Absolution Read online

  Absolution

  An Honor Guard Book

  by

  Diane Alberts

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright © 2012 by Diane Alberts

  ISBN: 978-1-61333-237-5

  Cover art by Mina Carter

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

  Look for us online at:

  www.decadentpublishing.com

  Also by Diane Alberts

  Kill Me Tomorrow

  A 1Night Stand Story

  Reclaimed

  ~DEDICATION~

  To my editor Laura, for pointing out when my hero didn’t have enough hands to do everything I wanted him to do.

  To Dawn, for being my beta reader and helping me decide what government enforcement agency Joseph should belong to.

  To Kaitlyn, Hunter, Gabriel, Emmy, Mom, Dad, Cyn, Tina and my in-laws. I love you all.

  With the most love possible, to Greg, my own ex-marine. He just might be a lot like Joseph in his stubbornness and shooting abilities.

  Chapter One

  “Let me get this straight, sir.” Joseph stared at Colonel Hugo Gonzales, wondering if he’d hallucinated. “You want me, your daughter’s ex-boyfriend, to walk back into her life and protect her from some kind of threat? Sir, six weeks ago, Eva threw me out and screamed at me loud enough to wake the neighbors. And you made sure to keep—”

  Hugo straightened in his seat and frowned. “I’d rather you not remind me of the past.”

  Joseph laughed. “Well, I assure you she remembers finding me passed out, naked, with a stripper next to me. I doubt she’s forgotten.”

  “You don’t need to convince me she still hates you. Hell, I hate you. But, I also know you’re the best shot in this city and the best option to keep her alive. And my love for her is stronger than my hatred for you.”

  Joseph didn’t find it shocking he brought out such animosity in the man. Who wouldn’t dislike him in the same circumstance? “She’s not going to let me inside her house, yet alone close enough to keep her safe. The kind of vigilance she requires is twenty-four-seven.”

  “She’ll do what she’s told. These are dangerous times in Mexico. She’ll agree to my demands, or she’ll return to America like I’ve begged her to.”

  Hugo’s arrogance hung over the room like fog, stifling Joseph. A tug at his collar didn’t help, and he let out a dramatic sigh. At that moment, he had difficulty remembering all the enjoyable afternoons he’d spent fishing with Hugo…before the incident. “There’s another problem. Poza Rica is a good three hours from Mexico City, where my next assignment is located—”

  “Not anymore. I spoke to your superior, and you’re officially assigned to the case.”

  “I’m not Secret Service. I don’t do protection detail. Wouldn’t you prefer someone more experienced in these manners?”

  “You’re the best shot around, and you owe her. I’ll accept no one else,” Hugo snarled.

  “I’d been assigned to another mission.”

  “Things change.”

  Joseph ground his teeth in an attempt to bite back the sarcastic remark fighting to escape, but he just couldn’t help pushing Hugo’s buttons. “But people, obviously, don’t. You’re still an arrogant ass who thinks he can order everyone around—even when they don’t even work for you. And interfere in everyone’s life.”

  Hugo frowned. “I’ve earned the right to order everyone around by busting my ass all my life. Including you. And you will damn well treat me with respect.”

  Joseph stood straight and clicked his heels together. “Yes, sir.” Damn it all to hell, he was right. Joseph had a duty to show this ass deference, like it or not. He was a special agent in the ATF, and Hugo a colonel in the Mexican military. Though Joseph wasn’t in the military, he still owed the man respect. “What is the problem with Eva, sir?”

  Hugo sighed. Opening the upper left drawer, he pulled out a file, dropped it on his desktop, and motioned toward it with a wave of his hand. Joseph picked up the thick manila file and sat back in the chair that had been placed in front of the colonel’s desk. Crossing his foot over his left knee, he laid the file in his lap.

  After a few minutes of reading, he raised his eyes to Hugo’s. “She’s being threatened…why? What have you done?”

  “I’m in a secret investigation, working undercover against the Cartel. My cover is Emil Riordes. I’m a trucking company owner who turns his head when, once a month, a shipment of guns is delivered to the coast of Falcon Lake by the Cartel.”

  Joseph sat up straighter, dread in his heart. “Wait a second, sir. Are you referring to the same people suspected of all the murders and pirating of boats to ship firearms? The same group no one can seem to catch in the act?”

  Hugo nodded. “Now, you see why I need you. They demanded I up my shipments to them to twice a month, and I refused. For the sake of my cover, I said I didn’t want to draw the suspicion of the authorities. They insisted. I still refused. I hoped to draw out a big shot by my refusals.” His voice wavered, and he ran a shaky hand over his mustache. “It worked, but I never imagined they’d find out about Eva. I got this picture today.”

  Hugo took the photo of Eva leaving the school where she worked. On her face, smack between the eyes, someone had drawn a red X. Nothing more, nothing less. But the meaning couldn’t have been clearer. Joseph shoved the picture into the file before slamming it back on the desk.

