breeze.

"Yep, but I just arrived last night."

Under cover of darkness and with no one knowing the true purpose of his visit, which was the only reason he had brought her there.

"This is adorable," she murmured. "If only I had known..."

"I prefer the privacy myself."

Once again he was graced with her sarcastic smile which he ignored. Pushing the door open, he allowed his hand to remain on her back while she stepped inside. At first she moved cautiously, as though waiting for him to slam the door behind them, but when she saw the spacious tub resting under the windows with a view of the sea, she turned to him with a smile.

"This is actually wonderful."

"I just wish I had the chance to enjoy it."

Feeling he had groped her long enough, he forced his hand to fall from her spine and set his backpack on the king-sized bed. The mosquito netting had been pulled back by housekeeping, and a new towel sculpture – this one in the shape of a heart – had replaced the swan from the evening before. Though he was not exactly pleased with the latest shape on offer, he was relieved that at least the maid service had already come and gone. He was about to shove the towel aside when she stopped him.

"Wait! That's beautiful."

Shaking his head, he sent her a wry glance over his shoulder. "You've been shot at, run through the jungle, gone face first into the mud and almost suffered heat stroke, and you care about a silly towel?"

"Well, it's the prettiest thing I've seen all day," she said morosely.

He snorted. "And here I thought I was."

Her eyes widened first as his words sunk in, but then she snorted. "I can tell you honestly that right now you're not even close to being pretty."

He rubbed the back of his neck, irritating an already swollen mosquito bite. "Trust me, I know. You're a mess, too."

Judging by the open-mouthed look of shock on her face, he assumed she was not used to being teased and instantly felt like a fool. He softened the blow with a quick unzip of his pack. Pulling out a clean shirt, he tossed it at her. "But there's a bar of soap and shampoo in the bathroom, and you can wear this until we can clean up your clothes. You'll be back to your beautiful self in no time."

Though she caught the T-shirt with her free hand, the horrified expression on her face did not alter. Wincing, Hayden suspected he had blundered pretty good, yet another reminder why he had not settled down yet. Feeling awkward and biting back remorse, he returned to the door.

"Help yourself to anything you need. I'll be back as soon as I can."

### Chapter 3

No sooner was the door closed and locked behind her mysterious benefactor than Danielle was hurrying to the bathroom to find the single mirror in the room. What she saw explained his insult, and suddenly she could not blame him for saying so. She looked a mess. What was left of her blond ponytail was now a tangled mass streaked with mud, foliage, and most likely more bugs. Shivering at the thought, she pulled the hair tie free and shook out what was left, certain she was just tangling it more. Strands of hair stuck to her cheeks, plastered down by her own sweat, and her face bore the crusted over scratches from her fall as well as mud tracks streaked with paths where sweat had come down in rivulets.

Turning away in disgust, she stared longingly at the shower and debated the wisdom of stripping and cleaning off in it. He was gone for the moment, but nothing was stopping him from returning. Of course, he already had multiple opportunities to harm her, but he had protected her instead and saved her life at the risk of his own. Her instincts told her he was not going to hurt her.

Trusting that he found her unappealing after his blunt comment, she immediately turned the faucet on for the shower and peeled the remainder of her clothing off. She kicked the pile against the door knowing the less she had to touch those clothes, the better she would feel. In fact, she would have preferred to throw all of it, including her sopping wet and filthy sneakers, in the trash. However, for the moment, that was all she had, leaving her no choice but to wait.

Biting her lip in dismay as she stared at the mess, she knew she was not out of trouble. The ordeal of the afternoon had not yet eased in her memory, but the shower beckoned in a reminder that she would not have to worry about that just yet. What mattered most was washing the jungle away and easing her aches before she dealt with the emotional trauma. The water was cool and refreshing. She ignored the niggling pain in her muscles as she lathered up, enjoying the relief of the grime washing away and leaving her with clear skin gently bathed in salt water. Anything was healthier than the dirt smudged and sweat-encrusted body she had been wearing before.

She would have lingered in the shower, but her persistent unease propelled her to towel off and dress in the shirt he had given her. Though a tall woman, she was smaller than her unofficial guardian, and his shirt fell to a somewhat modest mid-thigh. But that did not stop her from wrapping a towel around her waist modestly before she ventured back into the room.

It was as silent as he had left it, with only the sound of the ocean and the chirping of the birds breaking the silence. Knowing he was ditching a stolen vehicle, Danielle shivered again. Who was this man? Was he good or bad? Clearly he had some disreputable skills. Though she had faith in his ability to protect her, she still mulled over his motivation and intentions with her.

Oh, how had she gotten into this mess?

Returning to the bathroom, she washed her bathing suit in the sink, removing most of the dirt stains that had seeped through her cotton shorts. She frowned as she toiled, expecting someone to burst through the door at any moment but also wishing she could lie down and give in to her exhaustion.

Laying the two pieces on the windowsill above the tub to catch the afternoon sunlight, she picked up the black plastic comb left with other small toiletries and sat on the bed. A sigh of relief escaped as her weight eased off her aching feet, and she curled them under her as she began to work out the snarls in her hair. It was another long and tedious process, and she was thankful for the deceptively comfortable mattress beneath her. Too exhausted to deny the urges of her body any longer, as soon as she finished her hair she succumbed to the urge to lay her head on the pillow.

Inhaling deeply, she again caught the faint scent of lemons and smiled. A handsome man who smelled like citrus and had no qualms about shooting people had rescued her from possible death. Now, just a few short hours later, she was wearing his clothing and lying on his bed. The unreality of it all would have been amusing if the sounds of the screams and gunfire were not still ringing in her ears. If her parents could see her now...

She knew she should flee while she had the chance, but her head felt too heavy. Maybe just a quick rest and then she could bolt to the door... just a short time to rest her eyes and aching muscles. A deep, dreamless sleep followed at her body's insistence, and her last coherent thought was both confusing and alarming at the same time. She was safe; her guardian would protect her.

### ****

Hayden only drove a short distance down the road before turning the van into a large beach resort and leaving it parked in the rear of the lot. It would be stumbled upon eventually, with any luck long after they made their escape.

Wait a minute, he thought, scratching his head. They? There should be no 'they'. He could not take responsibility for this girl.

But while he knew he would be wise to deliver her to the embassy, he also knew he could not abandon her with Rocky searching for her. The man was ruthless and cruel, and with his power and connections she would never last on her own. She was an innocent being hunted by a panther. Grimacing, he decided he was stuck with her for a bit longer, or, rather, she was stuck with him.

Returning his attention to his current predicament, he scanned the lot with the eye of a pro. The location of the van would throw off their pursuers. Hopefully believing they were not smart enough to leave it far from the hotel they were staying in, Rocky's men would center their search at the more well-known and luxurious resort rather than choosing his rustic eco-friendly cabana. He knew he had bought them a little more time at least.

Even with that extra time, he had none to waste. As he approached the welcome center, he stopped at the gift shop and made a hasty purchase before heading back out into the steamy late-afternoon sunlight. In an effort to blend in, he removed his stained shirt and dropped it into one of the nearby trash receptacles on the way to the beach. Several guests smiled in greeting as he passed, and one pair of bikini-clad ladies called him over to share a beer. Any other time, he would have jumped at the offer, but presently he felt no interest whatsoever. Curious but true. His thoughts were not only consumed with his foiled plans, but also with his fascinating new acquaintance waiting alone, and probably terrified, in his cabana.

He had been gone long enough. Smiling politely with a regretful shake of his head, he waved and headed down the beach. It was a much straighter route back to his lodging and, despite the tiring effort of plowing through the soft sand, he soon saw his cabana. Seeing it for the first time through the girl's eyes, he realized it truly was picturesque with its traditional thatched roof and yellow exterior. If he had been on a real vacation, he probably would have enjoyed it.

With a weary sigh, he mounted the steps, holding his bag under one arm while he fished the key out of his pocket. Though not intentionally quiet, he eased the door open cautiously. Although unsure what to expect when he entered the room, it certainly was not to find his young companion asleep on his bed, her head resting on the pillow he had used the night before.

The sun had shifted in the sky, casting its soft glow on the expanse of golden thigh that disappeared under the hem of his shirt. Despite his best intentions, his gaze traveled further up until her tanned skin disappeared behind the faded red of his Arizona Cardinals shirt. Cursing his favorite sports team for stealing the appealing vision from his gaze, Hayden swallowed when he noticed the bikini resting on the windowsill. His eyes widened, and his head snapped back to the sleeping girl's form as his mouth went painfully dry with the knowledge that she was nude under his clothing.

Oh boy, he thought anxiously. Though it was definitely erotic having an attractive woman wear his shirt with nothing on underneath, he knew now was not the time to explore those fantasies about her. In fact, he should not entertain those thoughts at all. He needed to stay focused and almost wished he had arrived to find her falling to pieces instead.

A towel lay bunched around her middle where she must have wrapped it around her waist only to have it fall away when she shifted in her sleep. Crossing the room in three hasty steps, he eased the towel from the mattress and drew it over her inert form once more. Better he not see too much, or he might end up proving her suspicions right.

Staring down at her with his foot tapping nervously, he considered pulling the covers away from the other side of the bed and tossing them over her for added peace of mind, but then he noticed that she had carefully eased the towel heart into the middle of the mattress. Foolish guy that he was, he did not make a move. Scratching his head, he grinned. It was amusing how impressed she was with the simple offering by housekeeping, and it proved that it really was the little things after all.

Straightening slowly, he took a moment to study her. He was impressed that she did not flinch when he covered her. Her eyes remained closed, and her thick lashes rested against tanned cheeks with a spattering of freckles. Now that she was clean, he noticed how her bright hair curled damply around her shoulders. It was longer than he had originally thought, falling beyond her shoulder blades. Fighting the urge to reach out and touch it, he decided he had tortured himself enough and turned away.

Placing his package on the small table on the other side of the bed, he searched out his backpack and removed some clean clothes. The urge to wash the afternoon's events away was strong, and only then would he be able to tackle the work that lay ahead. Rest, unfortunately, would have to wait until everything else was done.

The shower refreshed his aching bones and gave him the strength to complete the tasks ahead. When he emerged, he noticed the girl was still sleeping soundly, one hand resting under her cheek and the other under the pillow. Her posture softened the previously strained lines of her face, reminding him how attractive she actually was. And he had made a comment of how terrible she looked streaked with mud and sweat? He really was an idiot, he thought with a quick shake of his head.

Gathering up his laptop and mobile phone, he slipped out onto the patio to give the girl some peace while he worked. The hammock perched between two support beams on the concrete patio beckoned, and he settled there as he pressed his phone to his ear. His brother, Ford, answered on the second ring.

"Yeah."

In the background, Hayden heard the popping of automatic nail guns, indicating that Ford was visiting one of his job sites. Though the economy was struggling, especially construction in his home state, Ford seemed to be getting by. The man was always working.

"Hey," Hayden said, keeping his voice low enough that it would not travel through the open windows. "You got a minute?"

"I thought you were on vacation."

"I am."

"What's up?"

"Well, I've run into a bit of trouble and need to change hotels. Not too far because I don't have a car, but something a little more private." Here it comes, he thought.

"What did you do now?"

Hayden chuckled. "What makes you think I did anything?"

"Because I know you, Hayden."

His chuckle turned into a weary laugh. While true his brother knew him well, no one except Alpha knew the real Hayden Evans. He hid the double life he had been living for the past eight years from everyone despite having a tight-knit family. Since he knew his actions would devastate them, he allowed them to think he was just the careless middle child. If only they knew, he thought wryly.

Still, Ford was Ford. As the oldest member of his family, Ford was the acting patriarch. After their parents' death fifteen-years prior, Ford had stepped into their shoes and managed his brothers and sister like a true dad. Even though they were all now in their thirties, his paternal instinct and the worry that went with it remained strong. Allowing his brother to let his own suspicions form was the best thing to do. Better that than the truth, he admitted, especially now.

"That you do, Ford."

"So what happened? Did you get caught by some girl's boyfriend?"

Glancing toward the window, Hayden sought out the outline of the sleeping girl. "Not quite." He laughed. "You give me too much credit. I've only been here one day."

"You ran into an ex then?"

"Closer." Sighing he decided to cut to the chase. "Would you have time to find me a small place and reserve me a room?"

"Under my name? What are you up to out there?"

"I just need a bit of privacy."

"So you met a girl, ran into an ex, and now you want to hightail it out of there so you can be alone to have your wicked way with the new hottie?"

Eyes turning to the girl's outline again, Hayden could not prevent the images that entered his mind of him having his wicked way with her. Yeah, he wished it was that simple, but he had to play it safe for now. "Bingo! Ford wins the prize."

"You're lucky you're my brother," Ford answered sternly. "I'll get back to you when I have details."

"After hours arrival would be better," Hayden said.

"Under cover of darkness? She must be quite a girl."

"You could say that." Was it him, or did his voice really grow that warm?

"Well..." Ford said meaningfully. Apparently, his brother heard it, too. "It's about time."

"Yeah, thanks for handling this," he said tersely. "Just text me the details when you have a minute."

"Will do." Ford sighed on the other end of the line. "Please be careful, okay?"

"I'm always careful," Hayden said with a chuckle.

"No, you're not," Ford replied. "That's one thing you're definitely not."

The worry in his voice was evident, and Hayden felt a moment of guilt. Maybe it was not fair to involve his brother in this. Ford was married with children, and using his name and ID to get around could backfire and place them in danger if he was found out. But at the moment he really had no other choice. If it was just him, he could sneak back to his plane and fly home, but now he had the girl to worry about. Rocky was after her. Until she was safely on a plane back home, he could not abandon her. He was all she had for the moment.

"For you, I'll stay on my best behavior," Hayden conceded.

"I guess that's the most I can ask."

As he signed off with his brother, Hayden powered up his laptop. Two quick emails later and his phone vibrated in his hand within a minute of pressing send. Glancing down at the caller ID, Hayden immediately answered. "You're pretty fast."

There was no warmth in the voice that responded. "Tango, where the hell are you?"

"I'm safe for now."

"I want you back in the plane. Everything went to hell, and they're blaming you. We've been betrayed, and heads are going to roll as soon as I find out who did it."

The deep voice was almost as stern as his brother's, and Hayden sighed. "I'm working on it, but I think I should lay low for a day or two until things settle down."

"The preliminary reports coming here now are saying five confirmed dead and seven wounded. This is big."

"Do you know what happened? Why the shooting?"

A harsh sigh reached his ear. Alpha was stressed. Knowing him well, Hayden did not doubt he was fuming over the duplicity. He wanted the deal to go through, and a lot weighed on Hayden's success. Whoever crossed them would be hunted down and caught, no matter the cost.

"No idea, but rumors are rival interference. They were looking for you to eliminate competition."

"I flew down to make this deal," Hayden said tensely. "The next thing I know, I'm getting shot at, and other people – tourists for Christ's sakes – are dropping like flies. You're telling me it was a set up? I need to know who's stabbing me in the back."

"I don't know yet. That's why I want you back here. Rocky started a war today, and you're caught in the middle."

"He knows my plane. I'd be a fool going to that airfield now."

"All right, I'll put word on the street that you're on your way back on a commercial flight. Give it a day or two and then get your ass back here."

"Today was out of character for him," Hayden said thoughtfully. "He's usually more subtle. I need to know what's going on in his head."

"I'll let you know when I know," Alpha promised.

"Yeah, I'm too young to die."

"I don't want that either. You're my best pilot," Alpha said with a bark of laughter.

"Glad for your concern."

"You know better than that," Alpha replied. "By the way, how many shots did you fire?"

"One confirmed, two wounded. If they make it out of the jungle, there's hope."

"Too bad for that. I'll hope they don't."

"You and me both."

"I want you to check in regularly so I know your movements. Getting out of there alive is the most important thing right now. All eyes are on you, Tango, and word is they're hunting you down."

Hayden grimaced. Yep, he and the girl were in a bad way.

"If you're that concerned, send someone down to pick me up," Hayden suggested, already knowing what Alpha's answer would be. It was fine with him because he still had the girl to consider.

"I can't. Too hot right now. You're on your own."

"Understood."

"You're a tough guy, Tango. I'm sure you can manage."

"It's not like I have a choice right now."

"I've got to go." There was a long pause on the other line before his voice came back in nearly a whisper. "Stay safe."

Hayden ran his hand down his face. He was in the jungle. If he had to find a spot to camp out he would, insects or not. "I'll try. Just keep me informed. This stinks, and I don't like the feel of it."

"That makes two of us."

Hayden reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose and lowered the phone. A dull throb had started over his temples. With little to do now except wait, he allowed his eyes to close. The breeze was comfortable, the sound of the ocean waves soothing and the hammock swayed like a cradle. Like the girl inside his room, he too was quickly sleeping soundly.

When his eyes next fluttered open, the sky had darkened to a menacing gray. The low rumble of thunder that had disturbed him faded away, but the approaching clouds warned of rain to come. Summer was notoriously a rainy season in the jungle, where the torrential downfall was brief but heavy. A glance at his phone indicated he only had slept for an hour, but the darkening skies made it appear more like dusk.

Gathering up his laptop and phone in one hand, he swung his legs over the side of the hammock and returned inside. The girl lay as he left her, with one leg now stretched out from under the towel he had tossed over her. The golden skin bore the marks of both plant life and insects, with several long scratches and red lumps. It was a sad testimony of their earlier adventure. They certainly had shared quite a day, but she had proven to be a strong and admirable companion.

Not daring another glance for fear he would reach out and sample the smooth skin of her legs, he returned outside, pausing only long enough to lock the door behind him. His stomach was growling, and the restaurant would be quiet with a storm approaching. It was the perfect time to eat.

### ****

Rocky Alvarez stared at the group of curious onlookers with a mixture of disgust and irritation. Leave it to a tragedy to bring out the gawkers, he thought irritably. A light touch on his forearm drew his gaze away, and he glanced down at his companion. Micaela Rosa Medina nodded in the direction of the stretcher being wheeled toward a waiting ambulance parked outside the site's entrance. It was his man. He was dead.

"Roberto," Micaela said sadly.

Rocky's hands tightened into fists by his side. This treachery had gone too far, and the white hot fury that blazed inside him was so strong he felt able to snap a neck with his own bare hands. Damn Tango for setting him up. He would pay dearly for his deceit.

"Where are Carlos and Rico?"

Though her voice was low, Rocky reached out and captured her small hand. Giving it a crushing squeeze of warning, he continued to watch the stretcher as it was loaded into the ambulance. As more time passed, word was spreading, and the crowd had thickened to the point of becoming crushing. That also meant ears.

"We should go," Rocky said.

Micaela wisely held her tongue. With a slight bow of her head, she followed when he turned and used his stature and posture to create a parting in the sea of onlookers around them. He wanted to be out of the crowd before the reporters caught him in one of their photos. Being a tall man, he knew he would stand out like a sore thumb.

The photos! He had to collect them all.

Walking the distance back to Micaela's car, Rocky slipped into the passenger seat while she started the engine. Twisting slightly in his seat, he studied her closely as she maneuvered through the overcrowded parking lot filled with _policia_ , curious onlookers and residents. Though she appeared relaxed and cool, he alone understood the depth of her sadness. Roberto was her cousin, and she was not likely to allow his death to go unpunished.

Once they had navigated back to the main highway, she tossed her silky black hair over her shoulder and returned his steady stare. Her large, almond-shaped brown eyes were cold and angry. "You made a momentous mistake, Rocky."

One thick, black eyebrow rose. "I didn't order anyone to shoot. Roberto took it upon himself to target anyone who fit the description of the traitor. Tango set us up. They were waiting for us."

Her eyes flashed. "Roberto was your responsibility. You should've guided him with a strong hand."

"He snapped, Micaela. As much as you dislike hearing it, that's the truth."

Her perfectly-manicured fingers tightened around the steering wheel. "All the more reason you should have watched him closely."

"It was bound to happen. He was not stable."

"You're speaking of my cousin."

"And you're smart enough to know the truth," he replied harshly.

He smiled grimly as she bit her full lower lip to hold back her retort and sullenly returned her attention to the road. She refused to speak further, leaving him with his thoughts. While he understood her fury ran as deeply as his did, he was annoyed by her defiance and blame. He would make that clear once they were home.

Pulling into the dirt drive of the spacious mansion, Micaela parked the car in the garage and stormed inside. He followed after her with rapid steps, grasping her arm when she paused in the kitchen to place her keys and handbag on the granite counter.

She hissed at him with bared teeth. "¡ _Bastardo_!"

Yanking free of his grasp, she spun on her heel and lashed out with her hand. It was a deceptively fast move, but he was faster. Grasping her hand in a tight grip, he smiled when she winced. Her dark eyes narrowed threateningly, but he was not deterred. Pulling her against his hips, he lowered his head and kissed her deeply, his tongue punishing its way into her mouth when she gasped in surprise.

Though she beat at him with her free hand, he merely chuckled. They both knew what would happen next, and he knew she wanted it. Using his height and greater strength, he shoved her up against the counter. Trapped between it and his body, she had nowhere to go. But within moments, he softened his kiss, allowed it become more loving and encouraging, and soon her fist went from pounding to stroking his back. He raised his head and smiled down at her.

"Show me your fury, _mi rosa negra_ ," he whispered.

In the blink of an eye, she lifted her head and bit his lower lip. He winced, but her tongue eased out from between her full lips and licked away the pain. "I'll show you just how furious I am."

Bending his head, he kissed her again and listened to her soft moan. As soon as he began to relax and enjoy the building tension in his belly, he felt the cold sting of a blade against his throat.

"Mm," he purred, raising his head slightly.

With the speed of a viper, his hand lashed out and slammed into her wrist. The knife skittered across the Saltillo floor. Smiling, he bent his head and nuzzled her neck. She gasped, but her eyes soon drifted closed. Hands braced on his shoulders, she allowed him to continue his exploration. As his need grew, she lowered her head to whisper her plans of revenge in his ear.

"When we find him, _amado_ , I'll cut him limb from limb. He'll know much pain before he dies. I'll prolong his torture..."

His body tensed. "Tell me more."

"He will know agony like no other. He will suffer."

Her words were full of promise, and he gripped her hips tightly. "That's right. I'll find him and bring him to you. He will pay for Roberto."

"Yes," she hissed.

"Roberto will have his revenge."

Baring his teeth, he nipped her neck with enough pressure to leave a mark. With a soft cry, she buried her face in his shoulder at the exact moment his phone vibrated. Lifting his head, he read the text message displayed and smiled triumphantly.

"That was Carlos. They're on their way back, injured but alive. Now I need to find the girl. She has photos of me and possibly photos of him. She'll lead us to him. I'll know his true name in a matter of days."

Games over, he released her with a shove and took a step back. Staring down into her face, he noted the heightened color of passion on her cheeks and knew she was longing to finish it. The only sign of his punishing kisses was the slight puffiness of her lips, but he knew she was on fire internally. That was the way it always was with her, but he would make her wait.

She smiled savagely, baring her teeth. "That girl is nothing. She means nothing. She's just a tourist."

In fact, she was jealous of the blonde who had caught his eye. He shrugged and ignored her possessiveness. "With a camera... And he was with her," Rocky said meaningfully. "Carlos and Rico saw him with her. She'll talk when we're done with her."

Eyes flashing again, Micaela scowled at him. "You mean when you're done?"

Rocky shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps."

Once again she lashed out, but this time his reflexes were not fast enough to catch her hand. Too consumed with his thoughts, he was slow to see it coming. The resulting slap caused his face to sting and hers to flush with regret. Grasping her by the throat, Rocky squeezed until her face grew darker before leaning close. "Unwise, my love. Do that again, and you will regret it."

Eyes wide, Micaela nodded. He released her from his punishing grip and strode from the room as she sagged against the counter and gasped for breath behind him. Without a backward glance, he gave her his next orders. "Watch all charter buses and airport transfers. She'll be heading back to the airport."

### Chapter 4

The persistent squawking of a macaw drew Danielle from her dreamless sleep. Fighting the urge to bury her head under the pillow to make it go away, she tried to relax back into sleep. However, the absurdity of the location of the angry bird so close to her room brought her fully awake. She was high up in a luxurious hotel room perched on the beach in Cancun, Mexico... wasn't she?

With a startled gasp, the terror at the ruins came flooding back, and she sat bolt upright in bed hearing terrified screams and the buzzing of insects in her ears. Though aware of the pain her panicked action caused to her aching muscles, she glanced around the room wildly in an effort to separate fact from dream.

It was nearing dawn, meaning she had slept over thirteen hours. Blinking in confusion, she struggled to remember what happened. Sleep-fogged memories coupled with her possible dreams put everything in a surreal light. The room was in shadow, but she finally recognized it as belonging to the strange man who had come to her aid the day before. Her bikini rested where she had laid it on the windowsill by the tub. Yes, she remembered that, but where was the man?

Continuing her perusal of the room, her gaze landed on her mysterious host last. He was on the bed beside her, wearing only shorts. He was asleep on his back, with one arm covering his eyes and the other resting on his flat, bare stomach. The heart-shaped towel she had commented on was still intact, though he had settled it between their two bodies and adjusted its width to accommodate them on the king-sized bed. One corner of her mouth lifted. She may not know this man, but he certainly was proving to be a thoughtful one.

Glad that her movements had not disturbed him, she took a moment to study the enigma who had saved her life. Already she knew he was handsome, but seeing his well-defined and tanned chest lightly spattered with the same dark hair as his head did something strange to her insides. It also reminded her of the strength in those firm arms and the feel of his body when he had shielded hers multiple times during their tumultuous day... Okay, enough Dani, she chided herself. This man was a complete stranger – a dangerous one.

Still, that did not negate the seriousness of her situation. She had to go, get back to Cancun and catch the first flight out of the country.

Allowing her eyes to skim up the length of his arm back to his face, she noticed that he appeared to be sleeping as soundly as she had. No big surprise considering their ordeal. She owed this man so much, including her life. The least she could do was tell him of her plans to get back to Cancun before running off, right? He had protected her, given her shelter, and so far had done nothing to harm her. Instinctively she knew what her head kept telling her not to believe. She could trust him.

Easing her legs over the side of the bed, Danielle gingerly checked the soreness of her muscles. She paid monthly dues at a local gym, but no matter how many miles she jogged on the treadmill it was nothing compared to the punishing workout she had put herself through the day before. Biting back a groan, she stood slowly and walked on sore feet to the windowsill. Even bending forward to gather up her bikini was a strain, but she managed to get it in one hand and hobble up the two steps to the bathroom. Partially closing the door behind her, she put the damp suit back on under her borrowed shirt and returned to the room feeling slightly more presentable.

The macaw's calls had eased in intensity, and Danielle tiptoed quietly to the door. Her bag still rested where she had dropped it the day before. Bending painfully, she grasped the frayed handles and carried it out to the patio. There was a small table with two chairs across from the hammock, so she eased herself painfully into one of the chairs and dumped out her bag.

The first thing she sought was her cell phone. Despite being shielded by her towel, it refused to power up. When she pulled the battery, the dreaded red circle confirmed her worst fears. The phone was fried, and she was out of communication. She should have found some plastic to wrap it in. Of course, how would she have known she would be risking her life by running through a jungle during the hottest time of day?

Her wallet and passport also bore water damage. The passport was crinkled and bent, and the bills in her wallet were soggy. She removed everything and laid it flat to dry, despite knowing the effort was futile in the humid climate. The beach towel was spread over the back of her chair in the hopes that the sea breeze would prevent it from mildewing at least. The spray-on sunscreen was none the worse for wear, and her hat and glasses were just smudged and damp. Finally, she reached for her camera, nervously chewing on her lip as she inspected it. Fearing it suffered the same fate as her phone, rather than turning it on she opened the battery case and pulled the battery out. It would need time to dry for a bit before she confirmed that was ruined, too.

Glancing down at the table, Danielle shook her head in regret. That was the extent of her belongings. Everything else remained in her abandoned hotel room.

A slice of warmth touched her arm, so Danielle raised her gaze to the ocean. Off in the distance through a line of fluffy, purplish clouds, the sun was rising. It was so beautiful that she watched in silence, giving thanks for the fact she was still alive to see the sun rise rather than languishing in a hospital bed or dead. A phone and camera could be replaced; her life could not.

"Nice."

Danielle turned in surprise, and her gaze landed on the open door. Her new friend stood in the doorway, drowsily rubbing his chest and watching the sunrise. When he noticed her stare, his head swiveled in her direction, and he smiled faintly.

"Sleep well?"

Clearing her throat nervously, Danielle nodded. "Like a baby."

"I noticed," he said. "You didn't move at all while I ravaged you. Kinda took the fun out of it."

Danielle felt her eyes go wide. Although he still appeared to be half asleep, his lips twitched. It took her a moment to realize he was teasing her again.

"Relax," he assured her. "I had no energy either... So do you feel okay?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you," she responded firmly.

One eyebrow rose as he approached. "Not sore?"

Pulling the opposing chair around the table, he set it next to hers and took a seat. When he finished propping his feet on the table, he turned his attention back to her and laughed when he noticed the telltale blush on her cheeks. She liked the sound of his laughter. It was easy and genuine. What she did not like was that she seemed to be the constant cause of it.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm a little stiff too," he admitted.

Yeah, after her peek at his body this morning she could tell... Stop it, Dani!

She looked away quickly, returning her attention to the sunrise. "I've been cursing the treadmill at my gym all morning. Useless waste of money."

"Yeah, nothing beats a run through the jungle for exercise," he said, his eyes crinkling in the corners when he grinned.

Following her lead, he looked out to sea. They were silent for a time, and Danielle assumed he was struggling like her. They both knew they had many questions, but neither seemed sure how to approach the conversation in dire need of being shared. It was much more pleasant for her to pretend everything was okay and that she was enjoying her vacation by watching one of the most glorious sunrises of her life. The sky had changed from a purplish hue to a pale blue, and the sea was molting from black to navy. It was a magical sight, and she wondered if he felt the same.

Though she was not familiar with one night stands, she wondered if that was how a couple felt the morning after. Was this that awkward moment between two people who shared an intimacy born out of desire – or in their case necessity – and then woke up the next morning realizing they knew absolutely nothing about each other except for the feel of their bodies? If so, she hated the feeling. One night stands were definitely not for her.

Turning her attention back to him, she noticed that he was staring at her. "Did –"

"So –"

This time they both laughed at their awkwardness. He recovered first and nodded at her. "You first."

Still smiling, she shrugged. "No, go ahead."

"I was going to ask where this useless treadmill resides."

Immediately put at ease by the dancing amusement in his eyes, she nodded her head in understanding. The awkward moment had passed; now began the conversation. His question sure beat her useless inquiry as to how he slept, so she suspected he had more experience in these matters than she did. While it was an unreasonable thing to do, she felt a twinge of jealousy.

"San Diego."

"Nice," he said with an appreciative nod.

"You?"

"Chandler, AZ."

"Arizona?"

He nodded again. With the speedy grace she had noticed the day before, he came to his feet and bowed slightly before holding out his hand. "Hayden Evans, at your service. Third out of five children, one sister and three brothers."

Danielle's smile grew, and she reached for his hand. As his familiar fingers closed around hers in a playful shake, she responded. "Dani Ryan. Oldest of two, one brother."

"Single or married?" He still had not released her hand.

"Single. You?"

He gave another laugh and a wry shake of his head. "No one's caught me yet." When her brows rose in surprise, he grinned. "Well, that's what my family thinks. They harass me all the time to settle down."

"My father's the same way," she admitted. "He thinks that twenty-nine is too old to be single."

His fingers tightened around hers. "So you're twenty-nine?"

She ignored the resulting flutter in her chest. "Yes. You?"

"Approaching middle age at thirty-four," he replied with a dramatic sigh.

Finally releasing her hand, he glanced back at the room. "I'm going to order us some room service. You okay with eggs?"

"I'm so hungry I'd eat anything you put in front of me," she said, immediately regretting her words when he eyed her speculatively with a more meaningful look in his eyes.

"Really?" Before she could answer, he laughed and turned away. "Relax, I'm just kidding. I'll be right back."

She heard the deep timbre of his voice through the open door as he placed their order and thought about their recent exchange. Away from the jungle, the steamy heat and the fear, Hayden seemed as normal as any other man she had met. He was charming and friendly, and he really enjoyed laughter. There was an awful lot to like about him, except the niggling doubt that she could not shake. She had watched him shoot two men without blinking an eye, as if it was the most normal thing to do. Was he a cop or something during his day job?

He returned sooner than she expected and immediately resumed their conversation. "So how is it you're still single at twenty-nine?"

Caught off guard, Danielle sat back in her seat and leveled him with a serious frown. "What?"

He threw himself back onto the chair next to her and cocked his head to the side as he studied her. "Well, I was just thinking about what your father said, and I sort of agree with him."

Feeling her hackles rise, she scowled. "Really?"

Completely unfazed by her ire, he continued innocently. "Yeah, I remembered when I first saw you at the ruins I couldn't believe you were there alone without a pack of men trailing after you."

Surprised by his unexpected flattery, her tone softened but only slightly. "Really?"

"Well, sure. You're a pretty lady."

Okay, so she had to admit that his comment eradicated his jab from the evening before. Trying to ignore the nonstop fluttering in her chest, she searched his face for any sign of sarcasm or underlying motives, but his eyes were clear and appeared honest. In fact, she was fast learning that Hayden Evans said what was on his mind regardless of the impact.

"Thank you, I guess," she said.

"So?"

Though it was not a subject she wanted to discuss, after what she had experienced the day before she figured she had nothing to lose. Seeing his interest, she smiled ironically. "I was engaged, but he was otherwise attracted."

"Otherwise attracted? Interesting. To whom?"

"My best friend."

Awareness dawned, and his dark brows lowered over his eyes. He avoided her amused gaze and squirmed in his seat. "Oh... I see."

"You asked," she reminded flippantly.

"So I did," he said with another chuckle. "I'm sorry."

"You don't sound it."

A grin flashed on his face when he returned his attention to her. "I'm not," he admitted. "You wouldn't be here with me if you were still with him."

"Good point." It was her turn to laugh. "But I don't think that's really a good thing for either of us considering the circumstances."

He waved his hand in dismissal. "Technicalities only, Dani."

"Pretty frightening technicalities."

The macaw began its angry song again, and Danielle turned to search out its colorful feathers in the trees. Unfortunately, the density of the jungle blocked her view, but her action ended that line of conversation. He shifted in his seat and raised his feet back on the table, crossing them at the ankle. While he lounged, Danielle continued to scan the jungle. She stifled a shiver as she remembered what it had felt like to be trapped within the maze-like growth of exotic and beautiful trees. Though she had no way of knowing what would happen next, she was glad they were out of there.

"He didn't deserve you."

Hayden's voice was low when he spoke, but there was no mistaking his meaning. Danielle sent a quick glance in his direction. He had laid his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes, but she sensed he was very alert despite his relaxed appearance.

"I guess you're right," she said with a half-hearted sigh.

"I know I'm right," he replied. "I saw you in action yesterday, remember? You're quite a catch."

"Maybe for someone who doesn't mind dodging bullets and running through the jungle."

At her comment, one of his eyes opened and ran lazily over her. "I guess you're pretty lucky I don't."

Shaking her head, she smiled. "Aren't I supposed to be saying you're the lucky one?"

"No need," he said as he straightened. "I already know."

Danielle opened her mouth to respond, but Hayden had come to his feet and was walking the length of the patio toward the stairs. She watched, feeling confused and alarmed, but to her surprise a cheerful female voice announced the presence of one of the staff. Just out of sight, she could hear Hayden's deep voice greeting their visitor and offering to help in fluent Spanish. She remained where she was and waited for his return, wondering how he had known someone was coming. Was she that distracted?

"Good morning." A beaming woman appeared with a colorful scarf tied over her head and wearing a navy blouse with a white skirt. She carried a covered tray bearing their breakfast and approached with a friendly smile that made her weathered face beautiful. "Ah, _su esposa_ ," she said over her shoulder to Hayden, " _es muy bonita_."

Hayden glanced beyond the woman at Danielle, and his eyes were warm as he spoke. "I was just telling her that myself."

Feeling the now familiar heat in her cheeks, Danielle ducked her chin and focused on the tray the friendly woman placed on the table before her. Hayden reached into his pocket for a tip while Danielle cleared away her meager belongings. Smiling up at the server, she thanked her before Hayden escorted her back to the stairs.

"Looks good," he said when he returned to his seat.

"It does," she agreed, hoping he could not hear the persistent rumbling of her tummy.

The tray bore fresh cuts of tropical fruit, two omelets, two plastic glasses of freshly squeezed juice, a pot of coffee and slices of toast already buttered. Danielle's mouth watered while she served and Hayden poured the coffee into two white mugs. No sooner had he replaced the pot than he was lifting the steaming cup to his lips.

Earlier conversation stalled but not forgotten, Danielle watched as he dug into his meal with as much gusto as she did. He finished first and leaned back in his chair to stare out at the waves with his coffee in his hand. The sun had risen higher in the sky, and the sand below their cabana glistened brightly. Danielle soaked in the beauty before her, the isolation of their room and the sheer simplistic elegance of their surroundings. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine that the previous day was all just a dream and she was really on her honeymoon with a handsome man rather than faking it for the server.

Her soft sigh caught Hayden's attention. "Feel better?"

"Less hungry at least," she said reaching for her damp bills. When she held them out to him, he waved it away impatiently.

"Don't bother," he said firmly. "I don't want your money."

"But I owe you so much already," she protested. "Please take some of it, so I can leave here without feeling too guilty."

Reaching out, he caught her wrist in his hand and closed her fingers around the money with the other. Holding her hand between both of his, he leaned forward and stared at her intently. "You got mixed into something that didn't concern you and never should have happened. I'm impressed that you kept it together... that's payment enough considering you're not out of the woods yet."

The reminder doused her mood better than a slap across the face. "Good point."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, but his face remained serious. She wished he would find something else to laugh at her about. "Can you tell me why they were looking for you?"

"I saw one of the men, and he must've seen me."

"When?"

She shrugged. "When you left me there. I needed a drink and sat up a little. I was still covered, so I thought they didn't see me through the trees. That man had sunglasses on, but apparently he spotted me."

Hayden nodded slowly, ingesting her words with his customary efficiency before pursing his lips. "So you saw, and I imagine you heard what they said?"

"Of course. The nicely-dressed man told the kid with the gun to take one more look around for some man they were looking for. He said to hurry because the police would be coming. Then they went off in separate directions." She shuddered. "He was whistling."

"Who was?"

"The nicely-dressed man. He was whistling a Beethoven piece. It was creepy." Danielle felt the goose bumps rise on her arms and pulled her hand from his warm grasp to wrap both around her arms.

"You got a good look at him?"

"Yes, I suppose our eyes truly did meet." She shook her head in disbelief. "I really thought he couldn't see me through his sunglasses and the trees. He must have good vision."

Hayden nodded absentmindedly. "You can identify him as being there."

"I think I could... I'm not sure."

"Well, he doesn't know that."

"So?"

Rising quickly to his feet again, Hayden went to stand by the railing of their cozy patio. His fists rested on the splintered wood, and he frowned as he stared out at the ocean. Danielle watched him, not liking the tension in his posture or his obvious concern. She suspected he knew more than he was letting on about the events of the day before, and his fear suddenly became hers. Forgetting their earlier laughter, she gripped her coffee mug between her hands so tightly she thought she would break the glass.

"So maybe he thinks you can identify him and prove he was the ringleader because of what you overheard. It's doubtful anyone else could tie him to the scene, Dani."

She swallowed hard, suspecting she would not like what he said next. "Okay?"

Glancing over his shoulder at her, Hayden frowned. "If he has enough connections to get armed men into that site, he can certainly find out the passenger list on the bus you took from Cancun..."

"Which listed where I was staying?"

He nodded.

Danielle bit her lip, and Hayden returned his attention to the sea. After a moment of fighting back tears, she managed to control her voice enough to speak again. "So they're going to watch the buses back to Cancun and the hotel there, right?"

"Probably... those guys don't mess around."

"I have to get out of here now," she cried, jumping to her feet. "I can't stay here and wait for them to track me down."

Very close to losing what was left of her control, Danielle did not notice when her coffee mug spilled over her plate. The clatter caught Hayden's attention, and he turned to see her trembling from head to toe and ready to bolt. In two steps he was before her, reaching for her upper arms and preventing her from fleeing.

"I didn't say this to make you freak out," he said calmly.

"No? What else did you think it would do?"

He smiled crookedly. "I don't know."

"I'm on vacation," she cried. "I was going to swim with the dolphins today. I love dolphins, did you know that?"

He shook his head, his eyes losing their cheerful sparkle and turning wary.

Though she knew she was making him nervous, she was in no condition to care. "Well, I do! And I came here to frolic in the waves with them, not run through the jungle to get away from crazy men with guns."

"I promise you, I'm going to figure everything out," he said earnestly. His thumbs began to trace small circles over the sensitive skin of her upper arms, and it took her a moment to look beyond the pleasant sensation to realize he was trying to calm her down.

"That's just it. You shouldn't have to. This isn't your problem."

Lowering her face away from his observant gaze, she took comfort in the curtain of hair that spilled over her shoulders. There was no denying how much his words had shaken her. The fear she felt the day before slammed through her body, and their serene location did little to calm the growing panic. What he told her made so much sense that she felt foolish for not considering it previously. She should have known those men were serious and had connections. How on earth did she ever think she would be able to just hop a bus and hightail it back to Cancun? Stupid, she thought. Evidently the heat had fried more than her skin.

While her thoughts raged, Hayden pulled her closer. One hand slipped down to cup her waist as the other tipped her chin back up. She was not exactly sure how to respond to his overly familiar approach, but she had to admit that it felt good to share the burden. His voice was still deceptively calm. "It is my problem, too," he said softly. "We're a team now."

"I can't ask that of you," she whispered.

He appeared offended. "But you would ask me to abandon you knowing you're in serious trouble?"

"I can go to the police," she said quickly. When his mouth twisted sarcastically, she added. "Or the embassy."

Suddenly his smile reappeared, and it brightened his face so much that she felt the unmistakable glimmer of hope. "I forget that you don't know me very well, Dani, but we have time to fix that."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going anywhere until you're home safe."

"You're crazy," she said, blinking back her tears.

He flashed a grin. "Maybe."

"I shouldn't let you do this."

"Just try to stop me."

Before she could protest further, he closed the gap between them, and she had no choice but to submit to the insistent pressure of the strong hands at her waist. Drawing her up against the warm, satiny skin of his chest, he enveloped her completely and totally in his arms, and she discovered she did not want to resist at all. It had been a long time since someone had hugged her so thoroughly, and her eyes closed as she listened to the steady but rapid beating of his heart. In spite of his calm and easygoing manner, Hayden was only human, and it made him all the more endearing to know that his heart was beating quickly in response to her proximity. Dangerously so.

Danielle fought the urge to snuggle deeper into his chest, though it proved to be a difficult task. The scent of lemons tickled her nose, and since she used the same soap he had she wondered why that seemed to hover around him. However, before she could ponder the matter, he released his grip and took a step back.

"Okay, so is the mini-meltdown done?"

His voice was bright, but the light in his eyes was not. Regretting the distance between them, she struggled to remain neutral when she held his gaze. "I think so."

"Good, because we need to keep it together. One mistake and we're both toast."

"Hayden –"

He held up his hand to stop her words. "Not again."

She smiled. "I wasn't."

"Oh," he said with a relieved grin. "What then?"

"I was going to say thank you."

His brows lifted in surprise. "No thanks are necessary."

"I beg to differ."

He rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. "Here we go again."

"I mean it," she said emphatically. "I might not be alive today looking at the beautiful sunrise if you hadn't been there yesterday. Now you're offering to stay knowing there are some pretty bad people after me. You're either really brave or really stupid."

"I prefer really brave myself," he replied with a nonchalance that belied her gravity. "But seeing as you're serious right now, I'll just disclose that you're in good hands, Dani. I'm more than capable of taking care of you."

Narrowing her eyes, she seized the opportunity to dig a little deeper into this man that she knew so little about. "Are you a cop?"

His head fell back in more easygoing laughter. "My brother Ian is. Does that count?"

When she shook her head and stared meaningfully at him, he finally relented.

"No, I'm not a cop, Dani, but I promise I won't let them hurt you."

### Chapter 5

Balancing the phone between his shoulder and his ear, Hayden propped his feet on the patio table and reached for Danielle's camera. The battery rested next to it, leaning against her phone. He had already checked that, a newer Android, and saw it would not power up. Just as well, he thought. He really did not want her communicating with the outside world about him yet, and that saved him the trouble of having to explain himself. While accustomed to keeping his life private, lying to her did not sit well with him. Surprisingly, he wanted her to like him, which probably was not a good thing for either of them.

While he replaced the battery in the camera and turned it on, Ford answered his extension. Three rings was quite unusual for his usually prompt brother.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Ford's voice was thick with sleep, and Hayden remembered it was only slightly past four in the morning in Arizona.

"Oops," Hayden said quickly but without remorse. "Sorry about that. I forgot about the time difference."

Ford's sigh was heavy. "What happened now?"

"You never got back to me last night."

While he spoke, Hayden began a review of the pictures stored on her memory card. The photos were creatively taken, displaying ruins from all angles with a nice show of shadowing and detail. She was skilled with a camera. He glanced quickly out at the beach, where Danielle stood chest high in the water. Though he knew she was sore from their activity the day before, she had insisted on wading in. From the way she merely stood and swayed her arms in the gently rolling waves, he suspected she really wanted time alone to think. He kept his distance out of respect and sympathy but found it impossible not to keep a close eye on her from a distance.

"Give me five minutes," Ford muttered.

Instead of arguing, Hayden turned his attention to the photographs. While the later ones were primarily close up shots of the ruins, about twenty photographs in, he spotted one of interest. Pressing the zoom button, Hayden focused in on one that had a shot of the crowd and recognized the man he had shot. The tip of his automatic weapon was barely visible as a misshapen bulge in his partially-buttoned shirt. There were two others with him, and Dani's well-dressed man stood right in the middle. Rocky. What concerned him most was that Rocky was staring directly at the photographer in this photo.

Flipping slightly faster, Hayden scanned each photograph for more candid shots of the unlikely group, trying to ascertain whether or not Rocky had been staring at him or Danielle. For some reason, both possibilities sent a chill down his spine.

The vibration of his phone distracted his scanning, and Hayden answered quickly. "Awake now?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you," Ford said sourly.

