Distorted Hope (36 page)

Mark studied him for a moment before nodding. “Sounds good.” He put his hand on my lower back and we followed Sebastian out of the bar and to the hostess stand. He said something to the petite Asian lady and she nodded, motioning for us to follow her.

We walked down a wide, curved staircase and were seated at a round table at the edge of the shiny black dance floor. The band was set up in three levels on the stage and there was even a vintage, rectangle-shaped microphone.

Sebastian held out the chair for me and I glanced at Mark before sitting. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Sebastian. The men sat on either side of me and a server took a drink order for myself and Mark. Having been out of the hacienda for almost two months, I was getting used to drinking again. And freedom. Oh, it would be hard to go back next week.

“You sound American,” Mark said casually after dinner had been ordered.

Sebastian chuckled. “I can’t say I’m really from one place. I travel frequently.”

“Military parents?” Mark asked.

“Something like that.” Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “You?”

Mark nodded. “My dad was in the army. I was born in Germany.”

“And you followed in his footsteps?”

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”

“You have the bearing of a soldier. It’s hard to hide.”

The corners of Mark’s mouth tipped upward slightly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as one.”

“And you?” Sebastian turned his gem-like eyes to me. “You don’t strike me as a soldier.”

I shook my head. “Definitely not.”

Sebastian studied me for a moment. “Dancer?”

My eyes widened. “Well, kinda. I mean, I
like
dancing, but I’m not a professional or anything.”

Amusement lit his eyes again. “Nothing wrong with dancing for enjoyment.”

I enjoyed it… sometimes. Well, no, I
always
enjoyed dancing; I just didn’t necessarily enjoy
why
I danced now.

“So, how did you two meet?”

I glanced at Mark. I wasn’t used to garnering attention from the potential clients. Once Mark made it clear I wasn’t available for the night, I was ignored.

“A mutual acquaintance,” Mark answered. “How did you hear about me?”

“Oh, names get dropped in the various activities in which I participate. You came highly recommended.”

It was time for Mark to look amused. He was merely the face man for Patrón. No one found that out until they arrived at the hacienda. “From who?”

“Does it matter?”

“I like to know who has the big mouth.”

Sebastian laughed. “I assure you, the reference was completely discreet. Someone with their finger on the pulse of many world events.”

Mark nodded, looking satisfied.

Sebastian and Mark continued to chat about travels and adventures they had experienced. They seemed to have a lot in common. I hadn’t seen Mark so relaxed with a potential client before. I hoped he hadn’t been drugged, but I really didn’t think so. Sebastian was just interesting and genuine. A rarity I’m sure, in the line of work which occurred at the hacienda. He even asked me questions, though I didn’t feel like I had much to offer to the conversation.

After we ate, Sebastian asked me to dance. I glanced at Mark for permission and he nodded. Sebastian escorted me out onto the dance floor and held me close, but not close enough to be creepy.

“Do you always ask your boyfriend permission before you do anything?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that. “He’s… not my boyfriend.”

“Oh?”

I shrugged, not sure what to say.

“Then how is it you’re mixed up in such a dirty business?”

Again, he looked as if he somehow already knew the answer.
Did he know I was a sex slave?
Mark never mentioned business by name on the first meet. How should I answer that question? “Um… a mutual acquaintance.”

“Why would someone want to bring such an innocent into something like this?”

“Innocent?” I laughed. I was hardly innocent anymore.

“You blush easily. You’re not jaded like most women in your situation.”

I lifted my chin defensively. “What situation?”

He raised his brow and looked at me with a knowing look. “How long have you been with him?”

He wasn’t asking about a romantic circumstance. “I don’t think I should answer that.”

“Why?”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

“To ask another man’s woman how long you’ve been together?”

“That’s not what you were asking.”

Amusement lit his eyes again. “You’re a smart girl.”

I shrugged. “If you and Mark continue to get along, I’m sure you and I will have an opportunity to get better acquainted.” It was the best answer I could come up with. There was a chance it was true. At least a one-in-eight chance. I wondered how many men he traveled with. Would he hurt me?

“Does Mark treat you well?”

I glanced over at Mark, who sat at the table watching us. “Yes. He’s always been fair with me.” I looked up at Sebastian.

“He cares a great deal about you.”

“I think he feels responsible for me.”

“Why?”

I bit my lip, realizing I shouldn’t have said that. Was Sebastian digging for information he knew he wouldn’t get out of Mark? Mark said he had to be careful to not give away too much when first meeting a client. “No reason,” I said quickly and then pulled away slightly. “I should probably go sit down. I’m not usually part of these meetings.”

“Why not? You would bring beauty to otherwise nasty subjects.”

My cheeks warmed. “Please take me back to the table.”

Mark looked concerned when Sebastian brought me back halfway through the song. “Are you okay, Kyra?” he asked.

I nodded and stared at my lap.

“I believe I was probing too much,” Sebastian interjected. “It was my fault. I apologize.”

“Probing about what?” Mark asked, sounding defensive.

“Relationships.”

“Ah.” Mark fiddled with his dessert fork. “What were you trying to figure out?”

I was amazed at Mark’s bluntness.

“The relationship between the two of you.”

“It’s… complicated.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Is that what your Facebook status reads?”

Mark laughed. “Ah, the simple joys of things such as Facebook. Too bad those sorts of sites are monitored by the government. My career choice might be questioned.”

“As would mine.” Sebastian laughed, as well.

