Mission: Impossible to Protect (The Impossible Mission Romantic Suspense Series Book 6), стр. 21
“Should I be grinning after what went down today?”
“I bet if Sten were in this bed instead of me, you’d be cracking jokes, not looking like a puppy died.”
It took a minute for him to catch on since he couldn’t imagine wanting to replace her with Sten. She didn’t want his pity. Danni hated anyone seeing her vulnerable.
“You don’t want me to be pissed that some dimwit tried to run you down?”
“I can always read when the big bad marine is about to take over.”
Lars wasn’t sure he should feel happy that she read him so well. Although, it did mean that she paid close attention, didn’t it? And he was close to the edge, needing to find the bad guys who had come after her. She had almost been captured by a psychopath.
“Stop looking at me as if I’m some sort of fragile flower that you have to tiptoe around. Give it to me straight.”
But she did look like a crushed flower. Not that he would tell her since he loved his “boys” too much, and she was in range to do some harm.
“You were right about disrupting a money exchange—definitely cartel money laundering.”
“It didn’t take a genius to put it together. But did you find out anything about Miro, the guy in charge?” Her words and her stare were direct, but he didn’t miss the quiver in her voice when she said Miro’s name.
“Miro is well-known to the DEA. He’s a second lieutenant, fairly high in the Sinaloa Cartel. I spoke with a DEA agent who was in charge of tracking the Sinaloa. He was surprised that Miro would take the risk of showing up in LA. He’s on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Usually, someone lower handles the transactions in the US. The cartel has plenty of low-level couriers to do the exchanges. Agent Powell didn’t say, but he has to be concerned that Miro has someone on the payroll in the DEA. Or Miro is ballsy enough to not believe he could be apprehended.” Lars thought both were likely for the narcissistic psychopath. Nice combination for one sick bastard.
“Miro didn’t hesitate when he thought I was a federal agent. Thank God his lackey is out of shape.” Her left hand gripped the bedcover so tightly her knuckles were turning white.
She would never admit to being frightened. Lars didn’t want her terrified, but her fear might give him some leverage to gain her cooperation. He hoped she’d see that she was in no shape to be on her own.
“Agent Powell felt his appearance probably indicates that the cartel was having trouble with their contact. I don’t know who would be insane enough to double-cross the cartel. But it happens over and over again. Greed makes for idiots. Powell doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that the Chinese woman can’t be found. He believes her disappearance means that Miro likely had come to the US to eliminate her and get their money secured.”
“He was furious and shouting and taunting her with one-hundred-dollar bills. When he spotted me…the way he looked at me…” A visible shudder went through her body. “Not the usual male asshole stuff.”
“He’s a brutal man. And known for…liking women.” Lars stumbled on the words. He didn’t want to tell her that Miro was known for becoming obsessed with women and had tortured an undercover blonde female DEA agent before killing her. The DEA wanted Miro badly. His appearance in LA reflected how untouchable the cartel leader was. It didn’t take much imagination to think the guy could easily make Danni his next target, a beautiful woman who had seen him and then escaped his capture. Macho psychopaths never tolerated failure well.
“Until we confirm that Miro has realized you’re not a Fed but were there by chance, he remains too much a threat to allow any contact. No one can know where you are, especially your girlfriends.”
“Did Reeves already squeal on me?”
He expected more of a reaction. He had braced for the fireworks.
She was distracted and obviously in pain. She tried to shift her position without dislodging her wrist and ankle. “Something is going on with Reeves. He would never have divulged.”
“Can I help you get more comfortable?”
He examined her face, looking for signs that the medicine was starting to kick in. She wasn’t chewing on her lower lip, which he saw as a good sign.
Her blue eyes narrowed.
“And how do you plan to make me comfortable, huh? Is this another one of your bullshit come-ons like ‘I excel at making women happy?’”
“What kind of dildo do you think I am?”
Danni snorted. “Dildo?”
“I was trying to avoid being gross. I know you think I’m a hound dog.” Not quite as bad as hearing her call him a “manwhore.”
“You haven’t exactly been discreet in sharing your opinion of my dating life.”
“You call that a dating life?”
He avoided falling into the no-win trap.
“For your information, I intended to rearrange the pillows behind you, help you change your position, or change your ice—whatever would make you feel better.”
“You playing nurse?”
“You did it for me. Fair turnaround. I’m really grateful that you stayed and helped me in the hospital. I’ve never had anyone take care of me before. My brothers aren’t exactly the nurturing types.”
Danni’s warm eyes locked onto his with an arrested look before she quickly glanced away.
“Maybe your reputation as a lover isn’t deserved if none of your ladies were grateful enough to visit you in the hospital. You had to jump in front of a bullet to get a woman to take care of you.”
He was getting the drift of her game. Whenever he got too close, she shut him down by bringing up his reputation.
“Until all this gets sorted out, I’m here to help you. You’re a beautiful and brilliant woman, and I won’t deny that I