No One to Trust (11 page)

She stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“You’d have killed him. You wouldn’t have chanced him bribing himself out of jail. And you wouldn’t have risked Barry being drawn into any messy courtrooms. The answer? Kill the son of a bitch.”

“You didn’t tell Forbes you thought I’d do that.”

“Why should I interfere? I had no desire for Chavez to live
to a ripe old age in some cozy jail.” He moved toward the door. “Good night. Don’t be afraid to go to sleep. You’re safe here. Logan’s alarm system is awesome, and I’ll be up most of the night.”

She stared after him for a moment before getting up, going to the sink, and washing out her cup. It was strange to think that after all these years of caring for herself, she was putting her life into someone else’s hands. Strange and a little intimidating. Galen was too perceptive, and his will was as strong as her own.

But he didn’t have her motivation. He didn’t have Barry. She could do anything if it meant keeping Barry safe, and that made her stronger than Galen.

She would be able to handle him.

“Forbes is dead,” Gomez said.

“And you have my son,” Chavez said. “Of course.”

Gomez hesitated. “We’ll have him soon. There was a little problem at the vineyard.”

Chavez smothered the surge of rage. “Problem?”

“She must have been warned. They set fire to the place and were gone before we got there.”

“How could she have been warned? Unless you were so exceptionally clumsy as to have been spotted.”

“We were careful. I had bribes in place with two of the DEA team members. It should have gone smoothly.”

“Don’t tell me how it should have gone. Where is my son? Does the DEA still have them in custody?”

“We don’t think so. I’ve been in touch with Carew, our contact at the agency, and he says the agency is in the dark about where she is now.”

“As much in the dark as you are?”

“I think I know who got them away from the vineyard,” Gomez said hurriedly. “We caught up with Carmichael in Rio. It took a little time, but he talked. Sean Galen got them out of Colombia and delivered them to San Francisco. If the DEA didn’t pull her out of the safe house, Galen has to be the one who did it.”

“Why? It appears to me that an orangutan would have had enough brains to take my son away from you.”

Silence. “He’s the only person she knows in this country. He’s our strongest lead.”

“Then follow it. Dig until you unearth everything about Galen. Find out where he took them.” He lowered his voice to silky softness. “And don’t phone again and tell me you’ve failed me, Gomez. The minute you zero in on them I want to know about it.”

“It may take a little time. Galen works alone. It will be hard to—”

Chavez hung up on him.

Whining bastard. He didn’t want excuses. He wanted his son.

And the chance to savage Elena Kyler until she begged him to kill her.

He drew a deep breath and tried to rid himself of the anger. Two more days and the Delgados and their network would be in his pocket. Then he would be free to finish this business
with Elena himself. He should have known better than to rely on Gomez to take care of her. He was the only one strong enough to defeat the bitch. He had done it once and he would have no problem doing it again.

Elena lying on the mat, her eyes blazing up at him
.

The memory gave him a burst of pleasure that was part sexual and part heady triumph. He was almost glad Gomez had failed. He had forgotten the sheer enjoyment of making her submit to him. He had never felt stronger or more the conqueror than in those last days with her. It would be good to have a little quality time with Elena before he cut her heart out.

“It’s beautiful.” Elena looked out at the blue mountains in the distance. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s so … wild.”

“And Colombia isn’t?” Galen leaned out the window and punched in the number on the electronic gates. “But I know what you mean. Barrenness has a power of its own.”

“It’s not really barren,” Dominic said. “A little stark. Is it your ranch?”

“Yes.” Galen drove through the gates and they swung closed behind the jeep. “I occasionally come up here to relax.”

“Livestock?”

Galen shook his head. “Too much commitment. You have to take care of livestock. Or hire someone else to do it, and then I’d have to have them report to me. A regular Pandora’s box. It would defeat the purpose of coming here to relax.”

“When was the last time you came here?” Elena asked.

He thought about it. “About three months ago … I think.”

“Then you must not need to relax very often.”

He shrugged. “I get bored.”

She stared at him appraisingly. “I bet you do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Her glance shifted to the ranch house. “This place is huge.”

“I never liked to rough it. I did too much of it when I was a kid.”