My stomach churned as I lay in bed a few nights later. I didn’t want to wake Mark; he had been up late, drinking with Sebastian and having a good time. As I understood it, Sebastian was a sort of broker for other people who needed weapons. Mark said he would be an important new client for Patrón and Mark was working to build a relationship with him. I’d seen quite a bit of Sebastian over the last two days. I liked him. He was nice.

I untangled myself from Mark’s arms and hurried into the bathroom, hoping I’d find something to quell the nausea. Before I found anything, though, my stomach heaved and I ran to the toilet.

As I was recovering, I heard Mark call my name. “In here,” I said weakly to the floor.

“Kyra!” he exclaimed and crouched down beside me. “What’s wrong?”“

“I don’t know. I think I ate something bad last night.”

He helped me to my feet. “Well, c’mon. Let’s get you back in bed.”

I curled back up in bed and Mark got me some water. I sipped it as he ran a cool rag over my forehead and cheeks. “I don’t think you have a fever,” he said.

“That’s good.” I gave him a tired smile. “At least I got sick on our last day instead of our first day.”

Mark chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t think I could have pulled off wearing the ring. At least, not without getting my ass pounded.” When I gave him a confused look, he shrugged. “They would have thought I was gay and likely kick my ass for it.”

“That doesn’t sound like fun.”

“I agree.” He smoothed my hair back from my face. “Do you want to stay here while I meet Sebastian for lunch? I can have Bryce stay with you.”

I mentally evaluated my body. I still wasn’t feeling very well. “Would that be okay? I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I’m sure keeping your germs to yourself would be appreciated.”

“I hope you don’t get sick.”

“I rarely get sick. Good immune system.”

“Me, too.” I shrugged. “I guess everyone has their moments.”

“And you’ve been cooped up in the hacienda for most of the year. New germs. New bugs.”

“Yeah.” I just hoped this bug would go away quickly. I hated feeling this way.

I still wasn’t feeling very well when we got on the plane to fly home the next day. After we were in the air, Mark set up the bed in the back so I could sleep. Sleeping felt good. I wasn’t feeling any worse, but I wasn’t feeling any better, and I threw up twice on the plane.

Faster than I expected, we were landing at the airport in Yaviza—the small village where Nathan keeps his jet—and settling into the helicopter. I sighed at the familiar sight of the hacienda. I enjoyed traveling, but I missed the quiet of the mountains. After two and a half months, I was glad to be… Well, I guess this was home. Whether I liked it or not, it was home.

It was almost lunchtime when we landed on the helipad. Patrón came down to the pad as we were getting out. My heart leapt when I saw him and I looked away so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I had missed him. As much as I cared for Mark, I still loved Patrón. I couldn’t help it.

He greeted the men and I waited near the back of the helicopter for them to finish. I still wasn’t feeling well and just wanted to go lie down.

I was picking at my cuticles when Patrón approached me. “Hello, Kyra. Did you have a good time?” His voice made my heart pound.

I looked up at him. “Yes, Patrón. Thank you for the opportunity t—” Without warning, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. A
real
kiss. Like he kissed me when he loved me.

One arm wrapped tightly around my waist, a hand tangled itself in my hair, and it took a few seconds for my brain to catch up to what was happening. His tongue demanded entry into my mouth and I didn’t react right away, but he kept kissing me. I finally parted my lips and he groaned as his tongue touched mine—stroking, teasing, thrusting. I clung to his upper arms and knew if he let go, I would fall to the ground.

When he finally pulled away—who knew how long later—he didn’t let me go. My lips were swollen and likely bruised. I stared up into his gray eyes in bewilderment. His hand untangled from my hair and moved around to stroke my cheek as his eyes grew soft and my breath hitched in my throat.

I had longed to see his eyes soft again but had been certain I never would. My mouth moved, wanting to say something, but I couldn’t come up with anything. I wanted to say his name, but was afraid.

“Hello, Kitten,” he said in a soft, tender voice. “I missed you.”

I stared at him.
Was this a dream?
I still couldn’t speak.

“You being gone made me realize what light you brought into my world. With you gone… it was dark. Darker than it had been before I met you.” He kissed my forehead. “I was going to send you home when you returned, but…” He shook his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry, Kitten. I can’t let you go. I love you too much.”

I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to affirm my love for him, but I was afraid this wasn’t real.

He continued to stroke my cheek and gaze into my eyes. “I love you, Kyra. I need you.” He leaned down and kissed me again, gentler this time. When he pulled away, I saw tears in his eyes.

Who was I to bring tears to this hard man’s eyes?
Part of me wanted to push him away, to make him hurt the way he’d hurt me by pushing
me
away. I’d given him my all, and he’d literally pushed me into the arms of other men to be used as they liked. He’d been unbelievably selfish.

But at the same time, he was a broken man. With what happened with his wife and the Army, who could go through something like that and be unaffected? Unafraid to love again? Unafraid to hope again? It wasn’t selfishness that made him push me away. It was fear—plain and simple fear. I know he still loved me the whole time. Mark and Pasha told me the same thing. But he was scared. Was it so unlike what I’d done when Jason had asked me out? I’d been suspicious and almost didn’t take the chance, but I did, and it had been wonderful. Of course, I had no idea I’d wind up kidnapped and taken to another country, but I had loved Jason and been loved in return for the first time in my life. And even though I’d been kidnapped and brought to Nathan, hadn’t it ended up okay? Well, until he pushed me away. But, again, that was the fear taking control of him. He wasn’t an evil man; he made the best of what he’d been given in life.