Page 32 of The Guardian

Maya

I felt so many things… Scared, frustrated and excited. Yes, excited because this sexy man seemed to be very interested in me. Scared because I was afraid to let someone get close to me. Frustrated, because he simply would not accept my refusal of his help. I looked over at Rain and tried to divert the subject away from Catemaco Mexico, “You were looking for me?”

Rain nodded then he paused to glance at Henry.

“How can I help you?” I asked so he would not ask Henry anything.

“No, it’s how I can help you, Maya,” Rain replied.

I paused and cocked my head at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I hope you don’t mind but I had a short conversation with a man named Michael? He’s…” Rain swung his gaze back over to Henry. “…your brother?”

Henry nodded at him. “Yes, he is and I’m wondering why he mentioned that.”

“Seems he knows a bit about…” Rain again looked over at me. “…your family’s disappearance.”

I shook my head. “Why was he discussing this with you?”

Rain shrugged. “He asked me about my profession and I told him what I do, then he pointed out that you might need assistance.”

I just could not believe the boldness of these men. “And why would he tell you that?”

“Because at first, he assumed that I was already helping you.” Rain paused and chuckled. “Ok, so I admit that men do gossip. We um, saw you and Henry with your heads close together at dinner and he believes that maybe you could use my help after all.”

Henry laughed. “And so, we get back to when you knocked on the door just now, Rain. I was telling her that we need to help her with this.”

I tossed my arms up and retorted, “And my reply is still NO!”

Rain stared at me. “Why no? I saw what you did for those kids. And that means you are a decent person. And I can tell Henry um... well, cares about you.” He slid his amused gaze over at Henry.

Henry stared at him and then he replied while not looking amused at all, “And you are right, I do care.”

Rain’s amusement slid from his expression as he looked stunned for a few seconds then he covered that look with a blank one.

“Bene, you are both decent men,” I told them. “You helped Carlos and Selena and you helped the kids to find their mother. So, I appreciate the offer but the answer is still no.”

Rain again looked amused as he explained, “We are not all that decent. We owed Carlos, so we had a reason to help him. Then I can speak for Henry as well as myself when I tell you that we deal with problems and solving them. We do it for a price. We aren’t monks or do-gooders as they call them. We are willing to help people who deserve it, but mostly we have been in association with less than stellar groups.” He glanced over at Henry. “At least we used to be. We both have avoided most of the lawless kind for a few years now.” He now glanced at me again.

“So why would you help me?” I asked them as I planted my hands onto my hips. “I cannot pay you…well, I could but I’m sure it wouldn’t be close to what you usually make.”

Henry and Rain glanced at each other.

I stared at them, wondering what they were thinking, but knowing that I was probably not going to like it.

Rain looked at me now. “We wouldn’t charge you.”

“And why not?” I asked.

“Like he said…. We do help people who deserve it,” Henry told me.

Rain nodded. “I usually speak for myself, but for once, I agree with Sir Henry.” He chuckled. “And that is a huge surmise in and of itself.”

I released a sigh as they just did not seem to get it. “And I really appreciate the offer. But as I told Henry already. This… my family’s case, has gotten six people killed.”

Henry stared at me. “No, you said a few.”

I shook my head. Why were they being so stubborn? “The number doesn’t matter. You two are not joining that count.”