“Where was that?”

“In Liverpool. And other places.” He parked in front of the long wraparound front porch. “My mum always believed that if one place was good, the next was sure to be better.” He got out of the jeep. “Come on, Barry. I’ll show you the barn. There’s a hayloft you’ll appreciate.”

“Later,” Elena said. “I want to take a look. You can never tell what kind of creatures may be in that hay.”

“It’s clean.” A man dressed in jeans and a denim shirt had come out of the house. “When Galen called, I went to town and bought a few bales.”

Elena went rigid.

“It’s okay,” Galen told her quickly. “This is Judd Morgan. He’s sort of the caretaker here. He’s harmless.”

He didn’t look harmless. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, was tall and lean, and gave the impression of whipcord strength. Pale blue eyes were deep set in a face that was planed, chiseled, and hard. Very hard.

“How do you do?” Morgan said. “I assume you’re Elena Kyler. The boy will be all right. I cleaned out the barn two
weeks ago, and the only varmints are the kittens and Mac, my German shepherd. He’s gentle.”

“A puppy?” Barry’s eyes lit up.

“Well, not exactly a puppy. He only acts like one.”

“This is Dominic Sanders,” Galen said solemnly. “He was once a priest. I brought him here to save your soul.”

“I’ll let him practice on you. I’m a bigger challenge.” Morgan shook Dominic’s hand before turning his gaze on Galen. “Any news for me from Logan?”

Galen shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Damn.” He turned back toward the house. “I’ll show you to your rooms. It’s a surprisingly nice place considering Galen’s lack of good taste.”

“Mama, may I go to the barn?” Barry asked.

She couldn’t resist the eagerness in his expression. “For a little while. You need a bath before dinner.”

“He’ll have plenty of time.” Galen took his hand and they turned away. “I’m planning a gourmet meal for our first night. Perfection doesn’t happen without effort.”

“Neither does modesty,” Morgan murmured.

“Come on, Barry. This denigration of my sterling character isn’t for your ears.”

Morgan led Elena and Dominic into the house. A cathedral ceiling gave the living room an open, airy look and the chenille-upholstered furniture provided a contrasting coziness.

“Five bedrooms, four baths on the second floor,” Morgan said. “Game room, library, kitchen, dining room, living room, and several other rooms on the main. Do you want the grand tour or to see just your bedrooms?”

“The bedrooms,” Elena said.

Morgan nodded and led them toward the staircase. “The first bedroom on the right has a smaller adjoining room. I thought you’d want to take that one for you and the boy.”

Elena nodded. “That will be fine.”

He threw open the door and stepped aside. “Galen said to get all of you enough clothes to see you through your stay here. They’re already in the closets and chests. I had to rely on Galen’s eye, so blame him if they don’t fit.” He gestured to a door across the hall. “Your room, Mr. Sanders. If either of you has any problems or questions, let me know. I’ll see you at dinner.” He turned and left them.

“Interesting man.” Dominic was looking after him. “And an interesting contrast between him and Galen.”

Like a granite slab and a glittering mirror, Elena thought. Either one could damage you under the right circumstances. “I don’t like Galen not telling us about Morgan.”

“You would have objected to having anyone you didn’t know here. Maybe he thought it would be more reassuring if you met him first.”

Reassuring
was not a word she’d use in connection with Judd Morgan. “He obviously lets him have the run of the place. He may trust him, but I have no reason to.”

“Galen hasn’t been wrong yet. Give him a chance.” Dominic crossed the hall and opened his bedroom door. “You know, I like this place. It reminds me of our house.”

Except that it was ten times bigger. But she knew what he meant. There was a simplicity of design and an air of comfort that was homelike. She liked it too. Much better than Logan’s
luxurious penthouse where they’d spent last night. “It’s very nice.”

She closed the door and went over to the window. She could see the large barn from here, and it looked as neat and well cared for as the rest of the property. A barn and pets and enough ground for a child to run. Their stay here might not be so bad.

Her gaze lifted to the surrounding countryside. You could see for miles and miles. Was that why Galen had bought this property? She’d received the impression from Forbes that Galen’s past had been shady at best and he was extremely wary. So wary that even when he relaxed he needed to know what was coming toward him?

