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  With determination, she clenched her teeth and tried to find some way to disassemble the chair. It took her a while, but finally she managed to remove the five-armed swivel base. When she held it in her hands, she wondered if she’d have the strength to swing it with enough power to hit a grown man hard enough to knock him out and make an escape.

  God, she was tired of being afraid. She wiped away sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and got to her feet. She looked down at the swivel base she gripped. She’d removed the rollers and the metal they’d been inserted into had hard, sharp edges.

  She studied the five rollers on the floor and an idea came to her. She hurried to remove the rollers from the other two chairs then divided them up, putting seven in front of one door and eight in front of the other.

  Just as she finished, the door on her left rattled.

  Ignoring the pain in her chest, she hurried to the door and hid behind it, holding the swivel base in both hands. She found herself holding her breath then forced herself to breathe.

  The mechanism clicked and the door swung open. A man stepped into the room and paused, probably baffled by the wheels on the floor and the chairs lying on their sides.

  Heart pounding, Tori stepped behind the man as he walked in. He had his hand on the butt of a gun sticking out of its holster and he started to draw the weapon.

  With everything she had, she swung the swivel base at the man’s head.

  He swung around in time to put his arm up to protect his face. The base hit his arm hard enough he dropped the handgun and it landed on her foot.

  The man gave an angry shout as he stumbled to the side.

  He tripped over the wheels she’d left on the floor and he fell, landing hard.

  Her heart pounded faster.

  Doing the best she could to ignore the pain in her chest, she fell to her knees and grabbed the gun he’d dropped on her foot.

  The man scrambled to his knees and faced her. His eyes were like blue flames as he looked at her with fury.

  He lunged for her. “Bitch!” he shouted in Spanish.

  She raised the gun with both hands and squeezed the trigger.

  He slammed her to the floor just as the gun jerked in her hands, the sound reverberating off the walls and echoing in her ears.

  She screamed. It felt as if pain ripped her apart when she hit the floor, his big body on top of hers.

  Tears flooded her eyes from the agony.

  He raised his head and his fist at the same time. He swung his fist and it connected with the side of her head.

  Stars sparked in her head and her mind spun.

  He rose up, getting to his knees, and she saw his shirt drenched in blood. He opened his mouth and blood rolled over his lips.

  For a moment he appeared to be confused. Then he looked at his belly and the blood soaking his shirt, the stain spreading.

  He seemed as dazed as she felt. He started to collapse on her but she held up her arms. His muscular body and greater weight drove her onto the floor again.

  Black swirled on the edges of her vision. An involuntary scream rose up inside her, but she could make no sound as blackness started to close in on her.

  The man faced her as his head landed next to hers. She almost managed a scream this time when she saw his eyes were wide and sightless. Dead.

  She had killed him.

  She took rapid breaths, trying to fend off the darkness. Air, she needed air. The man’s dead weight would suffocate her.

  Tears of pain rolled down her cheeks as her vision started to clear. She felt weak and exhausted, but the thought of being found by the cartel’s men gave her renewed strength. That and the adrenaline pumping in her veins.

  She used her knee against the man’s belly and her hands on his shoulders. She counted to three and shoved with all the power she could muster.

  The body rolled off hers. The dead man landed on his back, his body blocking open the door. A loud clanking sound echoed in the room when the gun hit the floor.

  Bile rose in her throat and she thought she would vomit. She’d just killed a man.

  He would have murdered her and she’d done the only thing she could. Yet, she barely comprehended she’d taken a life.

  She couldn’t think about it now. She had to get out of here and find someplace to run or hide or…she didn’t know, but she’d figure it out.

  Her stomach ached and she put her hand to her belly and felt slick flesh. She looked down. She’d torn her shirt to help the agent and now the dead man’s blood covered her bare belly. His blood mingled with Agent Aguilar’s.

  She swallowed and picked up the gun she’d dropped when she’d pushed him off. She staggered to her feet and headed out of the door.

  Chapter 27

  Angelina walked through the family wing, her belly quivering with excitement. Today she was the Quinceañera. It wouldn’t be long now until Grandfather would present her as a woman to friends, family, and acquaintances. It had seemed as if the day would never come.

  Carlos would be here tonight. Her skin tingled and she felt giddy, eager to see the handsome young man. He had turned sixteen two months ago, over a year older than she. Now that she had reached quince años, and womanhood, she hoped he would notice her and her grandfather would not object.

  She had seen Carlos watching her many times, but he had never been more than polite and respectful. As intimidating as her grandfather could be, she had no wonder Carlos had barely spoken to her. But his dark, beautiful eyes framed by long, dark lashes made him so very handsome. He captivated her and watched her whenever he came near her.

  The material felt slightly stiff against her fingers as she smoothed down the top layer of the ruffles on her dress. Ruffles. She hoped she didn’t look like a child. She had wanted to wear something more sophisticated as the Quinceañera for the celebration, but she truly had known better when it came to her grandfather.

  She paused to consider herself in a hall mirror, pushed her shoulders back, and stood straight and proud. She was a Jimenez and she would present herself like one. Not only would friends and family be here, but her grandfather had invited business partners too. Everyone loved an excuse to enjoy a party at a home designed for them.