"You had to get up anyway. It's only Wednesday."

"Not that early," he grumbled. "I imagine you haven't checked your email? I sent you the confirmation."

"I'll check it in a second. Thanks."

"You're okay for a late arrival. The check-in instructions are in the email. The bed and breakfast owners will leave your key in an envelope in the night box outside the main office. They just ask that you see them in the morning."

"Great."

"I spoke to one of my guys. His brother's in construction out there, some new eco-community. He said his brother, Luis, will meet you downtown to drive you."

"Better than I'd hoped," Hayden said distractedly. There was another photo that caught his eye, a different view of the same structure near the entrance. Once again, Rocky was staring straight at Dani. Hayden stiffened. He remembered that shot, and he knew he was nowhere near her then. It was right around the time he decided to trail her. Evidently she had captured Rocky's attention as well, and Hayden did not like it considering what he knew about the other man. Glancing up, his eyes scanned the beach to check on her, and what he saw made his mouth drop open.

"Do you have a pen? I'll give you his number so you can set up a time to meet. He's expecting your call."

Instead of answering, Hayden swallowed hard. Danielle was emerging from the sea, moving gracefully through the waves. Her long legs sliced the water like soft butter while her arms reached up to squeeze the water out of hair. As he watched her fluid movements, he could not help but notice how her pink bathing suit clung damply to her round breasts, and the sun kissed her shoulders and reflected off her shiny blond hair. She was a sea nymph, his gorgeous mermaid emerging from the turquoise water to steal his heart.

Knowing he should look away before he was caught gaping, the irresistible pull of attraction made it impossible, and he lost the battle. As his eager gaze slipped lower over her tanned, smooth stomach to her round hips, he heard his brother sigh impatiently.

"Hayden? You there?"

"Yeah," he answered, still unable to look away.

"Do you have a pen? I don't have all day."

Hayden was still staring at her narrow waist like a fool. He had never seen a waist that tiny on a woman. Wait! Was that a bellybutton ring? Heart pounding in his throat and ears ringing, Hayden forced his gaze away and scanned the table. Nothing. "Hold on a second. I'll find one."

As he came uncomfortably to his feet, Hayden watched Danielle bend and scoop the towel off the lounge chair. His view was blocked when she shook it out, and he was able to somewhat refocus when she tucked it around her chest.

There was a pen and pad of paper on the small table inside the room, so Hayden hurried back inside. Reaching for the pen, he was surprised to notice that his hands were trembling. Startled by his reaction, his gaze returned to Danielle's chair. She was seated now and combing her hair, the towel secured around her chest and leaving only her shoulders bare.

"Any day now," Ford snapped.

"I got one," Hayden hastily replied.

As Ford rattled off the number, Hayden chided himself. He had just told Danielle that they needed to remain focused and in control. Meanwhile, he was struck dumb by a blonde. He would not be much use to her if he could not get his hormones under control.

"Thanks," Hayden said when Ford finished. "This is great."

"Yeah, well you're cooking when you get back."

"Not a problem," he said, silently hoping he would make it back. "I'll supply everything."

"Let me know when you're ready, and I'll get everyone together." He paused, and Hayden could hear his nephew, David, in the background saying good morning. Ford responded before returning to Hayden. "When will you be back anyway?"

"Not sure yet. With everything that's come up, I may be delayed a day or two."

"I have to be honest and say I'm not liking the sound of all this."

Hayden laughed. "Come on, you should know me better than that."

"I do, and that's exactly why I'm worried."

"Well, don't be." Hayden's rebellious gaze returned to the picture outside. Danielle had come to her feet again and was coming his way. Her steps were slow as she tucked some of her wet hair behind her ear, but it did little to stop the breeze from lifting strands across her face. Before he could stop himself, the words suddenly burst from his lips. "If you could see what I see, you'd never want to come home."

Finally, Ford laughed. "Wow, you've been hit hard."

That comment would be around the family within the hour, Hayden thought fatalistically. That meant he would be fielding questions left and right when and if he made it home. "We'll see," he said testily.

"Well, you may be on vacation, but I have to get to work. Let me know if anything else pops up. Otherwise, enjoy your... vacation."

Hayden signed off just as Danielle strode into view. She paused at the table and picked up her camera with a slight frown. Tucking the paper with Luis' phone number into his pocket, Hayden joined her.

She sent him a sharp glance. "Were you messing with my camera?"

"Didn't have a chance to finish going through them, but yes, that was me."

"A little presumptuous of you, wasn't it?"

He shrugged and grinned at her, refusing to let her irritation daunt him. "Of course it was, but I knew you wouldn't mind. I was looking for something of interest."

One fine eyebrow rose in question. "Something of interest? Did you find anything?"

"Actually, yes. You're as beautiful on film as in person."

She turned to cross her arms over her chest while she rolled her eyes, and Hayden fought the urge to laugh. Instead of increasing her ire, he needed to soothe it. "Okay, okay. You have some photos in there of the men who shot those tourists."

"I do?"

Her ire forgotten, she reached for the camera and pulled up the photo review while he watched over her shoulder. In her haste, she continued the search backwards from where he had left off rather than forward. A photo of her laughing in the arms of a dark-haired man appeared.

Hayden studied the picture, interest drawing his eyes to the man in the photo. He was blowing on a New Year's party horn and appeared to be much older than the stunning blond beauty by his side. Danielle inhaled sharply when it was revealed, and he leaned in closer for a better look. He noticed that she stiffened slightly when his chest brushed against her shoulder blade, but she did not move away. She seemed frozen as she stared at the photo in the display.

"Wait. Is that –"

"Those are old," she said quickly.

"Ah, he's just a tool, Dani," he announced.

Rather than responding, she hastily pressed the forward button again. Hayden cocked his head to stare at her, and she turned slightly to meet his questioning gaze. Their lips almost touched, and time seemed to stop as he watched her eyes grow wide before lowering to stare at his mouth. When she did not move away, the urge to close the gap grew almost unbearable. Hayden somehow managed to restrain himself, but he could not move as she continued to stare at his mouth, her lips parting slightly as if in anticipation.

Clearing his throat, Hayden realized that the attraction was fast growing mutual and withdrew slightly. Changing the subject would be the safest route before he lost control, turned Tarzan on her and swung her over his shoulder.

However, the urge to carry her to the nearest bed remained strong. Too strong for his liking.

"You have a couple of pictures in there," he murmured. When she forwarded to where he had left off, he reached out and tapped at the screen. "There."

"That's the man I saw," she said softly. "How did you know?"

The suspicion was back in her voice, but Hayden was ready. "I saw them together, too."

She nodded as though accepting his answer. "Of course."

"You'll want to keep that memory card somewhere safe, Dani," he said as he finally managed to put some distance between them. "If you have another card, put that one in your camera and lock this one. You may need to send it to the authorities once I get you home."

That startling inner strength she displayed the day before resurfaced. Rather than questioning him, she merely nodded her head. There was no doubt in his mind that she was a bright woman, and nothing would make him happier than to think she found him trustworthy.

"You're right," she said with a smile that sent his heart into a rapid tailspin.

He grinned. "Good girl."

At first, she appeared taken aback by his comment, but the ghost of a smile appeared. "Despite everything that's happened, I'm not completely irrational."

"Believe me, I've noticed."

His answer seemed to please her more, for her smile grew wider. "At least we agree."

"I was just thinking the same thing."

She pulled the memory card out of her camera and flipped the tab to lock it. Reaching for her wallet, she tucked it into the zippered change purse, and he watched silently, knowing he had to get back on his computer but unwilling to shatter the moment of increasing faith. He needed her to trust him unconditionally, and he was counting on her intelligence to do it for him.

"We've got a ride out of Tulum," he commented as she straightened.

That spurred her interest. "Back to Cancun?"

"Not quite to Cancun, but at least on the way."

"Mind explaining?"

Adjusting her towel a little tighter around her chest, she pulled a chair out, took a seat and waited expectantly for him to answer.

Sighing, he decided it was best to stick as close to the truth as possible. "We can't stay here, and you already know I can't put you on a bus to Cancun. A local contact has agreed to take us up the coast about twenty miles. You can lie low there while I check out Cancun. If I can get you on a plane out, I will. If not, I'll fly you back myself."

Her eyes went wide again. "You have a plane?"

Hearing the excitement in her voice, he realized his blunder. Now he had to avoid telling her that going to his plane could very likely bring them face to face with those hunting them. "I do," he said slowly, trying to think fast. "But I filed my flight plan to leave Saturday, Dani. It's not a direct flight either. I have to make multiple stops to refuel and show my papers. If I can get you out sooner, I will."

Her brows drew together. "Can't you change it?"

"I could try. But I'll tell you, it's not that easy. Generally, you file your return flight info when you leave the States because Customs can be hard to get a hold of... I won't even mention the questions we'd get from Mexican officials."

Ever practical, she nodded in understanding. "Would they even let me leave with you?"

"If you have your tourist visa with you, maybe. That would be the least of our worries," he said with a smile of relief.

She was silent for several minutes, turning her attention back to the sea. He watched several seabirds dive off in the distance, admiring their grace and dexterity. Several fishing boats and pleasure craft dotted the blue horizon, and he wondered if she wished she was among them. The thought pained him, and he felt a twinge of jealousy that she would want to be anywhere but with him.

"I never would've taken you for a pilot," she said suddenly.

Though she did not turn around, he heard the hesitation in her voice. He suspected she was using her imagination to determine exactly who he was, and he did little to dissuade it. Right now, there was not much he could risk divulging. In fact, the less she knew about him, the better off she would be.

"Well, I am," he said, deciding on a change of subject. "And I often fly to San Diego. I have a cousin there, so every now and then I stay at her place downtown. Gas Lamp District."

She whistled low. "Nice area."

He nodded. "Brianna does well. She's a concert promoter. She spends a lot of time travelling and lets me use her place if I fly someone out that way and feel like surfing."

She smiled. "Now a surfer I can take you for."

"I guess I deserve that." He chuckled, pleased she was relaxing again. "Your turn. What do you do when you're not running through the jungle?"

She sighed. "I recently finished school."

"Good for you. What did you study?"

"Pediatrics."

Hayden sat back in his seat, his eyes as wide as hers had been earlier. His low, appreciative whistle brought her attention back to him. "Surprised?"

"Actually, no," he said, grinning. "It explains a lot. I knew you were smart, but I just didn't realize how smart."

"Thank you." She returned his grin. "I came here to catch up on some long overdue sleep. Who would've thought?"

"Then I'm ordering you to catch up today. Relax and let those sore muscles recover. We'll leave this afternoon, and I'll handle the rest from there."

She shook her head emphatically, and her long, damp hair swung around her shoulders. "If you do anything, I'm going with you."

"Dani," he started, his grin fading in warning.

Holding up her hand, she stopped him firmly. "No. You're still barely more than a stranger to me, but I can't sit back while you go off alone. What if something happened to you? I wouldn't have a clue who to notify."

"I can move faster without you."

"But you would also stand out more being alone. Most people here are in groups or couples."

She had a valid point there, and he could not help but remember the comment their server had made when she brought their breakfast. Judging by the faint tint of color on her cheeks, she was remembering the same thing. He sighed, but his underlying humor was obvious in his voice. "All right then, _mi esposa bonita_ , we'll stay a team."

Face flushing, she opened her mouth to protest, but Hayden came to his feet before she could speak. His laughter trailed after him while he returned inside to locate his laptop. Hey, she asked for it, he thought in amusement. It served her right.

However, he was very conscious of how the idea brought him immense pleasure, too.

### ****

Even though she had slept most of the previous day and the entire night, Danielle still managed to catch a few more hours following their patio lunch. As promised, Hayden left her alone to do as she pleased, and when she slipped under the cool, crisp sheets she once again succumbed to a heavy slumber with only the rhythmic ticking of the ceiling fan to distract her. To the best of her knowledge, he had busied himself outside the entire time she slept, but she wondered what he was up to.

She had noticed his increasing tension before she disappeared inside and assumed he was preoccupied with matters other than her predicament, but it had started shortly after their last exchange when he had suggested they play husband and wife. She reprimanded herself for giving him that idea. It was her own fault, of course, but he seemed to draw enormous pleasure out of teasing her, and she knew that was one door she never should have opened since she found him so utterly male and appealing.

At the same time, she worried about what caused the tension in his normally laidback manner. It made her uneasy. Despite their short time together, she had become accustomed to his carefree ways, and even the slightest hint otherwise was painfully noticeable and frightening to her.

That realization was as concerning as her feelings.

Pushing aside the lightweight sheet, Danielle adjusted her borrowed shirt around her thighs and came to her feet slowly. Her legs were still sore, and the soles of her feet felt bruised. However, overall she felt much better having slept and eaten. The plentiful bottled water she had consumed throughout the day also helped enough that she believed she was ready for the next leg of their journey. Reaching for another one, she twisted the cap off as she opened the door and welcomed the gloriously breezy afternoon beyond.

Hayden was lounging in the hammock when she emerged, appearing every bit like a man on vacation. With his bare feet crossed at the ankle, he posed a picture of total relaxation. She allowed her gaze to slowly travel upward and again admired his bare chest. His cheeks had darkened as his scruffy beard grew in, enhancing his nonchalance and giving him a rakish air.

One brown eye squinted open as she approached. "I like you wearing my clothes."

Danielle rolled her eyes for effect, but she noticed how her heart responded to his comment by giving a sudden lurch in her chest. Resisting the urge to wipe her moist palms, she leaned up against the railing near his feet and raised her water bottle to her lips. "Any updates?"

After scanning her from head to toe, the squinted eye once again focused on her. "Yeah, there's a nice bed and breakfast up the coast about twenty minutes from here. It's a small place; only about six casitas. We're booked in the honeymoon suite."

Danielle immediately choked on the sip of water while Hayden watched, amused. Propping his head on his hands, he waited patiently while she worked through it. Though she glared at him through her blurred vision, she did notice how his biceps bulged in his current position. He was too darn sexy for his own good, she thought sullenly between coughs. When she was finally able to catch her breath, she scowled. "Did you do that?"

"Not I," he said lightly. "My contact set it up for us. I was emailed the confirmation. We're approved for a late entry, so they're leaving the instructions in a night box. I'll check in with them tomorrow morning. Our ride believes we're on a tour of the local _cenotes_. He'll drop us in the area, and we'll walk to the resort on our own. The less he knows about our location, the better."

"The honeymoon suite? Really?"

He grinned without remorse, fully enjoying her unease. "It will help explain if we're hiding out in the room, Dani."

He had a point, though the idea of making love to him all day made her flush right down to her toes, especially when she imagined he had the stamina and the skill to pull it off. "But we don't have rings," she blurted thoughtlessly.

"I guess I'm a cheap bastard," he replied with a grin.

Shaking her head, she sighed. "I suppose it was too much to hope that we'd have separate rooms."

"Ouch." One of his dark brows rose. "I'm that offensive?"

She was instantly contrite. "Well, no, it's not that. It's just, well, we don't..."

"And here I thought I'd behaved like a perfect gentleman considering how pretty you are."

Danielle knew he was teasing her again, but she still could not stop the fluttering in her chest. "You know that wasn't what I meant."

Deep, suggestive laughter was his response. Seeing that he appeared to have regained his normally laidback demeanor, she realized it would be useless to keep defending herself. Instead, she swiftly changed the topic. "So if we walk again, how are we getting back to Cancun?"

One of his long legs swung free from the hammock, and he effortlessly rolled into a seated position. The hammock swayed dangerously, but he seemed not to notice or care. Meanwhile, Danielle tried not to notice the cut of his abdominal muscles as he moved. "I'm working on getting a rental car during our honeymoon at the bed and breakfast."

When he finished with a playful wink, Danielle gave up any attempt at bravado. There was just no use. Sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest. "All right, so what do I have to do?"

"Just be my wife."

"Is that a proposal?"

It was Hayden's turn to flush, and he cleared his throat uncomfortably before shooting her a chastised smile. "Touché, Dani."

Laughing, she pushed away from the railing. It was about time he got a taste of his own medicine. She was actually proud of herself. "I'll go see if I can salvage my clothes from yesterday so you can have your shirt back."

"Oh, that reminds me," he said, sliding gracefully to his feet. "I stopped yesterday on the way back. Come on, I'll show you."

As if it was the most natural thing to do, he took her hand in his and pulled her along behind him into the room. She had seen the bag resting on the small table beside the bed but never considered snooping through his things. With a shy smile, he dumped the items on the bed.

Would this man ever cease to amaze her? Danielle stared down in surprise before glancing up at him. He seemed slightly uncomfortable as he waited for her response, and she felt a twinge of warmth for his concern. "Oh..."

"I wasn't sure exactly what we were going to do. I thought you'd prefer something a little more appropriate than one of my shirts."

Unable to resist, she reached out and placed her hand on his forearm. When she squeezed him gently in gratitude, she felt the muscles flex in response, but he did not pull away. "Hayden, that was really thoughtful."

He shrugged, but his eyes were again dancing with amusement. "Maybe I'm just a confirmed bachelor and didn't want to share all my stuff with you."

Danielle snorted, knowing full well he was uneasy with her show of appreciation. She returned her attention to the items on the bed. A sealed toothbrush, sample sizes of both shampoo and conditioner and small deodorant comprised the toiletries. Alongside them lay a tropical-patterned cotton tube dress with a flowing knee-length skirt, matching flip flops and a floppy-rimmed sun hat. She scooped up the dress and held it to her front, hoping it would fit. Her wish came true when she spotted the size on the dangling tag.

"You have a good eye," she commented. Turning her attention to the flip flops, she saw that he was pretty darn close. With a teasing smile, she turned back to Hayden. "Do you buy clothes for girls often?"

"Only if I tear them off her first," he replied swiftly.

She giggled. "I'll be sure to stay out of your reach then."

"Darn, Dani, you just ruined my day," he whined. Then he turned slightly more serious. "Do you think they'll work?"

"Perfect," she said with a quick nod. "Now I can throw those stained clothes in the trash and forget yesterday ever happened."

"You don't want to do that."

"I don't?"

"No, because that's when you met me."

Laughing at his outrageousness, she shook her head. "You're something else."

"I sure am," he agreed good-naturedly. "When you're ready, we'll pack up. We can have dinner here and take a shuttle into town. From there we'll meet a man named Luis at the gas station on the corner of Avenida Tulum and Geminis Norte. Got it?"

"Got it."

"We'll have to keep our heads down while in town, but if you see anything out of the ordinary stay close to me. Got it?"

She nodded. "Got it."

Reaching up, he playfully ruffled her hair as if she were a child. "Everything will be fine."

"I trust you," she admitted. His mouth opened to respond, but instead he closed it and merely smiled down at her with his dark eyes glowing warmly. Feeling that strange fluttery feeling again, Danielle jerked her thumb toward the bathroom. "I'm going to clean up, okay?"

"That's my cue to patiently wait outside?"

Chuckling, she nodded. "You're quite the gentleman."

At this, Hayden threw back his head and laughed, really laughed. Harder than she had heard before. "That's what you think."

### Chapter 6

Dinner was a low key affair, with Hayden ordering room service one last time. The cheerful generosity he displayed was touching, almost as though he was trying to ease her worries, and she had to admit that it was working. He had done a great job cheering her up. After a full day in his company, she was learning that there was nothing to dislike about Hayden Evans. Though she was certain there was much more to his background than he was sharing with her, his direct honesty regarding everything else made it hard not to trust him, and she certainly had put any fears that he was a serial killer to rest. She just hoped she was not making a huge mistake.

When they left to catch their shuttle into town, Hayden readily draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. The easy affection at once startled her and warmed her insides, but she had relaxed enough around him not to protest. Within moments, she was enjoying the feel of his body against hers, a little too much considering it was just for effect. To the resort, they were newlyweds, and he was playing his role to perfection.

While they strolled through the tropical garden leading up to the main reception, Danielle was overcome with the scent of the flowers combined with the citrusy scent of the man next to her. The towering palm, mango and coconut trees enclosed and sheltered their bodies, making her very aware of his proximity, and she tried very hard not to notice how well she fit against his body. Despite their slow pace, by the time they reached the air conditioned entrance, she was breathless and sweating from the heady mix.

"The shuttle should drop us on the _Avenida Tulum_. We'll have about an hour to kill, but that's the last shuttle of the day."

Disguised as an affectionate nuzzling of her hair, Hayden's whisper still reached her ear clearly. She nodded slightly and played her part with an affectionate smile in return. Their eyes met and locked, and his arm tightened almost imperceptibly. With his face so close to hers, she could see every golden fleck in his fervent brown eyes, and the dark lashes that framed them seemed impossibly thick and long. Caught by the heat of his gaze, she was helpless to move, and had their driver not arrived she wondered if he would have kissed her right then and there.

That was the second time that day.

" _Buenas tardes."_

Hayden immediately straightened, but he appeared as shaken as she felt. It only took him a moment to regain his composure, and his easygoing smile returned as he greeted their driver in fluent Spanish. The older man held out a beefy hand, and Hayden took it effortlessly. Standing at least six-inches taller and a hundred pounds lighter than the scruffy driver with the sweat-stained shirt and salt-and-pepper hair, Hayden seemed even more strikingly handsome than before. As if she needed that comparison, she thought wearily.

Danielle hung back, allowing Hayden to work his charm when he released his grip on her as they talked, but the loss of his strong arm around her was sudden and unexpected. Her lips pursed while she considered that interesting development and watched him shift his pack more comfortably over his shoulder. Finally, he noticed her stare and glanced down at her. "Ready?"

She nodded and adjusted her own battered bag. It was streaked with mud and definitely needed to be discarded. However, having no other option at the moment, she had repacked her meager belongings and now cradled it on her shoulder as she followed behind Hayden to a van very similar to the one they had stolen the day before. She wondered briefly if it was, but noticed that the interior was far nicer and the model newer. When Hayden handed her into the back, he seemed to read her train of thought, and he flashed her a quick grin before easing his length into the front seat.

The driver confirmed they were buckled in before putting the car in gear. "Are you off to dinner this evening?"

"We are. It is safe to go out now, right?" Hayden asked in return, playing the concerned husband perfectly. She hid her smile.

The older man clucked his tongue sadly. "You heard about the tragedy?"

"Who hasn't?"

"True." He waved his hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it. The _Federales_ will capture the remaining man. They collected most of the photos from tourists yesterday and spent all night and today sorting through them. They now have good leads on the _guero_ who did it. My cousin works at the site, and he told me that some American went crazy, and the photos prove it."

Hayden's eyebrows shot up, and Danielle was certain she noticed the tensing of his muscles. Shocking, considering she had known him just over a day. However, his voice remained unaffected. "Really?"

"Some witnesses reported they saw him running off with a woman."

She finally understood Hayden's insistence that they leave the area. She never considered that anyone could have seen them flee together. They had escaped long after the other tourists. Only the two men Hayden had shot and the well-dressed man – wait, they were the only ones to see them leave. That meant they were the only ones who could have reported them. If, in fact, the reference was being made to them at all.

Hayden took it all in stride. "I'm sure it'll be fine. These things happen everywhere."

"The important thing is that you don't allow it to ruin your trip," the driver said in agreement.

"I have no intention of letting that happen," Hayden said with his easy laugh. To punctuate his comment, he twisted in his seat and winked at Danielle.

She met the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror. Despite her fright, she somehow managed to continue playing her part. Her smile was shy and hesitant, but it was genuine. Reaching behind him, Hayden grasped her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, and his thumb lightly stroked the sensitive skin of her wrist, sending little tingles up her arm.

"That's a good thing. We live in a magical place. There's much to see and do while you're here. How long are you staying?"

"We leave Saturday," Hayden answered smoothly.

Once again, she was struck by how easily he managed people. There was no hint of deception in his voice when he spoke. At first, she wondered if he was managing her in the same way, but after hearing more of their discussion, she realized he was just assertively friendly.

"What are your plans?"

"We want to see some of the _cenotes_. We're also considering renting a car and taking a ride to _Chichen Itza_."

The driver nodded. "If you do that, drive out to see _Coba_. If you would like to climb, that is still okay there."

Danielle leaned forward and placed her hand on Hayden's shoulder, feeling pleased when she felt his muscles tighten under her hand. Smiling, she caressed him lightly as she spoke. "Honey, that sounds like fun."

"Maybe Friday then," he replied.

"You won't regret it," the driver said enthusiastically. As he turned on the main road, he pulled the van to the side. Only a few tourists milled on the cobblestone sidewalk, but shops and stalls filled both sides of the tree-lined street. As the driver stopped the vehicle, Danielle glanced around in dismay. "Now what?"

The driver chuckled. "It's best to start here and make your way down. There are native goods, leather, jewelry, and when you get hot, there are plenty of spots for a cold _cerveza_. Tulum is growing quickly, but just remember the shops will close soon."

While Hayden opened his door to climb out, she gathered up her bag. She watched him turn at the last minute and hold out his hand, palming a tip to their driver that made the older man beam with pleasure. He grinned broadly, sending one last comment as Hayden assisted Danielle out. "There will be taxis on the road to get you back to the resort. You two enjoy your evening, and don't worry about the crazy American. The _Federales_ will get him and his woman."

Danielle had just reached the ground when her knees buckled at the mention, but Hayden's arm once more surrounded her shoulders, and he leaned forward to press a kiss onto her head as he effortlessly stopped her fall. "We're planning on it, aren't we?"

Stifling a shiver, she smiled her thanks to the driver before placing her hand around Hayden's waist and giving him a squeeze of thanks in return. The driver watched them with an approving smile before waving them off, and Hayden observed him pull away before returning his attention to her.

"Well played," he said with a grin.

Danielle was starting to believe that he was truly enjoying himself, but she was not sharing his enthusiasm at the moment. Staring up at him nervously, she leaned closer and whispered. "Do you think he was referring to us?"

Hayden shrugged. With his arm still securely around her shoulders, he steered her into the flowing current of oblivious tourists past a row of brightly-colored blankets. "I looked it up online this morning. The details were sketchy, but there was a mention of a white man and woman fleeing the scene. The police are looking to question them."

"Description?"

"Not released."

She sighed. "What do you think?"

"It's possible."

That he knew precisely what she was asking made it clear he had already considered what had just occurred to her. "I wasn't the only one taking pictures that day."

"You wore a hat and sunglasses."

"True. You were dressed strangely, too."

She had actually forgotten about his strange dress that day. When she looked up at him in question, he shrugged one shoulder and grinned at her. "It was a dare."

"You're here alone, aren't you?"

His eyes sparkled in amusement when he picked up her alarmed tone. "Yes, Dani, I'm here alone. It was for a bet I lost. I had to play a part yesterday."

"And you did that knowing no one else would be there to confirm?" Danielle asked incredulously.

"I always keep my word."

"You're a strange man."

"Ah, but that's part of my appeal." He slowed long enough to gaze inside a store selling tourist items, everything from coconut heads to cowboy hats. "Not that you don't look amazing in that dress, but is there anything you'd like to pick up while we're here?"

There he went again with the offhand compliments, she thought with a slight shake of her head. "I was hoping we could get my luggage in the morning."

"It might take a day or two for me to arrange a car," he warned as he steered her into the shop.

"Then I guess I'd better be prepared."

They were greeted by a smiling man, and Hayden released her to strike up a conversation in Spanish while Danielle checked the racks. The bit of their conversation she followed was centered on the new information they had learned. Hayden gestured to her several times, and she studiously kept her gaze averted. Instinctively, she knew that he was playing the concerned husband for the shopkeeper's benefit.

Though normally she did not waste money on souvenir clothing, Hayden had a good point. She could not survive the next few days without having something clean to wear. With lightning speed, she chose some tops and shorts, only hesitating to gather up another bathing suit hanging high on the wall.

Hayden was smiling as he listened to the man behind the counter, but he turned to her in surprise when she approached with her items. "That was fast."

She shrugged. "I just wanted a couple of things."

He stood aside as she handed the items over, resuming his conversation with the shopkeeper while he rang up her purchases. Biting back the smile that threatened, she wryly wondered if there was anyone he would not speak to. However, she never had a chance to feel neglected, for once she signed the slip Hayden collected her bag and grinned at her. After expressing their thanks, he steered Danielle into the growing darkness with a hand on the small of her back. The touch was light, but the effect was not. Danielle's skin tingled again.

She paused when they reached the sidewalk. "What next?"

Pulling his phone from his pocket, Hayden checked the time. "About forty-five minutes."

"So what else have you learned?"

"They do have the photographs from tourists, but no clear ID. I think we're okay," he said with a reassuring smile. "He was very adamant that things like this don't happen here – ever."

"You told him how frightened I was?"

"Absolutely." Chuckling, he studied her with interest. "How well you know me already, Dani."

They began strolling again, and Danielle turned her attention to the various shops that lined the street rather than the appreciative look in Hayden's eyes. Many had closed for the evening as darkness approached, but she spied through the windows the intricate artisanship of the leather goods, the brightly-painted pottery and the glittering gold and silver. They strolled side by side like the other tourists on the street, but Danielle felt the loss of his arm acutely. She liked having it there for his strength and support as well as for the sheer pleasantness of being with a man who actually seemed to enjoy her company.

Before she could explore that startling reminder of how much Stuart had hurt her, Hayden suddenly paused before a building with a thatched roof and outside tables that extended into a restaurant beyond. The music streaming from the patio was loud, and voices mingled together to form a vibrant hum of happiness and laughter.

Clearing his throat, he stared down at her. "Hey, can I buy you a drink?"

"Buy me a drink?" The question came so unexpectedly and at such a sensitive time that she frowned at him.

"I'm not trying to get you drunk or anything." Hayden's chiseled lips turned down into a frown as if he was agitated by her somber look. "I was thinking we could find out what the tourists are saying."

"Oh no, it's not that," she said quickly. "I was thinking of something else... Sure."

Pasting a smile on her face, she watched the slow grin of relief spread across his face. With the same easy casualness, he reached for her hand and pulled her along behind him through the thick, mingling crowd until he found a small opening at the bar. Now she knew why the streets were nearly deserted. Round wooden tables lined the wall opposite them, and each one had a group of laughing patrons. Smaller groups took up every inch in between as well, and the throng of people thickened the further in she looked. Everyone appeared normal in her eyes, as though the events of the previous day had never happened. For some reason, that reassured her.

"Here you go."

She turned to see Hayden holding out a Corona with lime. Smiling her thanks, she took a sip, enjoying the cold liquid as it flowed smoothly down her throat. He again took her hand loosely and turned back to the bar to strike up a conversation with the man next to him, and in no time at all they were laughing and talking as though they had known each other a lifetime. If not for the hand holding hers with an occasional reassuring squeeze, she would have felt ignored, but she marveled at the way he could talk to anyone. After only a few minutes of standing, he had managed to secure her a stool at the bar, and he pulled it out with a lively smile.

"Here you are, _mi bonita esposa_ ," he said with a wink.

She chuckled. "Still playing the gentleman?"

"Who says I'm playing?"

Danielle climbed up on the stool and set her beer on the bar while she took control of his pack and her bags, tucking everything between her legs. When she straightened, Hayden stood close enough to lift one foot and rest it against the lowest rung of her stool, and his hand settled in the small of her back. It rested just above the curve of her buttocks, a lower and slightly more familiar touch than before. The heat of his palm seemed to burn through the material of her cotton dress, but she did not pull away. She no longer had the urge. Her earlier thought rattled in the back of her mind. Stuart had never been so affectionate, even in their best days. Maybe she should have taken that as an early sign of trouble considering how comfortable she was with Hayden's touch.

The hand on her back suddenly increased in pressure, and Danielle felt Hayden's lips brush against her ear. "Don't look now," he warned in a serious voice, "but we have company."

Swallowing hard against the lump rising in her throat, she nodded briefly and leaned her body forward to hide against the bulk of the man next to her.

"Good girl." His thumb tapped against her spine to emphasize his words. "Stay low. Hopefully they'll move on."

Reaching for her beer, Danielle resisted the sudden urge to chug it all down in one gulp. She managed to restrain herself and school her features as though her insides were not a jumbled mess of tension and fear. Feeling her stiffness, his thumb began to absently stroke her back while he kept one eye on the door and the other on his conversation with the man next to him. Though she knew he was trying to reassure her, the touch only stressed her more. How could he remain so coolly collected when she felt as though she would topple off her stool at any moment? Who was this man anyway?

To add insult to injury, a girl suddenly appeared and threw her arms around his neck with an enthusiastic squeal of delight. Hayden's hand fell away from her back so he could catch her before she fell, and his hands surrounded the shapely body easily. Though he tried to pull her away, her enthusiasm was undaunted.

"I know you," she said with a wide smile.

Danielle's eyebrows shot up.

"You do?"

To give her companion a little credit, he appeared as confused as she was, but Danielle could not ignore the jolt of jealousy that suddenly reared its ugly head. Although young, the girl was pretty. With curling dark brown hair and a row of freckles that underlined her bright brown eyes, she had a lovely face that matched her petite frame.

"Ya. The beach... last night. Don't you remember?"

Danielle's eyebrows rose even higher. He certainly had been busy while she slept the afternoon away.

While her brows rose, Hayden's lowered. While he struggled to place the girl, he appeared confused and distressed. "The beach?" He paused briefly before the memory suddenly struck. Then his face brightened. "Oh, yeah."

"The way I see it, you owe me a beer since you didn't take us up on our offer last night."

Offer? Danielle's irritation grew. Despite her best intentions, she glared meaningfully at the girl and leaned back until only a few inches separated them. "I'm afraid he's with me."

"Oh," she said, suddenly disappointed. "Sorry."

Danielle's glare softened when the girl's arms reluctantly fell away from his neck. She took a step back and sent Danielle a hesitant smile.

"No problem," she replied more graciously than she felt.

What she did not realize, but what Hayden obviously did, was that her shifting caught the attention of the men peering in the doorway. Hayden's sharp inhale caught both women's attention, and their gazes returned to him questioningly. Following the direction of his stare, Danielle saw a sight that made her blood run cold. The well-dressed man was gazing directly at her minus his sunglasses, which revealed black eyes cold with deadly intent. At his side were two men, and they were focused directly on her. She could see the determination in their dark eyes clearly.

"Don't mind my wife," Hayden was saying to the girl, "she's not feeling so great. We were just on our way back to the resort."

The girl laughed, completely oblivious to their tension. "My girlfriend's in the same way. She's back in our room sick as a dog."

Hayden's charm was back in full force, but she saw his gaze flicker toward the back of the restaurant. "I think the bathroom's back there, honey. I'll order us all a round while you go."

She nodded in understanding, though fear kept her rooted to the stool. Hayden's hand went to her upper arm, and he gave her a tug under the guise of assisting her down before stepping back into the throng to make way for her to pass.

Grabbing her bags, she pushed and shoved her way to the back. An open door led to the kitchen, and Danielle passed the door marked _Chicas_ to run headlong into a startled employee.

" _Puerta_ ," she gasped.

The surprised man lifted a thumb and frowned, but she did not linger to explain. Rushing past him, she bolted through a screen door into a small alleyway that ran between the buildings on the main street and those on the other side. As she checked both directions, she realized that she and Hayden had not discussed what to do if they were separated. He had specifically told her to stay close to him if they ran into trouble. Once again, fear and panic tightened their grip on her, and she stood rooted to the spot in indecision.

What had Hayden told her earlier that day? A gas station. But where was it? Turning right, she began to run, remembering that they had only been a couple of buildings away from a side street. With the narrow alleyway cluttered with debris, she knew she had to reach a road or risk being caught quickly. Fear tightened around her heart at the thought. She had nowhere to go and no one to turn to if she lost Hayden. The idea of being on her own terrified her, and she reluctantly acknowledged that she had grown totally dependent on a man who was barely more than a stranger.

Heart pounding in her chest, Danielle ducked behind a rusty red Volkswagen Beetle and held her breath as she looked up and down the side street. It was deserted, so she sprinted as fast as her trembling legs could carry her. Passing the building housing the _Policia Federal_ , she briefly considered ducking inside and telling all. However, Hayden's words from the day before rang in her ears. Not knowing who she could trust, she prayed that he would find her first. The police would be her last option.

In just seconds, the quaint and welcoming town had turned into a deadly maze of battered vehicles and suspicious alleyways where she could be snatched at any time. Feeling her anxiety rising, Danielle willed herself to be strong. She was a doctor, for goodness sakes, she had nerves of steel, didn't she? Unfortunately, at the moment, she felt like a timid mouse staring up at a large, hungry cat.

Whether it was sheer luck or fate stepping in to save her, after passing several more side streets she suddenly spied the sign announcing the gas station. Almost crying out her relief, she remained in the shadows while she searched out a spot to hide and wait, hoping no one had seen her headlong run. A foul-smelling dumpster in the rear of the building was her only option, and she dashed across the street and squeezed between the wall of the building and the large metal container. Heart pounding and perilously close to tears, she crouched and waited.

Though the odor was gagging, Danielle barely noticed. It seemed as though only a moment passed before two figures appeared. The well-dressed man and one of his companions paused to search the intersection under the street lamp before continuing her way. His face bore the pinched look of intense irritation, and she noticed a dark stain that had not been present before on his blue shirt. She began trembling in earnest as her heart pumped adrenalin through her veins.

Over the sound of her rapid breathing, Danielle struggled to hear their conversation. She was certain they were looking for her, but she heard the word hotel and felt a glimmer of hope that they would assume she was staying in town and running back to her room.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed them away. "Please believe."

After a second, she reopened them and noticed that they were moving her way, heading to the front of the gas station back to Avenida Tulum. She pushed her body tighter into the small opening between the dumpster and the wall, praying they would not glance at her when they passed. Though she wanted to close her eyes and wish herself back in her hotel room in Cancun, she refused to give in to the fear. She had promised Hayden she would keep it together.

"Find her and bring her to me," the well-dressed man snapped.

"Yes, sir," was the hasty reply.

As they passed, they continued their urgent conversation. She heard their final words as they split up. "Hotel Posada."

" _Y Las Tres Palmas_."

They passed out of view, and Danielle shuddered in relief. She was safe – for now. Her entire body was coated in a layer of adrenalin-fueled sweat, and her mouth was dry with fear. Closing her eyes again, she sagged against the wall to prevent her trembling legs from buckling and dropping her to the slimy ground. Her thighs were screaming in protest, but she dared not touch any more of the garbage-laden area than necessary. As it was, the space between the dumpster was narrow, and she had squeezed as far as she could. Any further and she would run the risk of getting stuck. Cringing at the thought, she braced her hands against the questionable wall and pushed herself straight. She needed to be ready to bolt if they came back.

Glancing over her shoulder to spy out the gap behind her, Danielle saw several stacked pallets she would have to scale if they returned and spotted her, and she was about to check their stability when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. With a terrified squeal, she lashed out with the hand that gripped her bags and struck her attacker across the face. This time she made a solid connection.

"Whoa, wait," Hayden said hastily. He took a step back and gripped his nose. "Jeez, woman, that hurt."

Danielle's knees finally buckled, but this time with relief. Never had a single voice sounded so welcome. With a stifled sob, she toppled forward against his chest, babbling almost incoherently. "Hayden! Thank God. I didn't think you'd find me," she whispered raggedly. "I thought I was on my own. I was so scared."

His hands surrounded her and drew her close. Remaining in the shadows of the dumpster but free from the close confines, she sagged against him and clenched his shirt in her fists with all her might. The swift pounding of his heart seemed to match hers, and she buried her face in his chest, loving his citrusy smell, loving his now familiar strength, and loving the fact that he had again returned for her.

"I thought they were going to get me."

While she leaned against his strong, solid body, he gently stroked her back. "I'm sorry I was a little late. I had to buy our friend a new beer. She had a bit of a spill."

"I am so glad you're here. So glad you found me," she breathed before his words sank in.

"How could I not? You did exactly the right thing, exactly what I would've told you to do," he said soothingly. "Damn, you're so smart." His final words held a touch of awe, but she barely noticed as his previous words hit home.

Danielle raised her head from the comfort of his chest and narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Despite the appreciative glint in his eyes, she scowled. "Wait a minute... You hung around and bought that girl another beer?"

His eyes crinkled as he grinned down at her. "She slowed them down for you by dumping her drink all over the front of your friend. It gave you enough time to get a head start."

As the relief replaced the panic, Danielle shook her head in continued incredulity. "I don't believe this... you bought her a drink?"

Hayden's gaze grew more serious, and his head cocked to the side as he studied her face. "Dani, are you jealous again?"

When she opened her mouth to deny it, one of Hayden's hands reached up to cup the back of her head. His eyes began to glow with a dark, unknown emotion while his fingers entwined in her hair. She raised her chin and stared at him as he gathered her closer, and his head lowered to meet her midway. "No, don't answer that. I don't know what I'd do if you denied it."

Then his lips were on hers.

Several times that day she had suspected Hayden wanted to kiss her, but his good manners and their frightening circumstances had seemingly stayed the urge. Now that the moment had arrived, Danielle felt it was long overdue. She welcomed him, welcomed the feel of his warm lips as soon as they touched hers. Electricity shot down her spine all the way to her toes, but it did not frighten her. Actually, it felt so right that she wondered why she had not met him years ago.

As with everything else about her strange companion, he kissed her with the same enthusiasm and determination she had grown to expect from him. For the first time in her life, she felt what it was like to be lusted after. His lips were not hesitant and exploring, they were hungry and insistent, and her lips parted willingly under the pressure of his tongue. He tasted of a mixture of beer and lime, and underlying that was the essence of Hayden. She wanted more, and she wanted to learn everything about him that made him the most unique man she had ever encountered.

His hands held her tightly, and she burrowed as close to him as she could get. Her arms went around his waist and bumped that frightening bulge he had sported the day before. It lay under his shirt beneath his pack, a chilling token of their danger. Perhaps that was why she kissed him back so eagerly with an abandon her reserved manner would never consider under normal circumstances. Maybe it was the heightened awareness of her own mortality, or maybe it was because Hayden Evans was so intriguing, but she shook off all of her inhibitions and wrapped her hands around the taut muscles above the gun. They tightened in answer, and she pressed her hips against his under the guiding pressure of his hand. He was not shy about his longing. She felt his heat, his desire, and his claim on her as clearly as if he had marked her with a brand.

And she marked him back.

While the warmth spread into her belly, she felt him respond in kind. However, instead of succumbing to the passion he took her mouth with, it seemed to bring him back to reality. No sooner had she settled into the heat and desire so evident in his actions than he was drawing away. The kiss was over too quickly, and she followed him when he began to raise his head. When he finally released her lips, she made a slight sound of protest.

"Not here. It's not safe," he whispered breathlessly.

Much slower to return to reality than he, she struggled to focus on the area beyond Hayden's gaze. As if Hayden had conjured him, Danielle noticed the third man coming down the street, moving slowly as he sought out the rest of his group. He was far too tense to be a tourist, and even from this distance she knew Hayden was right.

"Let's go," he said, grasping her hand.

Without another word, Danielle followed.

### Chapter 7

Remaining close to the shadows, Hayden drew Danielle behind him as they rounded the gas station's far side. It was on a corner, offering them little protection from curious eyes, but all Hayden needed was the view of Luis before they were off to safety. Mentally kicking himself for allowing his guard to slip, he silently accepted his own reprimand as they moved. Kissing Danielle had been reckless, yet he was having a hard time feeling any regret. He had just been so pleased to have found her unhurt, and the joy with which she had greeted him had been all it took to break down his crumbling resolve. Maybe if she had fought him, he would have come to his senses sooner. But she had welcomed him and kissed him hungrily instead. Not only was he surprised, but the elation in his heart warned him there was something more than their current predicament growing between them. Nevertheless, he knew it would be wiser for them both if he believed it was the stress that caused them to fall into each other's arms.

At least for now.

Remaining in the shadows of the building, Hayden released her hand and glanced at her over his shoulder. Her cheeks were still flushed with heightened awareness, and he swallowed back the urge to yank her back in his arms.

"Stay here."

She nodded and pressed herself against the wall, clutching her bags to her chest. Without even having to ask, she turned her head and focused on what lay behind them. The girl never ceased to amaze him. It was almost as though they communicated subliminally. She seemed to instinctively read his mind and do exactly what he would tell her given the chance.

Shaking his head ruefully, he wondered how he had managed to find the sparkling gem that was Danielle. He could still taste her on his lips, and the feel of her soft body pressed so willingly against his still retained her heat. Not now... concentrate, he thought harshly.

The gas station had two cars at the pump, neither matching the description he was given of a white work truck.

"Damn," he muttered. "He's not here yet."

"The guy doesn't seem to have seen us," she whispered back. "He's heading back down to the main street."

He nodded, pleased. "Keep watching. Maybe we'll get lucky this time."

Right on cue, a truck drove past them, the headlights casting them in its snowy glow before it turned into the side entrance. "Is that him?"

Hayden reached out a hand and connected with her smooth abdomen. He pressed her back against the wall firmly, his intent clear. "Wait here. Let me go check it out."

She nodded, but he was able to see the reluctance in her gaze.

He grinned. "I'll be right back."

Luckily for them both, he was able to flag their driver before he reached the door to the station. Luis was younger than Hayden expected, slight of frame and slight of stature, and definitely not what he imagined. "Luis?"

The kid paused and glanced his way with a cautious nod. "Evans?"

Relief caused Hayden's smile to spread. He responded in Spanish. "That's me. Thanks for coming out here."

The kid approached and offered his hand, and they shook firmly. "No problem," he replied in English. His gaze narrowed suspiciously as he glanced around. "Are you alone? My brother said you had a friend."

"She's here," Hayden said quickly. "You ready now?"

He shrugged. "Just here for you."

"Great." Hayden indicated with a thumb over his shoulder. "She was lagging a bit. We've been walking all day, and she's tired. She sent me ahead so we wouldn't miss you."

Though not entirely the truth, Hayden did not feel as though he was lying with this tale. They had been spending a lot of time on the run. Luis did not seem to notice or care, for he shrugged again and turned back to his truck. "I may be able to squeeze her up front, but I have all my tools up there. I don't store them in the back anymore. Too many have been stolen."

"No problem. We'll ride in the back."

"Okay, then. Let's go."

The kid pulled open the door, and not a moment too soon. As Hayden climbed in the back, he spotted their third pursuer rounding the corner. Without a glance in his direction, the man pressed his phone to his ear while he scanned the area beyond the parking lot with a frown. Hayden crouched lower, hoping he would not be noticed. He was lucky that time, but what he saw reinforced his fear that they were not out of the woods yet. Farther down the street, two men were hurriedly making their way toward the third man. Luis had damn good timing.