  “How long until the operation is over?”

  “Three days. We expect to catch a very big fish.”

  He ground his teeth and closed his eyes. Aw, shit. Eva would probably murder him before the mission reached completion.

  “One of the Cartel’s top men, Captain Soto, is coming to Poza Rica for a huge shipment—and to deal with me. He’s suspected of murdering two border patrolmen a month ago, and the CIA wants him. Bad. The truck has been booked, and an undercover agent is the driver. After this all goes down, the threat will have been removed, and I’ll be off the case. And far away from this hellhole.”

  “For both of our sakes, you should consider another option. I know a man who is excellent at guarding—”

  “No.” Hugo shoved up from his chair and snapped, “Only the best will do.”

  “Sir, with all due respect—”

  Hugo opened the same drawer the picture of Eva had been in and pulled out another photo, shoving it under his nose. “Look at this. This is the last woman they murdered. Her fiancé managed to anger them enough that they shot him in the head and then stole his woman to rape her before mutilating her. Afterwards, they sent us her location to mock us. They left her next to a dumpster in an abandoned alleyway. Like garbage.”

  Joseph looked down and fought the bile rising in his throat. The woman had been stripped naked and stabbed, the number of times impossible to tell due to a
ll the blood. Not to mention the ear-to-ear slit throat—deep enough so he could see a peek of her vertebrae, creating a mockery of a smile.

  “Still want someone else to protect Eva?” Hugo snarled.

  Joseph threw the picture back on the desk. “Where do I find her?”

  He wasn’t about to let Eva turn up in an alleyway like the woman in the photo. She might hate his guts, but he couldn’t say the same of his feelings for her.

  In fact, he loved her.

  ***

  Eva walked out of the school and slipped her sunglasses on. The sun glared against the white cement, and she had to blink a few times to adjust, even with the dark lenses over her eyes. No wonder her students hadn’t given her even half their attention throughout the day. They all wanted to go out and play. She couldn’t blame them. She could use a bit of playing herself. And she had a date later to prove how badly she needed a night of fun.

  She and Antonio had come into the coffee shop at the same time every day, and after a ton of light flirtation, he’d asked her out. Her love life had been a bit slow going the past six weeks, since her ex had broken her heart and stomped it into itty-bitty pieces. Not only had he cheated on her, but he’d also had the audacity to pass out naked and drunk afterwards. With a stripper.

  In their bed.

  But why dwell on the past? She had a hot date with a new guy.

  “Eva,” a voice called from behind her.

  She stopped dead in her tracks. His voice washed over her like an electric shock, causing her heart to race and her knees to go weak. Oh, hell no. Anyone but him. Did he somehow sense he was on her mind? With a moan, she squeezed her eyes shut tight. No, it has to be a coincidence. My imagination.

  “Eva, look at me,” he said, his voice sounding closer.

  She shook her head, wiping her shaky hands on her khakis.

  His face swam into her mind. The only logical explanation for his voice echoing in her ears was pure fancy. She just thought it was him. When she turned around, she would see someone else who sounded like Joseph. A trick of the mind.

  “I’m not going to disappear if you refuse to look at me.”

  Why me? Why is he back? What the heck did I do to deserve such torture?

  Opening her eyes, Eva took a calming breath and spun to face him. She hadn’t seen him since she’d kicked him out of her bed and life six weeks ago. Her heart ached from just one look at him. Damn it, he looked good. His hotness served to make her more furious, and she welcomed the emotion with open arms.

  “Really? I was so hoping you would. But you know what does work? Me, walking away. Which I’m doing now.”

  She turned, took a step, and found her escape thwarted by his hand on her elbow. When she tried to yank loose, he tightened his grip and stepped closer, his chest brushing against her shoulder. Jolts of lust shot through her.

  Damn him.

  “Let go.” She fought to control her emotions.

  He released her, and ran an unsteady hand through his exceptionally perfect auburn hair. Ha, at least he wasn’t unaffected by her, either. Good.

  “I’m leaving, and you’re going back to wherever the hell you came from.”

  “Sorry, pumpkin, but that’s not an option,” he said, almost pulling off an apologetic tone. His endearment made her heart lurch.

  “Don’t call me that. You lost the right to use your nickname for me when you fucked a stripper in our bed.”

  Joseph paled and backed up a step. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to guard you. You’re my new assignment.”

  “What? Me? Why the hell would someone send you to protect me? I’m a teacher, for Christ’s sake. I’m in no danger. Well, maybe a kid will puke on me, but it’s no reason for a guard.”

  “Your father disagrees.” Joseph crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows.

  “My father put you up to this? But he hates you.” If her father had asked Joseph for help, then he must be worried. And if he had a reason to be worried, well, then, so did she. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ll tell you everything. But not until I get you inside. Take me to your place.”