  Maria had curled Angelina’s long hair into ringlets before sweeping it up off her neck and pinning it to the top of her head. She allowed ringlets to drop down from the upsweep in a very adult style. Like Angelina had promised her grandfather, Maria had applied light makeup. She liked the way the mascara and eyeliner enhanced her eyes and the light lipstick made her appear more mature.

  She turned away from the mirror and wandered around parts of the house she didn’t normally go to.

  Guests would be arriving now and she needed to stay out of sight until it was time for her to be presented. She decided to go to the wing her grandfather had designated as off-limits for children. Now that she had reached womanhood, she felt comfortable and even excited to explore the wing.

  The pink dress brushed her ankles as she walked down the hallway. The dim hall had a quiet, unused feel to it. Perhaps she would find nothing to explore in this place. Still she strolled along. When she reached the end of the wing, she turned to go back. A door to her right opened and her heart nearly stopped. Even though she was not a child anymore, a part of her worried her grandfather would object. She hated to see him angry and she did not want him angry with her.

  But she would face whatever consequences she might have to. Besides, it was the day of her party. Surely she would be allowed some leniency.

  With her chin raised, she looked at the slowly opening door, ready to face whoever might be coming out.

  A woman peered out and her eyes widened when she saw Angelina.

  Angelina’s heart stuttered. The woman had bruises on her face and arms and blood covered her clothing. It stained her shirt, her bare belly, her jeans, and even her shoes. Her dark hair even appeared to be matted with blood.

  The woman froze in the do
orway. Angelina froze too, feeling as if she might not be able to walk if she tried.

  “Help me,” the woman spoke in a rasp. She seemed dizzy and as if she might pass out.

  Angelina found the strength to move and neared the woman, yet kept a few feet between them. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Tori,” the woman responded in Spanish. She sounded fluent, yet she had a slight American accent. “I need help.” The woman who called herself Tori sagged as she leaned against the doorframe. “Please.”

  “I don’t understand.” Angelina started to say more when she saw a weapon in Tori’s hand. Her heart pounded and she wondered if she should run. “You—you have a gun.”

  Tori looked at her hand as if seeing the gun for the first time. “Protection.” She licked her lips as she raised her head to Angelina. “I need it for protection.”

  “From what?” Angelina asked.

  “Men who are trying to kill me.” Tori straightened, looking as though she’d just remembered she should be on guard. “The Jimenez Cartel.”

  Angelina’s lips parted and she blinked rapidly. “There’s no cartel here. And certainly not a Jimenez Cartel.”

  “Diego Jimenez is the leader of one of the most ruthless cartels in Mexico.” Tori continued speaking as Angelina’s belly bottomed out. “I witnessed Alejandro murder a man and they’ve been trying to kill me ever since.” The woman gave a laugh with no humor. “This time they decided to kidnap me. I don’t know exactly what they plan to do with me.”

  Angelina shook her head vehemently. “My grandfather and uncle would never do such things. They are businessmen, not killers.”

  Tori seemed as though realization had just dawned on her. “You must be Angelina.”

  Surprise made Angelina nearly speechless. She managed to say, “How do you know?”

  “I overheard Diego and Alejandro talking about your party tonight.” Tori seemed to be less dazed as she squinted up and down the hall. “They kidnapped me from Arizona.”

  Angelina just stared at Tori. “You are from the United States?”

  “Alejandro and his men brought me here and they beat me.” Tori switched to English and spoke in a perfect American accent. “Do you speak English?”

  Angelina nodded but confusion made her head spin. She replied in almost perfect English, “I do not understand why you are here and why you look as you do.”

  A thought entered Angelina’s mind. She hadn’t understood what her grandfather had said when she’d stood outside his study the day she’d tried on her party dresses, but his voice had sounded harsh in a way she’d never heard before. It had been as if he were a different person.

  She shook her head to shake the thoughts out.

  “Hide me, please.” Tori spoke in an urgent whisper. “I hear voices coming this way.”

  The desperate plea in the woman’s voice convinced Angelina to want to help. She pointed to a tree in a massive pot across the hall from where Tori stood. “You can hide behind there for now. Grandfather will probably send me away from here. I will think of someplace else and come back.”

  Tori slipped through the door and closed it behind her before hurrying across the hall. She slid down the wall behind the potted tree and huddled in the corner.

  Angelina couldn’t stop thoughts from whirling through her mind. The woman must be crazy. No Jimenez Cartel existed, unless another Jimenez family ran one. Her grandfather was a legitimate businessman, as was her Uncle Alejandro and her four great-uncles.

  Why was the woman here? Why did she really look bloody and beaten?

  Should she tell her grandfather? Even though she’d heard his voice being rough and cold, that meant nothing. He couldn’t possibly be responsible for whatever had happened to Tori. Could he?

  The voices came closer. For one terrible moment, Angelina did not know what to do.

  She was a Jimenez. She knew how to act like a lady and remain calm. Maria and her grandfather had drilled it into her since childhood.

