Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) Read online

  “Hey now, it wasn’t handed to me.”

  Taking a seat, her eyes tilt up at me as I shut the passenger door. They’re full of mischief today, and I’m eager to see it unfold.

  “You might want to hurry it up,” she yells as I open my door.

  “Why?”

  “This isn’t the best part of town.” She grins before her finger meets her mouth, her nail-biting adding a footnote of seduction to her smile.

  “Yes, I observed that. What’s with this amazing mood you appear to be in?”

  Her hands dramatically drop next to her.

  “Uh, hello, you picked me up in a black 1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustang.”

  “I see how it is. It’s the vehicle that has you keyed up.”

  Her head tilts toward me. “Awww … are you jealous?”

  I start the ignition, my expression now serious. “I don’t wear jealousy well, so I don’t put myself in situations where I will feel it.”

  She studies me briefly. “Then this car should not be your wingman. It will win the ladies over every time.” Long black eyelashes bat at me, and this flirty mood she’s in is hot.

  “I’m playing, Adrian.” She gazes at me, both of us silent and still for a minute. The afternoon sun spotlights her green eyes already bold from her matching green top.

  Like the other times I’ve been this close to Victoria, her chest noticeably rises and falls. Her mouth parts, conveying a single thought but a significant one.

  She wants me to touch her. She’ll deny it, but her physical response to me divulges otherwise. That’s excellent since I’m dying to put my hands on her.

  “It’s not only this kickass car that’s exciting. I’m happy to see you, too,” she says hardly above a whisper.

  Shit, I’m probably a fool for believing her, but I want to. I skim the back of my hand across her cheek to her ear before my lips trace the same spot.

  “Damn, you’re irresistible. You do know what that means, right?” I ask.

  Her breath snags on her own desire as she attempts to inhale. “What?”

  “It means sooner or later, I’m going to give up trying.” My lips barely kiss the tender place behind her ear. “Victoria … my cock is steering me toward sooner.”

  “Fuck, you’re going to become a dilemma,” she proclaims.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” After I give one more kiss to her rousing skin, I sit up. “Ready to feel this kickass car on the road?”

  Obvious sexual tension has her exhaling harshly before she grants me a breathtaking grin. “Hell, yeah. Show me what its got.”

  She sits up straighter in the seat, and my foot hits the gas. Yes, it’s going to be an interesting day.

  Victoria

  Adrian is full of surprises. Of course he has another vehicle this expensive. He probably has other toys, too, and a mansion to match.

  He doesn’t get near the Strip. Instead, we head west. The windows are down, and I enjoy the breeze coming in.

  “I can’t believe how relaxed you are while driving this. I would be terrified of something happening to it.”

  “Why possess something you’re not going to enjoy, especially when your life could end at any moment?”

  Hands tighten into fists on the steering wheel, and there he goes … lost in thought.

  “I seldom drive my Thunderbird,” I say.

  Adrian whips his head my directions after my remark brings him back to me.

  “You have a car?”

  “A black 57 Thunderbird. I keep it in the garage at my mother’s home.”

  His expression is one of delight as he glances back and forth from me to the road.

  “How good of shape is it in?”

  “Near perfect. Almost all original.”

  “You know you have to show me.” His lighthearted smile becomes a megawatt grin as he looks over again. “I showed you mine, so you have to show me yours.”

  “Yours is pretty impressive,” I say before giggling like a damn teenager. He chuckles lightly and squeezes my knee. I’m having the best time, and I believe he’s enjoying himself, too.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Red Rock Canyon.”

  “Nice. I love it out there. Wait, you shouldn’t take this car. It will get filthy, and the paint could get damaged.”

  “But I want to drive it there.”

  I frown, knowing he’s right about not letting it sit, but I can’t help wanting to protect it.

  Red Rock is a conservation area in the Mojave Desert. Once we’re there and pay the entry fee, we begin the thirteen mile scenic drive.

  The mountains of red formations are a bold wonder to the surrounding desert, and the sandstones stretch thousands of feet high.

  Limestone formed when the canyon was in an ocean basin millions of years ago, so there are thousands of feet of the grey stone present along the loop of pavement we’re following.

  I smile when I think of how nature meets fashion, the colors complimenting each other beautifully.

  Adrian pulls off the side of the road, bringing the Mustang to a stop.

  “Maybe we should wait until we reach a pull out to park. We’re barely off the road,” I say, once again worrying about the car.

  “This is one of the best spots.” He gets out to look around, so I do, too.

  “I guess we could hike,” he says.

  I jerk my head toward him. “And leave the Mustang?”

  “I was joking. I knew that would be your first thought.” He’s chuckling as I hold my hand up to my forehead to shield my eyes from the sun. I take in the sight of him in navy shorts and a white t-shirt.

  His midnight shade of hair shines, and naturally tanned skin makes him a stunning addition to the background.

  One side of his mouth tips upward. Adrian knows damn well I’m checking him out, so I twist my upper body the opposite direction to study a rock instead.

  Feeling him next to me, I drag in a breath.