The truck was reversing, and again he avoided looking at the third man. Thankfully, there were no sudden shouts of recognition, and no indication they had been spotted. Seconds later, they were pulling around the building straight to Danielle, and he helped her hastily climb in beside him before knocking on the window to let Luis know they were set. He barely braked as he pulled back out onto the street, and it was then Hayden breathed a sigh of relief.

"Stay down," Hayden warned in a low voice.

Without hesitating, she ducked and rested her cheek on his thigh. Though she faced away from him, he was gripped with sudden visions he had no business entertaining. Ignoring the stirring in his loins, he reached up and rested his hand in the soft mass of hair at the base of her neck.

"We're out of sight," he said over the sound of the engine, road and wind.

He felt her sigh under his hand. "If it's all the same, I may just stay here for a bit. It's been a helluva night."

Hayden chuckled. Thinking of her reaction that evening, her responses and ability to act under pressure, he patted her back lightly. "You did great, Dani. You're a real pro."

He felt her snort just before she shifted to face him. Unwilling to let her go, he allowed his hand to follow her as she rolled over the uneven truck bed. When she settled, his hand rested on her upper arm. "A pro at what? Running from murderers?"

"Well, sure. I can't think of any other woman I've known able to think so quickly on her feet, not even my sister."

Her look was skeptical. "So this is a new experience for you, too?"

He remembered how her hand had grazed his weapon when he kissed her and knew he could not lie to her now. "It is with a partner."

"I guess I should feel honored."

He laughed. "Don't you?"

Instead of laughing, her face went sober. "Right now, I don't know what to think. This is suddenly very real."

"It's always been real, Dani."

"I suppose I should know that already," she replied. "It's just that I'm in the business of saving lives, not taking them."

The truck slowed and then eased to a stop, and Hayden glanced around. "We're getting onto the main highway now."

She nodded against the cotton of his shorts. As the truck began accelerating again, he adjusted his hand to rest in the deep curve of the tiny waist that had so captured his attention when he first spotted her.

"I'll get you back to that life," he promised gravely.

She reached up and allowed her fingernails to lightly scratch at his scruffy beard. When she reached the curve of his lips, her hand fell away. "I believe you will."

"We're out of Tulum. That's a step in the right direction."

"You saved me again," she said with a touch of regret. "If I hadn't spoken to that girl, they probably wouldn't have noticed me."

Hayden could hear the shame in her tone and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Don't be ridiculous. You did exactly what a jealous newlywed would've done."

Her lips twisted. "So now I'm a jealous wife?"

He laughed again. "If some guy did that to you, I probably would've punched him first and then asked questions."

"You're the jealous husband?"

"Damn right," he proclaimed. "If some guy put his hands on you like that, I would've snapped his neck."

"Don't say that."

"Well, I would," he said morosely.

The smile that had threatened to appear finally broke through the sturdy wall of her residual fear, and Hayden watched her adorable white teeth flash in the darkness. Under the dim light of the cloudy evening, he reflected on how exquisite she was. Even with her face in shadow, she bore a fresh, clear beauty that he had grown to admire tremendously in the short time he had spent with her. Or maybe it was the innocence she displayed. For, although he was deadly serious when he answered, it was clear she believed he was teasing her again.

Rising off his thigh, Danielle pushed into a seated position. With a wry smile, she rubbed her hip. "I think I'll have a dent there until tomorrow."

If his family could only see him now, he thought when he reached for her bags, stuffed the clothing inside the beach bag and then set it down beside him to act as a pillow. "Sit on this. It should help."

She sent him a thankful smile and settled down next to him. They sat in silence, listening to the hum of the tires against the road. Danielle's hair whipped around her face in the breeze, but she lassoed it in with one hand and held it back before any offending strands could lash his face. Although very aware of her presence at his side, Hayden turned his attention to the black mass of trees lining the highway. An occasional field of tall grass would break the monotony, but overall the ride was pretty much the same foreboding, murky view.

They did not pass much traffic. Since it was growing late on a weeknight, he assumed most people were preparing for the long day tomorrow. That was fine with him. Despite the miles the tires below them were covering, he expected to see a car appear at the last minute to chase them out of town. Not one for taking advantage of a stroke of good luck, Hayden remained on his guard, watching every set of headlights that sporadically approached as though it was the fin of a shark appearing out of a smooth ocean.

While he stared off into the inky darkness, Danielle settled in beside him. Much to his surprise, she reached for his hand. Her long, slim fingers entwined with his like the root systems they had so recently plowed through, and her head lowered to his shoulder. He felt like a real husband at that moment, with a real wife, and for the first time in his life the idea did not frighten him. He had no urge to bolt. In fact, he felt his fingers close around hers in return.

"Everything okay?"

There was a twinge of concern in her voice, and he wondered if his sudden silence had worried her. Cocking his head to the side, he rested his chin against the top of her head and squeezed her fingers to comfort her. "Fine. Just thinking. Planning."

Which was a lie. He was actually wondering what his family would say if he ever admitted these sudden feelings aloud. He had not lied to Danielle when he told her that his family was always claiming he was afraid of commitment. While not necessarily by choice, he had his fair share of casual relationships, but none had ever developed past the initial attraction. Then again, he had never been lucky enough to meet a woman like Danielle Ryan before. For the first time ever, he was reflecting on the long-term monogamy of being married. Even more stunning, he was actually playing the part with a beautiful doctor he had known for only two days and enjoying it.

Crazy.

This amazing woman blindly placed her trust in him knowing full well he was not being completely honest with her. But what would happen when the truth finally came out? Would she run scared, or would she view him with disgust? Unfortunately, neither option was very appealing.

"Are we almost there?"

"Five more minutes or so. I've arranged it so we'll be a mile away. He's going to drop us at the grocery store. We'll walk up the beach road until we get to our place."

As if on cue, the truck began to slow. He tensed when he felt the softness of her body lean into his as Luis took the turn off of highway onto the road leading into the town on the bay of Akumal.

"Is this another resort town?"

"Kinda. It was founded about sixty-years ago by some businessman for diving enthusiasts. I think you'll like it."

"There are hotels?"

"Yeah, we'll have some anonymity. I don't think anyone noticed us leaving town."

"I'm just hoping no one noticed you."

Her concern for his safety introduced a pang of guilt. While she knew they were after her, he was very aware that he had never revealed that they were after him as well. In truth, they were after her because of him, and he had to bite his tongue to hold in the confession. Now was not the time.

Luckily, before his conscience overcame his reasoning, the small community came into view. Small, clustered and tight, the grocery store was crammed at the end of the street entering town, and a large, whitewashed arch welcomed them to town. White and peach colored buildings lay before them, some with the customary thatched roofs they had grown familiar with in Tulum, and sea turtles seemed to be on every building. Luis pulled into the tiny parking lot and came to a halt, shutting down the motor and opening the door of his truck while Hayden was lifting Danielle out of the back.

"Thanks for the ride," he said once he released her.

Luis shrugged. "It's not a problem, man. I live out here." He indicated with his thumb. "Get my milk here."

Hayden smiled at the man's dry humor. Nodding briefly, he reached out to shake Luis' hand, palming him some bills for his trouble.

Luis pulled away with a shake of his head, holding out the money. "I meant what I said; it's no trouble."

"But it was a tremendous help to us. Thank you."

Danielle stepped forward and smiled at the young man, and Luis shifted his attention to her with interest. When she had climbed in the back, he had already been behind the wheel, and his eyes widened when he caught his first good look at the statuesque beauty by Hayden's side. Feeling slightly territorial, Hayden watched as she held out her hand in greeting, but instead of shaking Luis' hand, she stepped forward and pressed his forearm with meaning.

"Thank you, Luis. You've made my night by getting us here safely."

Luis colored slightly, and he mumbled his response before ducking his head in what appeared to be shyness. For the first time, Hayden saw him smile and had to resist the urge to slap it away.

And Danielle thought he had been joking about punching first and asking questions later, he thought irritably.

After a moment, Luis collected himself. "Do you know where you need to go from here?"

"We do," Hayden said. "You go on home to your family, and we'll take it from here."

Luis shot one last lingering glance at Danielle before nodding and slowly turning away. He drove off into the night with a friendlier honk and wave out the window, leaving them alone in a new town. Hayden found he was less on guard, more relaxed and unexpectedly looking forward to viewing their new room.

A honeymoon suite. In any other situation he would have thrown back his head and laughed, but now he was eager for the solitude. Both he and Danielle needed time to think. He still had to work out how to get her out of the country.

"Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," she said with a weary smile.

Though his fingers itched to do it, he did not reach for her hand when they began their walk under the bright-white arch toward the tree-lined beachfront road. Danielle followed, always the trooper. Veering north, he took the road leading them out of Akumal Bay and toward Half Moon Bay.

Though the small community was still fairly new, plenty of construction had taken place. Hotels, condos and upscale resorts lined the white sand beach and breathtakingly clear water beyond. On the other side of the road, shops, tour booking offices and dive retailers all offered their services. He also spotted the rental car agency and heaved a sigh of relief.

"This way," he commented as they took a left fork in the road.

Danielle nodded but remained silent.

Within moments, they were out of the main shopping strip. Custom homes lined the beach side of the road, while raw jungle overtook the other. Around another corner, they were back in resort territory, and he found his steps quicken as they neared their destination. Danielle did not share his enthusiasm. Glancing down at her, he could not help but notice the tired droop in her shoulders, and he suspected she was feeling the aftereffects of the pure rush of panic from earlier that evening.

Though Hayden had met Rocky once and had planned to meet him at the ruins, the man had not spared him even the slightest glance when the girl spilled the beer down the front of his shirt. There was no hint of recognition on his face when their eyes met in the bar, and Hayden realized then that he was not in the forefront of his nemesis' pursuit. It concerned him how single-mindedly he was pursuing Danielle. Plain and simple, Rocky wanted her, and Hayden feared why.

Wondering if she was still worried about his involvement, he decided to resume their earlier conversation. "By the way, no one noticed me at all."

"Oh, that's good," she breathed.

He felt another twinge of guilt at the relief in her voice. Regardless of whatever it was that drew Rocky to her, it stemmed from his initial involvement. Because of him, she was running for her life. If the meeting had not been scheduled for that day, Rocky never would have seen her.

But then, neither would he.

Though she had been able to hold her own, he knew the strain was ever present, knocking her vibrant personality into a shell of self-protective caution, and it distressed him that he was the cause of her worry. She deserved to be laughing and carefree, enjoying her long-overdue vacation. More than ever, he wanted to help her get that back. He wanted to please her.

With a gentle nudge on her shoulder, he grinned down at her. "Actually, they were pretty rude to me, Dani. When she spilled her beer on his shirt, I graciously offered to buy them a round, but they refused."

"They did, huh?"

"Yep. They didn't even say thank you."

She snorted. "I wonder why."

"It might've been because the girl turned around and started cursing at me for tripping her."

Her golden head, previously lowered to the sand-littered street at their feet, suddenly came up, and she giggled. "You tripped her?"

Schooling his face into an angelic look of innocence, or at least he hoped so, Hayden grinned conspiratorially. "She was the only defense I had at the moment... I didn't let her fall all the way to the floor."

She laughed then, that cheerful, friendly, glorious laugh that warmed his insides. Aware of the relief he felt when he heard it, he nudged her again, and she rewarded him with a smile. "You really did that?"

"Of course."

"Then what did you do?"

He shrugged again. "I ordered her another round, grabbed my pack and ran out the door after you."

"That's it?"

"Well, sure."

He did not tell her that the girl had called him all kinds of names after his rude treatment. Nor did he tell her that when he hurried out the door in pursuit of her, his heart was pounding so painfully in his chest that he believed he was having a heart attack. Fear that he would not get there in time, fear that she would make a mistake and be captured, and the fear that they would hurt her before he found her had driven him to flee as if the hounds of hell were at his heels. The girl he left behind had no idea how little her words impacted him. But Danielle did not need to know all that. In fact, it was better if she did not.

She laughed again. "Somehow I feel as though I'm missing a bit of your story."

"I'll only admit that I left her with smoke coming out of her ears."

"Like so many others before her?"

"Hey," he protested. "That's not nice."

"You said so yourself."

"No, I said my family felt that way," he corrected in mock defensiveness.

Chuckling, she shook her head. "I've known you barely two days, and I can already see what the women in your life face."

"Like what?"

"You don't take very much seriously."

"But I still show them a good time," he said meaningfully.

She cleared her throat. "I guess you could put it that way," she said slowly. "Or you leave them crying in your dust."

"You're still here with me, aren't you?"

"Ah, but there's a difference... I'm stuck with you."

Things were beginning to hit a little close to home. He glanced down at her with a pained frown but saw her eyes dancing with amusement. "No one's forcing you to stick with me."

"Only my head, which tells me if I leave I'm toast."

He chuckled. "I guess that's some pretty strong motivation. I'll try not to make it too hard on you while you suffer through my company."

She giggled again. "Hayden, right now I can think of a million worse places to be."

"A whole million, huh?"

When she nodded earnestly, he decided that he liked that answer. Yes, he liked that answer very much.

### Chapter 8

For the second time in as many days, Danielle's vacation had taken an unexpected turn.

But this time, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Hayden turned onto another dirt road away from the main street. There were two things she immediately liked about the area. It was a small, sleepy community of water-lovers, and it was far away from Tulum. After Hayden's gentle bout of teasing, she was once again feeling safe, and the idea of hiding out in a room far away from the men hunting her caused her weary feet to pick up speed and match his long strides.

For his part, Hayden also seemed eager to arrive at their destination. Though he tried to hide it, she had noticed his preoccupation during their ride, and even though he had immediately reverted to his customary humor she sensed there was more going on behind those dancing brown eyes. Of course, she was confident he had no intention of telling her what was bothering him.

When the main building of the bed and breakfast appeared behind the weathered wooden sign, Hayden pointed to a stone bench. "Wait here while I get the info."

She sank down wearily and glanced around. It rested on the edge of a small, circular garden of palm trees, tropical flowers in multi-colored blooms and a lone coconut tree with ripe fruit ready to drop on her head. Nevertheless, it was a peaceful little garden, shaded from the outdoor lights of the main house that cast their glow on the paved path leading to the patio. She watched Hayden continue, still shouldering his heavy pack, and wondered how he could continue to appear tireless and fresh. His load had to weigh close to fifty-pounds, and he barely looked warm. Meanwhile, she sat and fanned her face with one hand, hoping for an air-conditioned room to help her cool off. There was a mild sea breeze drifting through her sheltered garden, but the air was still humid and hot.

Hayden reached the main house, and his boots were silent when he mounted the two wooden steps leading to the covered patio. A small mailbox-like structure was attached to the house several feet from the front door, and Hayden flipped the lid open to remove the contents. He withdrew an envelope and headed back her way, his brow creasing with concentration as he opened it and read the enclosed letter. She liked that face on him. For a man she usually expected humor from, when he was serious it gave him such an endearing quality that she could not help but smile.

He was reaching into the envelope again and withdrawing a key on an old, diamond-shaped rubber keychain when he reached her. Coming to her feet, she scooped up her bag and met him halfway, unable to hide her hopefulness. "Do we have a room?"

"We sure do. It's cabin six, and it's at the corner of the property according to this," he said as he waved the letter in his hand.

She glanced around meaningfully. What greeted her gaze was a maze of crushed-shell pathways lined by trees and flowers, none of which seemed to lead to any man-made structure. "I don't suppose they included a map?"

Shrugging, he handed her the letter and began heading deeper into the property. She followed obediently behind but scanned the letter he gave her for any hint of directions.

It was composed on a word processing document, printed in a form letter, but there was a personalized greeting that welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Evans of Arizona to their secluded honeymoon suite. It promised subtle daily service, two meals delivered to the room directly and a champagne welcome waiting in the room. The kitchenette was pre-stocked, and guests were welcome to help themselves to anything inside. Furthermore, as newlyweds, part of the service entailed a daily run into town to pick up any items the couple would need during their stay to maximize their privacy. Danielle glanced at Hayden's back, feeling the heat of a blush sting her cheeks. If only these generous people knew, she thought ruefully.

Once they passed the main house, the trail they were on grew dim. No outdoor lighting existed on the path he chose, so they walked by the light of the moon. Flipping the paper over, she held it to the meager light remaining from the house behind them and noticed a hand drawn map indicating in English that the unlit path led directly to the cabana. It was also lined by trees, and once again the noisy jungle engulfed them. Though she suspected it was part of the effect, Danielle picked up her steps to close the gap that had increased between them. This dark path seemed to go on forever before a small, square cabana came into view. A dim outdoor light was on in welcome, and hanging flowerpots lined the small porch in front of the two windows on either side of the door.

"This is it," Hayden announced.

A small, circular clearing with a limestone-lined streaming fountain in the center lay directly ahead, surrounded by more colorful blooms. After the dark jungle, the little cabin appeared welcoming right down to the hammock strung between two shade trees. They had their own little front yard.

"It's cute," she said hopefully.

"Cute?" Hayden snorted. "Nice word choice."

"I'd sleep on the hammock if I had to," she retorted.

"That can be arranged."

She stuck her tongue out in answer, and he laughed while he fumbled with the lock. He managed after a brief struggle to finally swing the door open, and what greeted them both was a blast of cool, air conditioned air. She moaned in pleasure and shoved past him to get inside.

"Hey." But he was quickly on her heels, pausing only long enough to close the door behind him and flip on the light.

The room was easily twice the size of his original cabana, but that was not what caught her attention. The only bed was covered with a Mayan calendar blanket and flanked by tiled nightstands. Sure it was pretty, but it was just an intimate, queen-sized bed. Hayden was a big guy, and she was rather tall. How would they both fit without touching?

"There's only one bed," she said in dismay.

"What'd you expect? It's a honeymoon suite," he said with a short laugh.

More interested in the sliding glass doors directly across from the bed, Hayden lowered his pack onto the small dining table and strode past her to open the door leading out the back. She followed and peered over his shoulder, spying another covered patio. This one had two cushioned chairs and a round wooden table between them. Two steps down lay the pearly-white beach. It shone in the light of the moon, and when she looked left and right all she could see was jungle on either side. They were not kidding when they promised solitude.

Hayden took the two steps and walked down to the water's edge. Just before the high tide mark, a double-sized lounge chair rested with a thatched umbrella directly behind it. It was a chair for two, almost a bed, and the meaning of that cozy little sight was not lost on her. He passed it and continued further, glancing left and right curiously. When he returned, he sported a devilish smile. "No one as far as I can see."

"I wonder if it'll be that quiet in the morning," she reminded him primly.

"To the south, the bay naturally turns. There's no beach there, only rock and coral. It's the people on the north we'll have to watch out for, but if I'm right, it's rocky there, too. We may just be all by ourselves, Mrs. Evans." His final words were loaded with innuendo and punctuated when his gaze travelled to the bed behind her. Remembering his passionate kiss, she swallowed hard. But then Hayden pointed. "Did you see that?"

Turning around, Danielle followed the direction of his finger. Tucked amongst the pillows on the bed rested two towels shaped into swans, their beaks touching and necks arched in the shape of a heart. Sprinkled around the swans were flower petals, pink and red, and a single red rose lay at the heart of the design. On the other side rested a plastic-lined wicker basket containing a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"Oh my," she breathed.

Hayden chuckled. "Does that mean we have to squeeze between them again?"

"How can we tear up such a sculpture?"

His lips twisted as though biting back a sarcastic retort. "Why don't you just take a picture of it before we do?"

"Before we tear it up?"

He was grinning mischievously again. "Well, I could just squeeze in on your side of the bed if I had to."

Undaunted, she smirked back. "Or you can sleep on the hammock."

Hayden tossed back his head, and his deep, throaty laughter warmed her to her toes. His hand came down on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. "And give up this air conditioning? Not a chance, lady."

"Then we'll have to come up with another way."

"I gave you a good idea already."

Her brows rose in disbelief. "And you think for a minute that would work?"

"I'm game to try."

She knew he was teasing, but the images he was conjuring in her head were dangerously heady. "I don't think so."

"I thought we already agreed I wasn't that bad," he whined.

She was not about to buy into that again. Grinning, she shook her head. "I think you have your moments. But don't worry; I'll come up with something."

"Have at it," he said, graciously holding out his hand. The hand on her shoulder steered her back inside, and he closed and locked the slider behind him. The heavy blinds closed next, and then he returned to the front door where he latched the lock securely before flashing her a smile. "Should we pop the champagne now?"

Unable to think of anything other than his caution, she winced. "How about tomorrow once we both feel a little better?"

He nodded. "Then if it's okay with you, I'm going to take a shower."

"Ooh, that's a good idea," she said. Remembering the location of her hiding spot, another shower was definitely in order.

"Okay, go on ahead."

She shook her head. "It's your room, you go."

He shook his head, a small smile appearing. "It's _our_ room, Mrs. Evans."

Cheeks blossoming with color, she ducked her chin and avoided his gaze. "I'll clear the bed while you go."

With a slight incline of his head, he gathered up his pack and disappeared into the bathroom. Seizing the opportunity, she hurried to her bag and fished out her camera. After snapping a few pictures of the sculpture, she stubbornly tried to scoop it in her arms and transfer it to one of the night stands. She almost had it when their necks collapsed. Knowing Hayden would laugh at her, she abandoned the sculptures and cleared the rest of the offering, leaving the rose in a glass on the small table. The room had an open closet on the far wall, so she hung up her new clothes and then settled anxiously on the edge of their too cozy bed for Hayden to finish.

He was shirtless when he appeared, and his dark hair glistened with water. She tried not to stare as he set his pack down at the foot of the bed, but having recently rested against that hard chest she could not help but remember the satiny feel of his skin.

When he straightened, he ran his hand over the top of his head, showering his shoulders and the wall behind him with drops of water. His hair spiked in various directions when he was done, reminding her of a wet dog. A very handsome one, of course.

She could not help but smile. "That's a good way to dry it."

"The faster the better." His gaze shifted past her to the sagging swans on the night stand, and his lips curved in amusement. "No luck, huh?"

She shrugged. "I tried, but oh well."

"Bathroom's all yours," he said, his eyes dancing with laughter. "And... it's fresh water."

Danielle's eyes drifted closed, and her head tilted back as she imagined the clean feeling awaiting her. "That's probably the best thing I've heard all day," she moaned.

She realized how she appeared as soon as she straightened. The heat of Hayden's gaze burned into the spot on her neck so recently exposed before slowly skimming lower and lower with a lingering pause at her breasts and then at her abdomen. For once, he appeared speechless and unable to come up with one of his teasing comments, and he sharply turned away with a pained look on his face.

"I'm going to unpack," he mumbled.

"I'll be out in a minute."

Scooping up her clothing and toiletries, she hurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the wall and held her hand to her rapidly beating heart, wondering what had just occurred. Not normally a seductive woman, she knew her action had been innocent, but Hayden's response was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Her eyes drifted closed as she exhaled slowly and imagined what it would feel like to make love to a man like Hayden. With his assertive confidence and skill, she admitted it would probably be the most exciting encounter she would ever have. But could she risk giving her heart to a man she was not sure she could trust, a man who probably had his fair share of lovers back home?

Sighing, she opened her eyes and glanced around. There were more flower petals strewn around the bowl of the sink, and she smiled as she noticed how carefully Hayden had maneuvered around them. When her heart lurched in response to his thoughtfulness, she tossed them aside irritably and showered. After scrubbing the sweat, saltwater and the remnants of her bacteria-laden dumpster exploration away, she lectured herself for becoming infatuated with him and vowed to put aside her desire before she did something she would later regret.

For a second night, she was alone in a hotel room with a man barely above stranger to her – a man she was imagining making love to. There was no doubt he had her best interests at heart, but she was very aware that there was plenty he was not telling her. Even so, their continued closeness had caused something else to grow and build between them. Fearing this new shift in their relationship – if that was even what it was – after their kiss, she reluctantly reached for the door handle...

...And need not have worried.

Hayden had already shut off the overhead light, and only the small reading lamp on her side of the bed remained to guide her steps. He lay sprawled on his back with only the thin sheet over his waist and had thrown his arms over his eyes again. Evidently so tired that he had fallen asleep immediately, he did not flinch at all when she emerged.

Upset over the disappointment that filled her belly, Danielle hung up the dress he bought her beside the clothes he had unpacked with military precision before joining him. As quietly as possible, she pulled back her covers and slipped between the cool crisp sheets with a sigh. She flipped off the light and settled into the darkness of their new room wondering what would happen when they woke in the morning. Tomorrow was another day, and she only hoped they would survive it.

### ****

Holding a glass of wine, Micaela glided into the spacious sunken living room and settled on the sofa close to Rocky. His gaze swiveled from the large-screen television to her scarlet-red dressing robe ending above her knees, and he smiled briefly. Though still furious at the loss of her cousin and Rocky's resulting nonchalance, Micaela was a smart woman and knew she could only hold her anger against him briefly before risking his wrath. He sighed in victory when her hand settled midway up his thigh.

"I heard from Eduardo," she murmured. "He was able to get into her room, and found evidence of only one person. No men's belongings."

"The room was in her name only," he said in agreement.

"Yes."

"Did he find anything of interest in there?"

"Just clothing and pamphlets."

Rocky nodded thoughtfully. "I see. That's disappointing. I was hoping she would've left her passport or something of value there."

Micaela shook her head. "Nothing. Just clothing, her suitcase and toiletries in the bathroom. You see? She's just a tourist."

"Who received help from someone... Is still receiving help," he insisted.

Micaela's eyes flashed with irritation. "You told me she was alone at the bar."

"Yes, but she disappeared soon after. We were unable to find a hotel that registered her last night."

"She could have taken a taxi."

"Back to Cancun?"

"Perhaps she booked a room on the beach?"

Rocky nodded. "I'm looking into that possibility."

Micaela sighed. "I think you're barking up the wrong tree, my love."

Though he knew he did not need to explain himself to her, Rocky pinned her with a warning gaze. "That's for me to decide. I believe she has information and that I can use her to flush out my quarry. Therefore, I'll continue to look for her as I see fit."

Properly chastised, Micaela removed her hand from his thigh and turned to face the television. She watched the evening sitcom halfheartedly, but he could tell her mind was occupied. If it had been transparent, he wondered if he would see her synapses firing back and forth as she ingested this new information.

"I want the room watched. She'll return there to collect her belongings. Tell Eduardo to remain close... And the airport. We do have men there, yes?"

"We do," Micaela murmured.

Rocky glanced down at the passport photograph on the glass coffee table. The woman's face and personal information lay before him, the same woman who was with his nemesis. Two men down, one lost, and now the woman... Tango had much to atone for.

"We'll catch her, if not in her room then at least in the airport," he said in satisfaction.

Micaela sighed again, but this time it sounded more like a huff. He knew she did not like his interest in the beautiful Dr. Danielle Ryan of San Diego, California. Certainly it was out of character for him to find one woman so intriguing, but he did. He was fascinated with her beauty, in lust with her hourglass curves, and enthralled by her clear blue eyes.

The connection she had with his prey outweighed the risks he was taking. Having broken the news of the dead deal to JW, he had suffered through a tongue lashing that made even him cringe. The fury of Tango's betrayal spurred him on with an uncustomary lack of propriety and caution that was both exhilarating and frightening to his inner circle. Although driven by bloodlust, Rocky knew Tango would eventually make a mistake, and he fully intended to be ready while he waited like a cat stalking a mouse for that error to occur. It was merely a matter of time. The man could not be that smart, especially with the beautiful doctor to distract him.

Once he had the girl, Tango would follow.

Yes, he thought, smiling. You will come to me, little mouse.

### ****

It was nearing dawn when the persistent vibration of his cell phone woke Hayden.

When he had finally succumbed to sleep, Danielle had already curled into a ball on her side and was breathing with the steady rhythm of slumber. Knowing she was resting made it possible for him to relax as well, and he soon followed her into a deep sleep that unfortunately did not last long. Several hours later he was awake and cold, reaching for the quilt to cover them both. Apparently the air conditioning was set to a temperature cool enough to be called chilly, and he was almost shivering when he felt Danielle roll over and press her body against his. He noticed her skin was also cold to the touch when he lowered his arm around her shoulders and held her.

Unsure whether to thank the room's temperature or curse it, he tucked the blanket around both of them and closed his eyes again. However, sleep remained elusive. Danielle settled with a sigh that brushed her soft breasts against his ribs and rested her head on his chest. Her thigh slid possessively over his, and her hand curled in a loose fist across his abdomen. Every muscle in his body tightened in response, and he released a frustrated groan against his growing desire.

Though she was asleep, the woman was turning him on.

He was a man accustomed to taking what he wanted, and he could not think of a time where he had slept beside a woman without having made love first. Sure, he wanted to make love to Danielle. Every nerve fiber in his body ached for her. But for the first time ever he was feeling contentment just holding a woman in his arms without having sex. With Danielle cradled against his chest, he felt strong and appreciated. It was a new and novel experience that took him by surprise, and when he finally drifted back to sleep he wondered if he was finally ready to settle down.

Nevertheless, the persistent vibration of the phone a few hours later ended his dreams of diapers and Little League games. He reached for it and glared at the caller ID, suddenly remembering he had not checked in with Alpha at all the previous day. Grimacing, he pressed the ignore button. He was not ready to listen to Alpha insist he return stateside again. He would not leave until he had Danielle safely on a plane, which would take another few days. Only then would he be in the air as planned.

Though the vibration had stopped, his phone announced a voicemail. Sighing in resignation, Hayden palmed his phone and began to grudgingly disentangle himself from Danielle's grip. Half of her body was sprawled atop his, and he feared his slightest movement would disturb her. However, when he eased away, she merely settled back down on his pillow. Grinning in admiration, he stared down at her for several long moments, enjoying the sight of her perfect profile relaxed in sleep. She was something else. Smart, brave, practical, and he noticed the evening before that she was also passionate. Oh, how he would love to explore that aspect of her personality much more closely.

Sighing, he shook his head. That would have to wait. He needed to get her life back first.

Slipping outside, Hayden pressed his phone to his ear and marched down to the beach. The humidity announced that more rain had fallen during the night, and the white sand was cool and damp under his feet. He settled on one side of the two-person lounge chair and glanced out into the bay as Alpha's message played. Several boats were already departing from the docks in the small beachfront town, loaded with eager divers getting an early start to view the magnificent coral reef that lay offshore.

Once the message had played, Hayden pressed the redial button and waited for Alpha to pick up. "Did you listen to my message?"

"Yes," Hayden responded lightly. "Good morning to you, too."

"Morning? I haven't even slept yet."

"I can tell. You sound grumpy."

"I just don't like the news on the street. Mexican authorities have you pinned as a shooter, Tango. Most of Quintana Roo is looking for you."

"You and I both know that wasn't the case."

"I'm going to say it again: get back here."

Off in the distance, Hayden spotted a sea turtle's back as it came up for air. Spying the sight that put this small resort town on the map reminded Hayden of his earlier thought concerning Danielle. Today he would try to make her forget about their worries. He was going to take her sightseeing.

Damn, he was a fool for that woman.

"I can't right now. I can't get to my plane."

"Leave it. I'll send someone else down to pick it up when things settle down. Take a commercial flight."

Hayden chuckled. Alpha knew him better than that. "Like that's going to happen."

"Tango, this is serious. They're going to kill you. One report coming in is that they're chanting 'remember Miki.'"

Hayden grunted in response, but Alpha's words disturbed him. He remembered Miki, a man who was brutally tortured and killed for being a traitor. A man with a wife and two children. "Have they ID'd me?"

"Not yet, but I'm worried. Rocky has connections everywhere."

"I know that," he said softly. Actually, he had seen it firsthand. Involving the local police was a step above what he had been prepared for, but he certainly would not admit that to Alpha. "That's why I'm here."

"It's too risky for you to stay there, Tango. I don't want to lose you."

"I have you to watch my back. Just find out who set me up. I'll be out of here by Saturday."

"With or without the plane?"

He sighed. "If need be."

"I don't like this."

"I came down here to spring the trap. He's a traitor, and we need to put him out of business and find out who he's reporting to."

"I'm sure he's thinking the same thing about you."

"Probably."

His carefree laughter goaded another heavy sigh from Alpha. "You didn't contact me at all yesterday. I want you to check in with me every day until you're in the air. Understand?"

"But mo-om!"

"Don't smart mouth me," he snapped, but Hayden could hear the twinge of amusement in his voice.

"Oh, all right."

"Be careful, Tango. I hope you know what you're doing."

Hayden dragged his gaze away from sea turtle just offshore and glanced over his shoulder at the cabana. He thought of the woman sleeping within, the only reason he was still in Mexico at all. If he did not feel so responsible for her, he would have accepted defeat and flown back to Arizona immediately. But he had her to worry about, to keep safe, possibly even to keep alive, and he had absolutely no intentions of failing her. For the first time ever, he was determined to do the right thing.

"I do too," he said solemnly.

### Chapter 9

A subtle knock on the front door drew Danielle from dreams of hot, passionate kisses and strong hands holding her tightly against a familiar tall, lean body. She inhaled deeply, catching the faint hint of citrus so much a part of Hayden's appealing scent, and opened her eyes. It seemed the man was suddenly all around her. With him filling all her senses and now her dreams, she wondered how in the world she had managed to remain with Stuart for as long as she had. There had been more passion in Hayden's single kiss than in all her embraces with the doctor she had been engaged to.

The scraping of a chair announced his presence in the room with her. Sighing away the painful memory of Stuart and Cara's betrayal, Danielle blinked the last remnants of sleep and glanced around. Her first realization was that she had not been dreaming when she sought out Hayden's warmth the night before. She vaguely remembered laying her head on his chest and listening to the steady thumping of his heart during the night, but she had attributed it to the highly erotic dreams of kisses until that moment.

She was sleeping on his pillow, very definitely on his side of the bed.

Feeling heat spread through her cheeks, she reluctantly reached out to confirm her suspicions and found her side of the bed cold. It was unnerving that even in sleep she was finding it difficult to stay away from him. What was it about him that she found so appealing?

The front door was still cracked, and thankfully he was not in the room to view her alarm. She could hear low voices outside and concluded that their promised breakfast had arrived. It gave her several moments to compose herself before she had to face him. Pushing into a seated position, Danielle immediately felt the remaining chill in the room, and she was scowling at the thermostat when Hayden reappeared with a tray of food in his hands.

"Good morning," he said cheerfully. "Is there a scary bug on the wall or something?"

She shook her head. "No, it's chilly in here."

He chuckled. "I noticed. You were cold last night and used me as your blanket. Guess you're glad now that there was only one bed."

Of course he would have to bring it up, she thought grumpily. Avoiding his eyes, she tossed back the sheets and came to her feet. The thermostat was set to 70°, too cold for the tropical weather outside, and she adjusted it with a vengeance while Hayden's low, throaty laughter drifted across the room.

"I'm setting it a few degrees higher, okay?"

"Whatever. I don't care. It's just nice to have some dry air after all this humidity." She heard him shifting things on the table but pretended to struggle with the thermostat. His lightly teasing voice carried over the scraping of the tray on the table. "Or you can leave it alone... They probably left the bed small and the thermostat low for a reason."

Danielle swallowed hard. Not only was he mentioning it, but he was making light of it as well. She huffed and left the thermostat at a more comfortable 75° before turning to face him with a scowl. He was busy setting their places, but he glanced up and winked at her when he caught her glare.

"I don't mind."

"I'm sure," she murmured.

"You didn't seem to mind either. You were all sprawled..."

"Okay," she interrupted, holding up a hand to stay his words. "I get it."

Remaining undaunted, he pushed a cup of steaming hot coffee in her direction. "And you made some really cute noises when you settled in." His eyes danced when she scowled at him. "Okay, okay... I know I'm making you angry. Here, have some – it'll wake you up."

"I'm plenty awake," she protested, but she took the coffee anyway.

Still chuckling, he pulled out a chair for her and then took a seat across from her. Making no move to dig into his breakfast, his gaze studied her new top, a pale-blue fitted one that displayed an image of the ruins. "I like that shirt."

The huskiness in his voice was very suspicious, causing her to glance down. The shirt left little to his imagination, and evidently this morning his was running rampant. Immediately crossing her arms over her chest, she scowled. "You're on fire this morning."

"Honey, I'm on fire every morning," he said with a wink.

She sighed, remembering what she had learned before. He enjoyed laughing at her as well as with her. There was no sense in feeling embarrassment when he so obviously found their instinctive nighttime cuddling amusing and apparently arousing. Smiling in defeat, she shook her head. "So you are."

The omelet before him miraculously began to disappear, so she turned her attention to her own food. She opted to sample her fruit first, and not for the first time noticed how Hayden's tastes ran more toward the citrus variety rather than the pineapple, peaches, and berries in the mix.

"Have you ever heard of people's odor changing due to the food they eat?"

He glanced up in surprise. "Like garlic or onion?"

She nodded. "Yes. I was thinking that you smelled like lemons the other day because you eat so much citrus."

"Now that's random."

She indicated to his fruit bowl with her fork. "I just noticed how you favor oranges and grapefruit."

He stared down with a thoughtful frown. "I guess I do... never thought about it before."

His face again bore the look of intense concentration that she enjoyed so much as he continued working through his meal. She had succeeded in distracting him from her nocturnal activities and felt a twinge of triumph as she focused on her plate. He finished in silence, downing his juice and then sitting back in his chair to study her while she ate.

"I spoke with our hostess this morning about a rental car. She told me she'd let me know this afternoon how soon we can get one."

"That's great," she responded happily.

"I was thinking we could spend the morning checking out a local _cenote_ she just told me about."

"You mean leave here?"

"She told me it's not too far." He appeared unexpectedly nervous as he hurriedly explained. "I guess there's a lake not too far from here with a path leading to it. She said the locals maintain a hidden trail that goes to a secluded _cenote_ nearby. She told me she only tells the honeymooners and swears them to secrecy before she'll give directions." He shrugged and looked away. "I just thought you might want to visit one since the rest of your vacation has been so disruptive."

All Danielle knew about _cenotes_ was that they were sinkholes of collapsed limestone prevalent in the area. Some remained caves filled over the years with water, and oftentimes cave divers would go in to explore the underwater passages. She shivered at the thought. However, she was also aware that many of the public ones were visited eagerly by bathers dying to snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear water.

Hayden's sweet attempt to occupy her with something entertaining was not lost on her. She beamed at him, offering him one of her best smiles. "I think that would be great."

He immediately relaxed, and she realized that he had been anxious for her approval. It endeared him to her all the more. Clearing his throat, he smiled back. "I think you'll like it."

Touched by his uncustomary nervousness, she pushed her chair back and came to her feet eagerly. "What should I bring?"

"No sunscreen or bug spray. We can bring some water and snacks." He stood as well and wiggled his eyebrows as his confidence returned in full force. "She also told me bathing suits are optional."

She laughed. "No, she didn't."

"Actually, she did," he insisted. "It's supposedly that private."

Unable to resist, she blinked at him several times and sent him a coy smile. "Wouldn't you love it if I took her up on that suggestion?"

Hayden's eyes went wide with shock, and his mouth opened and closed several times. Seeing the mischief in her eyes, he wordlessly lifted his hand and waved her away, but Danielle was not deterred. Having finally bested him, she laughed and gathered up her suit to change.

It was not until the bathroom door closed solidly behind her that she finally heard his laughter, too.

### ****

She had to go and say something so outrageous, so provocative and so unbelievably desirable, that from the moment she batted her eyelashes at him he could think of nothing else. Every time he looked at her as she led the way down the jungle path, he thought of her skinny dipping in the clear water of their private swimming hole and had to look away. Yet no sooner did his attention go to the trees on either side of them than he was looking back, watching the sway of her hips and the round curve of her buttocks. Her ever-present beach bag bounced against her hip, rhythmically teasing him as she strolled along in her ineffectual flip flops. Her words made the hike uncomfortable and stifling, and he took no notice of the bugs swarming them, even when the mosquitoes took a few swipes for his blood.

His mind was otherwise preoccupied, and malaria was the least of his worries.

Scowling, Hayden nearly missed the strategically-placed rock that indicated their private trail ahead. Seeming not to notice his obvious frustration, Danielle paused in her jaunty step and returned to his side when he called her back. "Here it is."

The rock was there, but the trail was not. He frowned again and pulled back several leaves while she cheerfully imitated the various bird calls over their heads with a light whistle. Her obvious amusement did little to ease his frustration, and not for the first time he considered showing her just how much her teasing was affecting him. It took all of his strength to restrain himself.

But if she didn't stop swinging her hips all bets were off.

"Do you see anything?"

He could barely hear her low voice over the cacophony of birds overhead, and he hated the laughter dancing in her eyes when he looked up. "I'm looking."

She covered her mouth with her hand and spun on her heel, taking a few steps away to muffle her mirth. He glared at her back yet again. The damn tease knew very well what was distracting him. Finally, she stopped giggling long enough to point a finger on the opposite side of the trail from him. "I think that's it."

He followed the direction of her finger and grimaced. Yes, their hostess had told him that the rock was across from the trail. It was another means of diversion. In his preoccupation with Danielle's body, he had completely forgotten.

"Good find," he said grudgingly.

She stood to the side, her teasing smile subdued. "Why don't you go first?"

He brushed past her without another word, taking the narrow footpath that was little more than a leaf-strewn break in the foliage with determined steps. It was a better position for him. Being in front meant he did not have to watch her graceful movements. However, he remained aware of her footsteps behind him, and the weight of her stare on his back ended up being just as disconcerting.

He hoped the site was not too far ahead. He was about to lose his mind.

Luck seemed to be on his side for once. Within a few hundred feet, a small clearing opened before them. It was a sunken _cenote_ , and the water beckoned no more than ten-feet below. The rocky ledge was steep, but he was able to see several handholds along the way. Dropping the bag containing fruit and bottled water, Hayden placed his hand on his hips and turned to wait for Danielle to appear through the maze of trees. Her face was alight with excitement, and some of his frustration ebbed when she smiled brightly.

"This is it?"

Though the _cenote_ itself was only about ten-meters across, the clear, blue water continued under the roof of the cave for several meters beyond. It appeared to be a nice shelf, and he understood why their hostess had told him bathing suits were optional. It definitely was private. Even from their vantage point he could not see how deep the cave went.

"This is it," he agreed.

She peered over the edge. "How do we get down there?"

"Climb." Pulling his shirt over his shoulders in a single, fluid move, he tossed it over a tree branch and glanced back at her. "Or you can jump in. I'll catch you."

"What if I break a leg?"

He chuckled. "I think it's far deeper than it looks. The water's notorious for being clear."

She nodded. "I remember reading that. Something about the limestone filtering it."

"Exactly." A sudden burst of excitement to swim in water pleasantly cool after all their steamy hikes spurred him into action. Kicking off his boots, he stuffed his socks inside and rested them at the base of the tree. Then he strode to the edge and glanced down. "There's a guiding rope here."

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Danielle staring skeptically. "Let me know how hard it is."

He turned back to the ledge just as her hands gathered up the material of her shirt. Swallowing the lump in his throat that suddenly formed, he focused on the descent, picking his way down until the cool water lapped about his ankles. He spotted a small drop off over his shoulder and let go of the ledge. From there it was just a matter of jumping in, and he did so with gusto. Similar to swimming at Ford's house, he dove down several meters and opened his eyes. They were not lying. It was clear and bright, the depths almost indeterminable because the sunlight stretched so far below. Swimming back up, he broke the surface with a refreshed whoop of delight.

"Hurry up! It's great."

He heard her dry voice just above. "I can tell you didn't break your neck going down then."

"Nope, still here... Come on."

Her head appeared as she leaned over the side to stare down at him. "Where's the best place to start?"

He grinned. "Move over about two feet and jump."

Her eyes went wide. "Seriously?"

"You'll love it, Dani," he promised.

Why he doubted her for an instant, he could never tell, but she surprised him by doing exactly what he said. One minute she was gone from sight, and in the next she was sailing past him with a nervous squeal. He spun around to make sure she was okay and came face to face with her as she resurfaced with a wide grin.

"That was epic," she said with a laugh.

Joining her laughter, Hayden wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to the small ledge. "This is pretty neat, isn't it?"

"Neat? This is amazing," she gasped. "The water feels glorious."

"All the rivers here are underground. This area used to be an ocean."

"It's incredible."

Pushing away from the ledge, Danielle dove back under the water and began swimming toward the overhang casting its shadow over the rest of the pool. He caught a flash of blue before he followed her and realized mournfully that she had worn her bathing suit after all. Using long strokes, he easily caught up to her, and together they swam into the shadows.

"It's wonderful," she said breathlessly. Pausing just under the lip of the overhang, she treaded water and gazed up at the craggy ceiling above. Small stalactites hung overhead, and the water turned a darker turquoise the deeper he followed her in. Using the wall for support, she paused just out of view of the rim and caught her breath. A small ledge protruded from the porous wall, and she pulled herself on it and gazed around with a look of awe. "It's magical."

He chuckled as he closed the distance between them, taking his time in absorbing the seclusion of the spot. "The Mayans certainly thought so."

"I'm in full agreement with them."

Liking the way the sound of her voice echoed off the walls, he swam closer and rested his hand on the ledge near her thigh. Subtle dripping sounds pierced the darkness behind them. "I wonder how deep it goes."

"Be my guest," she offered.

Raising one dark eyebrow, he turned to face her, amazed at how close they really were. The ledge was under water, but it was high enough to put them nearly nose to nose. He fought back the urge to close the gap between them and focused on her uneasiness. "You're afraid of the dark?"

"Only when there are caves and water involved."

"So if I went deeper you wouldn't come?"

"Not a chance."

He pouted playfully. "What if I got lost?"

Glancing past him to the dark cave beyond, she stifled a shudder. "Sorry, you'd be on your own."

"You wouldn't look for me?"

Danielle shook her head. "Nope. I'd miss you, but not enough to go in there after you."

Feeling slightly mischievous, Hayden pressed the issue. Reaching for her hand, he grasped it and gave her a slight tug. "Come on, you're brave. We'll just explore a little."

"No way." She tried to pull her hand from his grip, and he allowed her to pull him closer. Much to his surprise, she continued to do so until he was just inches away. The look in her eyes sobered slightly. "Thank you for bringing me here, Hayden. I've never seen anything so beautiful."

His gaze never left her face when he responded huskily. "Neither have I."

