He had never been there for her before, and certainly wasnt staying now.
Lacey managed to find her voice. I hope this is a bad dream and Ill wake up and find you gone.
Her ex-husband pulled out a chair, turned it around and straddled it. Well, darling, it seems your nightmare isnt going away. Neither am I.
She managed to conceal her trembling hands by wrapping her fingers tight around the beer bottle. Lacey took a deep drink, relishing the cool wash of liquid sliding down her throat. It reminded her of that time after theyd consumed several beers and then hed kissed her and they had...
Not. Going. There.
Go away, Jarrett. If youre here on a mission, arent you supposed to be invisible in your invincibility?
He did not smile. Flickering candlelight on the table revealed the sharp angles and planes of his lean face. Jarrett looked all business.
Youre my mission. Im taking you out of here. I booked us on tomorrows early-morning flight. He glanced around. Before the elections and before this place blows to hell.
Jarrett, trying to be funny, except his expression was dead serious. Had he heard about the mysterious vandalism plaguing her compound? It had been a few minor incidents shed written off as a nuisance caused by locals who didnt like how she helped women, until last weeks truck fire.
That fire had not been a nuisance. It had destroyed her best working vehicle.
She glanced around at the two other occupied tables and lowered her voice.
Are you insane? Im not going anywhere with you.
St. Marc is teetering on a coup and Im taking you back to the States.
She knew St. Marc intimately, shied away from the hot spots and knew how to handle herself. Elections are in two days. I know about the violence and know how to avoid it. As soon as elections are over, things will cool down. Stop wasting your time.
Youre at risk of getting shot, kidnapped or both.
The media exaggerates about a few protests downtown. Its not violent here.
Jarrett turned his head as six men carrying sinister-looking guns trotted out onto the courtyard, racing off toward the hotel disco. His mouth curved in a knowing smile.
The president is here with his friends. He likes the disco, she snapped.
Do all his friends carry assault rifles?
Its the latest fashion craze. Goes well with the Guayabera shirts. We do like to accessorize here on St. Marc.
The smile dropped, replaced with a dark stare. The Look. How many times had he aimed it at her in the past? The man had a stubborn streak bigger than a US Navy destroyer. Jarrett leaned forward. This country is eroding into civil unrest, Lace, elections or no elections. You need to get out. How many State Department warnings does it take before youll listen?
Anger fisted in her stomach. Those warnings are for the tourists who come here to do poverty tours or sun themselves on the beaches. Not for ex-pats like me or Paul. And who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Were no longer married.
She was twenty-nine, no longer that wide-eyed girl whod fallen hard and fast for the handsome Navy sailor with a wicked smile, husky laugh and skilled hands. Marlees Mangoes was her dream now, not a life of domestic bliss with a SEAL who was gone more than hed been home.
Gone, too, when she needed him the most. Lacey clenched her beer bottle again and pushed away thoughts of the baby theyd lost. That was the past, and St. Marc was her future.
Jarrett Adler belonged to those ghosts shed exorcised out of her life.
Paul. Jarretts gaze narrowed. That simpering metrosexual whos with you?
Blinking, she struggled to leash her temper. Paul Lawrence is the vice president of the board for Marlees Mangoes and my business partner.
The realization hit her. Where is he? Did you do something to him, Jarrett? Were supposed to be meeting a very important donor.
The very important donor driving a late-model white Montero SUV? He was unavoidably detained in the parking lot. Your vice president went to help him.
More interference. But this time he messed with her livelihood. Damn, Jarrett, this is my life. Youre not part of it anymore, so go home and get out of here.
Not without you. Darling, Im sticking to your side until I deliver you home.
She studied him with a keen eye. Get used to disappointment. Im not leaving.
Jarrett reached out, touched her hand. Dont argue with me, Lacey. We havent seen each other in a long time, and Id rather spend what little time we have together catching up. Or engaged in more pleasurable activities.
A shiver of awareness raced down her spine as he slowly stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. His smug smile dropped, replaced with a burning intensity that could melt steel. When Jarrett aimed that look at her, shed wanted to do whatever he wanted. Usually it had involved getting naked in very inventive places.
Our days of getting horizontal are over, she warned, drawing away her hand.
He considered, and scratched the bristles on his dimpled chin. Verticals always fun, too. Or we could try those swinging chairs down by the pool.
