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I shifted enough to be able to see past the frame. It was exactly as I’d suspected. The photograph was one taken years before when both he and Jennifer were much younger. He’d kept the photograph? My red flags rose. “How long have you been working with Jennifer?” I snarled.
Castillo shook his head, barely darting a glance in my direction before taking two steps toward her, pushing his jacket open further.
“Don’t do it, Castillo. I will put a bullet in your head right here, right now.”
She threw out her hand, smiling as she glanced in my direction but there was something entirely different about the look on her face. Disturbed yet serene. The combination was eerie as hell.
I heard several sounds. Soldiers were approaching.
“This isn’t just about my mother’s company, Viper. This is personal. Very personal. You only thought I was the perfect bargaining chip. Maybe you don’t know this, but my mother couldn’t care less about me. Now I know why.” As she turned her head, she took a deep breath before closing the distance.
“Willow. What are you trying to say?” I asked, noticing how red Castillo’s face had gotten.
“I guess it’s time for formal introductions. Santiago, meet my birth father.”
The window behind us shattered, several soldiers bursting into the room. American soldiers sent by Eagle Force.
Maybe I wasn’t expendable after all.
As the realization of what she’d just said began to sink in, Castillo made the mistake of going for his weapon.
This wasn’t a time for hesitation.
Or for second guessing.
Pop! Pop!
* * *
One week later
“It’s a beautiful night,” Willow whispered as she toyed with the chocolate dessert she’d ordered.
“Not as beautiful as the woman sitting in front of me.”
She sighed, swirling the spoon in zigzags and circles.
“Are you going to toy with your food or eat it?” I teased. It had been a rough few days. I’d held her close during the flight back from Brazil. She’d said almost nothing, but her fingers had clung to me the entire time.
Once we’d arrived in Dulles, I’d been separated from her, partially given the secretive nature of my mission. The press had gotten wind that Castillo had been almost killed by an American soldier and they were all over it. Thank God no one knew about the possibility Castillo was her father. All they knew was that she’d been rescued. There wasn’t a national news or talk show that didn’t want their fifteen minutes with her.
Not only was Willow not allowed to talk about the ongoing investigation, but she’d told more than one reporter who’d called it was none of their ‘goddamn freaking business.’ She was one tough cookie.
When she stuck out her tongue, I grabbed the utensil from her hand, grabbing a spoonful and rubbing it across her lips.
She laughed, which was the first time she’d done so since our return. As she tried to lick it off, she narrowed her eyes. “I’ll get you for this.”
“Promises. Promises.”
“Mine are forever.”
It was my turn to laugh. She had such a disarming way about her. I rubbed my finger through a glob still on her face. “Open your mouth.”
“Be careful, soldier.”
“That’s Master to you and you’re required to obey me,” I growled.
Giving me a coy look, she did as I commanded, purring before taking my finger into her mouth. When she wrapped her hand around my wrist, the same burning desire roared into my system. While I’d wanted nothing more than to seduce her, the timing hadn’t been right. The most we’d been able to do was see each other in passing. II felt like I needed an act of Congress to find out if she was okay.