He knew he was lost when her lips parted in either surprise or invitation, and he recognized there was no way he could leave their secluded spot without kissing her again. The realization dawned in her eyes, and they widened seconds before his head dipped and his mouth covered hers. Pleased that she did not pull away, he felt emboldened enough by her acquiescence to plunge deeper and move closer. Her soft lips parted beneath his, and their tongues resumed the urgent dance of exploration that had begun the evening before. In an effort to close the distance between them, Hayden maneuvered between her thighs and braced his arms on either side of her. Danielle opened for him completely with a soft murmur. Her hands rose out of the water, one cupping the back of his neck so her fingers could toy with his hair. Her other hand strayed to his chest, and her palm spread over the steady beating of his heart.

Both of them had waited for this moment, longed for it, and she offered no resistance when his hand left the ledge and reached up to cup her breast. Fire surged in his loins when it filled his hand perfectly. So perfectly, indeed, that he felt as though it was made for his palm. He heard the soft moan from the back of her throat when he pushed her top aside with an urgency bordering on roughness, and he felt her cool skin respond immediately to his touch. Her thighs tightened around his hips, and she dragged her mouth from his with a ragged sigh.

"Hayden."

Her back arched, pressing her more firmly into his hand. Wrapping his free hand in her hair, he tugged her head back and nuzzled her neck. Her gasp of pleasure echoed off the walls and sent a surge of desire to his core.

"You're gorgeous, Dani," he breathed in awe.

Smiling shyly, her hands ran over his shoulders and down his back, drawing him even closer. Her thighs slipped higher, locking around his waist, and he could not resist pushing against her so she could feel the extent of his longing. To his amazement, the heat at her core matched his, and their loins came together with a beautiful fit that made his head spin. She was murmuring unintelligible words and soft noises that were like music to his ears, and they echoed with the sound of his breathing in the cave opening.

Nibbling on the skin between the arch of her neck and the curve of her shoulder, Hayden suddenly lifted his head and kissed her hard. The pressure of his lips thrust her back against the wall, and his hand left the web of her hair to slide down her arm. Feeling the silken touch of her breast against his chest, he inhaled raggedly and lifted his head.

"You feel it, too," he said, his tone almost accusing.

She blinked several times before focusing on him. "Please don't stop."

Allowing her to support their weight, he explored her body with urgent hands while their tongues danced a rhythm as old as time. With their hearts pounding in unison and their ragged breathing echoing off the walls, Hayden was aware only of Danielle and his need to possess her completely. Her hands were fumbling with the tie at his waist, and he went rigid with elation when suddenly a horrific sound shattered the silence... And their privacy.

The sound echoed from the trees down into their private pool, and Danielle jerked away with a frightened cry. "What the hell was that?"

Like the roar of a lion, or maybe what one would expect a dinosaur to sound like, a deep, sharp growl rose from the jungle above. At first too stunned to respond, Hayden abruptly released his grip on Danielle and swam back to a spot where he could view the ledge above.

"Stay back," he said hoarsely.

Her eyes were as wide as saucers, and she merely nodded.

A sound somewhere between a screech and a roar came from high in the trees, and this time recognition dawned. Shoulders sagging in disappointed frustration, he wanted to give a territorial cry of his own and warn the little primate away from his perfect scene. Gritting his teeth, he swam back to Danielle and gently adjusted her suit with hands that shook with desire and defeat. Ensuring those beautiful breasts were covered was like sticking a knife into his chest, but he knew without meeting her gaze that the moment was lost.

She glanced down at his hands then up at his face. "Hayden?"

"It's just a monkey," he said through clenched teeth. "He must've caught our scent."

The howling continued, and she shook her head in disbelief. "That ungodly sound is a monkey?"

Unable to resist, he managed a tight smile. "Believe it or not, yes. It's a howler monkey. I guess this spot really is isolated. They tend to be territorial."

"How big is it?"

"They're not as big as they sound."

"Is it going to attack us?"

He reached up and ran his fingers along her cheek. "It won't hurt us. Promise."

She did not appear convinced. "Can we go?"

At least their room offered the blessed privacy he could not seem to capture. Almost eagerly, he nodded. "Yeah."

Pushing herself off the rock, Danielle entered the water behind him and swam close to his side back to the ledge. The howling was loud, echoing in their small _cenote_ and bouncing off the walls like some sort of horror movie monster. She continued to glance behind her, as though waiting for something to rise from the crystalline depths and pull her under, and if Hayden was not so frustrated he might have laughed.

Then the thought hit. "Damn."

"What?" Danielle cried fearfully.

"We brought fruit. Maybe that's what caught his attention."

Pulling himself out of the water, Hayden climbed to the rim. He was pleased when he saw that their clothes and bags were untouched, and when he glanced at the trees above, there was no sign of their noisy intruder.

Returning to the edge, he stared down and saw Danielle sitting on the shallow ledge with her knees drawn up to her chest. He felt a twinge of regret. Certain the mood was lost, he bit back his frustration and offered her a reassuring smile. "Can you make it back up?"

She glanced up, her eyes still huge in her perfectly oval face. "Are they there?"

He shook his head. "Nowhere in sight. It's out here but not near."

She warily came to her feet and stared up at him suspiciously. "You're sure? That noise they're making is awful."

Leaning down, he reached out a hand encouragingly. "It's okay. Come on up and we'll go."

Impressing him yet again with her trust, she took his proffered hand. When she reached the ledge, he had to turn away before the sight of her dressing made him yank her back into his arms. He waited by the path, still frustrated and on edge, but he took a slight consolation when he saw her stare up at the trees with a fierce scowl.

"Damn monkeys... ruined everything."

Ducking his head, he stifled a smile. Apparently, all was not lost after all.

### Chapter 10

The rental car was scheduled to arrive the next morning. Hayden planned to be on the road to Cancun and her hotel after breakfast.

Danielle was scared.

It was a strange feeling for her. Sure, the fear of the men hunting her and somehow finding her in that bustling city was present. But it also went deeper. It meant Hayden would deliver her to the airport and watch her fly away, back to San Diego and back to a life that suddenly seemed dull. In the space of three days, she had changed so dramatically. Everything she worked for, all the toil and sacrifice she had stoically tolerated was now a part of the old Danielle. Stuart's betrayal had somehow been relegated to a part of her history that seemed so trivial. Having tasted her own mortality on several occasions, the ending of her engagement no longer caused the same pain in her heart. She was beyond all that. With that knowledge trepidation followed, and she feared when she did eventually make it home she would be forever different.

If she made it home.

Hayden had promised he would make sure that happened, and she truly did believe he would do everything he possibly could. However, tension had appeared in his posture with the arrival of their good news as well. Though outwardly eager to take the ride up there, his sudden silences made her uneasy. Having grown used to his easygoing way, the serious Hayden reminded her of how much danger she was in.

The remainder of the afternoon passed quickly. Too quickly. Hayden busied himself on his computer, remaining silent and tense, so Danielle did her best to enjoy their quiet, sunny beach. The water in the bay was clear and calm, and there were no other tourists for as far as the eye could see. Minus the miscellaneous boater off in the distance, their little corner beach afforded them a level of privacy she suspected must have cost him a fortune.

Lying back on one side of the double lounge chair, she tried to relax the afternoon away in preparation for yet another adventure the following day. Alternating between dozing and swimming to cool off, she finally began to believe that she was back on vacation, if only for a little while.

She was dozing on the comfy, cushioned chair when she felt a soft touch lightly stroke the side of her face. The subtle scent of a rose reached her nose as the tickle slowly passed, and her eyes fluttered open to see Hayden standing above her with the red rose in his hand. He grinned when she smiled at him in greeting.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Stretching languidly, Danielle nodded. "Mm, immensely."

"Good." He nudged her thigh with his knee and settled down beside her when she shifted. Almost absently, the rose continued its light trail over her chin and down her neck while he continued speaking. "Dinner just arrived. If I'm able to pry you away from this chair, will you come inside and eat? We can come back out after and share that champagne."

The grumble in her tummy almost outweighed the fluttering in her heart when the rose slipped lower into her suprasternal notch. He held it there, lightly stroking the dip at the base of her neck. "What are we eating?"

"Bacon-wrapped shrimp," he said approvingly.

"Sounds yummy."

His gaze may not have left her face, but the hand that held the rose had broadened its exploration. Leaving the base of her neck, he guided it along the length of her collarbones via a dip down into the space between her breasts.

"Excellent," he said lightly. "I want us to relax and enjoy today. We have plenty to do tomorrow, so tonight we unwind."

She wondered exactly what he meant by unwind after their steamy encounter at the pool and was pleased that she was not intimidated. In fact, just the opposite. She was excited. "Now that sounds really good."

He chuckled and pulled the rose away. Holding it out to her, he waited for her to take it before grasping her hand and pressing her fingers against his lips. They were warm, his chin scratchy, and the romantic gesture sent desire pooling in her belly.

"Well then, Mrs. Evans, are you ready to dine with your doting husband?"

"Absolutely."

Hayden came to his feet and gallantly held out his hand. After wrapping her towel around her chest, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to swing it cheerfully between them. Opening the slider, he stood aside to let her pass and guided her to the table with a hand on the small of her back. Two plates of rice, shrimp and fresh salad waited, and she noticed that Hayden had pulled out the bottle of champagne and re-filled the wicker basket with ice.

She smiled at him over her shoulder. "It looks so nice, Hayden. Thank you."

He grinned. "Did you see the bed?"

Following the direction of his gaze, she gasped in surprise before breaking out in a healthy burst of laughter. After several moments of pure amusement, she turned to face him, her eyes watering from mirth and hands planted firmly on her hips. "Did you do that?"

He was all innocence and held his hands out in front of him. "Dani, I know I'm good, but even I'm not that talented."

Turning back to the bed, she resumed her laughter. Two monkeys were entwined in each other's arms, and their long tails formed a delicately-arched heart. More rose petals were scattered across the bed, and each monkey was decorated with a petal on the tip of the nose. Following their rude interruption in the jungle, she could not think of anything more appropriate.

"Those damn monkeys," she gasped, laughing all the harder.

Hayden shook his head, and his lips twitched with amusement. Watching her mirth with interest, the same gleam she had noticed at the _cenote_ entered his eyes, and for a moment she suspected he would close the gap between them and kiss her. But he remained where he was, studying her intently as she spent her delight.

"That's priceless."

"It's nice to see you laugh," he said earnestly.

"It's nice to laugh," she agreed.

"See? We're having a good evening already."

Intent on proving his point, he avoided discussion of their trip to Cancun in the morning and focused solely on personal talk during their delicious meal. She told him more about her studies, the way she had met Dr. Stuart Price during her rotation in the emergency room, and how she suspected that her best friend, Cara, had designs on him from the start.

He told her of his family's gentle teasing for not having settled down to date and explained his reasons. His last girlfriend had been three years prior, a fellow pilot with a similar schedule to his who accepted his frequent traveling. She had been separated from her husband, and Hayden had hoped their relationship would deepen once she was finally free. He had steadfastly remained by her side, but on the day she was to sign her divorce papers she returned to her husband. Danielle could hear the pain of betrayal in his voice when he swore he would never be a rebound again and realized just how sensitive he was behind his constant humor. Though he never hinted how badly he was hurt, the blunt revelation said it all.

When their dinner plates were washed in the kitchenette's sink and resting in the drying rack, Hayden gathered up their champagne flutes in one hand and the bottle in the other and escorted her back outside. The sky was turning from a cloudless, cerulean blue to a partly cloudy mixture of colors ranging from blue to pink and orange as the sun's rays bounced off the puffy clouds.

"The rain's coming," he commented as he pulled his shirt over his head and took a seat on the other side of their chaise. He stared out at the sea thoughtfully, and Danielle noticed a storm off in the distance.

"Every night, huh?"

"It is the rainy season, Dani," he teased.

She rolled her eyes at him and plopped down beside him. He was ready with her champagne flute, and she settled back with a small sigh. They were silent for a time, watching the last of the diving and fishing boats make their way back into the bay.

Having almost forgotten the terrors of the past few days, she was enjoying the serene setting when Hayden began to chuckle at her side. Glancing over curiously, she noted that he too seemed relaxed, but he was staring at her in amusement. "What?"

Propping his forearm on his bent knee, he shifted slightly to face her. "I was just sitting here thinking about Monday morning. Never in a million years did I suspect I'd be here in Akumal on a private beach with a bikini-clad, drop-dead gorgeous blonde by Thursday... This has been one wild vacation."

"I guess I could say the same," she said with a wry laugh. She liked the look of pleasure that brightened his face and smoothly shifted so they were face to face. Holding out her flute, she murmured. "To crazy vacations."

"May we have many more."

Their glasses clinked, and Hayden reached for the bottle to refill them. The cool bubbly tingled on its way down, but the dry, fruity taste was so pleasant that she eagerly sipped more. She felt the fizz all the way down to her toes and wiggled them idly while she ingested his words.

"I hope not," she said with a shudder.

Lowering his glass slowly, Hayden met her horrified glance with a look of playful hurt. "You wouldn't vacation with me again?"

"Not when there are men with guns chasing us."

"All right then, next time I'll just sweep you off to some deserted island somewhere out in the Pacific that hasn't been visited since colonial days."

She giggled. "Are there any islands like that anymore?"

"Maybe. I don't know. I'll check it out."

"If there are, with our luck they'll probably be inhabited by headhunters and cannibals."

He chuckled. "That's worse than guns, huh?"

"Much," she said with a laugh.

"How about a boat then? A cruise or a sailboat... maybe a yacht that we can take out in the middle of the ocean."

"We'll probably run into pirates."

"A trip to Alaska?"

"Hunters with rifles mistaking us for deer."

"Europe?"

"Maybe." Draining the rest of her glass, she held it out for him to refill it and met his dancing brown eyes. "Are we really planning a vacation?"

Hayden blinked at her as if he was as surprised as she but did not hesitate. "Yeah, but only if there are no guns."

She smiled. "I like that."

He leaned a little closer. "You do, huh?"

Nodding confidently, she gazed into the deep brown depths of his eyes. They were not dancing with delight anymore. They held a serious purpose that pledged so much, and she was delighted that she was looking forward to it.

"Me too."

No longer hearing the birds and the waves, no longer seeing the sky turn to a burnt orange as the sun set, Danielle was aware only of the flecks of gold in Hayden's eyes and the distance between their faces that was slowly closing. Her stomach fluttered when she revisited their encounter in the small dark cave. The promise of what was to come was nearly too good to believe, and she allowed her empty flute to fall to the cushion beside her so she could reach up and draw him the final distance that separated the old Dani from the new.

With a soft sigh of relief, Hayden eagerly met her silent request, angling his face over hers and deftly capturing her lips. He tasted of champagne, and the moist cavity of his mouth contrasted sharply with the heat of the hand that landed heavily around her waist. As she welcomed his kiss, she wondered idly where the champagne had gone, but no sooner did the thought flash through her mind than she was delving her hand deep in his hair and holding him tight.

Thrusting aside her towel, his hand slipped down to touch her bare skin and press her back against the cushion. He followed closely, refusing to break their connection for even the slightest moment. Feeling the hunger of his kiss and the tightly-restrained control in his touch, she relaxed beneath him and allowed him to set the pace. He was in the lead, and she blindly succumbed to the promise of a meeting that would remain in her memory as something as enchanting as their private beach.

He drew her closer before settling his hand on her abdomen. His skin was on fire and his eyes burned when he lifted his head to stare down at her in a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Dani, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now."

"Then come here and make me the luckiest girl."

Apparently satisfied, he promptly lowered his head and captured her lips again as her arms encircled his shoulders. She arched against him and closed her eyes when she felt the smooth skin of his chest touch hers, pressing her deeper into the soft cushion of their outdoor bed. She loved his weight, the satiny smoothness of his skin and the restrained urgency with which he took control of her mouth, and all too soon she was breathing rapidly and arching into him for more.

He did not disappoint. Leaving the softness of her lips, his mouth moved slowly along her jaw, nibbling and kissing his way down the column of her neck. He lingered at the base, his tongue snaking out to taste the skin above the rapid beating of her pulse. While he nuzzled with his mouth, he explored with his hand, returning to the special spot that made her melt inside. Blessing her choice of a string bikini, she offered no hesitation when his hand pushed the material aside and exposed her to the growing darkness.

He raised his head and smiled down at her. "I think a private island is the best idea by far."

Her eyes opened reluctantly. Fighting back the urge to protest, she reached out and traced his lips with her finger, which were pleasantly moist from their recent kisses. "Are you still thinking of that?"

"I'm just planning on ways to keep you all to myself."

"Good answer," she replied. "I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong."

"Oh no," he said decisively. "Everything about you is perfect."

When she looked in his eyes, she saw what appeared to be devotion. Stomach clenching in response, she smiled up at him, awestruck that a man as sexy and virile as he could feel that way about her. "Oh, Hayden, if I'm perfect it's because of you."

Like the explosive thunderstorm that grew closer and brought with it the covering darkness, their bodies joined with a scorching need that inflamed them beyond rationality. Danielle's soft sighs emboldened him, and soon she was moaning out her pleasure over the sounds of the rustling palms and lapping waves. They clung to one another, releasing all of their pent up fear, frustration and anxiety in one long shuddering moment of pleasure so pure that Danielle's earlier assumption about the magic of it all was proven tame by comparison. She clung tightly to him and dreamed of never letting him go.

### ****

Though his inner alarm clock advised Hayden that dawn was approaching, the room was still as dark as it had been when the storm broke overhead the evening before. Smiling at the memory of the gusts of wind that had blown tiny shards of powdery white sand into every exposed inch of skin with the bite of a million mosquitoes, Hayden relished in the tingle in his limbs that remained even now. Those nasty shards of sand sent Danielle's head burrowing into his chest and prompted him to haul her over his shoulder and run inside to the safety of their room.

They did not emerge for the remainder of the evening.

Still remembering her warm laughter, Hayden closed his eyes and relived every moment that had passed since she looked at him with those brilliant blue eyes and asked if he was really planning their next vacation. Hell yeah, he was. She was not a single encounter to him. He was planning vacations, long dates, quiet dinners, and much more if given the chance. Even though he knew his secret still lay between them, the truth was in his heart, and his greatest hope was that she would accept a guy like him when she finally knew it all. He was not going to lie to her as he had to his family.

For now, though, the less she knew the better. That she was still in danger haunted his every thought, and it was growing in torment the deeper he fell under her spell. The more he learned about her, the more he cared. He had to get her back to the States to people who could ensure her safety while he cleared up the mess he was in for good. At the same time, he was finding it increasingly difficult to imagine letting her out of his sight at all. A real dilemma considering what lay ahead for them.

As if she suspected he was lying awake, her hand slid from his navel to his heart, and her palm covered the spot where the rhythmic beating was most palpable. He reached out and caught her hand in his, and his body reacted immediately as if driven by some elemental connection stemming from his brain and extending to Danielle's. Damn, the woman was remarkable.

Bringing his thoughts back under control was difficult when the object of his fascination was resting peacefully by his side with her head in the crook of his shoulder. Inhaling deeply, he thought instead about the minutes passing. Only four more hours before they would be on the road to Cancun. He was not concerned about getting into the city. It was far larger than Tulum, and she would have a better chance of blending in. What concerned him was what he would find when he got into her room. How many men would be staking it out, and where would be a safe place to stash her while he removed her belongings? Those were the things he needed to work out.

"What's wrong?"

The voice was drowsy and thick with sleep, but Hayden felt his heart leap in his chest when she spoke. His arm tightened slightly. "I didn't know you were awake."

"I didn't know you were until you sighed." She adjusted slightly, and her hand began to trace the narrow pattern of hair on his chest. "Is everything okay?"

He snorted. What man would not be the envy of him right now? "I'm feeling pretty awesome, Dani."

She propped her head on his chest and studied him sleepily. Despite the darkness in the room, he thought she looked even more beautiful than ever. Silhouetted against the faint light entering through the cracks in the blinds, he could make out the tousled mess of her hair and the drowsy, heavy-lidded blue eyes that still bore the last remnants of sleep. She looked well-loved and relaxed, and his chest swelled with pride. Everyone would know that this woman was his.

Yes, he was definitely thinking like a caveman.

Completely unaware of his silent perusal, she offered him a satisfied smile. "Now that's good to hear."

With a boldness that had initially caught him off guard the day before, Danielle showed him once again what it was that so attracted him to her and held him ensnared in her web. The hand that had so recently rested over his heart began a slow exploration. Her gaze never left his, and he gave her a lazy half smile. "Did you doubt it?"

Dipping lower, her brows rose saucily. "If I did, I'm certainly not now."

"And I have about three hours to prove it even more."

She pursed her lips at him as if considering his offer. "Mm, tempting."

"I think so, too."

"Better than having to get up and climb in a car."

"We can do that later."

Her hand slowed its lazy exploration. Though she was doing magical things to his body and mind, he caught the slight tremor in her voice. "I'm a little nervous, Hayden."

Pulling her atop him, Hayden cupped the back of her head and kissed her soundly. When he released her, he grinned. "I think your biggest fear should be of me right now."

"And why is that?"

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he easily flipped her over. Pinned under his body, he pressed her into the soft mattress. "Because I fully intend to hold you prisoner here for the next few hours, and nothing you say or do is going to stop me from making you forget about everything else but me."

With that he pulled the sheet over his head and began kissing his way down her body. She squealed in surprise, but in no time those sounds had turned once more to sighs of pleasure. When Hayden fulfilled his promise, he loved every minute of it, too.

### ****

Sensing danger, Rocky awoke with a sudden start, and his hand slipped across the bed to find that Micaela had gone. Let the games begin, he thought with a tingle of excitement.

Opening his eyes, he peered into the darkness, hearing the eerie whisper of silk a split second before he felt her soft fingers drift lightly over his forehead. A lazy smile began to appear, but it faded quickly when the cold steel of one of her blades pressed against his neck.

Though accustomed to her unusual behavior, she had attacked quickly this time. He grimaced wearily. "What is it now?"

He felt the sting of the tip of the blade as it pressed into his carotid artery. Going completely still, he stiffened in preparation for her next move.

"You need to focus, my love," Micaela said in soft, feathery voice.

"I am focused," Rocky retorted irritably.

She snickered. "You're obsessed with finding that blonde. She will be your downfall."

Rocky smirked, but the movement of his jaw brought the tip of the knife deeper into his skin. "You're a jealous nag."

She gasped in anger, and Rocky seized the moment. Lunging with the speed of a cheetah, both his arms came up. One hand grasped her wrist and pulled the dangerous blade away from his neck, and the other latched onto her throat, squeezing her windpipe until she made a strangled gurgle.

"Do that again," he said in a deceptively cool tone, "and I will snap your neck." To prove his seriousness, he deftly disarmed her and pressed the knife to her throat. "You're beautiful, pet, but you're not irreplaceable."

With a nimble flick of his wrist, he threw the blade, feeling satisfaction when he heard it embed into the wall. Still gripping her neck in his hand, he ignored her futile attempts to hit him and dragged her down. Rolling with her sprawled body, he pinned her beneath him and held her hands above her head with his free hand.

"I need Tango to pay for his crimes and to appease JW. She's with him," he said sternly. "Do not interfere with my plans, Micaela. I mean it."

He felt rather than saw her nod. At that point, he released his grip on her neck. Hearing her inhale desperately, he smiled. Another battle won with minimal damage, and yet again he was the victor. Bending his head, he nipped her neck as his excitement from their early morning antics aroused him. As he expected, she was already eager for him, and his unstable lover moaned as he used her violently, allowing their bodies to expend their fury together.

### Chapter 11

Cancun, known arrogantly in some quarters as "The City of the Golden Serpent" but more widely accepted as the "nest of snakes," gradually came into sight. As the small red rental car drew them closer, Danielle decided the latter was the more appropriate nickname. Stomach tightening, she anxiously stared out the window as Hayden turned into the Hotel Zone or _Zona Hoteleria_. Contrary to Tulum and Akumal, multi-storied hotels and condos dotted the white sand beach. All inclusive, spectacular resorts replaced the small eco-friendly and private cabanas, turning what was once a barren strip of marshland surrounded by water into the second most popular resort area in Mexico behind Acapulco.

People from all over the world vacationed in this glorious spot of land on the sea, and it appeared as though every one of them was out enjoying the pleasant day. People strolled along the sun-kissed boulevard, and the activity appeased her slightly. At least they would not stick out like a white shirt in a sea of black here.

Hayden pulled the rental car into a hotel parking lot down the beach from hers and shut it down. "Okay," he began, twisting in his seat to face her.

Surprisingly, he appeared as relaxed as he had been that morning, as though he had no qualms at all about sneaking into her room. A shiver of uncertainty made her study the man who was easily capturing her heart. Who was he exactly?

"Once you're done in the business center stay here and wait. It'll take me a while to walk down the beach and back, so if you get hot stay inside for a bit but don't go far."

They had already discussed this during the ride up, so she just nodded and forced her paranoid thoughts away.

"If we do get separated, wait somewhere where you can see the car but not directly next to it."

She nodded again.

He reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'll probably be gone an hour or so unless you have buckets of luggage and force me to take a cab back."

Danielle's lips curved. Leave it to him to try and crack a joke at such a serious time. "I didn't pack much more than a few bathing suits and cover ups."

"That's a relief."

"One suitcase."

"Excellent." Releasing her hand, he tipped her chin with his finger. "Don't stress, Dani. It's so busy here; I doubt anyone will even look our way... Well, maybe yours, but that's because you're gorgeous."

She suspected he was saying that purely to set her at ease, so she swallowed back the bile rising in her throat and offered him a brief smile. "I'll print up my flight information and come right back."

"Good girl. See you soon." He opened the door and climbed out, patting his pocket once to confirm he still had the room key, and bent over the door as he donned his sunglasses. "Don't lose the keys, or we're stuck here."

She smiled. "Yes, dear."

Grinning one last time, he straightened and walked away with a careless wave. She watched him go, admiring his confident walk and ignoring the twinge of sadness as he disappeared into the crowds. Once he was out of sight, she straightened in her seat and frowned. She wished she felt so carefree at the moment. Pulling her floppy sunhat on, she too covered her face with sunglasses before climbing from the car. In an attempt to resist the urge to look over her shoulder every few minutes, Danielle plastered a smile on her face as she entered the Caribbean-blue painted lobby of the luxury resort.

It was easy to pause long enough to overhear some of the conversations in the reception area, and it was only a matter of time before she heard what she needed.

"You'll be in room 310, Mr. and Mrs. Harkins. Please enjoy your stay."

Acting like a guest, she glided past the welcoming smiles behind the counter and went in search of the business center armed with the information she needed. The lobby itself was not busy, and she easily found the small room with several computers lining the wall. Taking a seat beside a frazzled older man dressed in a bright-red, buttoned shirt and green shorts, she listened to him mutter curses at his terminal while she patiently waited for hers to boot up. It took only a few minutes for her to login and print her flight information, and she was finished before the man had successfully logged in.

He glanced at her when she gathered her papers from the printer. Though she tried to avert her gaze from the face now as red as his shirt, he was determined. "Hey, how were you able to log in to this stupid thing?"

She was not about to tell him that she used the name and room number of another guest, so Danielle guided him through the process, smiling discreetly at his ineptitude. As she was straightening to gather her bag, he turned to her again. "You're flying out?"

She nodded. "Tomorrow."

"Well make sure you get there early. Did you hear about Tulum?"

A shiver of fear raced down her back, and she was sure her face paled. In an effort to cover up her nervousness, she nodded solemnly. "Tragic."

"It was, and my wife's eager to leave, too. Since they now know it was some American guy who went berserk, they put the airports on alert to find him."

Feeling as though her legs were about to give out on her, Danielle sunk back in her chair. "They confirmed it was an American? I hadn't heard that."

The man nodded and leaned toward her, speaking in the hushed tones of someone eager to impart gossip. "That's what they're saying. Five dead and eight or so wounded. That was the last I heard."

"The airports?" Danielle prodded.

"Not closed but guards everywhere."

"If it was an American, how'd he get a gun?"

"That's exactly what my wife said," he returned triumphantly. "It's a conspiracy, I'm sure. How would anyone get an automatic rifle through an airline?"

Danielle nodded absently. "I wonder why they're watching the airports then. Do they even know who this person is?"

The man shrugged. "If they do, they haven't released it publicly. They confiscated the photos from tourists who were present to find and identify him. Maybe someone got a picture of him that they're using to scan the crowds."

Like she had captured the image of the well-dressed man and the men who held the guns, she thought anxiously. No wonder they were looking for her. They had viewed the other photos from that day and most likely deleted the truth. Her hidden memory card very well could be a vital piece of evidence.

Hayden had so wisely understood that, long before she did.

"And they think he's just going to fly out?"

The man shrugged. She noticed how his shirt rose above his round belly as he did so and shuddered at his lack of fashion sense. "It's possible. I still think it's a cover up, just an excuse to harass us tourists trying to go home." He shook his head in perpetual irritation, the corners of his mouth turning down. "Armed guards? I thought Mexico was civilized."

"Armed?" Danielle gasped.

He turned to her again. "Sure. They're armed, with dogs, and they're searching luggage. Some of our friends here missed their flight yesterday because of the delay getting through this mess. That's why I suggest going early."

"It sounds dreadful."

"Until they find that guy, yes." He shook his head. "I just hope the photos they confiscated were good quality."

And she was leading Hayden right to them, she thought in alarm. Mumbling her thanks, she numbly came to her feet. Shoving the flight information deep into her bag, she plastered a smile one last time. "I hope your trip home goes well. Enjoy the rest of your vacation."

Giving her a look that told her he thought she was crazy, he smiled sardonically. "I'll try. Good luck tomorrow."

Danielle slipped out of the room and hurried back the way she had come. Though she had time before Hayden returned, the eagerness to see him and tell him everything she had learned sent her back out the door and across the carport to their waiting rental. Feeling as though all their plans had just been destroyed, she climbed in the steaming car and started the engine. While she waited for the air conditioning to cool off the interior, she removed her hat and glasses and covered her eyes with her hand. Armed with the knowledge that nearly all of Mexico was searching for him, she knew there was no way she could ever allow him to bring her to the airport. She would never put him at risk like that.

Sensing a battle ahead that she feared she would not win, she wondered how she would be able to tell Hayden to leave her now. Before her reasons were purely humanitarian, but he had come to mean so much more to her in the time they had spent together. Imagining him coming into harm's way sent such a pain through her heart that she could not breathe. If something were to happen to him, she was not sure what she would do. She had to make him see the danger ahead; she just had to.

### ****

Hayden strolled into the glorious entrance of The Royal and glanced around with a low whistle. Dani sure had chosen a nice place. Not that he blamed her considering her reasons for vacationing there. Reasons he had done his best to eradicate over the past 24-hours.

The grand piano was empty, but several people lounged on the leather chaises surrounding the spacious, open lobby. Earth tones kept the setting subtle and classy, and the highly-polished parquet floor spoke of fine quality. Glancing around at the lingering guests, Hayden sized them up with an experienced eye. Some read newspapers; others merely chatted without a care in the world. Appearing to ignore them all, he made a surreptitious sweep to weed out any suspicious characters. His gaze lingered on the lobby bar, where a sullen kid in his mid-twenties sat sipping what appeared to be water.

There's his watcher, he thought idly.

The kid did not spare him a glance in return, so Hayden veered left toward the elevators. Walking down the hallway lined by elegant Ionic columns, he kept one ear open behind him and joined the group waiting for the elevator. Several people mingled nearby, including a recently married couple. The woman wore a sunhat with the words "Just Married" stitched across the top, and the man obediently held her hand. Hayden met his eyes and smiled, but the groom ducked away in embarrassment.

If Danielle was his bride, he thought possessively, he would insist she wear a banner announcing to everyone that she belonged to him.

Another couple and two single men made up the rest of their group, and Hayden was fairly confident all was clear. After several awkward moments of everyone standing silently, the doors opened and a crowd of people poured out. He stood to the side, willingly entering last, and pressed the sixth floor button after noting where everyone else was departing. Three buttons were already lit, the second, third and fifth floors, and he was pleased he would be the last one off.

The hallway was deserted when he reached her floor, and he exited the elevator with the careless stride of a man who knew exactly where he was going. After turning the opposite direction first, Hayden scoped out his surroundings, listening for muffled voices or people loitering nearby. To his surprise, everything appeared clear. Still, the hair on the back of his neck prickled, reminding him not to let down his guard yet.

Down Danielle's hallway, two maids wheeled a heavy cart between them and chatted happily. Apparently nearing the end of their shift, he listened to them discuss their afternoon plans from around a corner. He did not emerge from his spot until their voices faded when they entered another room. Hurrying the remainder of the distance, he stealthily entered her room and closed the door silently behind him. He hoped no one had noticed his strange activities, especially the security cameras unobtrusively scattered throughout the hallway.

The room itself opened into a wall, the entry angled in such a way that the bed was not immediately noticeable. More columns lined either side of the door, and strategically placed artwork hung above a table bearing fresh fruit. With a wry smile, he chose an orange and tucked it into his pocket for later. Couldn't let the citrus smell that Dani liked so much go away, he thought warmly.

The room displayed as much elegance as the remainder of the resort. A large bed with the drapes pulled back on either side angled toward a wall-mounted television, and at its foot a bench of polished mahogany rested with a pillow covering. Hayden again whistled under his breath, feeling slightly embarrassed at the state of their meager accommodations over the past three nights. The woman certainly knew how to travel with class.

Beyond the bed, a two-person hot tub faced the balcony overlooking the sea. Images of the two of them emerged in bubbly water with a bottle of champagne sent him hurrying into the bathroom to get the job done. The longer he lingered and fantasized, the more risk he put them both in. But the mirror on the wall, directly across from the bed...

Get on with it, Evans.

Gathering up her toiletries, Hayden noticed that she traveled with the same practicality she exhibited in everything else he had observed about her. Not a woman to bring her entire bathroom on vacation, he scooped up her toothbrush, small makeup pouch and hair products in only one hand. Dumping them on the bed, he hastily checked the drawers in the mahogany dresser. They opened silently on well-oiled hinges, but he was dismayed to discover they were all empty. Knowing Danielle well enough to realize she would have put her clothes away, he scanned the room for her suitcase and came face to face with his first problem.

The suitcase was fluorescent pink.

Of course he should have known. Always prepared, always thinking ahead, it was only natural she would go for a brightly-colored suitcase that was easy to spot on the airport carousel. Easy for her to travel with, but hell for him. Knowing he was more likely to draw attention dragging a pink suitcase, Hayden rounded the large bed and unzipped it with a new urgency. When he pulled back the lid, he found the initial signs that her room had been searched. He was certain she would have packed her outfits neatly, but what he found was a wrinkled mess of clothing, and atop the pile lay a single business card.

United States Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Agency

Rocky Alvarez

Special Agent

The address of the field office in Los Angeles and the phone numbers were printed in black ink below. Flipping it over, Hayden scanned the neatly penned note. "Please contact me as soon as possible, Dr. Ryan. You are in danger."

White-hot anger caused his fist to clench and crumple the card. Damn Rocky to hell, he thought furiously. He stuffed the business card into his own pocket, fully intending to toss it in the trash before Danielle saw it. Throwing the toiletries into the open suitcase, Hayden made a last sweep of the room before zipping it up.

In danger, he fumed.

Lifting the suitcase by the handle, he noticed a paper previously missed. It was a large, cream-colored envelope. Scooping it into his hand, he noticed that it was addressed to Danielle's personal address in San Diego and had already been opened. Not sure if it was something she needed, he unzipped one of the outside pockets and began to stuff it in when the cardstock fell out from the top along with a messy pile of glittery golden stars. Picking it up from the floor, Hayden gave it a quick glance, still seething about Rocky's note. But when he read the words, he paused and frowned.

"RSVP for the marriage of Dr. Stuart Lincoln Price and Miss Cara Denise Halbert. Number of attending..."

Hayden froze. If he was not mistaken, that was the name of her ex and her best friend.

Fighting the urge to crumple that up as well, Hayden bit back the rising anger and overprotectiveness. What a fool that doctor was, he thought. But his loss was Hayden's gain. Unlike the senseless doctor, he recognized the value in Danielle, and he had no intention of letting her slip away easily. For the first time in a long time, Hayden Evans was intent on pursuing a woman. At this point, he was not averse to changing his lifestyle. She gave him motivation to do it. The only thing holding him back was whether or not she would have him once she learned the truth.

Stuffing everything inside, he proudly pulled the bright pink suitcase to the door and eased it open. The housekeeping women were still down the hall, and no other guests loitered about. All appeared clear. Though it felt as though he had been in the room for ages, less than ten minutes had passed, and he was confident no one had spotted him yet. Now he just had to get free of the building with a pink suitcase.

Using a different elevator from the one he rode up in, Hayden stayed in the back and allowed everyone to pass before him. He mingled with a crowd leaving the main doors and studiously avoided the area of the lobby bar where the kid remained looking morosely into his glass of water. Once outside, he breathed a sigh of relief and hailed a cab, slipping inside and telling the driver to take him to the hotel he stashed Dani at.

Feeling excited and happy, Hayden watched as The Royal passed from view. However, upon closer reflection, he realized the relief was not born of his triumph for slipping in and out unnoticed. No, it was that he was on his way back to Danielle.

### ****

Rocky held his mobile pressed to his ear, but he was having difficulty comprehending what he was hearing. Micaela watched, taking in the various shades of red that stained his face with interest, though her expression never faltered from the stoic patience she had schooled since their encounter that morning.

"What are you saying exactly, Eduardo?"

There was a hesitant pause on the other end of the line during which Rocky could hear the sound of laughter and waves. He stiffened. What the hell had the kid been doing for the past two days?

"Gone? Everything?"

"Uh ya," he replied. "My contact checked the room when she was done with her shift, and everything was gone. She must have slipped in here at some point and collected them."

"Is that not why you were in the lobby?" Rocky asked in a deceptively calm voice. "To watch for her?"

"I was," he whined. "I never saw her come through. I swear it."

The hand pressing his phone to his ear tightened dangerously, and Rocky bit back the urge to throw the vital piece of technology against the wall. "Get back here now. I want you in Tulum by evening."

"But how –"

Without another word, he did exactly what he had wanted to do. Throwing the phone across the room with a frustrated yell did little to calm him. In fact, it only infuriated him more when the phone scattered into three pieces on the patterned throw rug. Without a word, Micaela slipped from the bar stool and lithely crossed the room to scoop up the pieces. Reattaching the battery first, she slipped the cover back on and then placed the phone on the glass coffee table.

As he watched, her hands slipped to the tie of her black silk cover up, and the sleek material eased down her arms. Dressed only in her matching black bikini, she crossed the room with a slow, graceful step, aware that he still watched her every move. Turning on the stereo system, she settled on a slow tune while her hands went to her long, curling hair. Her fingers entwined in it and raised the thick mass from the sleek brown of her shoulders. He nodded with approval when he spied the red oval bite mark on her back remaining from their early morning tussle.

Rocky leaned against the counter, still feeling a fury the likes of which he felt barely able to control. However, that anger was also inflaming his desire, and he stared at Micaela and her graceful movements with the heated eye of a man very interested in her actions.

Her hips began to sway, slowly at first, but then with sharp undulations that made his mouth go dry. Her hands left her hair and ran down her length, down to the junction between her legs and then back up again as her head fell back. Her hair nearly touched her rounded buttocks, and when she spun around to face him, it flew out like a thick black sail behind her.

Meeting his stare, she held his gaze as her hands ran back up to her breasts. She cupped them in her hands and then arched her neck, allowing her red painted nails to gently scratch up to her mouth and then back down again. Reaching behind her, she untied her bikini top and allowed it to fall away. It hit the ground with a silent whoosh, much like the cover up before it, and she hooked her thumbs into the bottoms to do the same.

She approached Rocky with the cat-like grace he admired so much and pressed her hand against his livelihood, judging his interest with a questioning look in her eye. "You're so tense. More bad news?"

He refused to touch her, knowing that in this game she would play for keeps, but he allowed her to continue touching him. "I have other eyes," he replied with a shrug.

She laughed a deep, throaty laugh that told him she did not believe his false show of confidence. Her fingers teased their way to his waistband, and she deftly unfastened his slacks while her gaze never left his. "She's a waste of time."

"I've told you already that I will be the judge of that."

"All I see of you when she is mentioned is frustration. She's not getting you any closer to the man you truly seek."

"I have my reasons, and they do not concern you."

"Mm," she whispered as she released him. "I just don't want mistakes to happen. I love you so much, my darling."

He did not respond.

She glanced up, a vision of gentle hurt, but he was not fooled.

"Her flight leaves tomorrow. I'll be there personally to ensure she doesn't get on it. I doubt the guards will be much help."

He felt Micaela's jealousy when her grip on him tightened almost painfully. However, knowing she hated this unknown woman and his interest in her only served to excite him.

"I don't want you to go," she whispered.

"That's too bad, isn't it?"

"Rocky –"

"Enough of this," he growled, threatening to turn away. "I will find her, and through her I will find him. I needed this deal! He double-crossed me, and he will pay for his deceit. JW will not crush me the way he's threatening to."

In answer to his rising irritation, she fell to her knees before him. "I will protect you, my love. From Tango, from JW, and from her."

He gripped the counter on either side and watched with triumph as she again proved her loyalty to him.

### Chapter 12

Though she greeted him with a smile of relief, Hayden knew immediately that something was wrong.

Dragging the fluorescent pink suitcase along behind him, he sauntered up to her with a playful step, but it did little to ease the tension in her brow and the worried downturn of those oh-so-adorable pink lips. Hayden felt some of his triumph slip away.

"Hi honey, I'm home," he said in greeting.

She did not respond.

Raising the trunk lid she had thoughtfully released, he paused and glanced at her. "All right, what's up?"

She remained standing next to the passenger door, her hands clasped together in front of her. Hayden pursed his lips thoughtfully as he absorbed her posture and continued silence with the skilled eye of a man who had been dumped before. This did not bode well.

"I'm staying here."

"We don't need to," he said triumphantly. "I've got your stuff."

She shook her head and stared at him earnestly. As if he had not caught her singular pronoun the first time, she spoke again. "No, no, you don't understand. _I'm_ staying here."

Resting his hands on the trunk lid, Hayden waited expectantly for an explanation. It was too slow to come. "O-kay... do you have a reason why?"

He watched her shoulders heave as she inhaled deeply, and her determination would have been cute if he was not feeling as though she was ripping his heart out through his chest with her bare hands.

"I fly out tomorrow."

"I told you I'd take care of getting you out of the country."

She swallowed. When his gaze drifted to her throat, he noticed the pulse beating rapidly there. It reminded him of their lovemaking, how strong and energetically it had felt under his tongue. "I think it would be easier for me to just take a cab from here tomorrow."

Snapping his gaze back to her wide eyes, partially hidden behind the rim of her floppy hat, Hayden released his grip on the trunk lid and ignored it when it slammed shut. He closed the distance between them and pulled her hat from her head, watching her blond hair cascade down around her shoulders before he stared at her with a mixture of confusion and irritation. "Where's this coming from, Dani?"

He hated the panic that sounded in his voice. He hated that his heart raced in his chest. And he hated that she looked perilously close to tears. What had he done in the last forty-five minutes to screw up so bad?

He watched the hesitation and regret flicker across her face, but her eyes held a determined glint that heralded her stubborn side. Hands fluttering nervously before her, she stared at him with a longing so intense that he almost kissed her right there in plain view of the boulevard behind them. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't get it," he insisted. "We've been working together on this for days. I'm here; I'm fine."

"Yes, you're okay now, but what about tomorrow? I don't want to tempt fate."

He reached up and scratched his head in confusion. "I'm not following you, Dani."

"I heard today that they're watching the airports. Armed guards with photographs, Hayden. I don't want you anywhere near there."

"I can handle it," he said dismissively.

"They're searching people. They have dogs... And they have photos of an American."

Relieved, he snickered. "You think that'll prevent me from getting you on a flight out of here?"

She blinked in surprise. "What's so funny?"

He waved away his amusement and relief, allowing his hand to land on her shoulder when it fell. "You had me really nervous for a minute there. I thought for sure I hadn't known you long enough to make you cry. Jeez, I thought I had done something."

"This is serious," she snapped.

"I'm not concerned about the airport," he said contemptuously.

"You can't go anywhere near there. They have photographs, Hayden. What if someone had a clear shot of your face?"

He was grinning as he shook his head. "Not worried about it, Dani."

"Well, I am," she snapped.

"Aw, honey, don't be," he said softly, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

The sound of a car slamming on its brakes caught Hayden's attention. Glancing to his left, he saw a taxi pulled over to the side of the boulevard. His mouth dropped open when he spotted the kid from the bar hastily climbing out. He should have known it had been too easy, and, more importantly, he should have kept his guard up instead of losing his focus when Danielle blindsided him.

"Get in the car," he ordered.

Hearing the seriousness in his voice, she did not argue. He hesitated only long enough to confirm she did as he asked before turning his attention to the suitcase he had never finished locking in the trunk. "Dammit," he muttered, opening the lid, swinging it up and throwing it inside. Too late to repent his error, Hayden slammed the lid shut and glanced across the street. The kid was running in their direction, a phone pressed against his ear, and Hayden's hand went to his back in an unconscious gesture of reassurance. Feeling the weight of his weapon, he slipped behind the wheel.

"Stay down," he ordered.

Danielle had already started the engine, and she ducked down in the seat with eyes as wide as saucers. He waited until the kid cleared the median before he pulled out with a chirp of the tires and sped away, using the cover of the shrubs to shield their license plate and potential bullets fired their way. Turning onto the boulevard, he barely kept the car at a reasonable speed in his effort to get Danielle to safety.

Danielle peeked behind her, anxiously watching for any signs of pursuit. Once they had turned on the highway again, she turned around and sighed. "I think we're okay."

He was still frowning. "I'm more concerned about the traffic ahead of us. The kid was in a cab. If he had others in the area, they would've picked him up."

"Oh." She blinked at him several times as if seeing him for the first time. He did not like the concern she was eyeing him with.

"We'll stop in Playa del Carmen and give it some time to settle down – a couple hours." He glanced over at her. "We can talk about all this then."

She did not respond. Instead, she turned her attention to the road outside her window. Feeling shut out and shut down, Hayden did his best to get them off the highway and into Playa del Carmen before anyone else spotted them on the open highway. He was annoyed and angry. He was also frustrated with himself, with her and with Rocky for all of his meddling, and not for the first time, he looked forward to eliminating the other man once and for all.

Hands tightening around the steering wheel in anticipation, Hayden sensed the time was growing close, and he was ready.