Impish grin, a promise of pleasure in those dark green eyes. Laceys mouth twitched as she struggled not to smile. Sex had always been great between them.
It was the other things that got in the way.
Her cell phone quietly chimed. Paul. She answered. Where are you?
Lacey, Im sorry, her VP said in his singsong accent. I went to the parking lot and Mr. Augustin was by his new SUV. Someone threw red paint all over his windshield as he pulled into the lot! He was infuriated and to calm him down, I took him home. Were here, drinking a nice rum. His cook is making an excellent grilled salmon and once we are done with dinner, Ill drive him back to the hotel and we all can have a drink there. Dont worry, ma petite, well be there in about an hour or so.
Her spirits sank. Damn, she had counted on Augustins goodwill and money to pay for the houses shed planned to build on her compound. Hed wanted to meet with her in person to arrange a tour of Marlees Mangoes. And an hour or so on St. Marc time usually meant no less than two hours. She was stuck here until then. Do your best to rush through dinner.
Jarrett quietly studied her as she thumbed off the phone and placed it into her backpack. You dont do anything by half measures, Adler. Red paint? That man was a prime donor poised to fund housing I need for the women I employ. All her pent-up emotions tumbled out. You dont care about anything, do you? Just like before.
Something flickered in his gaze. You dont want him as a donor. I do care. I care about hustling you out of here.
She searched his face, the grim set of his jaw. Something was going on and he wasnt about to tell her. Jarrett was a SEAL accustomed to secrecy. But her life was transparent now and she hated secrets.
Joseph Augustin is a respected member of the upper class here in St. Marc. Why wouldnt I want him as a donor?
His gaze flicked around the courtyard. Not here. We need to talk someplace where we wont be overheard.
Fine. The hotel has a walkway around the gardens.
As she reached down to grab her backpack, a staccato burst of gunfire exploded in the streets below the hotel. Jarrett leaped to his feet and pushed her down to the ground, covering her body with his own. His muscled weight pinned her down. She heard a handguns slide being racked, and looked up to see Jarrett, weapon in hand, crouching low. Screams and shouts erupted around her, and heavy footfalls pounded against the concrete courtyard.
As she reached down to grab her backpack, a staccato burst of gunfire exploded in the streets below the hotel. Jarrett leaped to his feet and pushed her down to the ground, covering her body with his own. His muscled weight pinned her down. She heard a handguns slide being racked, and looked up to see Jarrett, weapon in hand, crouching low. Screams and shouts erupted around her, and heavy footfalls pounded against the concrete courtyard.
Jarrett spoke into her ear, his deep voice rumbling. I told you, this country isnt safe. Now do you believe me?
Chapter 2
Those shots were in the neighborhood below the hotel. Its nothing, Jarrett.
Twenty minutes after the gunfire, after the hotel manager had walked around and assured everyone there was nothing to worry about, Jarrett perched on the edge of his chair. His Sig Sauer tucked back into his holster, he stared at Lacey. His ex-wifes words didnt comfort him. Nothing? With the president of the country dining within bullet range? Dont think so.
Lace shook her head, pushed back at the long fall of her hair. Im starved. I hope their griot is good here. Its expensive enough.
Hungry. She wanted fried pork and he wanted the hell out of here.
But hed talked her into having dinner with him while she waited for her donor to arrive at the hotel for drinks later. And that particular donor wasnt getting within ten yards of Lacey.
Hed make sure of it.
He should have left her pinned to the ground, then tied her up with the linen tablecloth and carried her to his hotel room, trapping her there until morning.
Jarrett grunted as he sipped the bottled water the cheerful Ives delivered to their table. Lace had been in St. Marc far too long. Too easily dismissive of gunshots. He partly admired her cool aplomb under pressure when everyone else had run off screaming, and partly wanted to shake sense into her.
All those tours he did in the Middle East, despite the strain on his marriage, hed never worried about Lace. Lace was safe, back in the United States. No one could hurt her. The marriage had died, but his protective streak and his feelings had not. Now she was in this place, with riots popping up like sniper fire, and hed be damned if he turned his back and left her.
Hed feed her and stall her leaving the hotel. What if shed driven off, headed down that same street where the gunfire erupted? A stray bullet could have hit her...