My God, was she feeling sorry for him? It was good for her and Barry that he’d lived a life that had made him build this stronghold. She mustn’t think beyond that truth.

Barry came running into the house an hour later.

“Mama!”

“Here.” She came to the head of the staircase. “Did you enjoy it?” She could see that he had. Straw was sticking out of his hair and his expression was glowing. “How many kittens were there?”

“Three.” He ran up the stairs. “But the dog … Mac. He rolled over and let me rub his belly.”

“What an honor.” She smiled and gave him a hug. “Looks like you rolled over a few times too.”

“Galen and I had a straw fight, and he threw me on top of
the stack. Then I couldn’t fight anymore because I was laughing. He said he was making duck orange for dinner and I could help. I’ve never eaten that, have you?”

“No.”

“I’ve got to hurry. Where’s the bathroom? He said I couldn’t touch anything in his kitchen until I had a bath.”

She nodded at the suite. “In there.” She followed him into the bedroom and gestured to the bathroom. “I’ll get you some clean clothes from your room. It’s right through that door. Our rooms are connected.”

“Good.” Barry’s tone was abstracted. “I have to wash my hair. Galen said that if he saw even one piece of straw, I was out of there. Will you help me?”

“Of course.” Every other word he’d uttered had been about Galen. “I’ll see that you pass inspection. You like Galen?”

“Sure. He makes things … different.”

He meant exciting. Why wouldn’t he think Galen was some kind of magician? He’d flown through the air with him and then been whisked to the top of a great city. Now Galen had given Barry the elements of every boy’s dream: a dog and cats and a hayloft.

He was staring at her, troubled. “You like him too, don’t you?”

One word and she could turn him against Galen. This affection that Barry was beginning to feel for him could be dangerous. Galen might be something of a magician, but after all the sleight of hand and wondrous tricks, he would vanish and leave Barry alone and empty. But how could she say that word when Galen had single-handedly banished the fear and
uncertainty she had sensed in Barry since the fire at the vineyard? She owed him a debt, dammit. “Why wouldn’t I like him?” she asked lightly. “After all, he’s going to teach you how to cook me a fancy dinner.”

“Come on, young man. Time for bed.” Dominic stood up from the table. “Your face is going to fall into that chocolate mousse if you don’t stop nodding.”

“Tired …” Barry stood up, yawning. “I stirred the chocolate, you know.”

“It’s been called to our attention,” Dominic said. “Several times.” He turned to Galen. “A great meal. I’ve never had better, even in the finest restaurants in Miami.”

“Of course not,” Galen said. “I told you I was a master.”

Judd Morgan snorted. “It’s getting thick in here. I need some air.”

“And leave me with the dishes?”

“I’ll help,” Barry said.

Galen shook his head. “I believe in specialized labor. You’ve done your bit. I have you scheduled for omelette duty at breakfast tomorrow.”

He yawned again. “Okay.”

“Let’s go,” Dominic said. “You’re about to fall asleep, and you’re getting too big for me to carry up those stairs.”

Elena watched Dominic and Barry leave the dining room before she rose to her feet. “I’ll wash the dishes.”

Morgan shook his head. “My job. Galen cooks. I clean up.”
He started to stack the dishes. “Though if he didn’t have a great dishwasher, I’d take you up on it.”

“Then I’ll help,” Elena said.

“No, you won’t. I like to work alone.” He carried the dishes into the kitchen.

“He’s not rejecting you. He’s telling the truth. He likes to do everything alone,” Galen said as he stood up. “That’s why he likes staying here at the ranch. You can’t imagine a more solitary existence. I guess it’s his artistic temperament.”

“He’s an artist?”

He nodded. “There’s an oil painting of his in the library that’s remarkable.”

“I would never have guessed.”

“Well, I grant you that he doesn’t look the part. What would you think he does for a living?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the same thing that you do.”

He smiled. “Close. But Judd was more specialized.”

“You appear to get along very well.”

“We understand each other. In many ways we’re a lot alike.”

She shook her head. “You’re nothing alike.”

“You don’t think I’m the artistic, solitary type?”