### ****

They were running again, and her fear had returned in full force. Though her attention was focused outside the window, Danielle was acutely aware of the tension radiating from Hayden. He told her without words they were not safe yet. It emerged further when his hands began an impatient tattoo on the steering wheel, and she bit her tongue to keep from whipping around and begging him to settle down.

Well, her best intentions had certainly fallen flat, and now that she had been spotted again, she was unsure if she wanted him to leave her at all.

She had known it would be difficult to persuade him into seeing reason. She had learned a thing or two about Hayden in the time they spent together. He was fiercely loyal and stubborn in his convictions, and right now he was convinced that it was his responsibility to make sure she got out of the country safely. How could she persuade him that he could end up hindering her flight instead? How could she make him stay away when the words were like a ball of lead clogging her throat?

Closing her eyes against the blur of trees that passed by, she willed herself to relax, only to jerk awake when Hayden's fingers gently stroked her cheek.

"We're here," he said coolly.

Where here was, she was unsure. However, when she raised her head and glanced around, she noticed they were parked in a tree-lined stretch in the middle of a paved road. Beautifully painted buildings lined both sides, and a long stretch of pier extended into the sea. Though the resorts were smaller than those in Cancun, she felt a twinge of similarity. Hayden leaned over the door and reached for her hand politely, but his features were still tight with tension.

Instead of taking his hand, she stood and glanced around nervously. "Where are we?"

"Playa del Carmen. I stayed here once." His voice drifted off as he glanced down the street toward the pier.

Closing the door behind her, she stared up at him and decided immediately that she preferred the carefree Hayden. She was worried that he was so upset. It was frightening and a painful reminder that there were still people searching intently for her – a new pediatrician fresh out of her residency and hunting for a job after a broken engagement.

As if he read her dark thoughts, Hayden suddenly glanced down at her and smiled. "Come on, let's walk down the beach."

She felt slightly better when his arm draped casually over her shoulders. Apparently he was not going to let her continue her dejected mood. She knew she should feel guilty, but in truth she loved it. It was a novel feeling to be so openly affectionate, to have her hand held or her body pressed against his side. Very unlike the proper appearances she tolerated when she was with Stuart. Their relationship had consisted of cool kisses and civilized lovemaking, and nowhere did they ever let on that they were a couple in public. Through common knowledge, they maintained a professional distance when they went out. In contrast, being with a man that had such a love of life and was openly and unabashedly affectionate was refreshing and made her feel appreciated and desired.

Falling in perfect step alongside her, he guided her down to the beach and turned left away from the pier. Sunbathers and swimmers dotted the area, and smaller resorts lined the beach as far as she could see. The sun was warm on her head, but the sea breeze was refreshing, and she noticed numerous sailboats dotting the horizon between them and the island of Cozumel.

After searching out a relatively empty spot on the beach, Hayden released her and pulled his shirt over his head. Laying it out on the sand, he gestured for her to sit and then plopped down beside her. He leaned on one elbow and stared up at her without blinking.

"I'm aware of the activity in the airport, Dani. It's nothing to worry about."

She sighed. Of course, he would not let it go. Hayden was not one to give up without a fight, and that scared her the most. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know how to take care of myself," he said firmly. "And I can easily take care of you."

"But it's not just you. You're distracted taking care of me."

"I can handle it."

Her voice shook with emotion when she responded. "If I was the reason you got hurt or thrown into a Mexican jail, I'd die, Hayden."

His eyes widened, but his voice grew warmer. "I know you think I don't take things seriously, but I'm not reckless in that aspect."

"I don't know anything about you at all."

"You know everything you need to know to form an opinion of my character," he countered solemnly.

She cocked her head to the side and thought about that for a minute. She supposed he did have a good point there, for she knew enough about him to admit he was blunt, forthcoming, honest and very thoughtful. Not once since she had met him did he give her any reason to feel anxious or fearful, despite their crazy circumstances. Then why the secrecy?

"And I know enough about you to determine that you're very smart and can figure things out. As a matter of fact, I'm sure right now you're worried that a dog's going to bite me, or that I'm going to stroll right into the airport and announce myself."

She opened her mouth to respond, but he reached out and pressed two fingers lightly against her lips.

"I know you don't know all that much about me yet, but I need you to trust that I am capable of handling this."

He said yet! She caught his fingers in her hand and tried to ignore the insinuation that he wanted to keep seeing her once they returned home. "I'm trying."

"Then stop talking about going to the airport alone. You need me to help you because if they catch you it won't go well. I don't know..." He trailed off and shuddered, and his reaction sent a chill down her spine. However, before she could panic, he refocused. "We started this as a team, and we'll finish it as one."

"I'd like to, Hayden, know that at least," she whispered. "But..."

"Why are you suddenly so worried? Is something else going on here?"

Danielle paused. Should she tell him that she was worried about him as a person she had grown to admire and care for, or should she continue her cool objectivity? What really did she know about the man who had suddenly decided that protecting her was his life's work? Nothing. In fact, she knew next to nothing about the man she had spent the most wonderful night of her life with.

"Who are you, Hayden?"

Stuffing his hand into his pocket, he avoided her steady appraisal, and she frowned slightly when he just shrugged. "When you're safe, when you're home and everything is quiet, I'll tell you everything. For now, it's better if you don't know."

"Like I'm going to accept that," she said in a low, steely voice.

Removing his hand from his pocket, Hayden sat up and caught her hand. She glanced down in surprise when he held her fingers out and smiled sheepishly at her. "Do you remember the other day when you said we couldn't play married because we didn't have rings?"

Taken aback by the abrupt change of subject, Danielle scowled. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Opening his hand, he showed her. Two plain silver rings rested in his palm, one noticeably larger than the other. "I picked these up from a street peddler on the way down to your resort."

Danielle's mouth dropped open in a small 'O' of surprise. "But why?"

"We have to keep up appearances," he said lightly. He gripped the smaller band between two fingers and slipped it over her ring finger. Surprisingly, it slid easily and fit fairly well. As he did so, he continued speaking, almost rambling. Like everything else about him, his nervousness was endearing. "I doubt they're worth much. It was a street vendor, after all... but I got them for a steal and thought it might make you feel a little better when we go to the airport tomorrow."

Her eyes were wide when she watched him do the same with his ring then held his hand next to hers. The rings matched, despite the tremendous difference in the sizes of their hands. His long, strong fingers nearly dwarfed hers, and the dark tan made her skin appear fair in contrast. She glared at him.

"You changed the subject," she accused huffily.

He grinned and leaned forward until their faces were just a few inches away. "That was the point. Should I apologize?"

"Yes," she grumbled. "I'm worried about you and don't like it."

"Have I steered you wrong yet?"

"No, but this is serious stuff. They found us today."

"You're right," he said emphatically. "This is serious, and you are in danger. You need my help, and that's the reason I can't tell you everything. If you think in your heart you can trust me, I ask that you do that now, Dani."

She stared into his eyes. They were shining with sincerity but also a twinge of fear. She remembered everything he had done and said and knew in her heart that he was a man she could trust. Considering how open he had been with her on other matters, she understood that he had his reasons for staying mum. In fact, he was telling her straight out that he was doing so for her own protection.

She stared at him for long moments before finally nodding briefly. "Okay."

He brushed his lips against hers, and when he pulled away again, he face was shining with relief. "I promise I'll tell you everything when this is over. Would you please settle for that?"

She sighed. "I hate that you're making me wait."

Chuckling, he kissed her again, this time more slowly. "Ah, but the anticipation makes the resolution that much better."

She had no doubt his words held a double entendre and smiled. "And I hate that I'm actually looking forward to it."

Winking, he leaned forward and nibbled her lip. "I don't."

### ****

Rocky strode into the suite with a critical eye, taking in the wood beams overhead that contrasted sharply with the cream-colored walls. The furniture was also a deep, rich mahogany, and the bedding was a mixture of cream and ivory. Elegant and yet simple. It would suit his needs for the night.

Glancing over his shoulder, he nodded at Micaela. Dressed in a flowing red halter dress that ended at her ankles, her curly hair straightened to a long, flowing veil of black that reached the curve of her buttocks and wearing red lipstick to match, she was more beautiful than ever when she smiled at the gaping bellboy and slipped him a tip. The way she batted her enormous eyes at him sent the boy stuttering back to the door with his face in flames, and Rocky watched it all in amusement.

When the door closed behind the awestruck boy, Micaela returned to Rocky and placed her hands on her hips. "This is the same resort your blonde was staying in?"

"It is."

Micaela glanced around the room the way Rocky had just moments before. Her lips twisted slightly, but when she nodded it was with approval. "It's a nice place."

"One of the best in the zone."

Glancing at the hot tub against the wall, Micaela strode past it and opened the blinds to the balcony. With the blinds back, the tub had a gorgeous view of the sea and beach. She nodded again appreciatively. "Where's Eduardo?"

"Back at the hotel where he spotted her. She was speaking with an American, and it's possible he was the one who collected her suitcase. She may be there now. I feel she's close."

One perfectly arched brow rose in question. "If not?"

"Now that she has the suitcase, perhaps she'll find my card and call me." He shrugged. "Or I'll greet her at the airport as planned."

"The trap is laid?"

Micaela took a seat at the round mahogany table near the slider to the balcony and crossed her legs. One trim ankle appeared above the hemline of her dress, encased in an ankle-high sandal with coins dangling from the strap. She studied her fingernails nonchalantly, but Rocky knew she was anxiously awaiting his answer.

"Yes."

Nodding slowly, she continued to study her nails with great concentration. There was something more she wanted to say; he knew her well enough to understand that.

"I'm going with you tomorrow."

He stiffened. "There's no need. I'll handle it."

"I want to."

Scowling in warning, Rocky crossed the room in two steps and stood above her, forcing her to crane her neck to view him. He was granted the perfect view of ten red imprints along her throat and knew she still bore the pain of his assault despite hiding it well. She loved pain; welcomed it, in fact.

"You'll wait here until I collect you." At this, Micaela bristled with fury. He was growing tired of her jealousy, and her need to control him in her subtle but effective ways. He had been patient and forgiving with her so far, but his patience was nearing its end. It was time he showed her who was in charge. "This is my problem, not yours."

"I understand that but –"

"There are no buts, Micaela. And for your obvious disregard for my authority, I've decided to send you home. Take the car and return to Tulum. Now."

Her mouth opened in surprise. "Rocky..."

"Enough!" His voice was deceptively calm, but his stiff posture surely gave away his anger. The hands she had studied so intently clasped together in her lap.

"You can't send me back to Tulum. I need to be with you."

"I'm tired of your childish behavior, Micaela. I _need_ to focus." His hand slammed down on the table inches from her arm, and she noticeably flinched. "I _need_ that camera."

"I can help you get it, and you won't even need the girl. She can get on her plane without her camera."

"Your jealousy is exhausting," he ground out.

Micaela's eyes flashed, but she lowered her face submissively. In his opinion, it was a little too late to be effective. "I'm not jealous. I fear your obsession with this girl. It will lead to trouble."

"My obsession," he countered through gritted teeth, "is based upon my need to stay alive. This man is after me. He plans to kill me, and now I have JW after me, too."

"You need me to protect you. I will kill him and JW if need be."

"I'll get the girl and find my prey. When he's dead, I can again rest. I don't need your help, and in your present state of mind you're a hindrance."

She recoiled as though he had physically struck her, and her face fell in genuine hurt. However, he was beyond pity at the moment. Right now, he needed her to know that it was time for her to remember her place.

His little assassin needed to know he was still in charge.

### Chapter 13

For the second time on this trip to Mexico, Hayden awoke with a feeling of impending doom.

It was not an overly obvious feeling. It was more a twinge of anxiety that started in his chest and worked its way up his throat, almost like the heartburn he got after eating his sister Jamie's spicy wings.

Easing into a sitting position on the bed, Hayden swung his legs over the side and ran his hands down his face. He heard Danielle's breathing hitch with his sudden movement, and a moment later he felt her warm fingers run lightly down his spine.

"Is it time to get up?"

The sound of her voice helped to calm that dreaded feeling, but not completely. Slightly confused by it all, he shook his head slightly. "No, not yet. Go back to sleep."

Her hand fell away, and he felt the loss of the warmth all the way to his gut. He heard her soft sigh before she snuggled back under the covers of their icebox room. Feeling mischievous and admittedly insecure, he had decided the evening before to readjust the thermostat lower, surreptitiously ensuring that he was able to keep her close all night. Knowing it was their last night together, he made sure every moment counted by allowing his hands and mouth say what his lips could not.

Idly scratching his beard, Hayden began to wonder if that was the root of his discontent. Was he already missing Danielle's company? Though it was an unspoken agreement that they would meet once they were both in the states, they had yet to exchange contact information, and he was still reluctant to do so in case she was caught. It could very well be that his subconscious was warning him that things were not yet settled.

Something to consider, and better than the alternative.

Coming to his feet, Hayden reached for his boxers and pulled them over his hips before silently crossing the room and grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge. When he slipped through the slider with his phone in hand, he noticed that it was later than he thought. Not too surprising since they had only gone to sleep a few hours before. It was a reasonable time to check in and update Alpha, so he sauntered to his most favorite chaise in the world and sat on the spot where he had begun his seduction of Danielle.

Alpha answered on the first ring, his voice abrupt. "When do you fly in? I want your whole flight plan on record."

Hayden grinned and buried his toes in the sand. "Good morning."

"Did you hear me?"

"I did. I'll email you everything. I'll leave this afternoon."

"Report in to me as soon as you hit the ground tomorrow."

"Will do," he said lightly. Burying his feet had grown boring, so he rose and strode down to the water's edge. "So, anything new?"

"Rocky's hunting you pretty hard. Word here is he's using the locals to weave a net. It's tightening."

"I'm working on it."

Alpha sighed. "You're in a very unfriendly place right now. All eyes are on you, Tango, and you have no allies there."

"I don't need any. I'm fine on my own," Hayden promised in a soothing tone. He felt as though he was trying to appease his father. He was sure if his father was alive, he would be saying the same thing. "If I can't get to my plane, I'll let you know."

"I'm counting on that."

Hayden chuckled. "I never knew you cared so much."

"I don't. I just need to make sure one of my best guys is on safer ground before we make our move."

Hayden laughed. "Whatever. I know you love me."

For the first time since they first spoke after the shooting, Alpha actually chuckled. It was not a common thing for the older, hard ex-military man to do, but if anyone could make him crack a smile, it was Hayden. Hearing his humor on the other end of the line helped calm Hayden down, too.

"Talk to you this evening."

"You bet," Hayden agreed.

A text to Ford advising him of his flight plan followed, and with slightly trembling fingers he sent Ian one as well. After giving it much thought once Danielle had fallen asleep, he knew it was time to bring his younger brother into the fold, perhaps even time to come clean altogether. As much as it pained him to reveal his lies, he had always known it would happen sooner or later. This trip and meeting Dani was just the catalyst.

When his thumb pressed the send button, he realized his exposure was already in process. With Ford's involvement, word had most likely begun to spread that something was going on. His family had a grapevine that left little unknown between siblings. Sometimes it was useful; other times it was a nuisance.

His suspicions were proven correct when he received a reply almost immediately. His phone began to vibrate in his hand, and Hayden glanced at the caller ID with a wry smile. "Hey."

"Leave it to you to go on vacation and instantly hook up with someone."

Hayden bristled. A moment later, he realized he did not like what he was sharing with Danielle being referred to as a hookup. "It's not like that... Why do you always think the worst of me?"

Ian laughed. "Who says that's bad? You're one of the luckiest guys I know."

His sentiments exactly, but now was not the time to reveal that. Hayden struck right to the heart of the matter. "I don't know what Ford's been telling you, but this actually is work related."

"Work related?" A slight pause. "I thought you were on vacation."

"I was, sort of. I kind of stumbled into a mess and have been trying to help her out."

"So you're saying it's not like the others?"

"What others?"

"You know... your casual encounters..."

"No, it's not," he said impatiently. "She's amazing... Look, I may need you to swing down to the airport and meet me tomorrow afternoon. Are you working?"

"Lucky for you, I work a shift tonight, and then I'm off till Tuesday."

"Good. I'm emailing you my flight plan. If I don't show up on time, call in the troops for me."

This time, a long, meaningful pause passed before Ian answered in a more serious tone. "The family troops, or the other troops?"

"The other troops."

"Oh." Ian paused again, and Hayden could imagine the dawning of understanding on his younger brother's face. He remained silent, allowing that slow wave of comprehension to sink further into the depths of his quick mind. Ian was no fool. "I get it."

"There you go," he teased.

"Jamie and Andrew just got back from a hiking trip. Maybe I'll bring Andrew along," Ian continued thoughtfully.

"Might not be a bad idea. He can be helpful."

"Jamie probably won't like it, but I'll talk to her."

"She can deal. She loves me best. I'm sure she'll soften her motherly ways if she knows you're doing this for me."

Ian laughed again. "You think so? Well, I have it on good authority that I am now her official favorite brother."

"Yeah, right." Hayden chuckled. "That'll never happen. None of you guys compare to me."

Ian took Hayden's comment in stride, but his brotherly competition never wavered. "She likes me because I'm responsible and trustworthy."

"But she likes me because I'm fun and loyal."

They continued their banter for several minutes during which Ian was judging the seriousness of his request. Though unwilling to unnecessarily worry him, Hayden made a point to stress his desire to have some backup if he needed it. He was not taking any chances where Danielle was concerned.

"I've got to get going. So you'll be there, right?"

"Of course I will," he said solemnly. "Just let me know what time."

"I'll have more accurate details once I hit the states. I have to stop and refuel a few times."

"Understood."

He signed off and glanced at the silent cabana. The way he saw it, this would be his last chance to work off some steam before the day got underway. Tossing his phone back on the chaise, he entered the turquoise water and took a swim before returning to the room to see if Danielle was up and about. Dripping and covered in sand, Hayden almost hoped she would not be awake yet. If she was anything like Jamie, having to explain why he had gone swimming without a towel made him duck his head in embarrassment. However, when he slipped in through the slider, she was bent at her suitcase and barely gave him a glance as he hurried past. Her long, blond hair was wet from a recent shower, and she was already dressed in a loose-fitting, white sundress that made her golden skin glow with life. Beautiful, he thought in amazement.

"Good morning," he said appreciatively.

She glanced up somewhat distractedly, and he remembered her dismay the day before when she saw the state of the clothing in her suitcase. While she shuddered away the feeling of violation, she had painstakingly emptied, re-folded and then re-packed everything. He alone saw the terror in her eyes as she did so. "Breakfast is here. I was just about to get you."

"I'll be right there. I have to clean up a little." He ducked into the bathroom and took a quick shower, rinsing off the salt water and sand. When he emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, Danielle was already seated at their table, sipping her coffee thoughtfully.

He dressed quickly and joined her with a smile that she returned faintly. "Looks good. What do we have today?"

She sighed. "Same omelet as the other day. She said you requested it."

He met her steady gaze. "What's up? Something's bothering you."

Her hands fluttered away from the steaming coffee mug. "I'm just a little nervous."

"You remember the plan, right?"

She nodded.

"Then don't worry about it. Just stick to it, and everything will be fine."

With a nonchalance he did not feel, Hayden took a seat across from her and dug into his breakfast. Unlike the other morning, the eggs stuck in his throat, and the peppers promised to upset his stomach. Though he would never admit it to Danielle, he was nervous, too.

While things could work out perfectly, they could just as easily go all to hell.

He knew it.

Danielle knew it.

And if he lost Danielle, he would go insane.

They studied one another across the table for long minutes without speaking. Finally, she broke the silence. "No matter what happens today, Hayden," she began, "I want you to know that this has been an incredible experience for me, one I'll never forget."

Hayden managed a light chuckle beyond the lump that formed in this throat. "Are you dumping me already?"

She snorted and shook her head. "You'll never be serious, will you?"

"Not when things get heavy," he quipped.

The look she bestowed on him was full of the patience a mother had for with her unruly child, and he loved it. "I'm not dumping you. I just wanted you to know."

"Stop worrying, will you?"

For her benefit he finished his breakfast, but it sat in his stomach like a lead brick. Like her, he was uneasy. Her worry could easily cause problems.

"I can't help it. It's not every day I walk into an airport with armed guards hunting me."

"Just stick to the plan and don't panic."

She took a deep breath and met his gaze. Though her lips compressed tightly, she nodded her head with determination. "I'll do my best."

He came off his chair and knelt in front of her, grasping her hands tightly in his. He was aware of the silver ring he had given her the day before brushing against his palm and was pleased she wore it. The knowledge gave him the additional confidence to believe in her. In them. They were a good team.

"You'll do fine, Dani. Just pretend everything's normal, and do everything we've discussed."

Her lips pursed.

"You're tougher than you think."

Her laugh was forced. "All this time I've been convinced I should keep you out of this. Now, when I'm off to face things alone, I'm scared to death."

Her words pleased him, more than she could ever know. However, he remained flippant in an effort to relax her. "Reliant on me already? Isn't that co-dependent?"

"Hayden," she admonished gently. But he was gratified to see that her lips curved upwards ever so slightly.

"Oh, c'mon. You'll be fine. You know what to do."

"Right," she said. "Stick to the plan."

He nodded and chucked her chin lightly. "Good girl."

### ****

Cancun International Airport lived up to its reputation as one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean. Swamped by people on all sides, Danielle finally understood why Hayden had insisted that no one would notice him when he escorted her in. Swarms of tourists and locals surrounded them, their voices a mixture of various languages blending together like white noise coming from a radio.

Only to check-in, Hayden had promised. However, after she received her boarding pass and handed over her suitcase, he steered her away. It was almost as though he did not want to let her out of his sight any more than she did him. Leading her with one hand around her upper arm and bearing her carryon over his shoulder, Hayden guided her toward an empty luggage carousel in the arrivals area. When they passed several uniformed officers, her stomach knotted up and her mouth felt as though she had swallowed some of the powdery white sand from their private beach. Hayden did not even spare them a glance, but she sensed his tension and knew he was on alert.

Coming to a halt near several uncollected pieces of luggage, Hayden dropped his arm to her waist and pulled her against him. His voice was low when he tucked her between the wall and pillar and bent to nuzzle her ear.

"So you have everything you need?"

"I do," she whispered back.

Several people loitered nearby, but nobody glanced their way. Considering they were in a popular honeymoon destination, Danielle suspected their affection was not that unusual.

" _El Centro_ ," he whispered. "At _el ceviche_. Remember that."

"Got it."

He raised his head and smiled at her, melting her heart with the pride glowing in his eyes and the admiration in the flash of his white teeth. "If anyone grabs you, go for the eyes. The eyes, Dani, don't forget."

Then his head descended, and his lips took possession of hers. The noise of the announcements, the sounds of mingled discussion, the bright lights and police wandering through the bustling airport all disappeared. There was only Hayden, partially hidden by a randomly placed pole, concealing her with his height and breadth. When his lips touched hers, possibly for the last time ever, Danielle melted against him in a way she had only thought possible in movies. Not once in her life had the cool and collected young doctor allowed her emotions to rule her reason, but she clung to Hayden with the desperation of a star-crossed lover who faced the possibility of never seeing her love again. To not be this close to him, to inhale his citrusy scent and taste his soft, warm lips, cut her to the bone and brought tears to her eyes. She did not want to let go.

Hayden was slow to raise his head, and when he did his eyes were shuttered. If he felt even slightly the same as she did at that moment – and how she wished he did – she could not tell. He was all business. "You've got to go."

Disappointed, she nodded and grasped the carryon he held out to her. Though she was not sure why she felt his coolness as a personal affront, she could not hide her agony. "I'm going," she whispered brokenly, blinking back tears.

He reached for her hand as she slipped the carryon over her shoulder. Pressing it against the strap, he gave her a slight squeeze and smiled encouragingly. "You're going to be fine, Dr. Ryan. Just stick to the plan."

"The plan," she repeated numbly.

His head lowered one last time to brush her lips quickly with his before he took a step back. "Not much time. You'd better go."

She nodded again, still feeling that strange numbness that settled when she realized this just might be it for the two of them. A relationship that may or may not blossom into something incredibly special hung in the balance.

With one last squeeze of her hand, he bowed his head and turned away. Danielle fought the urge to call him back, to beg with him to stay with her until she was home and maybe even longer. But then she remembered... Stick to the plan.

How many times had he reminded her of that? Keeping a hold on her shoulder strap, she went off in the opposite direction as Hayden, her hair flowing loosely around her shoulders, and the white dress with the matching white sandals glowing like a star among the brightly-colored touristy outfits surrounding her. Finally dressed in the clothing she had purchased specifically for her trip, Hayden had whistled under his breath that morning and told her she made a striking appearance, but now she kept her head studiously down to not attract any more attention than necessary.

Stick to the plan.

The line at the security entrance was a hot press of over-anxious travelers pushing and shoving to make it to their flight. Danielle moved along, keeping a safe distance between the couple ahead of her and the family behind. Guards kept a careful eye on the press of bodies, but she remained focused on the x-ray machines ahead.

So far no one seemed concerned with her. So far she saw no recognizable faces.

Stick to the plan.

Her knees nearly buckled and sent her to the ground in a heap when she reached the front of the line, and the uniformed officer waved her forward. Handing over her passport, boarding pass and paperwork, she attempted a hesitant smile at the bored agent. Though he did not return it, he gave her a once over, hesitating at her waistline before he scribbled on her papers and handed everything back.

"Have a good flight," he said in broken English.

Danielle accepted everything with relief and tried not to stumble as she headed into her next line. Her next stop brought her behind a newly married Asian couple. They turned and chatted with her enthusiastically while they waited for their belongings to be x-rayed, and Danielle did her best to be enthusiastic as they regaled her with their vacation antics. She placed her belongings in the plastic tray and nodded absently while she pushed them along behind the couple. Then suddenly she was next in line being waved through the x-ray machine.

Second barrier complete.

Still keeping her head down, out of the corner of her eye she caught a younger man lounging against the wall. Was that him? The man posted to watch for her? Not waiting to find out, she continued on with the plan. Trying to appear as a normal traveler, she gathered up her belongings, donned her shoes and glanced at her ticket one last time. She knew where her gate was, but she was stalling. Hesitating. Frozen by the fear of what would happen next.

Heart pounding in her chest and the hairs on the back of her neck prickling with warning, Danielle began the walk down the concourse to her gate. When she passed the younger man, she felt his stare bore into her. It was negligibly furtive but obvious enough for her to notice. She carried on as though she was oblivious, but in her heart she wanted to bolt for the exit.

A group of travelers debarking from their flight bore down on her, and Danielle took the opportunity to cut through the center of the crowd. Deep within, she paused and glanced behind her. The man was following, and he had his phone pressed against his ear. They were on to her. They were going to try to take her.

Fighting back the rising tide of terror, Danielle heard Hayden's words ringing in her ears. Stick to the plan.

She ducked quickly into the women's bathroom while the man was distracted and prepared for her escape. With efficient speed, she tied her hair back into a bun, changed her clothes, and reached for the shoes at the bottom of her carryon. In minutes, she was as disguised as she could be, dressed in a black tank top and jean shorts, with black sandals to match. Hurrying back to the door, she waited for another patron to exit before veering back into the busy concourse trying to appear shorter than she was. Sticking close to the broad, older lady, Danielle momentarily panicked and glanced around. This was the hardest part, the most dangerous, Hayden had said. She felt coiled like a snake and ready to strike for the door if she saw the man.

Looking left then right, luckily she did not.

Hayden had so correctly called the situation. They would wait for her at the gate and take her then, he had said. The man posted would follow her there. The only thing to be concerned with now was any additional men posted to ensure she did not backtrack. He had known... and Danielle wondered how.

Still not in the clear, she decided it was not the time to doubt Hayden. She brushed past her human shield and hurried the way she came. Once she was back through the security exit, she bolted out the front of the airport and hailed one of the many battered cabs lining the exit. No sooner had one paused before her than she was diving into the safety of the back seat and sobbing a sigh of relief as she slammed the door behind her.

" _El ceviche,_ _por favor_ ," she breathed hastily.

The ruse had worked – so far.

### Chapter 14

Like a caged animal, Hayden paced before the rental car, growing more frantic with every passing minute. The sun was brutally hot this time of day, but he took little notice of the sweat dripping down his back. He had expected Danielle by now. Something must have gone wrong. Running his hand through his hair for at least the fiftieth time, he battled the urge to rip it all out and refused to accept that he was losing his grip on his control.

He was parked within plain view of the roundabout sporting the sculpture known locally as ' _el_ _ceviche_.' The giant starfish and conch sculpture glistened brightly, a colorful and cheery testament to the tropical sea just a short distance away. To him, it appeared gaudy and trite. He was stressed, plain and simple, and rather than taking pleasure in the sight he continued to envision Rocky's laughter as he snatched Danielle. Cursing aloud his frustration, he continued to search for a taxi and paused and scanned the interior of the few he saw. Ready to wave if need be, he would only feel his shoulders sag again when he noticed it was not her.

Where was she?

Guilt lashed him like a thousand horsetails, and he berated himself multiple times as he waited before finally regaining control. If something had gone wrong, he needed to be prepared to go after her, but how long should he wait before he called it in?

Resuming his worried pacing, Hayden gripped the water bottle in his hand tightly. The water had long lost its chill and was now as stagnant as the thick air surrounding him like a heavy pall. He could only wait so long before having to return to Tulum to collect his plane. Yet suddenly his pride and joy meant nothing if Rocky had taken Danielle. He had to know. The waiting was torture. The idea of losing her was devastating. The realization that his feelings were deepening for the young doctor was terrifying.

Gnawing at his lip in worry, pacing like a deranged homeless man on the corner, and feeling dread sinking all the way to his toes, Hayden did not think he could handle the suspense much longer. For the first time in his life, he felt the cold hand of fear and despair grip his heart in a fist so tight he could hardly breathe... Then hope arrived, and a breakthrough appeared.

It had been nearly two hours of teeth-gnashing anxiety before Hayden spotted the taxi at the light. It came from the opposite direction and circled the roundabout, and he held his breath in anticipation. Caught at the red light, he could not see the passenger, but he knew. Deep in the heart that was shattering from the pressure, he knew it was her. Once again preparing to flag it down, he felt every muscle in his body relax when the car turned on its directional and pulled into the lot. She made it.

He was halfway across the lot when she emerged from the back seat with her carryon slung over her shoulder, appearing as fresh and vibrant as ever. With trembling hands, he grabbed her and yanked her against his chest before she had a chance to shut the door behind her. Reaching out with his foot, Hayden closed the door and then buried his face in Danielle's hair.

"I thought something had happened to you," he breathed, gripping her tightly. He never wanted to let her go – ever.

The startled driver hesitated, but when her arms went around his waist to hug him back he raised his chin and put the car into gear. Hayden knew he must have been a sight. A flushed, sweaty man running for the cab and grabbing the woman inside surely was not something he saw every day. Hayden waved with a wide smile, and the cabby waved back, winking in approval. As he pulled away, Hayden released his tight grip and reached up to cup her face in her hands. Unable to restrain himself or the joy that filled his heart, he kissed her. First her cheeks then her forehead and finally her lips.

"Are you okay? Did something happen?"

He was not sure what he expected, but when he did finally focus on her face he was surprised. She was grinning, smiling, nearly laughing.

"What?" Hayden asked, taking a self-conscious step back.

She giggled. "You're...a mess."

"Of course I'm a mess. You were late," he accused.

"But you saw the lines in the terminal..."

Hugging her tight again, all he thought in that moment was that if he had lost her he was not sure what he would have done. "I did see the lines, but I wasn't thinking straight. I left you alone, Dani."

"But I did it, Hayden. I did it by myself." Danielle laughed again, a clear, happy sound that made his heart sing.

"And I'm so proud of you."

She beamed at him again, and he could not resist kissing her one more time before ushering her back to the car. She was breathless by the time he closed the door behind her trim legs, her face flushed with pleasure and residual excitement. When he climbed in next to her and started the car, she reached for his forearm and gripped tight.

"Let's just get out of here, okay?"

"You got it, babe." He glanced over at her, memorizing detail of her face. "Tell me everything on the way."

While Hayden steered back to the highway, Danielle regaled him with her escape from the airport. He listened carefully, questioning her description of the man who followed her, and nodding appropriately. All the while, he understood the race was on. Once Rocky realized their trick, he would be hot on their heels, a straight shot right to his plane. Their ruse would only last several hours, hopefully long enough for them to get in the air.

Hayden would have to be extra vigilant now. Rocky would not take this blow lightly.

"So I ran out the door and hopped in the cab," she finished proudly.

Hayden grinned mischievously. "I told you so."

"You did... you sure did."

"So now we get out of Mexico. Hopefully, I'll have you back in the states later tonight. How does that sound?"

"I can't wait," she breathed.

"Tomorrow we'll be home."

"We?"

Hayden reached for her hand and held it up. The silver ring she still wore shone as a constant reminder of their duplicity. "We," he said meaningfully.

Danielle smiled brilliantly. "Okay."

### ****

Disconnecting the call confirming she was headed his way, Rocky stood impatiently by the gate waiting for her to appear. Finally, after days of near misses, he would come face to face with the woman who held the key to his problem. He was nearly giddy with excitement and anticipation.

As he expected, Dr. Danielle Ryan had arrived early at the airport. She checked her luggage and made her way directly through the security screening alone. That was a good sign for a relatively simple abduction. If there were no other travelers with her, she would be easy to escort back to the car. If she decided to put up a fight, he had officers standing by to arrest her. Things could not be more perfect.

He straightened as Eduardo came into view and attempted to scan the crowd around him. Unfortunately, no blond head appeared anywhere in the vicinity of his scout. Scowling, Rocky met the young man in the middle of the concourse.

"Where is she?"

The boy looked surprised. "She was with that group," he said. Pointing in the general vicinity of the crowd now lining up along a row of seats, both men noticed one obvious thing: Dr. Ryan was not among them.

"She must have stopped in a store," he finished lamely.

Rocky stiffened. "Get back there and look for her," he said through clenched teeth. "Call me when you find her."

The kid nodded and hurried back the way he came. Rocky returned to his wall, his sudden good mood dampened.

### ****

Tulum Municipal Airport was little more than an airstrip servicing small planes and occasionally charters that flew in tourists from other areas deeper inside Mexico. The airport construction had been highly contested, and it had taken years to get the project off the ground due to the pristine nature of the area. But the wild jungles and spectacular ruins that made Tulum such a desirable spot for visitors inevitably brought change, and it was only a matter of time before the airport grew in stature and popularity. As Hayden pulled their rental car off the highway onto the unobtrusive road leading to the tiny airport, he sent silent thanks that it was still a lesser-known secret in case things became heated before they got in the air.

"What about the car?"

"Luis is going to return it for us," he replied, pulling into the small dirt lot outside what appeared to be a small church. He glanced in the rearview mirror to confirm all was clear before shutting down the engine and opening his door.

She looked around skeptically, and Hayden followed her line of sight. On one side of the road, the jungle was encroaching on a small trailer home, while directly in front of her the abandoned-looking building showed no signs of life. He could understand her hesitation, for there was no indication that an airstrip was nearby. "Where are we?"

Hayden winked at her. "Ready to trudge through the jungle again?"

"Seriously?" Danielle glanced down at her footwear and back at him in dismay.

"No, I'm joking," he said. "It's at the end of the street."

Following his gaze, she spun in her seat and sighed. The road ahead looked as deserted as the rest of the area. "It's not that far. We probably won't have to blaze through the trees too much."

"If I had known you were going to drag me through the jungle again, I would've taken my chances in Cancun," she said sullenly.

Laughing, he watched her climb from the car. Her trim legs appeared even longer with the skimpy jean shorts she wore, and despite his teasing he did not want them marred with new mosquito bites before they made it down the road. "I'll only stash you there if I see trouble."

Her brows came up in surprise. "You're really expecting trouble here?"

"Frankly, I'm not sure, but I'll do my best to get us out of here safely."

Avoiding her worried look, he gathered up his backpack and her carryon before locking the car and leaving the key on the tire as planned. He hoped it would remain safe until that evening. If not, he expected Ford would be pretty furious with him.

Straightening with a sigh, he reached for Danielle's hand and together they started off down the road. All appeared normal, with only the expected jungle cries, birdsongs and insect buzzing. The sun was waning, and it burned the side of their faces as they walked. Hayden guided her into the shadows as much as possible, but there was little relief from the oppressive heat.

"This reminds me of Monday," she said somberly.

He chuckled. "At least we're on a road."

"True, but I'm scared to death, and it's too hot." She began fanning her face with her free hand to enhance her point.

"Almost there." He pointed to a street lamp up ahead. "Just beyond there is the guard shack. I'll show him my papers, and he'll bring us out to the plane."

Danielle nodded in relief. "Thank goodness."

Hayden directed her off the pavement onto the limestone-littered lane running alongside. "Stay off the road. It may be a little cooler."

Realistically, he was not sure what lay ahead. Though he was armed, he had no idea what kind of manpower Rocky was utilizing. He could very well have put a sniper up ahead. Although Hayden doubted it, his main priority was still the woman by his side.

"All right, I'm going to check it out. I need you to stay close to me but slightly behind. Got it?"

"Got it."

"He'll need to check out your paperwork. You do still have it, right?"

Danielle froze and looked up at him in dismay, and for a moment he felt true fear. If she had lost it, they were in trouble. However, when she spoke, he sagged in relief. "Will he think it's strange that I've already been stamped?"

Hayden shrugged, struggling to hide his immense relief. "We'll tell him you missed your flight in Cancun due to the crowds."

She nodded and squeezed his hand in relief. "You're incredible."

While Hayden was ever on alert, he could not hide his pleasure at her obvious admiration. He just hoped he could pull it off and get her on his plane without having to shoot anyone.

At first glance, the airstrip appeared deserted. However, as they passed several parked work trucks, Hayden spied the guard at the desk. He paused and pushed Danielle against the truck. "Wait here for a second." With wide eyes, she leaned against the door. He smiled at her. "It'll be fine. I'll signal you when it's clear."

Hayden approached the station, a small, whitewashed building with a red roof and an open front porch where the guard sat half-dozing in the afternoon heat. Hayden recognized him from the day he arrived and plastered a friendly smile of greeting on his face. The guard eyed him without recognition and, more importantly, no interest.

" _Buenas tardes_."

He handed his papers over and glanced around while the guard studied them. Once he was sure the coast was still clear, he waved Danielle over. "My passenger's coming along now," he commented casually. The guard nodded absently and continued reviewing the documentation.

Danielle reached his side and gripped his hand tightly. Her nervousness was palpable to him having now spent days in her company, but to the guard she was a bright ray of sunshine in an otherwise dreary day. When she bestowed her stunning smile on him, he struggled to appear a little taller in his chair, his gut seemed to hang just a little less over his waistband and his chest puffed out just a little further. Hayden bit back his amusement while his own chest swelled with pride. She was all his.

Danielle handed over her documents while Hayden paid his landing fee and settled up his re-fueling charge. By the time their transactions were concluded, the guard was beaming at her and wishing them in broken English a gracious welcome for the next time they returned. Handing everything back, the now smiling man cleared them to leave, and Hayden leaned over and whispered under the guise of kissing the side of her head. "Think of an excuse to hang here so I can get to the plane and check it out."

Smiling her understanding, she turned back to their host. "Do you happen to have a bathroom?"

The guard looked surprised, but he came to his feet and graciously nodded his head. Hayden took the opportunity to slip off. It was now time to clear the plane.

As he suspected, a young man dozed under the awning of a building. With no workers present, it was not hard to spot the young gangster. Hayden was astonished that Rocky was using such inexperienced kids. It was a strange move for his deadly nemesis with connections all the way to the top of the governments in Mexico and in the States. Most likely these kids were from a local gang, more used to shoving their bulk around than dealing with professionals, and Hayden wondered what the significance was for his sloppiness.

Stealthily sneaking up on the dozing man, Hayden managed to shed his pack and Danielle's bag before the kid sensed him coming. It was short work to block his unpracticed blow, and he retaliated with a jab at the eyes that sent him stumbling back. The young man cried out and reached blindly into his pocket, another sign of inexperience in Hayden's opinion, but he was too off balance and too slow to react. Without hesitation, Hayden sent his palm into the kid's chin. He fell to his knees with a mumbled cry, and Hayden downed him completely with an elbow to the jaw. Moaning in pain, Rocky's gofer landed flat on his back.

Hayden coolly collected the handgun and mobile phone hidden in his pockets. Grim faced, he removed the clip and threw it into the jungle and quickly did the same with the phone's battery. It ought to delay retaliation for a while at least.

Dragging the nuisance into the shade of the building, Hayden then stripped the laces from his sneakers. His movements were deceptively calm, and the kid, who was slowly regaining his senses, watched in a mixture of awe and fear. Quickly securing his hands and feet behind him and stuffing a sock in his mouth to keep him quiet, Hayden barely gave him another glance before continuing to his plane. Though the bindings would not last long, he hoped to keep him occupied long enough for them to get in the air. Once they were over the border, it would be more difficult for Rocky to trap him.

Knowing his nemesis as well as he did, Hayden took extra care in inspecting his plane. He worked with silent efficiency, anticipating Danielle staying away long enough for him to confirm there were no hidden explosives during his routine inspection. Again he was surprised at the level of simplicity with which things were occurring and feared Rocky's fixation on finding Danielle was the reason he was so careless. However, that was not enough for him to lower his guard. The last time he thought things were too easy they had been spotted. This time, he would not relax.

Danielle had finished using the restroom and was still chatting with the guard when he waved her over. Fully fueled, fees paid and ready to take off, Hayden smiled broadly as she greeted him with wide eyes.

"This is your plane?"

He ran his hand lovingly over the side of the plane, and his eyes glowed with affection for his pride and joy. Flying had been his true love prior to meeting Danielle, and he had paid the price for his devotion by working long hours and watching a trail of broken relationships crumble behind him. However, he had earned enough to buy his new plane, a small but fast Cessna that perfectly suited his needs and his job. Now showing it off to her, he held his breath and hoped she would approve. Funny thing, that, he thought. "It is. Do you like it?"

"It's a bit smaller than I'm used to," she confessed.

"It's one of the fastest single-pistons out there," he said proudly.

"Is it safe?"

He grinned. "Only one way to find out."

"What's that?"

Hayden laughed. "Get in."

### ****

Rocky pressed harder on the gas in his haste to return to Tulum. With a minimum of an hour between them, he had little hope of catching them before they took off. Nevertheless, he had to try. If he had followed through with his resolution to send Micaela back the evening before, he could have had her wait for their arrival. Instead, he had relented when she cried and allowed her to stay. It was yet another blunder in this week of mistakes that had exhausted his patience. He was dumbfounded when he viewed the closed-circuit security cameras and found the woman walking alone out of the airport. She had tricked him – Dr. Ryan, a mere woman.

He had taken his anger out on Micaela for this latest gaffe. She had interfered with his plans all week. At the present moment, she sat sullenly beside him, refusing to speak to either him or Eduardo. Rocky knew that she felt the responsibility for this new loss settled squarely on her shoulders.

"Any luck?"

Rocky directed that question in a cold and deadly serious tone to Eduardo in the back. His suspicions that she had used the taxi to meet up with Tango were almost completely proven true when he was unable to get a response from Tulum. It was not normal that the phone would go unanswered, especially when he was calling.

"Straight to voicemail," Eduardo replied softly.

"Keep trying."

"Yes."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Micaela adjust in her seat. Turning to stare at her, he kept his face cold and unfriendly. "Did you have something to add, Micaela?"

"No." Her voice was low and solemn, her tone morose.

"Surely you must. You appear as though you do."

She swallowed and turned her face away from the window to gaze over at him. "He'll be back in Arizona by tomorrow. Perhaps we'd be better served by meeting him there."

It only took a moment of deliberating her words before he realized just how wise that was. How he hated when she was right. "You're right," he admitted grudgingly.

She nodded shortly, accepting his words for the closest she would get to his acknowledging her wisdom.

"Handle it."

Nodding again, she reached for the handbag at her feet and withdrew her phone. He listened to her brief exchange.

Micaela, daughter of one of the oldest drug lords in the area, had connections that even Rocky would never cultivate. That was another reason why he kept her near, and why he needed her. Micaela was attracted to him for the same reason he was attracted to her. They needed one another. His way of dominating her was what she enjoyed and needed to keep her thrill of the chase high, and when they rested that evening, he would punish her for their loss of the girl again. He was sure she would enjoy it every bit as much as he did.

### Chapter 15

Though she had accused Hayden on several occasions of not taking things seriously, Danielle noticed immediately that he was all business when he was flying. With a seriousness that was refreshing, he took control of the aircraft and put them in the sky with a smooth skill that left her breathless to watch. Like many others, she had never sat in a cockpit before, staring at an array of electronics that meant little if anything to her. Hayden patiently answered her questions, instructing her on the various gadgets and safety features as though he was a flight instructor giving her a first lesson. She was amazed.

The airplane, he told her, was safe to fly to a height of 25,000 feet, offering them a faster trip through the thinner air. That would help their speed and flight time but decrease their range. With their desperation to return to the United States, Hayden was willing to go that route. Once he assured her it was safe to do so, she agreed as well. Finally, she felt as though she could relax. Sinking back into the leather seat, she spent the better part of the flight dozing and generally staying out of Hayden's hair as he did what he did best. Fly.

As if she needed any more reasons to be infatuated with Hayden, watching him fly was like observing a skilled surgeon perform brain surgery. Though she did not believe it was possible after viewing him in action all week, he somehow managed to impress her even more. She hated to admit it, but by the time he landed at the small municipal airport in Edinburg, Texas, she was completely smitten.

When Hayden released the latch on her door so she could open it, she saw his exhaustion and smoothed the weary lines on his face sympathetically. "You need to get some rest."

"We'll get through customs, and then we'll go straight to the hotel."

Danielle nodded and moved to get out, but Hayden's hand on her arm made her pause. She glanced at him questioningly. "What's wrong?"

His face was serious. "Are you doing okay, Dani?"

She smiled brightly in response, touched by his concern. "I'm feeling better than ever thanks to you, Hayden."

Nodding his head slowly, he ingested her words. For a moment, she wondered if he was going to speak again, but he turned away and hopped from the plane. After ensuring everything was secure, he came around the side where she waited patiently for him to finish up.

He was still distracted, and she would have called him preoccupied if he had not flashed her one of his usual charming grins. "Let's go, Mrs. Evans."

