Page 29 of Dangerous Liaisons

Chapter Twenty

Jesse’s pulse accelerated when a tall, well-built man stepped from the cantina she stood outside of in Santa Marta, Colombia. He halted three feet from where she leaned against the wall, only his profile visible to her. Even without the dim light of the single streetlamp at the end of the street, she would have recognized the man she’d fallen in love with her senior year in college—the man whose uncle was southern Colombia’s answer to the Godfather.

She melted a little deeper into the shadows. Eight years had passed since she’d left him. Doubt quaked at the foundation of her plans. The same doubt which had plagued her a week ago when the idea to find him had surfaced on her flight from the States.

During their time together at U.C. Berkley, Michael Quesada had done nothing to engender distrust. In fact, although he never spoke of it, she knew he didn’t want to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. Yet, she’d instinctively understood he had no choice. Just as she now she had no choice.

Michael reached inside the pocket of his linen jacket and pulled out a silver cheroot case. He opened the lid, removed the single cigar, stuck it between his lips, then returned the holder to his pocket and took out a lighter.

He leaned his head toward his cupped hands and ignited the lighter. A flash of fire lit up his face as he puffed the cigar, and Jesse saw the chiseled features of a mature man. The young man she’d known was gone. He slipped the lighter into his pocket and blew out a long puff of smoke.

He started in the direction of the internet café Jesse had visited earlier, and she said, “Hello, Mikey.”

Michael halted and Jesse felt an unexpected thrill at the realization that he recognized her voice after all these years. She pushed off the building as he turned. Their gazes locked for a long moment before his eyes slid down her length.

He gave a slow shake of the head, “Jessica Evans,” he said in cultured English.

He retained the same deep voice that used to drive her crazy. She had been right, though, all those years ago; they had ended up on opposite sides of the law. Her heart twisted. Now that difference might save her.

“How have you been?” she asked.

His gaze bore into her. “What are you doing here, Jessica?”

Her heart skipped a beat. Could he know she was on the run? If he did, that meant he knew she was OIA—Blue Team. Her research had turned up evidence Michael was laundering the family money. His education had served him well, just as his uncle had planned. A pang of regret stabbed her heart. Stupid, she told herself. She had come to him knowing—needing—his connections.

The high whine of a wounded Moped approached. A lone rider motored past and disappeared into the night. Jesse waited until the drone of the engine had died, then said, “I’m in trouble, Mikey.”

Michael took a long drag on his cigar. The ash burned red hot. He blew out smoke, then said, “I knew you’d come to a bad end.”

Jesse blinked, then recognized the hint of amusement in his voice. She grinned. “I always knew you were too smart for your own good.”

He sighed. “And here I’d hoped you’d come to your senses and were here to beg forgiveness for breaking my heart. I’ve waited a long time.”

Jesse’s lips twitched. “Eight years can be a lifetime. Have you saved yourself for me?”

He gave a solemn nod. “Every day, I’ve prayed to St. Agnes for strength.”

Jesse lifted a brow. “The patron saint of chastity?”

“And purity and virgins,” he added.

“You look good,” she said.

“But not that good?”

Jesse sobered. “Too good,” she admitted.

A man stumbled out the cantina door and barreled into Michael.

“Lo siento, senor,” the man slurred.

“No importa,” Michael said, and steadied him.

The man glanced at Jesse, then back at Michael. He flashed a wobbly grin, then began weaving his way down the street.

Michael looked back at Jesse. “It’s getting late. The cantina will become rowdier as the night wears on.” He motioned with his head for her to follow and started down the walkway.

Jesse fell in beside him. “A lot has happened since we last saw one another,” she said.