  “Cool, huh?” he asks near my ear. “To think it took millions of years to look like this is fascinating. It would be amazing to watch the time-lapse of the transformation on film.”

  “The colors are what fascinate me,” I reply. “I understand the science of it … minerals oxidizing, creating the red, orange, brown and yellow, but all I see is a miracle.

  “It’s as if they match the sunsets on purpose, a higher power painting a mirror portrait of beauty,” I say, finally feeling comfortable to breathe in his presence.

  “Poignant words, Victoria.”

  As nervous as he makes me, I also have this strange insight that he gets me. He understands my random, deep thoughts.

  They’re only mine, but somehow when he listens, they feel meaningful enough for the whole world to hear.

  I’m in a mesmerizing state, encompassed by beauty and truth unlike the false pretense I’m delivering to Adrian. He doesn’t deserve it.

  I don’t deserve his company. He doesn’t seem dishonest. Loyal, yes. Caring, yes. Evil or underhanded, no.

  First I feel the rush of heat. Then, the peppering of pebbles from the earth as the pickup truck barrels past us.

  I spin around, and my hands ball into fists as I yell and run toward it. Picking up a big rock off the side of the road, I launch it at the old truck.

  The shattering sound echoes in my ear as the tires screech. The truck comes to a stop, and I want to hurt whoever is in it.

  Chapter Nine

  Adrian

  The events happen so fast, I can hardly process them. Victoria launches a rock at a truck that sped by, covering us in dust and rocks.

  It comes to an abrupt stop, and I know we’re in deep shit. What was she thinking?

  There she stands in front of me, screaming profanities. Her petite hands are in fists, arms stiff next to her.

  White jeans hug her little ankles as she practically rolls back onto the heels of her tennis shoes from how rigid her body is.

  As two men climb out, she begins
running toward them. I sprint to catch up and grab her wrist.

  She tries to pull free, so I wrap both arms around her biceps, picking her up off the ground. Her legs are flailing, her hands trying to pry my arms open.

  “You crazy, bitch!” one of the men shouts.

  Fuck, is she trying to get us murdered?

  “Yeah, well, you’re an asshole driving that reckless through here—”

  “Victoria, shut up,” I say into her ear with a growl.

  “No, these dickheads need to pay for your car. I’m sure it’s damaged!”

  The driver looks well over six feet tall but is extremely out of shape. He’s in a dirty, white t-shirt that barely covers his round stomach.

  The other guy is shorter than me but fairly fit in jeans and a black tank top. I’m thinking of the best way to take them down if it comes to that as they stalk toward us, seeming more confused than pissed.

  I feel the adrenaline dump as I drag Victoria back to the car. She’s kicking and yelling, and I practically have her upside down by the time I get to the passenger side.

  She’s like a different person, and I wish she would get it together, so I can protect her ass.

  “Stop fighting me, Victoria!” I drop her to her feet and grab her face. “The fucking car–get in it now.”

  Her eyes are full of tears as she moves hair from her face. “I broke their window. They’re going to hurt you.”

  “I can handle it. Now, get in. There’s a pistol under my seat. Don’t get it out unless something happens to me.”

  After she’s in, I shut the door and walk toward them. “Hey, I’m sorry. I think you startled her more than anything, and she’s protective of the car.”

  “She’s fucking crazy,” the passenger says.

  “And she broke my back window,” adds the driver.

  It doesn’t appear they’re armed, and they don’t seem too threatening now that they’ve spoken. “Can I ask why the hell you were flying through here?”

  “My sister brought her kids and mine out here while my brother-in-law …” the driver points to the guy with him, “and I worked on their house, but her car broke down.

  “She called us to come get her, so we were trying to hurry since she’s got a carload of young kids.”

  I hang my head for a second. Victoria and I are lucky these guys didn’t get out firing at us.

  “Look, I’m sorry about the window.” After removing my wallet, I hand them a wad of cash and my business card. “Take this. It should be plenty to cover the window.”

  “Thanks, man.” Eyes wide, he folds the large bills.

  “If you can’t get the car running, call me. I’ll send someone to help you. I’m sorry again.”

  The driver smiles, pleased with my actions.

  “No problem. My sister’s crazy, too. He’ll tell you so himself,” the driver says, laughing and pointing to his brother-in-law.

  “Then you better get out of here and find her.”

  “Yeah, I hope we didn’t mess up your car,” he adds, scratching his disheveled, brown hair. It’s irrelevant. I’d be wasting my valuable time trying to do anything about it if he did.

  It’s more than obvious this family has very little from the sight of their vehicle and clothing. They shouldn’t even be driving on those bald tires.

  “I’m sure it’s fine. It was more dust than anything. I hope your day improves.” I head back toward the car, glancing over my shoulder a couple of times to be sure they’re going the opposite direction.

  Victoria

  Don’t you dare cry. I’ve got to get my shit together. What the hell is wrong with me?

  My body is trembling and heart soaring as Adrian gets into the car. He slams the door and I jump. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should be. You could’ve gotten us killed. They had a good reason to be in a hurry, and I wasn’t off the road like I should’ve been, so it was partly my fault.”