Completing their re-entry into the country was a surprisingly simple process, and Hayden arranged for the re-fueling and logged in a time slot to leave early in the afternoon the next day. Danielle watched his calm efficiency with interest, drinking in the sight of Hayden in his element. It was a fascinating side of the man who repeatedly called her smart. Her level of intelligence paled in comparison.

After leading her over to a bench to wait for the taxi, Hayden excused himself and wandered down the terminal building. She watched as he made a phone call, speaking in hushed tones and pacing the length of the entrance. Not wanting to appear nosy, she turned her attention to the landscape. It was farmland as far as the eye could see. While she could understand why there was an airport on this flat expanse, she had a hard time comprehending how a hotel could be in the area. It was residential as far as she could see, hot, dry and stagnant.

Before long, the cab pulled up, and she thankfully sank into the air conditioned vehicle while Hayden finished his call. She watched through the back window as he finished his call then pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose as if troubled. When he climbed in beside her, he closed his eyes, and they remained closed while he gave the waiting driver instructions.

"Best Western, please."

Danielle reached out and placed her hand on his arm. She was worried, plain and simple. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Tired. I think it hit me all at once."

She did not believe him for an instant but did her best to hide her trepidation behind a reassuring squeeze. "I'll order us some pizza, and you can crash once you've eaten."

He nodded and leaned his head back against the headrest with a heavy sigh. The corners of his mouth deepened. "That actually sounds really good right now."

She grinned. "It does, doesn't it?"

The ride into town took only a few minutes, and Danielle drank in the familiar sight of hotels, shopping plazas and chain restaurants with a feeling of joy. She was home. Away from the wilds of Mexico, the tropical beauty that brought with it danger and fear, and back in her country. She never thought she would be so happy to see the familiar fast food restaurants. Even more exciting was that she had managed to eke out another two days in Hayden's company.

Unlike the dazzling luxury of her Cancun resort and the homey simplicity of their cabanas, the Best Western was as familiar to her as apple pie. Following Hayden into the foyer, she rejoiced that he had gotten her home safely. He had done it. He had succeeded.

She noticed a business center off to the side of the welcome desk and made a mental note to stop in there to send off an email updating everyone on the loss of her phone and unconventional return to the states. She was still job searching, so taking an extra couple of days would not be a problem, but she needed to let her family know where she was.

As she was glancing in the direction of the computers, Hayden returned and pressed a keycard into her hand. "This is yours."

"Thank you," she said with a smile.

"Second floor. Up the stairs to our left."

She glanced down at the number scribbled on the case and smiled up at Hayden. "Once I get you squared away, I'll find us some dinner, okay?"

He gave her a half-smile. "Definitely."

Slowly climbing the cement and steel stairway, they walked along the outdoor corridor to the room. Finding the correct number, Hayden inserted the keycard and swung the door open. Cool air immediately welcomed them. "At least the air is on."

Danielle closed the door behind her and glanced around. The room was long and narrow, but it was a spacious suite with a sofa and television in one area and a king-sized bed and bathroom behind an arched wall. She watched Hayden stride directly to the bed, drop his pack carelessly on the floor and pull back the duvet. He then threw himself across the length facedown.

Danielle frowned as she followed him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

His voice was muffled when he answered. "Yeah, just tired from the long flight."

"Do you want me to leave you alone?"

"Hell, no."

Smiling her joy, she climbed up on the bed and straddled his thighs, placing her hands in the small of his back, and Hayden groaned when she began a slow but strong massage. Allowing her fingers to ease the tension in his muscles, she continued to work upward until he relaxed. Several long moments passed, and her hands slowed when his breathing evened out. Assuming he was asleep, she was about to slide off him when he reached out and placed his hand against her waist to hold her still while he rolled over.

Once he was facing her, he held her in place with both hands. "I found the wedding invitation. I put it in the outside pocket of your suitcase."

Danielle frowned in confusion. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was almost there, but I just remembered and wanted to say something in case your luggage is lost."

"You mean Stuart and Cara?"

"Yeah, it was on the floor."

Not sure how that made her feel, she looked at the painting on the wall instead of focusing on his eyes. She had gone on vacation to escape the humiliation of the events on Valentine's Day. Though it was under the guise of relaxing following her completion of school, it was also supposed to be a time where she put the past behind her and welcomed her new life and career. That Cara had included her on the invitation list to their wedding had seemed an unbelievably low blow at the time. However, she had barely given them a thought during the past week, had even forgotten about the invitation she never responded to. It was requested to be in that day.

"Did I upset you?" Hayden asked softly as he lightly slid his hands from her hips to her waist.

She pursed her lips in thought. "No, I'm not upset. I was just thinking I'd forgotten all about it."

"I tend to have that effect on women."

At that, she shrugged, but a smile curved her lips. "Yeah, I guess you do."

The hands around her waist gave her a light squeeze, and he smiled. "So I've done well."

"You could say that." Swiveling her head to stare down at him, she chuckled. "I've certainly been busy."

Hayden laughed too. "I told you I knew how to show a woman a good time."

"Oh, the arrogance," she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "Who says it had anything to do with you?"

"I did." The hands around her waist crept slowly up her rib cage.

Squirming under his wandering hands, she conceded with a grin. "Maybe a little."

"So are you going to go?"

"I hadn't planned on it."

He was staring at her with a determined set to his jaw. "I'll be your date if you want."

Danielle went still and returned his steady gaze. As her mind whirled with possibilities, all she could manage was the question she had been too afraid to ask. "So you want to keep in touch once this is over?"

"If you'll let me," he said with a wry smile. "I know I'm a bit much to handle."

She leaned forward and placed her hands on either side of his face. Her smile was wide, and her heart beat rapidly in her breast. "I think I can handle you just fine."

"Good," he said, allowing his hands to slip around her back. He drew her closer with one hand at the back of her neck. "Because I'm feeling very determined to pursue you."

"I'm not going to put up too much of a fight," she warned.

"I'm really not much of a fighter," he said with a grin. "I prefer to keep things light."

"I like that about you."

"So we'll show up at their wedding together. You can show off your handsome, charming and magnificent boyfriend, and Stuart can see how his loss was my gain."

Danielle pretended to ponder his last suggestion, but the truth was that inside she was so happy she wanted to burst. "Handsome, charming and magnificent, really?"

"I'd like to think so," he said without hesitation.

"Oh, all right. I guess you talked me into it."

"I've been known to be fairly persuasive."

"Prove it," she murmured.

The hand at the back of her neck tightened, and Hayden did as she asked. As they spent their last evening together making plans for their tentative future, she felt hopeful, happy and relieved that their ordeal was over.

### ****

Following Micaela off the jet, Rocky stared at the black SUV with interest. The dark, tinted windows hid the interior, and he wondered who Micaela had meeting them at the airport, and where she intended to bring him. Her connections were useful out of the country, but back in the states they could only be described as dangerous.

"Where are we going?"

Micaela glanced at him over her shoulder. They had barely spoken since the drive back to Tulum, but her shame was ever-present in her large eyes. He suspected she had been careful with whom they were associating with because of his position.

"My brother's men are taking us to a hotel. We'll use two of his SUVs tomorrow."

"Does he have a place to bring them?"

"Yes, we have a house in Scottsdale at our disposal." She smiled in a feral way, that look that made his loins tighten in anticipation. "Very private. There's a separate guest house in this compound. One for her; one for him."

Rocky's returning smile was satisfied, and he noted how Micaela took pleasure in his small show of faith in her. "Well done."

"I owed you."

With a brusque nod, he reached past her and opened the door to the dark SUV to find an older man behind the wheel. He glanced at them in the rearview mirror through sunglasses as dark as the tint, sporting a weathered and wrinkled face with a gold tooth that glinted in the late afternoon sunlight when he smiled at Micaela.

The man beside him in the passenger seat did not glance their way. Rocky noticed he was white. Ex-military, Rocky assumed, judging by the silent awareness in the shaded eyes that remained straight ahead. He was a large man, dwarfing the front seat of the Escalade with shoulders as broad as a linebacker's, and a tree trunk of a body that fit the rest of the profile. Though Rocky was not scrawny and bore his own military experience, he felt slightly intimidated by this obviously hired muscle.

A third man, handsome and refined, sat in the back seat, and Micaela climbed in and embraced him tightly. Rocky noticed he appeared similar to her in looks. Assuming it was her brother, Nathan, he held out a hand in greeting, and Micaela pulled away when Nathan shook it with a brief nod.

"Nice to meet you," Rocky mumbled.

"Hey, Micaela," the driver said with a nod in Rocky's direction.

"Nathan, Roberto, this is Rocky Alvarez."

"I know who he is," Roberto said abruptly.

"Get in," Nathan said coolly.

So the mistrust was mutual, Rocky thought with a grim smile. Nathan Medina was as cold as Micaela, with the exception that he hid his sociopathic tendencies behind a sharp business suit and successful construction business. At least Micaela was honest in her cruelty.

He waited while Eduardo and two of his boys climbed into the third row seat before sliding in next to Micaela. The ride in the back was cramped, but he was unconcerned with his inept minions. Eduardo had proven his stupidity, and Nico and Nando were still up in the air. He was preparing to do things on his own from here on out.

"Is everything set for tomorrow?" Micaela asked as she secured her seatbelt.

"We have a doctor coming out," Roberto said from the front seat as he pulled out of the airport and onto the main road. "He'll oversee you and Vlad."

" _Excellente_ ," she purred.

Rocky noticed that the hired bodyguard's eyes flickered at the seductive sound of her voice. They exchanged a brief look, and Rocky stiffened. Despite their discordant relationship, Micaela was his and would remain so until he was finished with her. He would not tolerate any competition.

"Just make sure you don't make a mess. I want my house as clean when you're done as it is when you get there," Nathan said firmly.

Micaela's eyes went wide. "You won't be there to watch?"

"I'm not having any part of this. My construction deals and unofficial workers are under suspicion, a joint investigation with DPS and the FBI. As much as I'd love to witness your work, Micaela, I'm going to Disney with the kids."

Rocky glanced at Micaela. "This is his house?"

She nodded. "He's loaning it to us."

"And I expect it to be untouched when I get back," Nathan said gruffly.

"He knows what's happening?"

"Eliminating a problem," Micaela purred again. The bodyguard in the front seat turned his head this time, taking in her barely concealed excitement with interest.

"That's an interesting way of putting it," Nathan said, chuckling.

The boys in the back seat snickered, but Rocky remained silent. The idea of children being in the house when they arrived made him distinctly uncomfortable. Children could answer questions. "When do you leave for California?"

"Tonight. We have a flight at seven."

Rocky nodded distractedly, and Micaela placed her hand on his thigh reassuringly. "They won't see us, my love. Don't worry. Nathan's a pro."

"I've been in the business a long time. I know how it goes and have eliminated my own problems a time or two," he announced.

Rocky was well aware of that.

They pulled onto the highway, a carload of assassins among the Saturday evening shoppers in the highly residential area. Rocky turned his attention to the cars around him. Mercedes and Audis mingled in with Caravans and Blazers as they made their way home from the North Scottsdale shopping centers. He was relieved when the traffic thinned the further north they traveled. The feeling of unease that had started when they landed settled deep in the pit of his stomach. He did not like Roberto, nor did he care for his silent bodyguard, and Nathan was too smooth for his liking. In this situation, he was not the man in control. He disliked that the most.

"Are you tired?" Micaela asked softly.

He glanced at her, accepting that she was trying to do her best to make things up to him. "I want to be refreshed for tomorrow. A good night's sleep should put me back in fine form," he said indulgently.

Her feral smile reappeared, and her fingers tightened on his thigh. "I cannot wait."

He did not doubt that.

### ****

Pulling up the paved drive, Ian stopped his motorcycle in front of the large fountain in the middle of Ford's driveway. Grady's car was parked in front of Ford's workshop, and the driveway seemed a little empty for a Saturday barbecue at Ford's Mesa home. Hayden's red BMW, usually haphazardly hogging most of the space, was noticeably missing. Hanging his head to gather his thoughts, he realized the unease he felt when he spoke to his brother that afternoon was not dissipating.

Hence the family meeting before he started his shift.

Ford was waiting in the living room with Jamie and Andrew when he opened the front door. The latter two shared a small love seat, and Jamie's face was creased with worry. Ian suspected Ford had already explained the reason for the hastily called meeting.

"Hey there."

Jamie immediately came to her feet and hurried to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him tight. "What on earth is going on?"

"Where's Grady?" Ian asked in response.

"He's in the den," Ford said. "He's setting up the television for Torie and the kids."

"I'll explain what I know when he gets in here."

Jamie released him with a frown of concern. "At least tell me Hayden's okay?"

Ian nodded reassuringly. "He was when I spoke to him an hour ago. He's in Texas."

Ian's gaze shifted to the silent man in the room. Jamie's fiancé, Andrew Sheehan, a former Special Forces soldier, sat quietly on the loveseat, a silent sentinel that missed little and saw everything. Ian offered him a nod in greeting, which he returned. "Hey, Ian."

Grady appeared then, and Ian tucked his helmet under his arm. He was hot in his uniform, but he did not think that was the cause of the sweat that trickled down his back. He remained standing while Grady sat at the opposite end of the sofa from Ford. All four pairs of eyes turned in his direction.

"I assume Ford filled you in on Hayden's activities this past week?" They nodded. "Well, I spoke with him when he landed over the border. He has the girl with him and is planning on flying her back to San Diego tomorrow after re-fueling here."

"Who is this girl?" Jamie interrupted defensively.

"Jamie," Andrew chided in a low voice.

She glared at her fiancé. "Well, she's apparently brought Hayden a lot of trouble. Why is she still with him?"

Ford opened his mouth to respond, but Ian interjected somberly. "Actually, I think it's the other way around."

The four pairs of eyes settled on him in dismay. "What?"

Taking a deep breath, Ian steeled himself. It was not fun to be the one to prepare the rest of the family for the shocking revelation, but he had promised his brother to help break it to them over time. "Hayden's been living a double life which has caught up with him. He's in trouble with some serious thugs."

Of all his siblings, he expected Ford to react the most violently. Instead it was Jamie who shot to her feet, despite Andrew's attempt to restrain her. Ian cringed internally, dreading the inevitable hysterics. "What's that supposed to mean, Ian?"

Ian scanned the room. His family had always been a solid unit since the death of their parents. Ford was the link that held the rest of the family together. Now Ian noticed the shock and hurt on his eldest brother's face that Hayden had told none of them about his secretive activities, not even hinted at what he was doing. It was a blow to the entire family to find out their fun-loving brother was not all he seemed to be and now appeared to be running for his life.

"He's promised to come clean when he gets home. We made a deal today that he would tell us everything."

"You knew about this?" Jamie accused.

"I've had my suspicions that he's been hiding a lot, but not to the extent he told me when he called me from Texas." Pinning Jamie with a stern gaze, he scowled. "It was not a fun conversation, Jame."

"When will he be back?" Though his calm ways often found him the butt of the rest of the family's jokes, Grady maintained the most level head of them all, a polar opposite to the highly emotional and motherly Jamie.

"That's why I'm here." Ian shifted slightly and turned to Andrew. "I need your help."

Andrew sat up straighter. "My help? Why?"

"Yeah Ian...why?" Jamie snapped.

"Backup."

The room erupted into raised voices from all sides, and Ian closed his eyes as the entire family, minus their wayward brother, peppered him with questions. Even Grady was leaning forward in concern, and Ford was insisting that he go wherever Hayden needed him to be. Finally having enough, Ian raised a hand and used his best cop voice to quiet them all down.

"Enough!"

Pinning Ford with an intent stare, he forced himself to appear as intimidating as possible. "You can't go this time, Ford. You don't have the experience or the skills that Andrew has."

A sudden hush fell on the group, and Jamie reached for Andrew's hand in alarm.

"Hayden's in some pretty big trouble, and he's got a completely innocent woman to take care of. He's asking for backup to escort her home safely. I'm going, and Zach will be there. I only need Andrew... in case." Ian paused and stared at Jamie. "That's all, Jame."

Though Andrew initially appeared hesitant, he nodded in agreement. "I'll do it."

Jamie gasped.

Ford scowled.

Grady shook his head.

"I have to get to work, but I wanted to swing in and reassure you that Hayden's doing his best to keep the girl safe. Andrew, Zach and I will meet him at the airport tomorrow afternoon, get him re-fueled, and then get her back to San Diego and the officials."

"That's it?" Jamie asked nervously. "That's all you're going to do?"

Ian was not sure how to respond. In his opinion, it would not be that easy. Hayden had admitted that they were actively being pursued, and he suspected there was not a chance he could land without being noticed. However, Ian could not say that yet, not when Jamie was already in a heightened state of worry. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Andrew, and his future brother-in-law nodded slightly in understanding. He would be prepared for any possibility.

"I hope so," he answered Jamie. "I truly do."

### Chapter 16

"Okay, so we're safely out of Mexico and back in your home town. Does that mean you're going to tell me who you are now?" Danielle asked as Hayden steered the plane off the runway.

Hayden appeared so caught up in what he was doing that she began to think he had not heard her. Finally bringing the plane to a full stop, he glanced over and gave her a playful wink. "Not home yet, Dani."

She groaned. All morning, they had been enjoying a teasing banter where she felt like the princess guessing Rumpelstiltskin's name. Hayden continued remaining evasive, but his mood was noticeably lighter when he landed in Arizona. Both of them were feeling as though the end was in sight, and Hayden assured her it would be a brief layover before he flew the final leg home.

"Ugh," she griped. "You're such a tease."

"Ah, but that's what you love about me," he retorted.

Watching him go through the process of shutting down the plane, she waited patiently while he worked. Feeling too lighthearted to get irritated, she reached into her bag and withdrew the memory card from her wallet. After she tucked it into her pocket, she smiled saucily at Hayden. "I like the follow through, actually."

"I can give you plenty of that, too."

She laughed and reached for her door. "I have the card. I'll give it to you as soon as you're done."

"Sounds good." He nodded toward the main terminal, a small, red-roofed building across the tarmac from their slot. "Ian's going to meet us here for the final leg home. We'll give it to him."

She nodded. "I'd like to use the restroom before we head out again."

"Of course. Let me get this started, and I'll bring you in."

"It's okay," she said with a laugh. "I can find it."

He grinned at her while she struggled with the door latch, finally reaching over to open it for her when she sighed in frustration. When she opened her mouth to express her gratitude, he suddenly reached out and smoothed some of the loose hair away from her face.

"You are so beautiful, Dr. Ryan."

Danielle felt her heart melt. "I'm feeling pretty lucky today, Mr. Evans," she replied. "I've got the greatest hero of all time telling me that I'm beautiful. What more could a girl ask for?"

Reaching out to lightly touch his cheek, she leaned forward and kissed him lightly.

"You deserve it," he said emphatically. "I'm the lucky one."

With a light heart, she hopped down from the aircraft. Taking a minute to adjust to the heat that made the Texas weather feel like a spring day, Danielle inhaled deeply and glanced around to get her bearings. Ignoring the hot, dry breeze that sent tendrils of hair across her face, she set off across the tarmac with a jaunty step, looking forward to completing the final leg of their journey.

### ****

Hayden later admitted that he was preoccupied with watching Danielle's backside as she walked away, and that was why he did not see the men approach. Standing by his plane, his last sight was of Rocky. Emerging from out of nowhere dressed in an immaculate black suit, he looked overdressed for the hot summer day. The triumphant smile he flashed across the tarmac was enough to make Hayden's blood run cold. Immediately stiffening, Hayden managed to call out, but it was too late.

"Dani!"

She paused and glanced over her shoulder at him, and their gazes locked when Hayden was struck from behind. Just before his world went black, he saw Rocky taking hold of Danielle's arm and flashing his badge. Then he fell to the hot pavement with the sound of her frightened, high-pitched scream echoing in his ears.

### ****

Ian had planned to arrive twenty minutes earlier, but he was exhausted following his overnight shift and slept through his alarm. Taking a quick shower, he had hurried out the door with his phone pressed to his ear. Andrew and Zach would have to meet him there.

He realized the extent of his slipup when he maneuvered his motorcycle onto the airport access road and saw a black SUV coming toward him at an accelerated rate of speed. His cop instincts told him the vehicle was going too fast around the corner, but not enough to be considered reckless and catch the attention of any waiting cruisers. He looked for a front plate to memorize while the hairs on the back of his neck stood up in warning. Instinctively, he knew Hayden was in trouble.

A feeling of dread settled deep in his stomach when the SUV passed. There was a bear of a man behind the wheel, dressed in black and wearing dark sunglasses that hid most of his face. Ian memorized the plate and debated swinging around immediately but changed his mind at the last minute when he saw Hayden's familiar plane through the chain link fence.

He spotted a second SUV in the Café parking lot, a duplicate to the one that had just passed. A tall Hispanic man dressed in a black suit and white shirt was escorting a statuesque, long-legged blonde with a tropical beach bag straight for it. She appeared stunned and reluctant, pulling away but being held tightly by the hand around her arm.

He was too late.

Swinging the motorcycle around, he pulled to the side of the road and removed his helmet to make the call. "We're too late. I need you to run a plate."

On the other end of the line, Zach inhaled sharply. "Shit. Give me what you've got."

Ian rattled off the plate he had memorized while keeping a close eye on the activity in the parking lot. It did not take a trained eye to see that the woman was handcuffed, and the man escorting her was using his strength to get her to the car. They paused long enough for him to take possession of her bag, and the woman turned to glare at him. Though he was attempting to get her into the vehicle without making a scene, the woman's obvious reluctance overshadowed any attempts to be subtle. Several curious onlookers observed the activity, but no one made a move to intervene. Ian wondered why. Who was this suit-clad man, and what was Hayden involved in?

Ian watched, feeling a knot form in his throat. This was his brother. For all Hayden's carelessness and excessive risk taking, he was still family. Ian had to help him. If he failed, he knew the rest of the Evans' would have his head on a platter. Hayden was special; Hayden was loved.

"Two black Escalades, both Arizona plates. First one took off, heading westbound on Airport Boulevard toward Cooper. Are you anywhere near the area?"

"Almost. Two miles out."

"Keep an eye out for it. I'll follow this one."

"Get me the plate as soon as you can. Running this one now."

Ian signed off and replaced his helmet. From his vantage point, he could see the girl being shoved headfirst into the backseat of the SUV, and the man holding her quickly followed. As soon as the door closed behind him, the vehicle went into gear, quickly reversing out of the spot and speeding toward the exit.

"Here we go," Ian muttered.

Pulling back onto the road, Ian approached the rotary and turned into the National Guard entrance to wait. As soon as the black SUV passed, he pulled out behind it. Memorizing the second plate and texting the information to Zach when they reached the red light, Ian received an immediate reply.

"No sign of the first plate. Running it now. Should I call it in?"

"No. We have to keep this quiet," he replied back.

It was all up to him. If he lost this vehicle, he could lose his brother for good.

### ****

"Where are you taking me?"

Danielle heard the quiver in her voice and bit back her frustration. Fear was like a vice around her heart, but her own predicament was not her concern. She saw the vicious strike that laid Hayden low, followed by the several brutal kicks to his midsection, and immediately her doctor's mind began predicting his various injuries. In horror, she watched as the two men scooped his limp body up while a third man drove the SUV through the unlocked gate and out onto the tarmac. He was thrown in the back as Rocky introduced himself, and Danielle felt her world tilt on its axis.

"You're in quite a bit of trouble, Dr. Ryan."

Drug Enforcement Agency. The well-dressed man who had hunted and pursued her the entire week was not only American but also a federal agent. She was stunned.

Unfortunately, she had the handcuffs around her wrists to prove it.

"Why?"

"Do you know Mr. Evans, Dr. Ryan?"

As he spoke, the well-dressed man she now knew as Special Agent Rocky Alvarez glanced at the airplane's registration that he still gripped in his hand. Hayden's personal information was now public knowledge. She bit her lip, refusing to answer. "I want my lawyer."

"Do you have a lawyer, Dr. Ryan?"

In answer, she turned her face to the car window, watching the busy shopping centers pass by. She wished she was one of those shoppers browsing for items she had no need of. She used to be one of those normal people. Then she went to Mexico and met Hayden Evans.

"Mr. Evans is a well-known drug smuggler who goes by the codename Tango. Were you aware of that?"

Unable to prevent the tension from seizing up all her muscles, she forced herself to keep her gaze out the window. Agent Alvarez continued to watch her, taking note of her subconscious reactions no matter how hard she tried to hide them. It could not be true, she thought frantically. Not once had he given her any indication of being involved in those types of illegal dealings. This man beside her, on the other hand, certainly did. He had to be lying. He had to.

"Mr. Evans was at Tulum to make a large drug deal. He was scheduled to pick up three-hundred pounds of marijuana and smuggle it back in his plane for distribution. That's worth over two-hundred thousand dollars."

She sighed.

"We were there to arrest him, but as you know a shooting occurred, with Mr. Evans' accomplices shooting several tourists. He's a very dangerous man."

Danielle began to tremble in earnest. She remembered the way he dressed that day. He had told her it was a dare, and she knew then he was lying. But a drug dealer? A smuggler? She still could not believe it. But what did she really know about the man? Only that he had secrets he was reluctant to share.

"I've been looking for you all week to make sure you were not a hostage, Dr. Ryan. We've been very concerned about you."

She swallowed back the lump forming in her throat. Could he possibly be telling the truth? Hayden had protected her. Or had he been charming her to keep her from learning the truth? Was he truly a sociopath? Surely after a week in his company she would have caught at least a glimpse of his dark side. Instead, all she remembered was wonderful things. He could not be that suave, could he?

"Mr. Evans is an accomplished liar," he continued as though reading her thoughts. "He makes even the best deceivers look feeble. You're very lucky you were not hurt."

Conflicting emotions struggled for dominance inside her. She remembered Hayden asking her if her heart told her she could trust him, and she remembered her answer at the time. An unequivocal yes.

"We've been setting up this trap for months, Dr. Ryan, and, unfortunately, since you're with him of your own free will, we're forced to believe you're involved. That makes you an accessory."

Danielle took a deep breath and lifted her chin. So be it. She would take whatever came at her one day at a time. Hayden had told her she was tougher than she thought. She would prove him right today.

"A pediatrician, Dr. Ryan? Did you plan to distribute to your patients?"

She went rigid at the accusation but somehow managed to continue holding her tongue.

"Dr. Ryan," Agent Alvarez said with the first hint of frustration in his tone so far. "I'm not your enemy. I'd like to help you, and you can help me by cooperating."

She still refused to answer. The irritation in his voice was quick to turn to anger. Still holding her bag, he opened it on his lap and began to rummage through it. Before she knew it, her clothes were dumped on the floor of the SUV, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw him remove the camera. Her trembling increased, but she continued to stare out the window. Preferring to watch his movements through the dark-tinted glass, she was relieved she had tucked the memory card into the small pocket in her shorts. It contained the proof she needed to show that Alvarez was lying. He was, right?

"If you think in your heart that you can trust me, I ask that you do that now, Dani."

She trusted the man who had saved her life, made passionate love to her, made her smile and laugh, and threw her such blunt, offhand compliments that she knew in her heart he was an inherently honest person.

Wasn't he? Agent Alvarez told her he was an accomplished liar, a sociopath of the worst kind. Had he been playing her all along? If so, why did he save her to begin with?

Rocky Alvarez, Special Agent was lying. There was no doubt in her mind about it.

"I see you still have your camera." Rocky turned it on and searched out the review button. "Did you know that the police were looking for all photos taken that day to help identify the perpetrators of that terrible devastation?"

Her gaze shifted to watch him as he scanned the photos on the second memory card. All the pictures on that card were taken following the incident in Tulum. There were photos of her and Hayden, their quiet little beach, and the cabana where they stayed. Without turning, she knew he was angry by the weight of his stare on her back.

"Where are the photos you took in Tulum?" When she did not answer, his voice lowered and hardened. "I said, where are the photos from Tulum, Dr. Ryan?"

Still refusing to answer, she squeezed her eyes shut. With the speed of a viper, his hand grasped her hair and pulled her head away from the window with a rough shake. She gasped in surprise when he shouted in her face.

"Where are they?"

Wrapping her hair around his fist, he forced her to face him. The look on his face was lethal, a mixture of fury and lust that shook her to her core. He continued to pull her head back until she was looking at the roof of the vehicle. The pain in her scalp increased as he tightened his grip.

"It was destroyed, like my phone," she cried.

"Liar!"

He abruptly released her and began scavenging through her bag. He quickly dug out the phone and tested her lie by trying to power it up. When it refused, he glared at her. She resisted the urge to cringe but knew in that moment she was in serious danger. This man would not be kind. Her suspicions only increased when they began to head north on the highway, away from Phoenix.

Biting her lip to distract the tears forming in her eyes, she shifted in the seat. Her arms were beginning to throb with pins and needles, and she struggled with the urge to beg for the handcuffs to be removed. While she was uncomfortable, she could only imagine the pain Hayden was in. A sharp blow to the head had knocked him to the ground, followed by brutal kicks by two men. Cracked or broken ribs, a potential head injury – Hayden could very well be in far bigger trouble than her. She had to keep it together now.

She had to save Hayden.

### ****

Following two cars behind the black SUV, Ian focused on the vehicle ahead as it proceeded north on the highway. They were heading to Scottsdale. At the last light, Ian read the text from Zach confirming an address in North Scottsdale, but even armed with that knowledge, he would not break off his tail. Luckily, the highways in the Phoenix Metro area were always busy, making it easy for him to hide his motorcycle from view.

He spied a brief altercation in the back of the car while traveling down the exit ramp to enter the northbound highway. Though the windows were tinted, the way the woman's head was jerked around reminded him that she was in trouble, too. The woman obviously meant enough to Hayden that he had put himself on the line to help her, and that was all Ian needed to know. Hayden would have his backup. Ian would make sure he did not fail him or the girl. With Zach and Andrew's help, he would save them both.

He maintained a close eye on the vehicle until it exited the highway an hour north of their starting location. Taking the exit slowly behind them, he waited until he saw which direction they took before easing out as well. If the driver had any sense, he would certainly notice Ian behind him now. These roads were not as busy as the highway, and he was forced to lag when they continued north.

At the next red light, he pulled free his phone and glanced at the information Zach had sent. It had an address listed in the general vicinity, so he cut off his pursuit and passed the tail to Andrew and Zach.

It was now time for them to do their part.

### ****

Hayden came to when he was thrown roughly to the ground. The cement below his cheek was warm, indicating he was in some sort of garage. His head throbbed, worse than it had the night before, and for a minute he was disoriented. Danielle helping him relax, the good night's sleep, waking, eating, laughing and then getting back in the plane. Then he remembered landing in Chandler. From there, everything went black.

He saw her grinning at him. A flash of black, and then he remembered Rocky had found them. Dani. Where was Dani?

With a sharp shout, Hayden sat up. He immediately regretted the action when his ribs rebelled, and dizziness sent his head spinning. A wave of nausea nearly found him falling back to the ground weakly. He did not feel right. His limbs felt heavy, his head fuzzy, and he knew it was not just from the blow. They must have given him something. Opening his eyes slowly, he began to take stock of those feelings in an effort to determine where his injuries were, and what drug he had been given. It was then he noticed his hands were bound behind his back with what felt like a string tie. Not only that, but he was blindfolded. Everything around him was still black.

A rough hand grasped his shoulder, and the blow of a knee to his chin followed. Biting back a groan, Hayden fell back again. His head hit the warm concrete in the same spot he had been struck before, and stars exploded behind his eyes.

"That was for Roberto," an unseen voice announced. Hayden stiffened. This was not going to be good. He had just enough time to tense when the next blows came, fast and hard. One struck his eye; the other his cheek. The taste of blood quickly followed, and his head began to feel as though it was going to explode.

"Where's Dani?" Hayden managed through his split lip.

"You do not speak to me," the voice said harshly. "This is for Rico and Carlos."

Struggling to maintain awareness, Hayden tolerated the pounding that ensued. Booted feet rained the punishment for the man's friends. He felt a rib crack, and the ensuing difficulty breathing. The man laughed when Hayden released a muffled groan.

"We have your girl," the man hissed in his ear. "She's suffering like you will. We'll all take turns before we kill her. Just as we will kill you."

Hayden almost cried out then. The pain from the brutal blows was overtaken by the pain in his heart from the man's words. The psychological torture was more effective than physical pain. If Danielle was there, being beaten and tortured, he had failed. The only woman he felt totally free with could be having her spirit broken as easily as his was. For the first time in years, Hayden felt the sting of agonized tears prickling against his eyelids.

Just when he thought he would be beaten to death, a sharp female voice broke the sounds of heavy breathing mingled with vicious laughter.

"Eduardo! Enough!" The female voice penetrated into his fogged mind, and for a moment, his heart lifted as he thought it was Danielle. "Leave him alone! He's been sedated, you fool."

Heart sinking once again, Hayden accepted the truth. It was not his Dani.

Then all went black.

### Chapter 17

When Rocky produced a spandex hood and pulled it over her head, Danielle felt tentacles of dread grip her heart and squeeze painfully. Her dismay increased when she noticed there was a blindfold built into it, and the tentacles extended all the way down her spine. Unable to remove it, she shook her head frantically, but the clingy material stayed in place.

At her side, Rocky chuckled unsympathetically. "We could've done this the easy way," he said mildly, "but you chose to be difficult."

With her eyesight blocked, she felt an overwhelming sensation of panic. She gasped, only to have the material suck into her mouth. Breathing was more difficult, and she bit back the urge to gag. Reminding herself that she was panicking, Danielle concentrated on her breathing. She was not normally claustrophobic, but given the circumstances she knew she had to remain in control or fall apart completely. The hold of terror tightened its grip while she struggled to focus.

After several long seconds, her other senses came alive. The SUV and the traffic outside the window were suddenly louder. She heard the driver lift his foot off the gas, and the vehicle began to slow. The slight alteration in the engine's purr advised her they were nearing an exit. A moment later, her suspicions were proven correct when the vehicle shifted and she leaned to the left. They were exiting the highway.

Still refusing to speak, she continued to maintain her calm. She remembered her past week, reliving every moment with Hayden. Every time she thought of him, a warm feeling suffused her, so she latched on to the memories as a means to regain her composure. They also served to bolster her confidence that Hayden had not been lying. There was no way the man was a sociopathic drug smuggler. He was far too honest.

Rocky's voice broke the silence as he murmured in the driver's ear. She listened to their brief discussion about potential tails, but the driver, whose voice was very young in her opinion, swore vehemently that they were still alone.

Danielle wondered what happened to Hayden's brother, and the first glimmer of hope finally appeared. His cop brother planned to meet them, and if they were not there he would definitely go in search of them, wouldn't he?

She closed her eyes again and tried to relax. The darkness enveloping her made her very aware of the way Rocky shifted in his seat. He had turned to face her. A hand reached out and brushed by her face. Recoiling immediately, she heard a low chuckle in response, and her fury nearly replaced the fear when she realized he was toying with her.

"We're almost there, my lovely companion."

She stiffened when she felt his hand grasp the ends of her hair. Preparing for another sharp pull, she ended up swallowing her revulsion when she felt him lift it and then heard him inhale deeply. "Mm, you smell like flowers, Dr. Ryan. Very nice."

He returned her hair to her shoulder and gently brushed it back. The revulsion increased, along with her fear. Jerking away, she instinctively recoiled against the door, feeling her seatbelt tighten across her chest. Undeterred, his hand followed. His low chuckle grew louder when he leaned in close, and she felt his lips press against the side of her ear through the clingy material of the mask.

"Micaela will be very busy with Mr. Evans. You, my darling, will be my responsibility." He suddenly pulled away with a frustrated sigh. "What?"

"Uh, nothing," came from the front seat.

"Mind the road, not me."

Not finished with his perverse teasing, Rocky began to stroke her thigh. Though his touch remained somewhat chaste, the fear that he was planning to assault her began to form in her mind. Danielle felt the nightmare become all the more real.

"Ah, we're almost there."

Sure enough, the car made a final turn, and she heard the sound of either gravel or dirt under the SUV's large tires. Heart pounding rapidly in her chest, she began to mentally prepare for the worst-case scenario. She had seen victims of assault multiple times in her rotations, and she had a working knowledge of what to expect. If they could survive it, surely she could too. Just detach, she thought desperately. The physical trauma she could endure and survive. The emotional trauma would take longer, but she was strong. She would deal, and possibly she could save them both.

The car came to a gentle stop, and Danielle heard the driver's door open and close. Soon after, hers was opened and a pudgy, soft male hand grasped her arm. Once again, she was reminded of the youth of the driver and felt a twinge of sadness that he was caught up in this kidnapping scenario.

"Let's go," he said in a heavily accented voice.

She stumbled from the car and nearly fell to her knees. At the last minute, she regained her balance, and the hand at her arm tightened perceptibly.

"Careful," he snapped.

"I'm trying," she growled back.

She debated stumbling again and bringing the kid down with her. But even if she did fall, she would have trouble regaining her feet and would end up having to run blind. There was no way she would get far. Not with Rocky coming up behind her.

"Sir?"

"Take her inside and put her in the bedroom. I have to check on Micaela and see how she's progressed."

"Yes, sir."

She stiffened. Straining to hear the direction he took, she fought against the tug on her arm. Rocky was striding down the gravel, away from her to some unknown location. She heard a door open and shut. Another building. Was Hayden in there?

"Let's go," her guard said.

A door was opened before her, and Danielle stepped into the cool embrace of air conditioning. Unsure where they were, she assumed it was some sort of house. Considering Rocky had mentioned a bedroom, it had to be.

"This way."

The hand on her arm gave her another tug, and she stumbled blindly along behind him as he led her down the close confines of a hallway, to the left through an open room, and then down another hallway. The house was shaped like a U. It was also large. She counted thirty long steps before they paused.

"Here you go... Enjoy."

"Thanks," she snarled.

"Yeah, we'll see how long you keep up that attitude once he's done with you, lady," he sneered in response.

Her guard stopped in front of a closed door and pushed her inside before closing and locking it behind her. If this truly was a home, she knew she could unlock it from the inside. With a slight smile, she began to back toward the door, only to stop when she heard a chair dragged up just outside. Of course it would not be that easy.

Knowing time was short, she wasted none of it. She only had a few minutes before Rocky would return for her. In that time, she had to make a plan. First things first, she had to remove the hood, or at least raise it enough to see a little. From there, she could figure out her handcuffs. Time was of the essence.

With baby steps, Danielle did her best to search the room. Within three or four steps she bumped into the side of a bed. Dropping to her knees, she rubbed her face against the duvet. The hood was spandex and clung tightly to her skin, but after several attempts she was able to lift the edge of the mask and see the first hints of light. Another swipe and she could see the ground. Bright light stung her eyes, replacing the terrifying pitch blackness. Keeping it at the current height so no one would notice the adjustment, she stood and turned to scan the room. When she was finally able to focus, what she saw took her breath away.

"Oh my God," she gasped.

### ****

The metallic taste of blood brought Hayden around for the second time. His mouth was nearly full, but he was unable to spit it out due to the tight hood over his face.

He could see nothing. Everything was still black. Not only that, but one eye refused to open at all. However, he did notice he was sitting now, with his hands still bound behind his back and his ankles tied to the legs of a chair. Cool air replaced the dry heat of the garage he had been dumped in.

What concerned him was not the excruciating pain in his chest or the throb in his face. What troubled him the most was that he had no memory of being carried inside and secured on the chair. That was serious. The female voice had said he was sedated, but with what? How could he get to Danielle when he had no idea how his body would react?

Dani. Where was she now? Hayden's eyes drifted closed as he thought about how dismally he had failed her. He remembered now how Rocky had showed her his badge. In his heart, he knew the story Rocky wove. It would be the same story he would have told her, too.

Everything that possibly could have gone wrong had. He needed to get to her before he died. He had to confess it all.

"I see you're awake." The female voice came from several feet away. It was the same female that had ended his beating however long ago it was. It was heavily accented but low and throaty, but he thought he recognized it. A memory tickled his befuddled brain, and he knew this woman was Rocky's lover.

Hayden's eye opened again. Unable to move, he waited with every aching muscle tensed for her next move. A rustle of clothing and a jingle of a bracelet announced her approach, and he stiffened, waiting for a blow that miraculously never came. Instead, her soft fingers grasped the edge of his hood and slowly pulled it up. The sting of several cuts and the slight tearing of dried blood wakened him further, forcing his befuddled brain to sharpen. Soon the white light of afternoon sunlight blinded him and forced his one good eye closed again.

"Seeing as you don't need this, let's dispose of the silly thing."

She pulled the rest over the crown of his head and tossed it carelessly onto the floor. As Hayden waited for his eyes to adjust to the light, he took her in with his other senses. She smelled of perfume, had a Hispanic accent and her hands were small with long, pointy fingernails. He suspected she was a professional judging by her ultra-cool and almost teasing manner. Squeezing his eye open a slit, he noticed her casual blouse and silk, wide-legged slacks. She appeared cool and composed, too fancy to be hanging around with a beaten man. Crouching before him, she studied his face with mock concern.

"So, Mr. Evans, would you prefer to die quickly or slowly? I'll leave the choice to you."

Stalling for time in order to judge his chances, Hayden leaned over and spit out the blood from his mouth. In addition to the metallic taste making him feel even more nauseous than before, he felt as though he had cotton in his mouth. A sign of the sedative or a sign of how long he was out? "Water?"

She pursed her lips while she considered his request. Finally, she straightened with a nonchalant shrug. "I guess it won't hurt."

The woman was very beautiful, he noticed. Her face was round, and her almond-shaped eyes large and doe-like. She wore makeup in a tasteful way, enhancing her best features. In another world, he might have been interested.

He continued to watch her cross to a table. The room he was in was scarcely furnished, and he noticed that what furniture remained was covered. Sheets and blue tarps surrounded him. He felt even more nauseated when he realized what that meant.

Bending over a cooler, the woman sifted through ice and removed a water bottle. Hayden noticed medical paraphernalia inside as well. That, too, did not bode well.

"Here you go," she said lightly.

Removing the lid from the water bottle, she held it to his lips. Hayden took a small sip first, pulling back without caring that it spilled down his chest. Swishing it around his mouth, he spit it out. The woman jerked back in dismay, despite his courteous attempt to aim to the side.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

She nodded in understanding and returned with the bottle. This time, he drank long and deep, gulping it almost all down. It felt cold and refreshing, and when she finally retreated he felt somewhat more human again.

"Better?"

He nodded. "You are?"

"My name is Micaela, and I am your assassin."

The way she spoke, so casually, brought a broken smile to Hayden's cracked lips. "I see."

Her laugh was cheerful, and her eyes danced with amusement. "You take that announcement fairly well, Mr. Evans. Do you not believe me?"

Hayden's one good eye widened when he heard the slur in his voice. "Seeing as I'm tied to a chair and you're standing in front of me, how could I not?"

"That's good then. We have an understanding. I hope that means we'll work well together."

"I hope so, too."

Nodding in satisfaction, Micaela returned the lid to the bottle and placed it down on the ground next to Hayden. He watched, wishing he could have even one hand free. He could have snapped her neck in an instant. Then it would be all over, and he would be able to find Danielle.

"Dani?"

The woman straightened immediately, and Hayden noticed the stiff line of her spine that spoke volumes. "She's here. She's in the main house with Rocky. He'll be handling her questioning."

Revulsion and apprehension made him go rigid, and behind his back his hands strained against the sharp plastic of the string tie. He almost frowned when he realized there was more than one. They must have known he could easily escape from one. "Dani's an innocent here."

Micaela's dark gaze met his, solemn and sad. "I know that."

"Then why are you holding her?"

"It's not my decision to make."

Her words were spoken with such finality that his heart sunk, and Hayden broke their gaze to stare at his feet. Desolate and discouraged, he knew it was all over, probably for both of them. He might have considered it a fitting end if he was able to accept that he had enjoyed her for the brief time they were together. Maybe he would have if he was able to give up. However, he was a fighter, and all was not lost yet. He would keep trying until he took his last breath.

"That news disturbs you?"

Hayden continued to stare at his feet. "It's my fault she's here. I was just trying to get her home."

Micaela nodded. "I understand. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control." Her eyes took on a faraway look before snapping back to him. Using the ends of her red-painted nails, she tipped his chin up. "I asked you a question and would now like an answer."

Hayden frowned. "I seem to have forgotten."

"Ah, that would be the sedative. It should be wearing off soon."

"Sedative?"

"Ah, yes. I injected you to get you here safely, but that was several hours ago. You should be feeling more yourself soon."

Several hours? That would make it early evening.

"I asked if you would prefer a slow or quick death."

Hayden could not prevent the melancholy smile, a smile without mirth. "That sounds like a loaded question to me."

She nodded. "Oh, it is."

"If I answered honestly, I would have to say a quick death. I'm not that brave."

Micaela chuckled again. "It's such a shame that I like you, Mr. Evans."

"Not necessarily."

She smiled brightly. "Such a shame."

Turning on her heel, she strode back to the table. He watched as she unrolled a round, leather-wrapped tool kit. Despite his best efforts at remaining strong, Hayden began to feel true fear, but it was not fear for himself. It was fear for Danielle. What if she was going through the same thing at that moment? The idea broke his heart.

"These are my tools, Mr. Evans. I can use them, or you can tell me everything I need to know, and I can go directly to this," she pointed at a syringe, "which will end your misery quickly... Again, the choice is yours."

"What do you want to know?" Hayden asked slowly.

"Who you work for, if Rocky's contacts are known, and how much evidence against him has been collected." She shrugged. "Simple questions, really."

A door behind him opened, and Micaela paused to glance at the intruder. Her face showed a hint of irritation, but it was quickly covered by a smile of welcome. Hayden heard the approach of two heavy footfalls, and he craned his neck to see a mountain of a man and an older, shorter and round man behind him. What an unlikely pair, he thought. He would have been amused if the situation was not so dire.

"These are my associates," Micaela announced. "Vlad is a master at breaking bones, and Dr. Lebowitz is a master at prolonging life."

Hayden sighed in resignation. Could things get any worse?

Neither man smiled in welcome, but both stared at him intently. He felt like a wounded zebra in a den of hungry lions in that moment and decided he did not like it at all.

Hayden returned his attention to the syringe. "What's in that?"

"Heroin," she replied with a shrug. "I prefer the use of a blade, but Rocky had other ideas. You will overdose rather than my using the remainder of the pentobarbital. He wants it in your system for the autopsy."

Hayden nodded. "I see."

"He told us to come," said the monstrous-sized man.