  She laughed. “Hell, no.” Worried or not, he would get nowhere near her apartment ever again. “I told you when I kicked you out you’d never be welcome inside my house again. Nothing has changed. I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.” She took a step away and once again he took her by the elbow.

  This time, Joseph didn’t halt but grabbed her and dragged her behind him. “No, you can’t. And if you won’t take me to your place, I’ll just lead the way. Either way, I’m getting in.” He tugged her toward the red-roofed, stucco building Eva lived in, and she tensed.

  “Go to hell!” She struggled against his hold, but he didn’t even pause. She tried to dig her heels into the cement and yanked her arm but failed to free herself from his grip. “I’ll scream.”

  He leaned toward her, getting in her face. “You wouldn’t dare.” Without waiting for her reaction, he continued to escort her toward her building.

  She opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and yelled, “Help—”

  Joseph stopped, eyes wide. He spun her until she rested against the wall of a nearby building. She had time to yelp before he crushed his lips to hers and thrust his tongue inside her mouth.

  She pushed against his shoulders, and he groaned, deepening the kiss. She longed to bite his tongue, to kick him in the balls, but damn it, he felt so good. It might have been six weeks since he’d last kissed her, but her body remembered him well—including all the feelings he brought out within her—and wanted more.

  She pulled him closer while he slid his palms down her back and cupped her buttocks, hauling her up tight against his erection. She groaned in unison with him. He tore his mouth away and nibbled on her right ear.

  “God, Eva, I’ve missed you so much.”

  Nothing he could have said would have sobered her more. Man, but he had some cojones telling her he missed her! He’d cheated on her, not the other way around. She jerked out of his hold and slapped him hard across the face.

  He covered his cheek with his hand. “Damn.”

  “You’re a nasty son of a bitch. You broke my heart.” Her voice cracked, and she grimaced at the tears stinging to her eyes. She’d cried so much over this man already, how could she have more to shed? “And you stroll back into my life, kiss me, and tell me you missed me? Fuck you!”

  He pressed his lips together and shrugged. “I can’t help it if I miss you. I can’t help it if I regret what happened every single day of my life. One night. One night of bad decisions, and my life got ruined. And has been ever since.”

  Her heartbeat sped up, and she raised her fists. “Your life was ruined? Have you any idea what it felt like to find you with that…together?”

  He kicked the wall and grabbed her elbow. “Yes, I do. But right now is not the time for this discussion. I need to get you inside.”

  “No.” A sharp tug freed her arm from his hold. She ignored his scowl and raised her chin another notch.

  “Tell you what, you’re going to follow me inside your apartment, or I’m going to kiss you again and not stop until you forget why you hate me. Do you understand?”

  She could have argued, stood her ground, but she feared he would do what he promised.

  Unfortunately, she wanted him to.

  ***

  While Eva unlocked the deadbolt to her apartment, Joseph drew his gun. They entered the foyer, and he quietly shut the door. Turning, he grabbed her hand and jerked her behind him.

  “Wait here until I make sure it’s safe,” he commanded over his shoulder.

  He strode into the living room, ensuring it was clear of Cartel assassins before moving on through each room until he reached the bedroom. Once satisfied of the apartment’s safety, he returned to the living room, holstered his gun, and motioned Eva inside. She glared and marched past him, tossing her purse on the table. He moved to lock the door and leaned against
it. The smell of gardenias met his nose, transporting him back in time to when he’d basked in her love. When he had been the luckiest guy in the world.

  Until the night his life got fucked up beyond belief. Hell, he didn’t even remember most of what happened the night he’d lost her. It was all a blur—always would be. He gritted his teeth. He’d give anything to do it all over again and stay home instead of going out. He wouldn’t have gotten drunk and reckless.

  But he couldn’t. And instead, he got to watch the woman he loved flop herself down on the couch and cross her arms while scowling him. What he would give to have her twined around his body, the two of them naked and rolling around on the bed, wrapped in the blanket of her long hair….

  Seeing Eva again had shaken Joseph more than he’d expected. Sure, he’d known it would be tough. Being near her always managed to leave him unsettled. Pure Mexican fire ran through her veins—along with that temper—but her mother’s American genes gave Eva’s skin a translucent hue. She’d managed to inherit her mother’s blue eyes and her father’s dark hair. The combination never failed to make his blood boil.

  “Well, why are you here?”

  Her voice ripped him from his reverie, and he shook his head to clear it. “Your father is working on a mission, and he managed to piss off his target. Imagine that?”

  Arrogance ran thick through Hugo, which both angered Joseph and brought a reluctant admiration from him. Long ago, they’d even been friends—until Joseph had the gall to break his little girl’s heart.

  “They discovered he had a daughter and threatened you to ensure his cooperation.”