  He starts the vehicle and grips the steering wheel. Looking over at me, he appears astonished and baffled.

  I’ve seen that expression many times in my life when I’ve lost my temper and acted on impulse.

  “They were trying to get to a woman whose car is broken down. The driver said she has a carload of young kids.”

  I lean my head against the passenger window. “I’m sorry I put you in danger.”

  “I was worried about you.”

  I scrunch my forehead. “I can take care of myself.”

  “Yeah, you’ve told me that already, but if you had used your brain, you would’ve been aware of the situation you were putting us in.

  “If they came out shooting, we were too far away to defend ourselves.”

  He’s right. I’m always armed, and with him, I can’t be. I believe he would be suspicious if I was, but I don’t think when I get angry. I only react. “You’re right, and I’m sorry again.”

  He blows out a lengthy breath as he pulls back onto the road. I cringe as we soon approach the truck and broken down car.

  Six children are waiting outside of the old, beat up Corolla that isn’t safe for them to be riding in.

  There is no way they can buckle up, and I’m only feeling worse over my behavior.

  The driver waves and nods, signaling that they have the situation under control.

  Leaning my head against the window, I stare straight ahead as we leave the canyon and drive toward the city.

  Adrian turns on soothing music, another artist I see we both enjoy listening to. We’re only a couple of miles away from my apartment when he squeezes my knee.

  “Talk to me. Why did you react that way?”

  “I got angry that they were driving so fast, but mostly because they likely damaged your car.”

  “I don’t care about the damn car.”

  I pull my head up from the window and stare at him. He takes a few glimpses at me.

  “What?” he asks.

  “When you don’t have a bucketload of money to repair it, you care about shit like that … and besides, you can’t put it back the way it originally was.”

  “The money isn’t why I don’t care, Victoria. It’s because it’s a thing. Things can be replaced, or maybe not if you don’t have the money, but they’re still only things. I enjoy this car, but I don’t need it.”

  I sigh heavily. Adrian doesn’t get it, and I’m not ready to explain it to him.

  “You know, you didn’t strike me as the materialistic type, Victoria. Was I wrong?” he asks with aggravation.

  “I am not materialistic. You saw where I live, how I dress. I don’t behave like many of the servers you have at your hotel, prancing around in their nighties, working to find a sugar daddy.”

  He cracks a smile as I cross my arms. At least he doesn’t seem pissed anymore.

  “Why are you finding this humorous?”

  “I like that you say what you’re feeling and thinking. You don’t hold back.”

  Adrian’s mouth descends to a frown.

  “But that messed up situation back there reminded me of my younger brothers. They don’t think before they act, and it’s a constant worry.”

  The guilt surfaces once again, so I rest my head on the glass.

  “Are you hungry?” he asks.

  “I think I should go home.”

  “Let’s put what happened behind us. It’s over.”

  I don’t respond, so he continues to my apartment. After he parks in front of the building, I get out before he can open the door for me. He quickly comes around to the passenger side.

  “I appreciate you taking me out, and I’m sorry I ruined your day.”

  “My days are mundane. Today was not, and you are the farthest from it.” He steps toward me, pinning me against the sleek, black Mustang.

  His palms press to the car, one on each side of me. “I’ll leave you alone to do your job while you’re at Submission, but I want you outside of it. See me, Victoria.”

  Leaning forward, I rest my head against
his chest. One of his arms encircles my waist while the other strokes my hair.

  It’s intimate and tender, and I’m at a loss for words. He’s only a few of the ways I imagined him to be, and those not expected are wonderful.

  But, some seemingly nice people do bad things, and it’s possible Adrian is one of them.

  I stretch on my toes enough to put my mouth at his ear. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I just can’t.”

  Chastely kissing his neck, I move out from under him and dart to my door.

  I don’t look back. I should’ve never looked to begin with.

  Chapter Ten

  Theo

  “I have the latest report from Boone,” I say to my brother, Adrian. “He believes a transfer is going to take place soon. His undercover dealer has become tight with one of Victor Larios’s men.

  “Said he told his guy that Victor received a substantial payment from a militant Islamic group. I’m guessing Al Qaeda, but with ISIS rising now, who knows?”

  “Get me a new cell phone I can talk to Boone on. With detective Hart working here, I don’t want to take any chances on our phones being tapped.”

  Adrian slumps back in his chair and stares up at the ceiling. His mood is different today.

  “What’s going on with you?” I ask.

  “I’m tired of thinking we’re making progress only to have the terrorists grow stronger.”

  “We’re doing what we can over there and preventing more of them from coming here.”

  “I guess,” he says, still staring at the damn ceiling.

  “No ‘I guess.’ We are, Adrian. It’s a fact. Now, stop sulking. I need you to stay strong.”

  He sits up, his forearms hitting his desk as he leans over. “Maybe I need something else.” He’s glaring at me, and I’m not sure where he’s going with this.

  “What do you need?”

  Adrian’s expression turns from angry to sad as his eyes roam his desk. “I don’t know. I’m sick of the same routine. You have a wife and kids to go home to. I fucking live where I work.”

  “So … you want a wife?” My surprise is evident in my tone.