Micaela nodded at the monster of a man, Vlad. He immediately crossed the distance and grasped Hayden's left hand at the wrist. Hayden swallowed hard, knowing that the time was nearing. "Apparently Vlad has been instructed to give you a demonstration even though I thought we were making good progress," Micaela said with a soft sigh and another flash of irritation. "Perhaps it will help you decide."

Without another word, Micaela crossed her arms over her ample chest and watched while Vlad reached for Hayden's middle finger. Hayden had just enough time to stiffen when, with a snap, the finger was broken. Groaning deep in the back of his throat, he barely had time to fully register the pain when the finger bearing his new silver ring was also broken.

Unable to sit still and take it without fighting back, Hayden reacted in the only way he could at the moment. Jerking his head up, he slammed it into the large man's nose. Ignoring his own pain and bolstered by the man's cry of surprise, Hayden turned swiftly and bit down on the bare skin above the man's wrist. With another yelp, Vlad hauled back and backhanded him. Fury turned his face red, and he grasped Hayden's head and slammed it several times against the back of the chair.

Glaring at Micaela, he growled at her. "Sedate him again – now!"

The pain faded, and he felt his grip on lucidity slip away when black spots appeared behind his eyes. This time, Hayden embraced it. Jumbled voices surrounded him, but he could not make out what was said or who was speaking. All seemed to be chaos following the prick in his arm.

Micaela's voice was furious when she straightened with the needle in her hand. "What are you doing here?"

"Grab her."

"Get her out of here."

"Wait! What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

"Hayden!"

One voice remained above the others, and Hayden shook his head in an effort to focus on the blurred faces in the room. He heard Danielle's startled cry. Perhaps he was dreaming; he was no longer sure. However, he accepted the welcoming darkness knowing he had heard her voice one last time. He could go knowing she was alive and well judging by the worry in her strong voice.

There was a snarl of anger and a groan of pain, but Hayden no longer cared. The blackness enfolded him.

### Chapter 18

Ian waited impatiently in the back of the Fry's parking lot under the shade of a mesquite tree. Thirsty, hot, angry and tired, he lingered at the approved meeting spot waiting for Zach and Andrew to appear. As if on cue, Zach's car pulled up, and his cousin emerged with a frown.

Ian ignored the sweat dripping down his back that suddenly felt cold. "Where's Andrew?"

Zach grimaced. "He refused to leave in case something happens before we get there. He's setting up, but he promised not to storm in unless absolutely necessary."

"Jamie will kill me if he takes matters into his own hands."

"You can't take the soldier out of the man," Zach said with a wry shake of his head.

"How many are in there?"

"Seven. Six men and one woman."

"Hayden's friend?"

"No, another woman. Three are just kids. They'll be a piece of cake to subdue. One man is easily the size of Andrew, if not bigger. Then an older man and the woman." His face went solemn. "The last is Rocky Alvarez, Ian."

Ian whistled low under his breath. Both Ian and Zach knew who Rocky Alvarez was. With the two of them working so closely with the Gang Enforcement Bureau, everyone knew of the rogue agent. How had Hayden gotten involved with him? Even more frightening, were they too late? Rocky was notorious for his cruelty, although his status with the agency made it impossible to pin him for any of the tortured agents many were convinced were killed by his betrayal. Just like Miki, Ian thought grimly.

Feeling a sudden rise of emotion, Ian swallowed past the lump in his throat. "Not good."

"Agreed," Zach said. He paused and stared at Ian. "We need to call this in. We could have an entire team here in minutes."

"And Rocky would come out of it smelling like roses," Ian said in frustration. "No, we'll handle this on our own and put him out of commission ourselves if necessary."

"I don't know about this," Zach said emphatically. "Think of your career, Ian. Think of mine. I'll never get the transfer to Colorado if this goes south."

It was true. Both men had struggled long and hard to earn their spots with their respective law enforcement agencies. Where Ian felt a little more leeway over bending the rules, his cousin was as staunch as they came. As a decorated FBI agent, Zach had much more to lose.

"Nathan Medina owns that house, Zach. You of all people should want to get in there and take him down once and for all. He set Emery up, played her, and I bet he's a missing link to our case."

"That's why I want to do this legally," Zach reminded him. "If I lose him because of this, I'll kill you myself."

"We know the gangs behind the smuggling. We know who killed Nicholson. We need the identities of the leaders to end this, and your Nathan Medina could very well be one of them. Hayden was there for you, Zach. You owe him."

Zach scowled. "But if we screw this up, it could blow up in our faces."

"Alvarez is dirty. He's going to kill my brother." Ian swore under his breath. "Hayden may very well lead us to the people we need. If we can connect Alvarez to Medina and then connect them to the gangs, we have our case. We can spread out from Medina to find the others."

"We should do this right, then," Zach insisted.

"Okay, you know what? I'll handle it myself," Ian snapped. "That's Hayden in there, Zach. My brother. I have to get him out. It's no different from what you went through last spring with Emery."

"I know," Zach said, sighing heavily and finally giving in. He stared at Ian intently before shaking his head. "You're right, and I'm sorry. Andrew's already on it. We'll get him back."

Reaching into the car, Zach emerged with a water bottle and a sandwich. He handed them to Ian with a sheepish grin. "Eat something before we go in. You need the energy."

Food was not the utmost in his priorities, Hayden was. "How much longer?"

"Not much." Zach promised. "Andrew's going to text me once he's ready. I'm sure they're not wasting any time."

Ian nodded distractedly.

"Eat, Ian. You'll feel better. You need it for when we go in."

The irony was not lost on Ian. Not that long ago he had used those same words to a very distracted and worried Zach. He shook his head grimly. "Touché."

Zach shrugged. "Just trying to help."

"Did you bring everything?"

"Fully loaded for bear," Zach said with a gleam in his eyes. "You have a vest?"

"Hopefully you brought one for me."

"You're lucky I'm thinking for two."

Ian shot him a look. "Payback for last spring."

"True."

While Ian forced down the sub, Zach went to the trunk of his car and removed the gear he had brought for him. Ian noticed Zach had not been exaggerating when he said he was loaded for bear. There was even an automatic rifle in his trunk. Glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, he shed his polo shirt and pulled on the black T-shirt and vest. His shorts followed, and he donned black tactical pants in the backseat of Zach's car.

Three hours had passed since Hayden and his friend were taken. Was he still alive? Would they get to him in time? He was emptying his pockets when he felt his phone vibrate, distracting him from the gloomy thoughts. Glancing down, he saw it was Jamie and pressed the ignore button with a scowl. He could not deal with her at that moment.

"Who was that?"

"Jamie."

Zach snorted. "She called Andrew twice, too. She's freaking out that Hayden was taken."

"I didn't tell her that," Ian said in dismay.

"Andrew did."

Scowling, Ian shook his head. "He should know better by now."

"Your sister has a very persuasive way of getting information out of people," Zach said wryly.

"Tell me about it," he grumbled.

Shoving as much of the sandwich into his dry mouth as possible, Ian washed it down with the water and crumpled the wrapper in his fist. The murderous desire that it was Rocky Alvarez's skull startled him enough to make him focus on Zach again. "Do you remember that night?"

Zach knew instantly what Ian referred to and nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"Would you have killed him?"

Without blinking an eye, Zach nodded again. "Without a doubt."

His immediate response brought back the night in Colorado when Zach had pulled the escaped prisoner off Emery. Never had Ian seen his straight-laced cousin so angry. It was almost as though something in his highly-intelligent and disciplined mind had snapped. Now Ian was feeling very close to that level of rage, and he compressed his lips together tightly. "I might need you to be my sanity, Zach."

One more time without blinking or even showing a glimmer of surprise, Zach nodded. "I've got your back."

"Good."

Without another word, they climbed back in Zach's car and sped to the house to wait for Andrew's signal, and Ian hoped they were not too late the entire ride.

### ****

Danielle was alone in the bedroom. The muffled sound of laughter reached her ears through the closed door, and her guard snapped out something in Spanish. She could imagine how upset he was remaining in the hallway guarding her while the other two men watched television on the plush sofa.

Their preoccupation was her chance to act, and she had to seize the opportunity. The material around her hood was wet with tears, and every time she closed her eyes she saw Hayden beaten and delirious. He had been in a bad way. So far, she was still unharmed, but she knew her turn was coming next.

After Rocky roughly dragged her through the massive house and out the back to the guest quarters, he had shown her Hayden in an attempt to get her to speak. When Hayden had told her it would be safer for her not to know anything, he had been right. She never suspected he was also being hunted; she had thought they were after her. Unfortunately, Rocky did not believe her when she explained her ignorance. Not hearing what he wanted, his threats grew more explicit, and he furiously sent her back to the room with the hated hood back in place.

With Hayden so badly hurt, she understood it was all up to her, and the increasing desperation to try something to help him sent Danielle on an exploration of her surroundings. Though the windows were shuttered and locked, two closed doors lay at one end of the room, and she bolted toward them. That they had stored her in a small girl's room had initially seemed thoughtless, but now she saw it as a blessing in disguise. Surely this little princess had some perks for living in such a grand house. Like an adjoining bathroom.

Cursing her shackled hands, she backed into the door and felt the thrill of triumph when it proved to be unlocked. Even better, her suspicions were correct. The second door did have a bathroom, and it was a Jack and Jill bathroom. Almost laughing at her captor's ineptitude, Danielle lunged for the opposite door and nearly shouted aloud when she found it unlocked, too. After a moment of struggling with the handle, she managed to open it straight into a boy's room. This room was slightly bigger and even better – there was a sliding glass door. Her heart soared with hope. Freedom lay ahead, if she could just make it outside.

Without looking back, Danielle ran for the door and swung the lock. It took her only a moment to pull it open and hurry into the backyard. Some of her elation immediately deflated when she spied the cinderblock wall surrounding the property. With her hands secured behind her back, there was no way she could scale it. Her only choice was to go to the front of the house and try to escape down the driveway. It was a risky attempt, but it was her only option. To stay surely meant death for Hayden, and Rocky had threatened her with the same fate following sexually twisted promises that still rang in her ears. She had to try.

Staying close to the side of the house, she put her legs to work, hunching over to maintain her balance and praying with all her heart that she would not be spotted. Remembering her evening behind the dumpster, she stayed in the shadows and ducked under the windows. She was almost there.

She could do it.

She was rounding the last corner between her and the open driveway when she ran smack into the chest of a large, heavily-armed man. Appearing from the darkness with no warning, the man loomed dark and menacing before her. Stumbling back with a gasp of surprise, Danielle stared into the pale eyes of the black-clad man with face paint. She could feel the blood drain from her head and pool in her toes. It was the most terrifying sight she had ever seen. Seeing those cold eyes in a stern face, she felt her life flash through her eyes as dread replaced her hope. She was caught.

Before she could blink, he grasped her and spun her around, and a large hand covered her mouth before she had a chance to cry out her surprise. Feeling like a ragdoll secured against the man's body, Danielle's heart raced in her chest. Had she dropped from the frying pan into the fire? Before the thought registered, she was dragged back to the shadows along the side of the house, kicking and squirming.

Once they were hidden against the house, he whispered in her ear. "If I let you go will you scream?"

She nodded. Damn right she would. To emphasize her point, she stomped down on his boot. Wearing thin-soled sandals, it was completely ineffective, and he simply moved his foot out of the way of a second attempt.

"Listen to me, ma'am. I'm here for Hayden. You're with him, right?"

She paused and then nodded again. Though still unsure if she could trust him, she relaxed slightly. Was this the brother he had spoken about?

"Okay. I'm going to let you go, and you're going to tell me how many people are in the house. Understand?"

She nodded again, this time almost sagging in relief.

The steel band around her waist was removed and she did sag, but he caught her with one hand and removed her hood with the other in one swift move. With an unencumbered view of his painted face, she was startled by his eyes. The palest brown color she had ever seen, they seemed almost yellow in the growing darkness. At the moment, they were staring down at her in concern.

"Are you hurt?"

Relief, anxiety, fear and hope made her words stumble out quickly. She pleaded up at him with her eyes, unable to grab onto him to stress her urgency. "No, but he is. You have to get me to him right away. I'm a doctor, and he needs immediate medical attention."

The man remained calm and unmoved. "How many are in the house?"

"Three or four. I'm not sure where Rocky is."

"Where are the others?"

"With Hayden. They're hurting him."

"Where is he?"

She indicated the direction of the guest house with her chin. "He's in there, in the living room. You have to bring me to him."

He shook his head. "No, you need to get away from here."

"I can't leave him."

"I need you to get to a safe spot and wait this out. Things are going to blow."

Danielle was trembling all over, sure her knees would give out on her at any moment, but still her thoughts were consumed with Hayden's toil. "I can't leave him. He needs me."

"Ma'am, listen to me." The man scowled fiercely, and Danielle felt true fear. "I've got Hayden, but I can't help him if you're running around getting in the way."

Without waiting for her to respond, he grabbed her by the upper arm and hurried her down the driveway to the road. "There are two men coming in a blue car. When they come, flag them down. Sit in the car and wait. When everything's clear, I'll get you to Hayden."

"I can't flag them down." She knew what she said was obvious, and if she could she would have laughed at her own comment. The stranger just stared at her with one dark eyebrow raised in unspoken sarcasm.

"Just go." She began to hesitate again, but his scowl was fierce. "Go!"

Hoping he knew what he was doing, Danielle reluctantly did as he asked. As he had promised, a blue sedan suddenly appeared at the top of the wash at a high rate of speed. When the headlights landed on her, it slowed. She saw the flash of the brake lights illuminate a saguaro cactus, and then the car stopped at the bottom of a wash. Two men emerged in tandem, both tall and dark, and she froze in fear. They were armed, but they held their weapons down as they approached in a watchful jog. Feeling like she was caught in the middle of a crime drama, she froze in place.

"Police ma'am," a man called holding out his badge. "Are you okay?"

Almost crying out in relief, Danielle shook her head and spun around to show her restraints. "Please, they need help."

They approached cautiously but hurriedly, and she almost fell to her knees when she saw the man who was most definitely Hayden's brother. Though he was also wearing all black, she knew those features so well that she would have recognized him anywhere. He was almost a carbon copy of Hayden, and the man next to him also sported the same strong jaw with blue eyes. Another brother?

"Ian?"

Although both men appeared surprised she knew his name, they remained cool. Ian nodded and slowed before her. "Where are they?"

Still shaken and feeling as though her legs would give out at any moment, Danielle was slow to respond. Suddenly, as though a dam had broken, all her words came out in a rush. "Hayden's in the guest house. Your other man is heading that way now."

The blue-eyed companion was reaching into his pocket and pulled out a handcuff key. She waited while he released her hands. Her arms were stiff and achy from being restrained so long, but the numbness did not last long. Smothering a groan when the blood rushed to her aching limbs, she bit her lip as she rolled her wrists and wondered if her radial nerve sustained any damage.

"The other man? You mean Andrew?"

She nodded quickly, trying valiantly to hold back tears. "He told me to wait by your car... but Hayden needs my help."

The second man suddenly spoke up. "Are you injured, ma'am?"

"No, I'm okay. They haven't hurt me, but they're hurting Hayden. Please."

"Okay, get in the car. If we're not back soon, drive away. Got it?"

Danielle did not think she would be able to leave without Hayden, but judging by the seriousness of their faces she suspected something bad would have happened if they did not come back. Nodding, she swallowed hard. "Okay."

Without another word, both men turned in unison and jogged down the street. Danielle hovered by the car, too afraid to go back but too afraid to climb in and hide. She had to know that Hayden was safe.

### ****

Rocky stared down at the man before him, a scowl on his face. "Wake him up."

"I've tried," Micaela said abruptly. "It's not just the sedative this time. Vlad knocked him out."

"Have you gotten anything out of him yet?"

"He keeps asking about the woman."

Rocky cursed loudly, and the sound echoed off the bare walls. His fury was nearly insurmountable, and he knew he would have to control it quickly.

"If I may interrupt," the previously silent doctor said.

"What?" Rocky snapped.

"He's withstood a fairly rough beating, and his brain may have forced him to shut down temporarily."

Rocky scowled. "You mean fainting?"

The doctor shrugged. "You could call it that."

"Can you wake him?"

The doctor shook his head. "He may come around on his own in another minute or two. If not, he may have a more severe injury to his head from the blows."

For the first time in his career, Rocky felt as though everything was slipping from his control. He needed answers, and they were not coming fast enough. "If he wants the doctor, I'll bring him the doctor again. Maybe then he'll talk."

Seeing Micaela stiffen, he glanced at her and smiled. "Get ready. You can practice your dagger skills on her, mi rosa negra."

Micaela's eyes widened with undisguised pleasure.

Rocky smiled in response to her dawning understanding. "Yes, perhaps a little motivation is all he needs."

"Excellent idea," she purred.

"Prepare two doses. If this doesn't work, we'll need to dispatch them both. We don't have much time to finish them off and dispose of the bodies. It grows late."

Spinning on his heel, he hurried back into the sweltering night. It was still hot despite the late hour, and sweat trickled down his back as he crossed the landscaped yard. The desert was hell, he thought, but the hell Hayden Evans was headed to would be far worse.

He entered the spacious living room and snapped at the boys watching an evening sitcom. They jumped to their feet and looked shamefaced at their feet. If Rocky was not in such a foul mood, he would have found humor in their childish reaction.

"Start cleaning this place up. We're almost done here."

The two men's heads bobbed in unison, and Rocky continued through the house to the hallway containing the bedrooms. Eduardo was sitting sullenly on one of the dining room chairs, his arms crossed over his narrow chest and his eyes closed.

"Activity?"

"Quiet now," Eduardo said as he straightened.

"For how long?"

Eduardo shrugged. "No more than ten minutes. Before that, she was crying."

"Good," Rocky replied with a nod. "She's finally frightened. All the better. She's been too cool of a customer so far."

Reaching for the door handle, Rocky shoved it open with a force meant to intimidate. As the door bounced back, he held his hand out to catch it and looked for his quarry. Surprise drew his black brows together. His action did not serve its purpose, for the room was empty. "Eduardo, where is she?"

Eduardo came to his feet in an instant, so fast that the chair fell back against the wall. "What?"

Slapping the kid on the side of the head, Rocky grabbed him and pulled him into the doorway by his shirt collar. His voice was low but full of unleashed fury. "Check the closet and under the bed."

While Eduardo hurried to do as he was bid, Rocky went to the open door that led to the bathroom. His legs were jerky as he walked, and he was again reminded of the overwhelming stress of having so many incompetent people around him. He would have to handle that as soon as this was over.

Assuming he would find the girl in the bathroom, Rocky froze in the doorway. There was another door, and that too was open.

"She's not here," Eduardo announced from across the room.

"Did you not check the other rooms before you put her in here?"

"You told me to put her in the bedroom. This was the first one."

Rocky heard, but his attention was focused on the open door. Pushing his way through, he realized his worst fear. "Eduardo, get out front – find her. Quick."

Though still confused, the other man did as he was told. With a muffled curse, he hurried out the door and called for his two companions as he went. Rocky stood in the doorway, staring at the open slider. He shook his head in wonder. Damn, the woman was sly. More than a worthy opponent for him. He should have suspected something was up right away. After all, had she not proven to be elusive already?

This time it was his fault. He should have checked the rooms before he left her in there alone. Clenching his fists, Rocky strode to the slider and stepped outside. A wall greeted him on three sides. She could never scale that with a hood over her face and hands secured behind her. Following the most likely route she would have taken, Rocky checked every shadow, every bush. He would find her.

Voices from the front greeted him as he rounded the corner. They were raised in panic, and the scuffling sound of feet running through the gravel advised him that they had not found her yet. Hurrying back around the front of the house, he found the three standing helplessly in the spacious entry. They stared at him in dismay.

"She couldn't have gone far yet." Rocky stared at the three men with disgust. "Split up. Go in either direction. Bring her back here."

Facing the three men, he never saw it coming. A solid clunk followed by an ear-shattering bang knocked him to his knees. The bang was followed by a blinding white light, and Rocky was instantly blinded on top of being deaf.

What the hell? Now what?

Something was wrong.

### Chapter 19

"Bang it."

Ian watched as Andrew counted down on his fingers and then tossed the M84 grenade into the front foyer of the house. "Three, two... one."

Ducking back, Andrew crouched for cover as the flash and bang knocked the men in the doorway to the ground.

Ian shot to his feet and grabbed Zach. "He can handle them. Let's go."

Moving in tandem, Zach and Ian immediately made their move, barging into the guest house and raising their weapons.

"Police!" Ian shouted.

Distracted by the explosion from the main house, the three inside the guest house with Hayden never saw them coming. A giant man reached instantly for his sidearm, but Zach was faster. "Don't do it," he threatened coldly, his gun aimed straight between his eyes.

As Zach gave orders to drop their weapons, Ian advanced, disregarding the small, round man who nearly shook all over with fear and focused his attention on the woman leaning over Hayden. With Hayden's back to him, Ian could not tell his condition but sensed he was in trouble. There was a syringe in the woman's hand, and she was pushing the contents into his brother's arm.

"Step away from him and drop the weapon," Ian ordered in a steely cold voice. His finger was poised on the trigger, and for the first time in his life he fought the urge to hurt a woman.

She stared at him coolly but did as he asked. Holding the syringe up, she smiled at him mockingly before allowing it to drop to the floor. Hayden's head rolled slightly, and it was a sight that brought Ian tremendous relief. He was alive.

"Cover me," Ian said to Zach.

His cousin nodded his head, standing apart but at the ready. Having good cover, Ian approached the large man first. He stared at him with cold eyes, nearly lifeless with their lack of emotion. "This is not my fight," he said in accented English.

"Good," Ian muttered. "Keep it that way."

"You have nothing on me."

"We'll see about that."

Disarming him first, Ian shoved him to his knees and secured his hands behind his back. With their biggest threat out the way, he turned to the woman next while Zach began reciting their Miranda rights. She already had her hands behind her back, but when Ian approached, he noticed a second syringe and a long dagger gripped in her hands. That she had managed to secure them without their knowledge took him by surprise, but he had no time to think before she was on the attack. With a speed that surprised him, she swung the dagger directly toward him. He fell back and raised his weapon, but Zach beat him to it. One shot fired, and the raven-haired woman fell to the ground.

"Jesus," Ian breathed.

Glancing back at Zach, he saw his cousin train his weapon on the terrified older man who was nearly sobbing with fear. The foreign giant remained on his knees, but Ian noticed he was staring at the woman and shaking his head with regret.

"Secure him," Ian said with a nod toward the older man.

Zach moved to do so while Ian checked the woman on the ground. Her pulse was weak, and the pool of blood forming under her raven hair was growing rapidly. Ian assumed his cousin's head shot left her little hope of surviving, proving Zach truly was the best shot of them all. Confirming she had no other weapons, he glanced at him. "You win. We'll have to call this in. We need an ambulance."

"I know."

Zach was all business, shoving the doctor to his knees beside the giant and reaching for his phone. While he called in their location, Ian crouched before his brother. Hayden's one good eye was dazed and struggled to focus on him. "You made it," he said with an attempt at a smile.

Emotion thick in his throat, Ian worked quickly on the restraints. "Sorry it took me so long."

"Dani?"

Ian nodded. "We got her."

"I feel heavy." Hayden sighed. "Good... She's okay? My phone... Call Alpha."

"Yes, she's fine."

"Heavy..."

Ian did not understand the thickness in Hayden's voice, but he managed to free his brother's hands and bent lower to work on his feet. When he released the final restraints, his brother's muscles began to spasm, and Ian glanced up and watched his eyes roll into the back of his head as his entire body began to convulse, throwing him from the chair. "Zach. Get the doctor, quick."

Ian helped his brother to the ground and waited for the seizure to run its course. The two men in restraints watched emotionlessly, and Ian felt the urge to shoot them both. "What did you do to him?"

Two pairs of blank stares were his response.

"Answer me!" Ian shouted.

"I'm invoking my right to remain silent," the giant said.

The older man opened his mouth to speak, but a glare from the giant caused him to close it and stare down at the floor. The two men remained silent while Ian waited with his heart in his throat. Hayden's breathing was shallow and slow, and his pulse weak. Ian scanned his brother from head to toe. Though he had suffered several blows to the face, his most apparent injuries stemmed from his hand. Two fingers were obviously broken. All else seemed to be okay; they had not hurt him too bad that he could see. So what was happening to him?

A bluish tinge began to form around his lips, extending out to his fingernails. As Ian watched, Hayden's skin took on the shade of a man not oxygenating well, and Ian went cold with fear. It was the contents of the syringe. It had to be.

Shooting to his feet, Ian strode across the room and grabbed the little man by the front of his shirt. Dragging him to Hayden's side, he showed him all the hatred he felt in his heart through his eyes. "Tell me what he was given."

The older man was trembling, but Ian felt no sympathy.

"Answer me," Ian shouted.

The little man shook his head, and spittle formed in the corners of his lips. "I – I can't."

Lifting his gun and pointing it at the little man's forehead, he was about to pull the trigger when Zach's hand landed heavily on his shoulder. "Get back, Ian."

Ian stumbled away, the hand holding his weapon dropping to his side. That he had almost put a bullet in his head was a stark reminder of how close he was to the edge.

"Either get these two out of here or stay and help her," Zach said firmly. He pointed to the blonde from outside. She was already on her knees beside Hayden.

"Go ahead. Get them out of here," Ian said, watching the woman as she pressed her fingers to Hayden's wrist and lowered her ear to his face. "I'm not leaving him."

Zach disappeared as fast as he had arrived, and Ian hovered next to the woman. Her voice was low, but she could hear her speaking. "Hayden. Hayden, open your eyes for me. Open your eyes. Please, Hayden."

Fingers releasing his wrist, she opened his good eye tenderly and spoke automatically. "He's breathing shallow, respirations eight. Pulse weak. Pupils pinpoint."

"He just had a seizure," Ian offered.

The woman glanced up at him in alarm. "Opiate OD. That little troll is a doctor. Find me his bag. Quick."

Crossing the room, Ian scanned the table. The array of carpentry tools gave him pause, and he felt a sinking feeling as he imagined what his brother had tolerated.

"Hurry, please," the woman said in a steely voice laced with urgency.

Ian nodded, but his eyes fell on the small group of syringes. Beside them lay two bags of white powder and a dish that melted it. He went cold. The woman was right. That appeared to be heroin.

"The bag?"

"Right." Ian looked around the table, and he spied a cooler off to the side. The red bag sat atop it, and he hastily gathered it and dropped it at her feet.

She was still working on his brother, running her hands down his side and palpating his chest. A frown of concentration creased her brow. "Do you know how to set up an IV bag?"

Ian nodded. "Yeah."

"Good. Do it while I get the line going. Look for Narcan; I need Narcan."

Rummaging through the bag, Ian pulled out the intravenous solution and set up the line while she twisted the tourniquet and readied his arm for the needle stick. With the ease of one who had done the act many times before, she began the line and taped it down while he continued his search for the drug she needed. Finally pulling it free, he handed it to her and searched for another syringe.

For the first time since he had seen her outside, Ian saw the woman's intelligent eyes focus on him. They were large and blue, and, despite her cool and efficient actions, filled with worry. He could suddenly see what had so held his brother's attention. She was very beautiful.

"Can you roll him onto his side?"

"Of course," he said brusquely. He was embarrassed at being caught staring at her, but she was so preoccupied she did not seem to notice.

"He has some crepitus on his left side. Ideally, I'd like to roll him left, but his right side is stable. When he wakes up he's going to vomit. Be prepared."

He watched in interest as she double checked the IV and then mixed the drug. While he assumed she would shoot it into the drug port of the line, instead she reached for his upper arm and injected him there. When she caught him staring, she matter-of-factly explained herself. "Nalaxone can cause pulmonary edema. It will take a little longer, but considering his trauma I feel it's best to wake him slowly, especially since we're not in a hospital. I need him to oxygenate. We don't need to wake him all the way up yet, just get him stable."

Ian nodded. "Understood."

She glanced down at him while she rummaged in the bag for the stethoscope. She listened to his lung sounds on both sides before sitting back on her haunches. "We have to get him to a hospital quickly."

"Zach called it in."

She glanced over her shoulder at the woman. "Is she...?"

Ian shook his head.

Her eyes were wide and pleading. "He's safe now?"

Ian almost asked her to tell him, but when he met her steady gaze again he understood what she meant. "They've been contained. Andrew and Zach are very good at what they do."

She nodded. "Good. I tried to get to him, but then you were here."

He heard the regret in her voice and could not resist reaching out and squeezing her shoulder. Then suddenly Hayden took a deep, gasping breath and began to gag. While Ian quickly rolled him to the side, he nodded at the woman. Fighting back emotion, he stared at her with awe. "Sweetheart, you saved his life."

### ****

Danielle hovered close when the medics loaded Hayden onto the stretcher. She held the bag high while she advised of her treatment then followed them out of the house into the dark heat of the evening. Though Hayden was not fully alert, she had no intentions of leaving him. She would not abandon her patient.

As they lifted him into the back of the idling ambulance, Ian came to stand beside her. Remembering the memory card, she reached into her pocket and pressed it into his hand. "Hayden wanted you to have this."

He palmed it with a nod. "What is it?"

"Proof," she said firmly.

"Proof?"

"That man, Rocky, was behind it all. I don't know what they're saying about Hayden, but he had nothing to do with that shooting in Mexico."

"Shooting in Mexico?" Ian glanced down at the memory card in his hand.

"Rocky tried to tell me that he was DEA, and Hayden was a smuggler there to make a deal," she said in a hushed tone. "But Rocky was the one with the men who had the guns. My memory card has the photos to prove it."

Ian appeared relieved, but before he could comment, someone called his name. "I'll meet you at the hospital. This is a crime scene now, and I have a lot of explaining to do. I also have to get Andrew out of here."

"Where is he?"

"He's a ghost." Ian shrugged. "He'll find me."

A ghost. Danielle remembered how the man had suddenly materialized, silent and massive, and shivered. She should have known Hayden's family was as eccentric as he was.

Taking a step back, Ian closed the doors behind him with a parting wave to Danielle. She settled on the bench seat and sat back for the ride after suffering through a quick examination. From here on out, it was all about Hayden.

### ****

The euphoria he felt before everything went black was replaced with a nausea that refused to be ignored. Firm hands held his head as he came fully aware, and a bucket was placed directly under his face. He knew he had heard Danielle's voice; he was certain he had not dreamed her, but all he could hear now were voices totally unfamiliar to him. Her gentle touch was replaced by rougher ones, hands that cut off his clothes and cruelly pressed on his injuries.

Once the nausea passed, he attempted to open his good eye. The bright fluorescent lights stung and gave him an instant headache, but he was able to see the highly polished floor and the purple Croc clogs of a nurse. He was no longer in the plastic-coated living room but rather at a hospital. When did that happen? What had happened? His eyes closed again as he tried to remember the dream versus the reality. No matter how hard he tried, he just could not grasp the events that occurred.

"Dani?" The voice that cracked out the single word did not sound like his.

"Ah, welcome back, Mr. Evans."

He swallowed the bitter taste of bile and blood and feared his stomach would rebel again. "Dani? Where is she?"

The hands that held onto his head eased away, and the bucket was removed. He was offered a plastic container of water with a straw. "Take it easy, Mr. Evans. Let your body wake up," the same voice as before said in warning. The shoes he had stared at quickly disappeared with the bucket.

Hayden reached forward and caught the straw between his lips. He was about to take a long draught when a fresh pan was placed before his face. "Swish it around and spit it out."

Fighting back yet another wave of nausea, he opened his good eye again and stared at his water-bearer. "Where am I?"

A strikingly beautiful, tall black woman of indeterminable age returned his gaze. Her eyes held the boredom of a woman who had seen many more like him in her day. "This is the emergency room."

"And Dani?"

She frowned. "I don't know who he is."

"Not he. She."

She shook her head, and her lips compressed. "You were the only patient brought in."

Hayden groaned and lifted his non-throbbing hand to his eyes. The IV line tugged, causing the nurse to reach for him.

"Remember, you have to take it easy." She sighed when she saw the forlorn look on his face. Reaching out, she patted his hand with a brilliant smile. "I'll see what I can find out about your situation. The police are here, too. I'm sure someone will be in to speak with you as soon as we finish stabilizing you."

Hayden's eye drifted closed again. He was exhausted, confused and worried. One minute he was staring death in the face, and in the next he was in a hospital. There was no sign of Ian or anyone else in his family for that matter.

More voices. More confusion. Hayden heard the doctor enter when his tests were returned. His hand was set and his ribs bound. He knew he should have been relieved that his injuries consisted of a concussion, a pair of cracked ribs and two broken fingers, but he wanted to know where Danielle was.

His superficial injuries were treated by another nurse, and Hayden missed the sympathetic woman from earlier. She had offered to see what she could find out. Where had she gone?

This new nurse, a stocky older woman who hummed under her breath as she palpated the bruises on his skull and jaw, was not as gentle as his first one. Hayden grimaced when she roughly pulled away his lip to see if he needed stitches.

"I think you can heal that. The cut is less than an inch long."

"Fine," he mumbled.

After shaving an area around where he had been pistol whipped, she placed a gauze bandage around the wound on his head. "Head wounds bleed a lot, but that one isn't bad. The goose egg will take a few days to heal up."

He nodded.

"We're keeping you overnight for observation."

"Great."

She offered him a small smile. "I'm sure you could use a good night's sleep."

"I'd rather be in my bed."

"Well, we have something light to help you sleep." As she spoke, she welcomed yet another nurse into the room. She carried a syringe in her hand, and Hayden felt a frisson of fear race down his spine. He wondered how long it would be before that eased.

Seeing his stricken appearance, the first nurse smiled. "No, no, you've had enough opiates to last you a lifetime. This is much lighter and non-addictive."

The new nurse approached and reached for his line. "It'll take the edge off the pain."

At that, Hayden managed a brief smile. "Good."

In his heart, he wondered if he would be able to rest at all without having any knowledge of Danielle. The mystery of whether or not Rocky had killed her as promised was crushing him. If she was alive, the fear that she was going to run away believing the worst was too much for his agonized mind to absorb.

"Do either of you know if Dani Ryan is here?" Both women looked at him blankly. Exhausted and frustrated, he shook his head. "Has anyone come in to ask about me?"

"We can check for you," the nurse who had brought his medication said with a smile.

"Thank you. That would be great."

Feeling as though he was fighting a losing battle at the moment, Hayden allowed his body to lead the way. He ached everywhere at the moment, and their poking and prodding had increased his headache to a blinding throb. He wanted to close his eyes and return to the welcome blackness, but he could not stop worrying about Danielle.

"Rest now," the nurse who wrapped his head said firmly. "I'll get you some new blankets so you can sleep until we get you a room upstairs."

The nicer nurse nodded in agreement, and both women began to head back to the closed curtain. As she passed, Hayden reached out and grasped the nice nurse's hand. "Would you please do me a favor and ask one of the officers outside if Dani Ryan is okay?"

"Dani Ryan?"

"Yes."

She gently extricated her hand from his grip and gave him a weak smile. Hayden felt as though it was an act of futility, but he had to try. "I'll see what I can do."

That was the best answer he could get, but for the time being he was satisfied. His eyes drifted closed.

### Chapter 20

Danielle blinked at the two men in drab tan suits and decided her eyes were as bloodshot as theirs. The statement she offered had already been signed and dated by her, and the memory card had been turned in to Ian. She wanted to know why they were still keeping her when she should be at the hospital with Hayden.

The man she now knew as Hayden's cousin had finally arrived after his own debriefing for shooting a suspect and presently stood behind her. Though his presence was reassuring, she was still nervous. Because Hayden never had a chance to tell her exactly what had been going on and what Rocky accused him of did not paint him in a kind light, her obvious reservations about telling too much had erected a wall between her and the officials. They seemed to think she was lying, and that was not good for her.

Oh, she stuck to the facts as she knew them, but she had tried her best to play down Hayden's initial involvement. She did not mention that he had been dressed as a gangster, and she did not mention that Rocky had accused him of being a smuggler. They knew she was hiding something, and they planned to keep her until she spilled it.

"So Hayden pulled you into the jungle and hid you there until you could escape? Where was he when Agent Alvarez spotted you?" Suit Number One asked wearily.

Danielle swallowed. "I don't know."

"He left you and then returned?"

"Yes," she sighed. "I told you that already."

Suit Number Two cleared his throat. "According to the Mexican officials, one of the gunmen was shot during the melee. Did you see Hayden with a weapon?"

Pausing, Danielle wanted so badly to look over her shoulder at Zach, but she knew she dared not. Keep it simple, she thought. "I did, but I don't know if he used it on any of the gunmen."

More scribbling from the two men across from her, and she began to squirm. "Where's Hayden? When can I see him? Is he okay?"

Zach reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "They're just trying to figure out what happened, and the Mexican officials seem to think that Hayden was responsible for the shooting there."

"Well, I can tell you unequivocally that he wasn't. I handed over the memory card that shows it was Rocky Alvarez. Hayden escorted me out of the country because I was being hunted for that card. Everything he did was at a risk to his own life, but he did it. Now he's in the hospital, and his name is being smeared. Just look at the photographs."

"And where is that card now, Dr. Ryan?" Suit Number Two asked accusingly.

Danielle resisted the urge to smack the arrogance off his weathered cheeks. "I gave it to Ian."

"When we get it from him, we'll look at it."

Danielle felt the tears of frustration, anger, and worry rise in her eyes, and she lowered her face to the table. Zach removed his hand. "Can we finish this up tomorrow? Obviously, she's had a rough day, and it's late."

Sighs from across the table reached her ears, and then a long, heavy silence descended. Sniffling, Danielle wiped her face. The two men across from her appeared as exhausted as she, but they were reluctant when they exchanged a meaningful glance before nodding their heads.

"All right. Just don't leave the area, Dr. Ryan," Suit Number Two warned huffily.

She scowled. "Why am I being treated like a criminal?"

"You're not. It's just that we have a DEA agent claiming he was in the process of detaining a known smuggler."

"Who was being tortured when he was rescued –"

Suit Number One cocked his head to the side and calmly interjected. "Who the aforementioned agent claims was resisting arrest."

"He's lying. He met us at the airport, and I watched two of his companions knock Hayden senseless before he grabbed me."

"He was detaining you for questioning."

"He brought us in separate vehicles to a private compound in another city. I was locked in a child's bedroom with a hood over my head and handcuffed. Is that how federal agents conduct their investigations?"

"That's what we're trying to sort out."

"They gave him a lethal dose of heroin," she cried. "He would've died."

Suit Number One nodded sympathetically. "He was lucky you were there. This is an ongoing investigation. I can promise you that your continued cooperation will help tremendously."

"Doesn't any of this seem out of the ordinary to you? I was on a vacation, the next thing I know I had a man shooting at me and chasing me all over Mexico. The only person who was helping was Hayden."

Another weary sigh. "Like I said, we would appreciate your continued cooperation."

Danielle finally broke her resolve and glanced over her shoulder at Zach. "Is this right? Should I be asking for a lawyer?"

Zach's hand again landed on her shoulder. "I'll keep her in my custody until you have a chance to speak with Hayden. Will that work?"

"Have you been released, Agent Evans?" Suit Number Two asked Zach pointedly.

Zach nodded. "I have."

Both men nodded. "Then very well."

Moving his hand from her shoulder to her upper arm, Zach helped her rise. "Come on, Dr. Ryan. I'll take you home."

She followed, too exhausted to resist any further. As she fell in step beside Hayden's cousin, he remained solemn and silent. His brooding silence frightened her more than the suits' suspicion, and when Zach politely opened the passenger door, she was hesitant in reaching out and touching his arm. He glanced at her in question.

"Will you at least tell me if Hayden's okay?" Danielle asked warily.

Her uncertainty caused his eyes to widen in surprise. As if just realizing how his distraction appeared to her, he offered her an apologetic smile. "I'm not your enemy, Dr. Ryan."

"It feels like everyone's my enemy right now."

"Hayden's going to be fine, thanks to you." He offered her a brief smile. "They're keeping him overnight for observation, but otherwise he's just a bit banged up. I'm sure you'll be able to see him later this morning."

"Thank you." Danielle nodded and slipped into the car.

When Zach joined her, he turned in his seat and glanced at her. "By the way, thanks for not mentioning Andrew."

"Ian said he'd slipped away. I figured it was for a reason."

Zach sighed heavily. "He's ex-Special Forces, no longer active, but he's good at what he does. We knew Hayden needed help, so he came along. Things are already a mess, and it would've made the situation even more difficult to explain if he had come forward, too."

"All I care about is Hayden... Is he in trouble?"

Zach paused. The keys he was about to insert in the ignition hovered for what seemed an eternity, and the hesitation spoke volumes. When Zach finally did speak, his voice was not very reassuring. "I don't know. That's what they'll have to decide. I can tell you he's got a lot of explaining to do."

She sagged back against the seat, wondering how everything had gone so wrong so quickly. It all seemed to be so cut and dry when they were on their way to the hospital. However, now Alvarez was knitting a tale of lies, and she feared Hayden would never be able to unweave them.

"He didn't do anything wrong."

"I hope for his sake he didn't."

"I swear he didn't," she ground out. "I can't believe you, as a family member, would even consider that he would."

Zach shrugged. "Hayden's always been the free-spirit of the family. He's a great guy, but he's done some whacked things in the past. He hasn't been a responsible one."

"So you believe he's a smuggler?"

Zach started the car and pulled from their parking space. His voice was low. "No."

"Finally," she breathed.

"But what I believe is not the issue here, Dr. Ryan," Zach continued. "Hayden's always been fairly private, and few of the family truly know what he's up to on any given day. Of course I want to believe the best of him, but that's because I know him. If the evidence points in the other direction, I'll..."

Danielle waited. "What?"

Zach sighed heavily. While she wanted to resent his ability to believe the worst of his cousin, she saw the raw pain in his eyes. "I'll take you to my condo. You can rest safely until we can get you to Hayden."

"Thank you."

"And if anything else comes up, I'll make sure you get back to San Diego."

She knew what that meant. If Hayden was arrested and thrown in jail, Zach would make sure she made it home. Home? Ever since she had met Hayden, San Diego ceased feeling like home. Sure her family was there, but now the city seemed to be a part of the past she had discarded during her trip to Mexico. Home now was wherever Hayden was, and she wanted to keep it that way. No matter what his cousin suspected, she was certain Hayden was innocent.

And she fully intended to prove it.

### ****

The various aches and pains returned when the medicine wore off. Throbbing in his hand, ribs and head drew Hayden back from the darkness of his dreams, and when he opened his eyes he saw that he had been moved to a room. The swelling in his eye had gone down, but his blurred vision made it difficult to peer through the shadows in the room. He sensed it was nearing dawn, although the only immediate light came from the partially open door. The hospital floor seemed quiet, but he could hear the ringing of a phone and muffled voices chatting out in the hall.

The events of the day before seemed so surreal that he closed his eyes and flexed his non-throbbing hand in an effort to come to terms with what had happened. A flight home, Rocky cornering Danielle, and then her scream was all he remembered. He still did not know if she was alive or not.

Sighing, Hayden glanced to his right. A rolling table rested nearby, and a jug of water with a straw poking up from the top resided atop it. He reached for it, making several swipes before finally connecting. Taking several shallow breaths to help ground him, he locked his fingers around the narrowest part of the bottle and dragged it forward. At the edge, it toppled over and hit the ground with a plunk. Hayden cursed under his breath and scanned the bed for the nurse's call button. That was when he spotted the shadowed form in the corner of the room pushing away from the wall.

"Hey, you're awake."

Hayden recognized Ian's outline before his low voice. "My eyes are open but nothing seems to be working."

Ian chuckled, but the hand he rested on Hayden's forearm was heavy with worry. "You had a helluva day."

Hayden managed a snort. "Where's Dani? Is she –"

"She's fine," Ian reassured him quickly.

"What happened?" Hayden asked. "Where is she?"

"You can see her later. They took her for questioning. You have a lot of explaining to do, Hayden."

Everything was fuzzy, and Hayden tried to battle the confusion that sent his mind off in scattered directions. All he was able to grasp was that she was taken. "Where was she taken?"

The panic in his voice made Ian smile soothingly, but his words were a jumbled mess of syllables to Hayden's ears. "Relax Hayden. She's fine. She's okay."

"When can I get out of here?"

"I'll take you home this morning."

Hayden glanced around in frustrated distress. "I want to go now. Get me out of here."

Ian's hand held him down firmly with meaning. "You need to slow down a little," he said softly. "There's a lot going on right now. Questions, insinuations..."

"What do you mean?"

"Alvarez is claiming you're a smuggler."

Hayden swallowed at the look of betrayal in Ian's eyes. Though he suspected that would happen – no, was certain it would happen – he had hoped to be more alert when it did. "Was he taken in, too?"

"Yes, and still in custody the last I heard." Ian turned and reached for the chair, pulling it closer to the bed. Once he sat, he leaned forward and pinned Hayden with a very somber gaze. "You're in a big mess right now, Hayden."

"Did you make the call for me?"

"They have your phone. Tagged as evidence."

"You need to call Alpha. He'll straighten this out." Hayden pinned Ian with a steely look. "I'm not a drug smuggler."

"Who's Alpha?" He paused and then shook his head. "You know what? Just consider it done – for now."

"When will Alvarez be out?"

"Well, that's just it. Apparently, the story your doctor is telling doesn't match very well with Alvarez's. She put up quite a bit of a fight, and she had her facts straight. He also has to explain the presence of three Mexican gangbangers who entered the country illegally. I think he'll be there for a while longer."

Hayden closed his eyes and smiled slightly. "That's my girl."

"Yeah, well, you put her in an awkward position," Ian reproached.

"She's a smart lady," he replied dreamily. "I shouldn't have doubted her ability to see through the lies."

"She is, and you're still alive because of her, you know."

Hayden's eyes opened again, and he frowned. "What?"

"That woman, I guess her name was Micaela, shot you full of heroin."

"I remember that," he said with a shudder.

"The little guy there was a doctor. He confessed that she gave you over five-hundred milligrams. Dude, you were dying in front of us. Your friend was shaking like a leaf, but she still had the sense to treat you right there on the floor in that house."

A flash of voices, the sound of sirens, and the feel of Danielle's tender fingers on his arm suddenly entered his memory. He glanced down at his IV. "She did that."

Ian nodded. "Yeah."

Hayden's eyes drifted closed again. "I knew she was something else... special."