The grim image of Lacey slumped over the steering wheel, blood streaming down her head, turned his stomach into ground glass. Forget the danger Ace had mentioned. There were hot spots all around that could kill her.
Jarrett gave the menu another glance and as Ives returned, ordered in fluent French one order of griot with rice and beans, an order of broiled grouper for himself and a bottle of Bordeaux. Beaming, Ives walked off.
Lacey seemed paler at the order of French wine than she did at the gunshots. I really dont need to drink and Im really not that hungry after all...
My treat.
She sat straighter. I have money.
No worries. Ill pay for dinner. Call it a peace offering.
Why are you here, Jarrett? You didnt just come to this hotel and find me because you have nothing better to do with your vacation. Whats the deal?
I have leave and came here to visit Ace. At her confused look, he added, Kyle Taylor. Hes staying with his sister Aimee at the resort she runs on Paix Beach.
I didnt know Kyle was here. I see Aimee from time to time.
Hes on medical leave. Busted his knee on his last deployment so he came here to visit Aimee and her kids. Jarretts jaw tensed. And keep an eye on her because of the increasing violence. He looked around. When is Augustin getting here?
Paul said hed phone and let me know. Whats going on, Jarrett? Why all the secrecy? Does this have to do with my dad?
Jarrett nearly laughed. The venerable Senator Alexander Stewart had refused to speak to Jarrett after theyd announced their elopement years ago. Her old man still blamed Jarrett for the marriage and the eventual breakup, calling him an adrenaline-seeking hot dog.
Your father doesnt know Im in St. Marc. But hed agree with me that its not safe for you here, Lace. Jarrett leaned on the table and locked gazes with her.
Im not part of your life anymore, Jarrett. You never cared what happened to me before.
The accusation stung. You were once part of my life, and I did care, he said quietly. I care what happens to you now, Lace.
She looked troubled at the thought. You really think the country is headed toward another civil war? Everyone is hopeful that the elections will change that.
If the current regime, and the military, allows a new president to take over.
Lacey gnawed at her lower lip. Jarrett watched, both sorely tempted by her lush mouth and worried as hell. He hoped she realized what he didnt say was more important than the information he offered. The White House had been closely watching the sitch here and was prepared to order US military intervention if a military junta seized control of St. Marc. It had happened in the past, so the possibility was quite real.
One reason hed chosen St. Marc as his destination. He wanted to check on Ace and nudge Lacey into leaving before the country exploded and it became harder to hustle her pretty rear end off the island.
What have you heard from your sources?
Jarrett drew in a deep breath, not daring to say more. Things are heating up a little too much.
This is the city. The countryside is different. Quiet, peaceful, where I live.
He knew the stubborn line between her two silky eyebrows. Hell, he should have tied her up and carried her away.
Jarrett sipped his water, studying his ex. Her hair was longer now, and she had shadows beneath her eyes, and looked too thin, but she was still lovely. She no longer wore floral perfume, but he could smell the apple shampoo she used when hed tackled her to the ground.
She smelled like home, and it amplified his sense of loss.
Youve changed. No more designer outfits? He eyed her worn khaki backpack. Or purses?
My priorities changed. Her mouth lifted slightly. But I still have my pink Michael Kors bag. Its in storage. Doesnt go well with T-shirts and worn denim jeans.
I remember that bag, he mused. You bought it shopping the day I returned from Iraq.
His body tightened as he remembered. Hed returned from a grueling deployment, drained and numb, the images of what hed done haunting him. Jarrett had showered twice, scrubbing his body until the hot water ran out, still feeling the sand between his toes, the grit in his teeth. And then hed sat in the living room, staring at the walls.
Lacey had walked into the house, the pink Michael Kors bag hanging from one slender shoulder, her lithe body covered in the sweetest pink sundress, her feet stuffed into pink designer sandals. Even her toenails were painted pink. She looked so cute, sexy and so American that all the pressure in his chest finally eased, morphing into pure sexual interest.
Shed dropped the bag in the living room, run into his arms. And then shed looked into his eyes, really looked at him, and saying nothing, led him straight into the bedroom. The sex had been hard and rough, a purging of every damn thing hed seen and done. Then theyd showered together, and had sex again, and afterward, theyd grilled burgers and she sat on his lap as they finished a bottle of white wine, and before theyd fallen asleep, theyd made love three more times.