  Once again she raised her chin and started in the direction of the voices and recognized they belonged to her uncle and grandfather. She forced a bright smile.

  “I sent a man to check on her,” her uncle’s voice hardened. “He has not returned.”

  Her? Angelina thought. Are they talking about Tori?

  “See to her.” Her grandfather sounded annoyed. “Nothing is to ruin tonight.”

  “Hi, Grandfather, Uncle.” Angelina’s smile didn’t falter as she walked around the curve in the hallway. “Are you ready for my party?”

  Both men looked surprised but recovered. “What are you doing in this wing?” Diego frowned. “I have told you many times it is off-limits.”

  “You told me children are not allowed in this wing.” Angelina stopped walking and stood in front of the two men. “I am no longer a child.”

  Grandfather had a hard light in his eyes that surprised her. He had never looked like that at her. He rested his hand on her upper arm. “Come, my angel.” He gently tugged on her arm and his voice sounded as if he forced warmth into it. “It is almost time for your party.” He glared at Alejandro. “Join the guests after you have checked up on the matter we discussed.”

  Alejandro gave a nod. “Yes, Father.” He turned and headed down the curved hallway.

  Her grandfather guided her out of the wing. “Yes, you are a young woman. But I must make it very clear to you no one is allowed in this wing but a few select employees and myself. Do you understand?”

  Angelina lowered her eyes. “Yes, Grandfather.”

  He put a finger under her chin. “Smile. I do believe it is time for you to make your entrance and I will present you to our guests.”

  Angelina glanced over her shoulder, wondering how she could help the woman hide like she’d promised. She did her best to smile even though her confused thoughts were on the bruised and bloody woman. “I am ready.”

  Chapter 28

  Tori bit down on her fist, trying to keep from making a sound as she huddled behind the planter. She listened to the voices in the hall and heard the girl speaking but couldn’t make out what she said.

  Would Angelina tell her grandfather and uncle where Tori was hiding? God, she hoped not.

  Alejandro walked to the door of the room Tori had just left. She held her breath, her heart thundering. He closed the door behind him. A few moments later she heard Diego’s and Angelina’s voices fade as they walked away.

  Any moment now, Alejandro would bolt out of the room and come after her. Would he think to look behind the planter?

  Should she wait for Angelina, who had promised to think of something?

  Tori shook her head and put her hand to her temple as a dizzy spell overcame her. No. She couldn’t wait. She needed to find someplace safer.

  The door across the hall banged open and through the tree leaves she saw Alejandro with a cell phone to his ear. “Find the bitch. She must be someplace around here. She couldn’t have gone far and couldn’t have escaped the compound.” A pause. “She killed one of our men.” Another pause. “Send men to the north wing. We will search for her here, first. This must be done discreetly so guests are not disturbed or aware of any problems.” Alejandro shoved the phone into his pocket.

  Tori shrank into the smallest ball she could, burying her face against her knees. Please don’t look here, please don’t look here, rang over and over in her head.

  Alejandro’s footsteps clicked against tile as he strode away, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It might be temporary, but it gave her more of an opportunity to escape.

  Her battered body ached when she got to her feet. He planned to send men to this wing to search first. If she could leave it, find another place…

  “Tori,” Angelina’s voice startled Tori. She hadn’t seen the girl approach. “Come with me, now.”

  Tori got to her feet and stepped out from behind the plant and Angelina motioned for her to follow. The girl looked like a fairy princess in her pink gown and
upswept hair with ringlets spilling down the back.

  “My grandfather went to attend to something before he presents me.” Angelina glanced over her shoulder. “We must hurry.”

  Tori didn’t question the girl and followed her down the hall. The girl slipped through a back way, avoiding the main areas.

  As she walked, Tori felt for the gun she’d taken from the man she’d killed. Her skin prickled with a cold chill once she realized she must have left it on the planter while she’d huddled behind the plant. Damn.

  “This is the way the servants get around the house.” Angelina held up her skirts, revealing sparkling pink flat shoes and looking like Cinderella as they hurried. “The servants are all busy with the party, so no one should see us.”

  Even though she felt weak, Tori managed to follow the girl. She began to lag behind and Angelina motioned to her to move faster. “Almost there.”

  “Where are we going?” Tori asked.

  “My rooms.” Angelina pushed open a door, peeked around it then motioned for Tori to follow. A few steps later and Angelina opened a door and held it open for Tori to enter.

  Tori found herself in a beautiful suite of rooms as Angelina closed the door behind them. The girl gestured to the right. “They won’t think to look for you in my bedroom.”

  The door to the bedroom opened.

  Angelina gave a squeak of surprise and Tori’s heart thumped when a woman stepped in front of them. The woman wore clothing a housekeeper might be expected to wear. She must have been in her late fifties.

  The woman held her hand to her heart, obviously shocked by their appearance. “Dios mio!”

  “Shhh, Maria.” Angelina held her finger to her lips. “I need you to help me hide Tori. She is in danger.” The girl shook her head. “Grandfather and Uncle Alejandro—she said they have hurt her.” Angelina didn’t look as though she truly believed it, but she helped Tori nevertheless.