"I hope for your sake you didn't screw it up before it had a chance to start." The sound of Ian's laughter reached his ears, but suddenly Hayden's eyelids were too heavy to open. "Your drip is kicking in again," he heard Ian say.

Drip? What drip? Hayden struggled to open his eyes, but they were too heavy. He drifted off again, finally feeling able to rest without worry. His brother was there, Dani was safe, and the pain was easing. This time, he dreamed of white sandy beaches and warm turquoise water with brightly colored fish and a random sea turtle poking his head up out of the water. Danielle was there, lounging in the sun in her blue bikini, and she was smiling at him. However, when Hayden's eyes opened next, no one was smiling.

The sun had risen in the sky to almost the middle of the windows, so Hayden surmised that it was mid-morning. There were four men standing at the foot of the bed, his brother and three pan-faced men dressed in slacks and black T-shirts emblazoned with his agency's symbol. These were the men who knew him best. He finally felt like he was home again.

It was his boss, the Alpha of his undercover unit, who spoke first. "You were supposed to contact me when you landed," he said brusquely.

Hayden's split lip protested when he attempted to grin. "As you can see, I was otherwise preoccupied."

Jeff Peters, otherwise known as Alpha, shook his head. "You're going to be the death of me, Tango."

Ian stiffened, and his head swung around sharply to stare at Peters. "Tango?"

Hayden ignored his surprise and focused on his boss. "Then I'll take your job and not have to worry about getting my ass kicked anymore."

"It seems I'll have to take that under consideration now that your cover's blown." Peters shook his head. "But I can tell you right now my job's not much better. I still get my ass kicked worrying about guys like you. All day yesterday I thought we were going to have a repeat of Miki Roberts."

"Tango?" Ian repeated, this time with a hint of disbelief and awe.

The three other men in the room chuckled, and Hayden nodded. "Shepard, Chin, have you met my brother, Ian?"

Ian's glare was meant to be intimidating, but Hayden smiled. It was a relief that his brother finally knew the truth. After all these long years hiding behind his happy-go-lucky, wayward façade, he was now able to prove that he was not everything his family and friends assumed he was. He was more than that.

"We've met," Ian said. "We actually enjoyed a long conversation about you while you were out, and I'm learning more with every minute that passes."

The scandalized look on his brother's face said it all. "I can imagine," Hayden murmured.

Peters' lips twisted wryly, and Hayden returned his attention to him. "So can I go?"

"Once we have your written statement, yes. I have three agencies riding me about you and what you were doing. This better be the best report you've ever given."

"I was protecting the life of a civilian."

"Which you never reported to me," Peters snapped.

Waving his uninjured hand, Hayden allowed his self-righteous gaze to scan the room. "Would it have made a difference? I delivered the goods."

"Yes, it would have. Both of you would've been evacuated immediately."

"And Rocky would've disappeared."

At that, all eyes seemed to shift away guiltily. Hayden stiffened. "What?"

Peters sighed. "From now on, Alvarez is Chin and Shepard's responsibility. You're on medical leave effective immediately. Debrief to them, give them your statement, and your brother can take you home."

There was a suspicious, niggling feeling telling him all was not what it appeared to be. Something about the way none of the men in the room would meet his stare straight on. "That sounds good, but what's wrong?"

"Once you've given them everything they need to know from you, they'll find Alvarez," Peters said abruptly.

It did not take long for Hayden to comprehend the unspoken remainder of Peters' words. He sat up stiffly and tried to scowl. "So he was released."

"Yes."

He glanced over at Ian. "Where's Dani?"

"She's okay. She's at Zach's."

Hayden knew his cousin was devoted to Emery, but he had to admit that the idea of Danielle being in Zach's condo unsettled him. Jealousy, that ugly green emotion, was still new and disturbing. "Well, let's get this over with so I can get the hell out of here."

Shepard and Chin listened patiently while Hayden brought them up to date, and Hayden noticed how Ian watched alternating between awe and newfound respect. For the first time in a long time, he was proud to see his younger brother look at him as though he was a true man rather than the irresponsible black sheep of the family. He almost took a perverse pleasure at how completely he had fooled his family, including his closest brother.

When the two agents had filed out, Ian whistled low under his breath. Hayden pulled back the light sheet covering him and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Suddenly wishing for more of that magic that had been in his IV line, Hayden cradled his head in his hands and snarled through his pain. "What?"

"I never would've thought you could be such a good goddamn liar, Hayden."

There was an underlying current of hurt in his brother's tone, but Hayden was too busy regaining control of his spinning world to address it. "Tell me you brought me some clothes."

"I did," Ian said. He held up Hayden's familiar backpack. "Or actually, _your boss_ did."

Ian set it down on the end of the bed, and Hayden began to search through it to find any remaining clean clothes. As he did so, Ian stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Do you have any idea how famous you are throughout law enforcement right now? Everyone knows about the undercover operative known as Tango. You've been helping us pull the Nicholson case together for months now. Suppliers, funding, silent partners – you've been getting it all to us. Even better, Zach got a lead in the house you were taken to yesterday. That crooked SOB, Medina, owns that house, and now he's really under the radar. Never in a million years would I have thought Tango was my crazy older brother."

When Hayden did not respond, he continued.

"You've collected so much information to help Zach and me with our investigation, and you never even hinted you knew what we were up to."

Hayden pulled out some wrinkled clothes with a satisfied grunt.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Hayden asked.

"Aren't you going to say anything about this?"

"Say what? That I have a career that extends beyond flying charter flights for wealthy people and sleeping with their bored wives?"

"Well, yeah. You're a deeply-embroiled, undercover agent working with smugglers from over the border, and you didn't think some of us would like to know that?"

"Would you have believed me?" Hayden asked as he pulled the wrinkled shirt over his head. His voice was muffled and followed by a groan as the neckline dragged across his head and bruised face.

Ian stepped forward and helped him draw it over his bandaged chest, but when they were face to face he glanced away guiltily. "Yes."

His voice lacked conviction, but Hayden understood. It would be the same for the remainder of his family as well. Once the tears and anger were spent, a period of stunned disbelief would surely follow. He loved his family, he truly did, but their opinions of him were set in stone.

Shaking his head, he stared at Ian until his brother looked at him again. "You all prefer to think that I'm the irresponsopath of the family. That's okay, I don't mind. I understand I have a reputation to live up to even though I don't sleep with nearly as many women as you think I do. The truth is, I take my job very seriously and needed to keep it secret even when it meant I had to be dishonest with you. It was that or potentially lose you all. It's been hard living like this, and it's definitely prevented me from getting too close to the women I've dated. I'm not the player you think I am; all the secrecy and travel leads them to believe the worst, and they take off on me."

Ian chuckled. "Irresponsopath? Is that even a word?"

Hayden shook his head wearily. "Here I am trying to be serious..."

"And I won't let you, I know." Ian laughed harder. "But you know what?"

"What?" Hayden snapped.

Though his eyes were dancing with amusement, his words were emphatic and heartfelt. "You're my goddamn hero." Reaching out, he hugged Hayden until he groaned from the pain, and when he released him, Ian's eyes were suspiciously moist. "I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am we got there in time."

### Chapter 21

In yet another strange twist in the adventure that was supposed to be her vacation, Danielle Ryan awoke in the guest bedroom of FBI Special Agent Zach Evans' condo.

So much had changed in the past 24-hours, and it took her several minutes to rehash everything that had happened before she found the strength to rein in her fear. Alvarez was in custody, she was safe, and it was over. Now she just had to get back to Hayden to make sure he was all right, too.

After making the room appear as untouched as it was when she arrived, she ventured out and found the condo empty. A small pile of Zach's clothing and a note lay on the counter. Picking it up and scanning it, she learned he had been called into the office, but she would be collected by noon. With little time left, she showered quickly and donned the borrowed clothing before settling nervously on the sofa to wait. It was not long before she began to feel emotional as everything they had been through caught up with her. There was still so much she needed to know, but more than anything, she wanted to see Hayden with her own two eyes.

She was trembling with a mixture of nervousness and excitement when the knock arrived. Now that the moment was upon them, she wondered how she should act and what she should say. Even worse, she worried about how she would handle the truth if it was as painful as Rocky's accusations. Throwing back the deadbolt with fingers that felt like sausages, Danielle finally managed to pull open the door only to come face to face with Ian. Though broader than Hayden, they looked so much alike that Danielle's heart gave a lurch followed immediately by shoulder-sagging disappointment when she saw that he was alone.

Ian chuckled when he saw her reaction. "I take it you were expecting someone else?"

"Is everything – is he okay?" Danielle asked as she hurried outside.

"He's okay. He's at home."

She sighed. "I suppose I should've known better. He shouldn't be driving."

"Yeah, he's a bit uncomfortable today," Ian agreed. "But he's eager to see you if you're willing to go over there."

Nodding, she followed Ian down the path leading to the parking lot. Though hesitant, she climbed up behind him on the motorcycle and donned the helmet he offered. Much to her surprise, Hayden's condo was only a few miles away from Zach's.

As Ian pulled into the palm tree lined entrance, she drank in her surroundings curiously. Set on a sparkling green golf course, she saw the row of condos across the green and a small lake. It was a beautiful and serene setting, so different from what she expected from Hayden. With his eccentricity and zeal for life, she expected a modern condo in the city rather than a quiet, upscale residential area. With wide eyes, she stared as Ian weaved through the twisting streets of the development, paused at a gated community and finally pulled into the driveway of a two-story condo with a garage.

After seeing Hayden on vacation and Hayden in action, she had a hard time seeing Hayden at home. The garage was neat and orderly, with a tool bench and wall-mounted cabinets for storage lining the second space. Parked in one garage was a red convertible BMW, and in the middle of the other was a golf cart. Aside from the flashy car, everything appeared utterly normal – too normal for Hayden.

After awkwardly sliding off the motorcycle, she stared at the door until she caught Ian's expectant look. "Go on ahead. He's resting upstairs... I hope. I'll give you some time to sort things out, but I'll be back soon."

Giving him a brief smile, she handed him the helmet and took a deep, steadying breath. Now was not the time to become a coward. "Okay... thanks for the ride, Ian."

She heard him reverse the bike out of the driveway and pressed the button to close the garage. Feeling more like an intruder than a guest, she paused and glanced around nervously. Wood shutters kept the hot afternoon sunlight from entering, but it also dimmed her first view of the spacious living room. Unlike Zach's sparsely-furnished condo, Hayden had added some personal touches. A golf bag full of clubs rested against the wall near a plush sofa and loveseat. The glass and wrought-iron dining table was small but pleasantly done up with black placemats. When she rounded the corner, she spotted the entrance to the stairway near the kitchen.

Trying to find a balance between her fear and anxiousness to see him again, Danielle forced her feet to mount the stairs. She kept her voice low when she reached the landing. "Hello?"

"Hey there."

There was no denying the welcome and relief in his warm voice, and her feet reacted automatically by carrying her down the hall to the master bedroom. Propped by two pillows, Hayden sat up in bed with a tentative smile, his eyes scanning her anxiously from head to toe. "Damn, you're a sight for sore eyes," he said almost in a whisper.

Her eyes grew suspiciously damp when she finally saw with her own eyes that he was alive. She paused at the side of the bed when she saw him stiffen and settled for a cautious finger that ran down his stubbly cheek.

"It's good to see you," she said.

She absorbed it all. The bloodshot and discolored eye, the puffy lip, the splinted fingers, and the bandaged head that looked suspiciously damp as though he had taken a shower. Assessing him with her eyes first, she then spread her gaze outward. Her hand fell away.

He caught her fingers before they reached her side and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Tell me you missed me."

"I was very concerned about you," she said cautiously.

With a troubled glow in his eyes, Hayden studied her with a concerned frown. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

She shrugged. "Let's just say it was not a fitting way to end my vacation."

"I'll kill him myself," he said tightly.

She shook her head. "I'm all right physically. Emotionally, I could be better."

"I am sorry, Dani."

"I'm just glad you're okay." The truth of the matter was that she was not entirely sure how she felt. There were too many unanswered questions forming in her head.

"I will be now that I can see you." He gave her a lopsided smile. "But I have to admit that I'm freaking out seeing you dressed in my cousin's clothes."

Any irritation with his reckless behavior seemed to melt away as she watched him slowly scan her from head to toe with a look of alarm. Bending over carefully, she kissed his cheek lightly. "Trust me, you had nothing to worry about with him," she whispered. "Besides, that should be the least of your worries."

When she pulled away, he was smiling again. "Good to know. God, Dani, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad we're home."

She tried not to notice how his words gave her a thrill. Home. They were in his home. She was pleased and nervous at the same time, for she still had no idea what kind of revelations were coming from the man she had come to care for so deeply.

"You may not be when I'm done with you," she said sternly. "You promised to explain everything, and the next thing I know you're being accused of smuggling drugs, and I'm being threatened as an accomplice. You're on my naughty list this year, mister."

Hayden chuckled as she spoke, but it turned into a groan as he grasped his side. "Please don't make me laugh."

"Who says I'm trying to make you laugh?" She scowled. "I'm a pediatrician! That's a serious accusation against me."

"Right now, you sound like a mother." He leaned his head back against the pillows and closed his eyes.

"Right now, I'm your doctor," she said. Hayden was staring at her with one eye open. She crouched by his side with a self-righteous huff, but when he continued staring she finally broke down. "What?"

"Doctor? I much preferred lover," he said in a low voice.

"Lover, doctor, mother... they're all the same when it comes to taking care of a man-child," she retorted.

He chuckled again. "C'mon, Dani, you're not supposed to make me laugh."

"You asked," she murmured.

"So I did." Smiling warmly, he stared at her. "Besides, you wouldn't be an accomplice; you'd be an accessory. There is a difference."

"I'd like to know how you know that."

His smile grew wider. "I bet you would."

Taking a break to glance around the room, Danielle decided a roundabout approach instead. "You live pretty close to your cousin. Do you like to be near your family?"

"I live that close to the airport where I keep my plane," he said in mock offense.

"Oh, I get it," she teased. "You're one who prefers to live away from his family."

"Come to think of it, I am the farthest away. Everyone else still lives in Mesa." He paused as if thinking while his hand gave hers a tug. He bore an innocent expression, but his hand was insistent. "If I don't count Jamie. She was up in Vegas for a few years. She came back, though, after her divorce."

"Jamie's your sister?" Though no confession was forthcoming yet, Danielle allowed him to draw her down on the side of the bed. No sooner was she settling beside him than he winced, and she immediately began to move away.

"Yes." He gripped her tighter. "Please don't go, Dani."

"But you're hurting," she protested.

"I was hurting a lot more before I saw you. Now that you're here, I just want to touch you and make sure that you're real and unhurt." As if to emphasize his point, he pressed her hand to his lips and started kissing each finger.

Danielle shook her head emphatically and drew her hand away from his teasing lips. "Oh, no you don't. We need to talk."

"Once I get you in my clothes instead of my cousin's."

She rolled her eyes. "It bothers you that much?"

"More than you could ever imagine... I almost feel violated," he said mournfully. He followed up by pointing to a closed door in the rear of the bathroom, which she assumed was his closet. She arched a brow and snorted, but he was insistent. "Please put something of mine on so I don't feel as though my territory has been trampled."

Feeling the self-protective wall she erected begin to crumble under his pleading gaze, Danielle finally laughed. However, she kept her voice stern when she came to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know I'm not your territory, Hayden Evans."

"Oh, I do know that," he replied without missing a beat. "It's the other way around. I'm your territory... all yours."

She ducked her chin and spun on her heel, refusing to let him see how much his words affected her. Heart thudding against her ribs, she wandered into the bathroom and opened the closet door.

"Your place is very nice," she called over her shoulder.

Flipping the light switch, she saw once again just how organized and neat he was. Finding clothing was not very difficult, as everything was sorted and color coded. If she had not spent so much time with him over the past week, she would almost have thought he was obsessive. So much for her assumption that he did not take things seriously. Apparently, he did, more than she thought.

"To be honest, I just live here. I do like the golf, though. Keeps me busy when I'm bored."

"Must be nice."

Although he spoke lightly, she knew he was merely trying to set her at ease. She doubted Hayden had much time to grow bored with all the secrets he was hiding.

Pulling Zach's borrowed clothes off, she replaced them with an equally loose-fitting collared shirt. Adjusting it over her thighs as she came out of the closet, she glanced up in time to see Hayden staring at her with eyes as wide as they could grow given the bruising.

"Dani, you are so damned beautiful it makes my heart ache."

It was useless to try to keep her guard up. Hayden was not going to allow it. "That's a nice thing to say."

His voice was full of meaning when he grinned almost comically at her. "Come here, and I'll show you how much I mean it."

"As tempting as that sounds, I must decline." She shook her head with a laugh. "You're going to end up back in the hospital if you don't take it easy."

"Not when I have you here to take care of me."

He appeared so hopeful that she could not resist moving around the bed and climbing on the other side. He winced only briefly when she settled cross-legged on the mattress beside him. "Only if you promise to do as I say."

"Your wish is my command."

Brows rising in challenge, she gave him a meaningful look. "Spill the beans, Mr. Evans."

Hayden sighed heavily and stared at her with sad eyes. "You of all people deserve to know the truth after the mess I dragged you into."

"Given the true facts, I'm sure the police will figure it all out," she replied hopefully.

Hayden shook his head and reached out to place his hand on her bent thigh. "It's not that. It's a lot worse than you think."

Dread sank heavily in the pit of her stomach. "Am I not going to like this?"

Hayden's face suddenly looked drawn and pale, and all residual traces of humor faded away. "Probably not."

She covered his hand with her own and rested it there in a nervous show of support.

"I was there to make a drug deal, Dani. It wasn't a dare like I told you. I was supposed to meet Rocky."

Feeling as though her world had slipped out from under her feet, she recoiled physically and emotionally. Only Hayden's hand on her thigh kept her from tumbling off the side of the bed. She had been wrong? All along, she had misjudged him? Hopes dashed, heart breaking, she forced the question out in a voice barely louder than a squeak. "So you are a smuggler?"

He stared into her eyes when he answered gravely. "No, I'm not."

"I don't understand." Danielle drew a hand across her brow wearily, not wanting to hear him confess to wrongdoing, but at the same time wanting to know the truth of his duplicity.

"My parents died when I was in college. I was going to drop out to try to help Jamie and Ian out. They were still in high school at the time. But my oldest brother, Ford, moved back to the states from Italy with his wife. They pressured me into staying in school and finishing my degree." He paused and looked at her intently. "When my parents died, Dani, I couldn't focus anymore. That's when I became the irresponsible one in the family."

She had believed in him. All that time, she had felt there was no way he could be involved. Now he was telling her he was? Feeling suspiciously close to tears, Danielle's voice cracked. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"To learn about me, you should know a little about my family."

She nodded, but the truth was that she was not sure if she could handle the truth.

"Ford stepped into the role my father used to have. He made sure we all did what we were supposed to do. Grady finished law school and became a lawyer; Ian went on to be a cop; Jamie, who'd pretty much nursed my parents alone, wanted to be a social worker, but Ford talked her into helping them prepare for the future financially."

Danielle nodded, still feeling cold inside.

"With me, they pretty much gave up. I guess I rebelled in a way. I did finish college, but I used my trust to take flying lessons. They all thought I was a risk-taker, a daredevil, a Peter Pan, so I let them believe it. For a while, I suppose I was."

Now that was something she could believe. "Okay."

"I invested in a plane and started flying people up to Sedona, Flagstaff and down to Tucson. I met people that way, Dani, and with my family so deep in law enforcement, it was only a matter of time before I was approached by the DEA."

Her eyes went wide.

"I thought 'what the hell' and went through the program. It was harder than I thought, and the selection process long and grueling. But they needed undercover agents, and I happened to have a degree, life experience and plenty of flight hours. I fell into it, actually, and I was lucky to be able to stay in Arizona."

"So you're an agent, not a smuggler?" Her voice broke as she spoke the words she longed to be the truth.

Hayden nodded. "I've been working on Rocky's case for a long time. It was a sensitive situation, and my lack of wife and kids as well as my fluent Spanish put me in the forefront to build the case against him. I was a pilot, so I agreed to become a smuggler."

Danielle shook her head in amazement. "You're an undercover agent?"

"I am – was." He shook his head regretfully. "Rocky's currently deeply embroiled in smuggling drugs and people here through a dangerous cartel most of law enforcement is struggling to eliminate. I needed to complete that deal for evidence to take him down. Then this happened."

His hand began to lightly stroke her as the color drained from her face. Feeling dizzy with this new shock, Danielle stared mutely as he continued in a low, grave tone.

"Ian and Zach have been working on a large ring that has been responsible for many deaths, those of gangsters, illegal immigrants, and even a police officer. My job was to tie Rocky to their case with this shipment. I was scheduled to deliver it here in Arizona and was hoping to learn the identity of his contact here. All I know is that it's a man referred to as JW."

Though she sagged in relief, Danielle sensed there was more when the grip on her thigh tightened ever so slightly. Her voice was hesitant when she studied him carefully. "Okay... And?"

"Rocky found out that he was being set up. He was there to kill me, Dani, and I dragged you into it when I pulled you into the jungle." He lifted his hand from her thigh and cupped her cheek. "I never meant for that to happen. I saw you, and you were so damned pretty that I was kinda following you around. When the shooting started, I just wanted to get you out of the way so you wouldn't get hurt."

She nodded slowly, and Hayden's hand fell away. Avoiding his intent stare, she focused on the open doorway as she allowed his words to sink in. "So he wasn't after me all that time? He was after you?"

Hayden sighed. "He was after both of us. He obviously saw you taking pictures of him and wanted your camera, but he was there to eliminate me. If someone hadn't tipped him off, you never would've gotten involved in this mess."

"Who was shooting at whom then?"

He shrugged. "Rocky thought I tipped off a rival group, but actually he was set up by someone else. We don't know who yet."

Again she nodded slowly, though she was confused by his remorse. In her opinion, Hayden was a man doing his job. He had saved her life on several occasions and was now regretting it? She shook her head. "Okay, so why am I supposed to be angry at you?"

Hayden's eyes closed, and the drawn look on his face peaked. "I don't know. I don't want you to be, but I know I hid some important information from you."

Gently easing down beside him, she pressed her face into his neck and reached for his good hand. Grasping it between both of hers, she entwined their fingers and squeezed tight. A tear trickled down her cheek, not from fear, not from heartbreak, but from relief. She had known all along that her heart could not be wrong, and finally she heard the truth from his lips. It was over. They were safe and now could focus on a potential future together.

Pressing her lips against his ear, she inhaled the heady scent of Hayden's skin and closed her eyes. "All I can say off the top of my head is that I'm relieved what you were doing was legal, Hayden."

He squeezed her fingers and nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. "So you don't hate me for involving you?"

Danielle snorted lightly. "How can I hate the man who saved my life? How could I possibly hate the man who made me laugh, held me close and gave me some of the happiest moments in my life while I was facing the most difficult?"

He chuckled. "You never know."

"Well, I don't," she whispered against his neck. "This vacation has changed a lot of things for me, Hayden... but I don't regret you dragging me into the jungle or anything else that followed after. I'm glad you were there that day, and I'm so glad I met you."

She heard him sigh and felt him press his lips against her head again. Several long minutes passed in silence, so she propped up on one elbow and glanced down at him. His eyes were closed, but a faint smile curved his battered lips. She continued to watch him, waiting for a response, but all that reached her ears was the steady and rhythmic breathing of a man who had fallen asleep.

### Chapter 22

The sound of the garage door opening woke Hayden. A moment later, he heard Ian's whistle and relaxed away the immediate tension and suspicion. He had built his case, Rocky was as good as going to jail, and Danielle was finally safe. He felt her pressed against him, her warm breath tickling his neck, and smiled. She had climbed under the duvet with him, and he could feel the bare skin of her smooth legs against his. It brought back memories of the past week of sleeping entwined with her soft body and how content it made him feel.

Hope was blossoming in his chest, and for the first time in a long time he was happy. Gone was the irrepressible drive that had spurred him to continue his hidden life, and it was not due to his close call with death. Sure, he knew Miki Roberts' story. He knew it by heart, in fact. And he was relieved he had not suffered the same fate as the undercover agent who was tortured and killed a few years previously. No, his drive and need to prove himself had been extinguished by the woman next to him. In her eyes, he was someone already irrespective of his past. He had no need to prove himself with her.

Though he had passed out before they finished their conversation, her last words had made him optimistic that she would not run away without giving him – them – a chance to explore what had been slowly growing between them over the past week. Now that he was confident he had a shot with his sexy little doctor, he had no intentions of blowing it.

"You look like the cat that swallowed the canary," Ian whispered from the doorway.

Not wanting to disturb Danielle, Hayden just smiled crookedly.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I picked up your piece from the plane. It's on the counter – not a secure place, I know. I'll lock it up for you when you tell me where your safe is. I spoke to Ford, and he's agreed to hold off the Evans Inquisition until tomorrow."

Hayden rolled his eyes.

Chuckling, Ian wagged his finger at him. "Actually, he's handling it better than Jamie. You're in for it when she gets her hands on you."

"Great," he muttered.

"I have Italian food waiting downstairs. I don't think your poor guest has had anything to eat all day and thought she might be hungry."

Despite their whispering, Danielle stirred and slowly raised her head. Releasing her grip on Hayden's hand, she blinked several times in confusion when she caught sight of Ian in the room.

"Dinner's here," Hayden said in explanation.

"I'll see you downstairs," Ian mumbled, immediately looking away.

Once he was gone, Danielle sat up and stretched slowly and gracefully. When she caught him staring, she managed a drowsy smile. With her hair tousled and her eyelids heavy, Hayden knew in that moment she was a sight he could never grow tired of viewing.

"Ian picked up Italian food," he said in an attempt to divert his attention from the woman he adored.

"Do you want me to bring you up a plate?"

"I'll come down."

"I'd rather you stay here," she said primly.

"With you dressed like that, I'd rather keep an eye on my brother," Hayden returned.

Her cheeks colored slightly, but her smile was teasing. "Must you be so possessive?"

Hayden chuckled. "Only with you."

Danielle shook her head as she straightened out her side of the bed. He watched her domestic actions and felt his heart swell. "Hey, Dani."

She glanced up. "Yeah."

"After everything that's happened, do you think we have a chance?"

She froze in the process of fluffing her pillow and held it to her chest. He observed the flurry of emotions flicker across her face, and felt his breathing stop as he waited for her answer. It seemed a very long time before she placed the pillow back on the bed and began crawling across the mattress to his side. Still holding his breath, he watched her approach, loving her sensual movements and the way his shirt gaped and allowed him a peek of the smooth, tanned skin he had grown so familiar with. She balanced on her hands and knees, and hovered just above him.

"I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew in my heart you were none of the things they were accusing you of," she whispered.

Exhaling slowly, Hayden studied her closely. "That's a good thing, right? That means you're willing to take a chance on me?"

Smiling gently, she nodded her head. "I was counting on it, Hayden."

Hand snaking out to cup the back of her head, he entwined his fingers in her hair and drew her closer. "Good, because I really need to kiss you right now."

Danielle gave him a half-smile. "I was counting on that, too... well, as long as your lips can handle it."

"They're telling me only you can heal the booboo," he announced.

"Is that so?"

Bolstered, Hayden drew her closer and kissed her lightly. She angled her head slightly and kissed him several more times before the crash of a pan in the kitchen echoed up the stairs. Reluctantly, she raised her head.

"Don't go yet," he whispered.

"Your brother's here."

"So?"

She giggled. "I don't want to be rude."

"He's a big boy. He can handle it," he grumbled.

Still smiling, she eased off the bed. "I'll bring you up a plate."

"Will you spoon feed me, too?"

"Now you're pressing your luck," she said playfully.

Hayden winked at her, a ridiculous move when only one of his eyes was fully functional.

In a flash of pale-blue shirt, she disappeared out of sight, leaving Hayden grinning like a fool. Damn, the woman had nice legs, and whenever she wore a piece of his clothing he felt that strange flutter in his chest that caused his breathing to hitch and his heart to do somersaults. She was here, in his home, and this was where he wanted her to stay. Hell, he would even move to San Diego if it meant he could wake up with her beside him every morning.

Easing into a seated position, Hayden groaned against the pain. He had been warned to take ten deep breaths per hour to prevent pneumonia from setting in, but inhaling brought searing agony down his side. Without pain relievers in his system, he wondered if he could make it downstairs.

He had managed to breathe through his pain and swing his legs over the side of the bed when a loud gasp reached his ears. It was followed by Danielle's sharp cry. "You!"

Hayden went still. What was his brother doing to his kitchen?

The silence that descended was telling, and Hayden felt the initial stirrings of misgiving. Though he was still confident their ordeal was over, remembering what had happened in Cancun that last time he let his guard down, he decided to play it safe. His ribs burst into flames when he reached into his nightstand and withdrew his personal firearm. Holding it against his thigh, he came unsteadily to his feet and eased down the hallway. Over the rushing in his ears, a low, unfamiliar voice reached his ears, causing him to freeze. There was no response from Danielle or Ian, and the hairs on the back of his neck rose in warning. Something was definitely amiss.

Clinging to the wall, Hayden ground his teeth together to fight the pain and took a quick look down the stairway. There was no one there, but he could hear movement in the kitchen. The sound of someone kicking at a cabinet brought to mind Danielle struggling. He went still to listen carefully.

It was quiet. Too quiet.

When no sound emerged from the stairway, Hayden began his descent. It was slow and painful, but the need to make sure Danielle and Ian were safe gave him the strength he needed to continue moving. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he took another quick look. It was a sight that made his blood run cold.

Ian was sprawled on the floor... And Rocky Alvarez was in his house.

Not only that, but he had Danielle by the throat, and he was dragging her toward the door.

White hot fury that he would dare lay a hand on her again propelled Hayden into the room. His gun came up the moment Rocky caught sight of him, and the two men immediately squared off. The grip on Danielle's neck tightened, and she clawed at his forearm ineffectively while making a strangled sound.

Using her as a shield, Rocky chuckled. "Go ahead and shoot, Evans."

"Let her go," he said tightly. The pain in his side made his hand tremble, and he worried about his ability to get a clear shot. Rocky knew that, and his smile was feral.

"You have a gun, but I have no weapon. So let's end this now. Go ahead and shoot. What's stopping you?"

"Release her and I will," Hayden snapped.

Rocky smirked. "How about I force your hand the way you have forced mine instead?"

Breathing shallowly, he fought the pain. "Let. Her. Go."

Rocky tsked and shook his head. "You have stolen everything away from me. It's only fitting that I take something of yours."

Out of the corner of his eye, Hayden saw Ian's foot twitch. That his brother was okay gave him some relief, but the terrified look in Danielle's bulging eyes advised him that he could not wait for Ian. Her gaze was riveted to the unsteady barrel of his gun, and her flushed face seemed to pale when Hayden lifted it higher. "You can try, but I promise you will not succeed."

Rocky's eyes darted around the room wildly, and sweat beaded on his brow. "If you think I will go to jail because of you, you're very wrong, Mr. Evans. I have nothing to lose. Micaela is dead because of you. You've destroyed everything."

"You did it to yourself," Hayden snapped. "You switched sides. It's a fitting end for you all."

Shaking his head mournfully, Rocky's lips tightened with purpose. "If you don't drop your weapon, I'm going to force you to take the chance. You look pale, Mr. Evans. How are your reflexes? When did you last take your medication? Perhaps you're willing to risk hitting Dr. Ryan?"

Hayden's eyes narrowed as he aimed between Rocky's eyes. The temptation was strong to pull the trigger, to take down the man who had not only betrayed his country but bore a level of evil that had caused pain to so many, including him.

"I'm going to count to five."

Hayden shook his head. "I'm going to count to three."

He turned to Danielle. She stared uncomprehendingly for what seemed an eternity before his unspoken order finally set in. They were a team; they were a good team. Remember, he crooned silently, willing her to remember their conversation at the airport. Go for the eyes, he had told her. He continued to stare at her until the understanding dawned on her face and hoped they were thinking the same thing.

"Are you willing to risk her life to get what you want?" Rocky asked mockingly.

Hayden met his stare emotionlessly. "If need be."

"Mr. Evans, your coldness is shocking."

Hayden kept his gaze on Rocky, watching the other man's eyes to see what his next move would be. On the floor, Ian continued to move slightly, and Hayden was sure he was now fully aware of what was going on. The only person Hayden dared not look at now was Danielle. He had to concentrate.

"One."

Rocky shook his head, but Hayden saw the first flicker of uncertainty when he narrowed his bloodshot eye and raised his weapon to adjust his aim.

"Two."

Things began to happen fast. Danielle's fingers, still clawing at Rocky's arm in a desperate attempt to gain more oxygen, suddenly went still. Ian's foot stopped moving, and Hayden focused straight between Rocky's eyes. Rocky blinked then stared in horror.

"You're really going to do this? You'd risk her life to kill me – an unarmed man?"

In answer, Hayden bared his teeth. "Three."

His smart little doctor, his intelligent and caring lover, did exactly as she was supposed to. Hands formed into claws, Danielle lunged behind her and went for the eyes. Rocky's startled cry spurred Ian into action. He shot up off the floor and tackled Rocky to the ground, kicking Danielle aside. She fell to the floor with a pained grunt, but Hayden dared not move.

"Get away, Dani," he said shortly.

Scooting across the kitchen, she pulled herself up when she reached the counter and grasped Hayden's service revolver. With a surprising twist, he saw her actions from the corner of his eye as she removed it from the holster and disengaged the safety.

"Be careful," he warned.

"I know what I'm doing," she said.

Damn, would the woman ever cease to surprise him?

"Just call it in," he told her.

Still training the weapon on Rocky and Ian, Danielle reached for Hayden's phone with her free hand. Her voice trembled when she asked him for the address, but his brave Dani held it together yet again.

Slamming Rocky's head once against the tile floor to subdue him, Ian used his greater strength to twist Rocky's arm behind his back. Rocky spewed his anger and hatred for them in both English and Spanish, but Ian merely sat atop him and glanced carelessly at Hayden. "You got him?"

"I've got him."

Ian shook his head and glared at his captive. "He hit me."

Hayden's lips twisted slightly at the morose tone Ian used, but he dared not risk losing his concentration. From the corner of his eye, he saw Danielle lowering the phone against her chest to block the operator from hearing her. "Hit him back."

He almost laughed then. Almost.

"You think with me out of the way this will end?" Rocky cried hysterically. "I'm nothing; there are others. This is only the beginning. You have no idea what you have involved yourself in. You'll never be safe. They will hunt you down and kill you!"

Ian shoved Rocky's head down one last time. "Keep talking," he muttered. "Keep digging that hole to bury yourself in. Don't forget, what you say now can be used against you."

As Rocky's wild ramblings settled, Hayden stood in agony, aware that the pain was causing black spots to form behind his vision. Sweat began to bead on his forehead. He hoped they would come quickly; he counted on it because he was not sure how much longer he could stand before he fell to his knees.

The sounds of sirens followed his last thought, and he watched Danielle re-engage the safety on his gun and return it to the holster before hurrying to the front door. Surrounded by excited voices and heightened tension, Hayden lowered his weapon and identified himself before allowing Danielle to draw his arm around her shoulder.

She was trembling again, but her voice was steady and firm. "Sit down."

Too uncomfortable to fight, he did as she asked. She guided him to the table, and he stared up at the woman that had captured his soul. "Have I told you how smart and brave you are? You're an amazing woman, Dani."

She ran her hand over his forehead and down his cheek, her brow furrowed in concern. "You have. But you should really get back into bed instead of flattering me, Hayden. You don't look so good."

"I'd die a happy man right now just looking at you," he said softly.

She shook her head. "I'm serious."

"So am I."

Danielle paused and stared at him. Her smile was both exasperated and pleased. "You know what?"

"What?"

"You really do know how to show a woman a good time."

He laughed and then immediately winced. "Good, because I plan on showing you plenty more."

Smiling, she hugged his head to her chest and stroked his back. He could still feel her trembling, but she remained strong. "I was hoping you'd say that."

### Epilogue

"...And we're pleased to announce the new Doctor and Mrs. Price!"

Cheers and the tinkling of many spoons against champagne glasses overtook the ballroom as Stuart and Cara Price entered the room. Stuart appeared handsome in his black tuxedo and Cara lovely in a flowing off-the-shoulder gown of beaded chiffon. Hayden came to his feet and clapped enthusiastically, and Danielle followed when he sent her a warning glance. She watched her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend stride past and smiled coolly when they both stared at her in surprise. The sheer shock on their faces gave her the tenacity to clap all the louder, and when they took their seats at the head table she noticed how their eyes strayed in her direction curiously.

"I guess they didn't believe you," Hayden whispered in her ear.

"Can you blame them?" Danielle replied with a laugh. "I still can't believe I let you talk me into coming."

"Well, you made your appearance, so we can go home whenever you're ready." His eyes glowed with the unspoken promise she had come to know so well over the past several months.

Grinning, she gave him a once over, lingering on the tie she had so recently wrapped around his neck. He looked splendid in a black suit and white shirt, his face cleanly shaven and his eyes dark in the dim lighting. Even more handsome without his scruffy beard, Danielle's heart gave a little leap in her chest. She gave him a saucy smile. "Twice in one day isn't enough?"

He reached for her hand and placed a kiss on the silver ring she still wore proudly on her left ring finger. "Dr. Ryan, I don't think I'll ever get enough of you."

"Good answer," she said.

"So if I'm in your good books, I guess I should agree to stay for dinner."

"Now there's an idea."

He released her hand when their food arrived and charmed his way around the table while the guests ate. He was in his element, laughing and joking and easing the remainder of Danielle's discomfort away. Not one to let the moment slide, he swept her into his arms once the dancing began.

"I have to admit I'm not a good dancer," he whispered in her ear.

"I'll do my best to keep you straight then."

He drew her close when the music turned to a slower piece but was interrupted by the appearance of Stuart. Bending his head, he whispered in her ear. "Are you ready for this?"

She smiled brightly at him. "How could I not be when I have you right here with me?"

"Ah, you have a good answer, too," he said with a wink.

"May I interrupt?"

Stuart stood slightly off to the side, and Hayden's head swung around. He was several inches taller, younger, and far more handsome, and Danielle could not help but feel proud to have Hayden as her date. She glanced at Stuart with her brows raised expectantly while Hayden graciously stepped away. "Of course."

Stuart came to stand in front of Danielle, almost shyly, all traces of the arrogant doctor aside, and she offered him a cool smile. "How are you, Stuart?"

Gathering her in his arms, he gave her a relieved smile. "I'm good, Danielle. You look great. How have you been?"

She laughed. "I'm wonderful, actually."

"I heard you just took a job in Phoenix. Congratulations."

She nodded enthusiastically. "I'm with an established practice. We'll be doing urgent care as well as well-child visits. I'm very pleased with how things worked out."

Stuart fell silent, and Danielle waited for him to say what he wanted so she could go back to her nearly-empty apartment and cuddle with Hayden. They had timed her move with the wedding, and she could not wait to return to Phoenix as a full-time resident.

The song was nearly over before he finally spoke again. "Look, Danielle, I just wanted to apologize for everything. I never meant to hurt you. I never expected it to happen. It's just that it did."

"I know," she said, glancing meaningfully at Hayden. After all, she could relate.

"You know?" Stuart frowned. "You aren't mad about Cara and me?"

She shrugged. "What happened is in the past. It's better left there."

"Are you truly happy, Danielle?" Stuart asked, his gaze searching her face for the truth. "Or are you saying this to exact some revenge?"

At that, Danielle could not help but beam. "No, I'm not just happy, I'm ecstatic, Stuart. You couldn't have done me a bigger favor."

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he studied her glowing face. "I guess I should be happy for you, but I think I'm a little sad."

Ignoring his arrogant comment, she glanced beyond him to where Hayden stood by the wall watching. He smiled encouragingly when their gazes locked. "You know what, Stuart?"

"What?"

She released him and took a step back, her eyes never leaving Hayden. "Your loss was definitely my gain."

Without looking back, Danielle strode across the dance floor and back to Hayden. He reached out and caught her hand when she paused before him, and he gripped it tight as they strode out the door together. Swinging her hand lightly in his, he led her into the light evening breeze.

Glancing up, he whistled. "Look at the moon."

Danielle looked up and smiled. It was full and cast a glow on the brightly lit fountain outside the entrance. "It's big tonight."

"That's because it's a big night." Dragging her up against his side, he pointed at the moon. "Do you see the face?"

"Yes, I see the face..." She shook her head with a patient smile. "What are you up to, Hayden Evans?"

Releasing his grip on her shoulders, Hayden suddenly cleared his throat and turned to face her. One hand disappeared deep into the trousers of his slacks, and he shifted from one leg to another nervously while he stared down at her. "Dani... What would you think about making us permanent?"

Danielle absorbed it all, the nervous shifting, the fumbled words, the restless hand and the intensity in his eyes, with so much incredulity that she felt it was impossible to breathe. Heart pounding furiously against her ribs, she struggled to remember that knowing Hayden it was a hypothetical question and not what she suspected. "I thought my moving to Arizona was."

Hayden bit his lower lip, opened his mouth, and then inhaled sharply. Suddenly the words were spilling out again. "No, I mean more permanent... I mean like you becoming Mrs. Hayden Evans for real."

"Wait a minute... Are you asking me to marry you?"

He nodded abruptly and compressed his lips together. "Yes, I think I am."

Chuckling, Danielle reached up to cup his cheek in her hand. "Are you asking because we just snuck out of a wedding?"

Scowling, Hayden shook his head. "No. I'm asking because I want you to marry me."

"You do?"

"Yes, I do... I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with."

"So I'm convenient?" Danielle teased.

"Yes," he said. Then he frowned, and the adorable look of concentration she loved so much appeared as he ingested her words. "Well, no... it's more than that."

Struggling to hold in her laughter, Danielle shook her head solemnly. "You're not doing a very good job of convincing me."

"This isn't the easiest thing in the world to do, Dani," he muttered.

"Are you nervous, Hayden?"

"You're making it hard," he said with a grimace.

Relishing his discomfort after all the times he had laughed at her expense, Danielle placed her hands on her hips. "Why would I want to marry a man who finds me convenient?"

Hayden scowled. "Because you love him? And...well, he...loves...you."

"Who said that?"

"I do." Appearing startled, Hayden frowned again. "Well you do, don't you?"

"I suppose in some ways I do." Seeing the crestfallen look on his face, Danielle finally took pity. "Okay, I do, very much."

He reached for her and drew her back into his arms, a look of such profound relief on his face that she almost let loose the laughter and joy bubbling deep within her breast. "Does that mean you'll at least consider it?"

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she nodded. "I'll think about it."

"Good," he said with another nod. His hand suddenly came up between them, and he held a ring in his fingers. It was white gold, with a large, blue diamond held in place by a pair of monkey's tails in the shape of a heart. Their bodies formed the remainder of the band, elegantly carved into the gold. "Because I don't know if they'll take this back. I had it made specifically for you."

Danielle gasped and stared between him and the ring in open-mouthed surprise. It was exquisite, tasteful, and so beautiful that she shook her head in disbelief. The monkeys. She wanted to laugh all over again at the reminder. "You had this made? When?"

"A couple of months ago. It's just been so busy for us both, especially while we've been figuring out our careers, that I haven't had a chance to ask before now."

"Oh, Hayden," she breathed. A couple of months? "I can't believe... Of course I love you...how could I not? And of course I'll marry you. I'd be honored to be your wife."

"Finally." Shoulders sagging in relief, Hayden reached down, lifted her in the air and spun her around, making the night come alive with his familiar laughter. "She said yes!"

A few curious observers glanced their way, smiled and clapped, but Hayden paid them no mind. He stared up at her adoringly. "My God, you are so beautiful when you laugh."

Entwining her fingers in his hair, she leaned down and kissed him. "I laugh when I'm happy."

"Then I'm gonna have to make sure I keep you happy."

"I don't think you'll have much trouble there."

"I love you, Dani." He lowered her back to the ground and hugged her tight. "And you've just made me the happiest guy alive."

Grinning, she lifted her head and batted her eyes. "But where will we honeymoon?"

Hayden's eyes grew wide. "Oh no, here we go again."

### The End

### Author's Note

At the time of the writing of this novel (August, 2011), Tulum Airport is not yet a reality. Although talk of an airport in the area has been in the works for years, it has not been completed to date. My descriptions take creative license in order to suit Dani and Hayden's adventures.

I would like to say a special thank you to my reader friends who keep in touch with me on my Facebook author page and through my website. I know I tell you all the time that you give me motivation, but I have to stress it again – thank you, my friends.

And to Rocky and Megan: this one's for you. Love you guys.

The story continues to a dramatic climax with Ian and Kat in the fall of 2012. Stay tuned for more Evans Family and the return of Cherisse Nicholson!

### Coming in the fall of 2012

### _Kat's Last Chance_ (The Evans Family, Book Four)

Ian Evans gave his heart to the girl he had loved since high school, but she broke it when she threw his ring in his face and walked away. Three years later, when Kat reappears in his life engaged to a powerful politician, Ian feels the burn of betrayal all over again.

Kathleen Woods never stopped loving Ian Evans, not even when he glared at her with hatred in his eyes. Forced to give up the love of her life to marry another, Kat bows to her overbearing father, a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants including threatening his daughter with Ian's life.

Neither Kat nor Ian knows that fate has unfinished business with them. For while Kat hides the truth from Ian, he is covertly investigating her powerful father. Their secrets collide when John Woods' cruelty, threats and crimes are exposed, and Ian must protect Kat at the risk of his life.

Can Ian trust Kat long enough to take down the drug and smuggling ring he has long been trying to bring to justice? Will he and Zach be able to solve the case and bring peace to a grieving widow when Kat's distracting him at every turn? As ghosts are finally laid to rest, more secrets are revealed. Good will triumph over evil, and law enforcement will have their revenge, but can Ian Evans forgive the past and accept that true love is forever?

### About the Author

### ΅

Always composing stories in her head, Collette began her first novel at the age of eight. Since then, she has obtained her bachelor's degree in English literature and master's degree in education while squeezing in her writing whenever possible. _Eyes on Tango_ is the third in her Evans Family Series and her fifth published novel, including the highly-acclaimed drama _, Forever Sunshine_ , and popular contemporary romance, _Hannah's Blessing_. The best-selling New England native now resides in Arizona with her husband, three children and multiple family pets.

For more information visit: http://www.collettescott.com

Facebook page:  AuthorColletteScott

Twitter: @collettescott

