Absolution Read online

  She sucked in a deep breath, and her blue eyes darkened. “Who is it?”

  The seriousness of the situation seemed to have broken through her thick skull. About damn time.

  “The Cartel.”

  She held a hand to her forehead, massaging her brow. “The Cartel wants me dead? What about my father, is he in danger?”

  Joseph approached the couch and shook his head at her utter lack of concern for her own welfare. “He’s fine. It’s his job to be safe. You’re the one we need to worry about.” He sat next to her and patted her knee.

  She tensed and scooted her butt a few inches away from him. “Don’t touch me. Why did he have to pick you, of all people? Why not some other agent?”

  “Because I’m the best.” He leaned back, laced his fingers behind his head and propped his feet on the coffee table. Every time he touched Eva, he couldn’t think straight. Hell, even when he didn’t touch her, he had issues. No way did he have a prayer of escaping this encounter unscathed. “And only the best will do for his precious Eva.”

  She scoffed. “I’m sure there are others who can do just as well as you, if not better.”

  “If there were, I wouldn’t be sitting here, now would I? Your father hates me.”

  “Gee, I wonder why?”

  He ground his teeth, guilt heating his cheeks at her sarcasm. “Look, you need to hear the truth about that night. I’m sorry you had to see it. I’m even sorrier I have to be here now, in your house, when you despise me.”

  “Oh, shut up already. I don’t want to hear your lame excuses. Just leave me alone.”

  “I’m not leaving. Not until the job is complete and you’re safe. Until then, how about we try to exist on a business level?”

  She turned to him frowning. “I’m not sure I can be polite to you. Every time I see your bright green eyes looking at me, I want to gouge them out.”

  He pulled his sunglasses off his head and perched them on his nose. “There, problem solved.” He motioned at his face, smirking. “Now you don’t have to see them, and I get to keep my vision. Win-win.”

  She laughed and then covered her mouth. The sound ended far too quickly and a scowl replaced her smile. He couldn’t believe he’d managed to get her to drop her anger, even if it had lasted a mere second.

  “Nope, now I just want to punch your nose.” She ripped his sunglasses off and threw them on the table. Angling toward him, she cocked her head to the side. “Why do you even care about any of this? We broke up six weeks ago. I’d think you wouldn’t feel obligated to protect me anymore.”

  “I’m not obligated. I’m doing it because…because I am. It’s enough.” He wouldn’t be stupid and confess he still loved her. He also wouldn’t tell her he would do anything to hold her again, to be given one last chance. It would be pathetic of him to beg, and he wasn’t pitiful.

  “Not me. I want someone else,” she insisted, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “This won’t do. I’m calling Dad and telling him to find someone else. Anyone else.”

  When she reached for her purse, he grabbed her and threw her back against the cushions. He leaned toward her face, stopping an inch from her lips.

  Eyes narrowed, she cried, “Stop throwing me around!”

  “I’m not leaving. I’m the best, and I won’t allow you to be killed because you’re too childish to be around me again.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. You listen to me, now. I won’t take advantage of you. I promise to try to behave myself and to stay out of your way as much as possible. But I’m not leaving your side until you’re safe.” He didn’t know if he could resist touching her if she gave even the slightest hint of interest, but he would do his damndest. He couldn’t be held at fault if his trying fell short of expectations, now could he?

  “How long will it take?”

  “About three days.”

  She blanched. “Three days?”

  “Yeah. When your father’s undercover mission ends.” Joseph stared at her pale face for a few seconds and then pushed away to return to his seat on the couch. But a bit closer than before. “Worried you can’t keep your hands off of me for so long?”

  He sure was. Already, his palms itched to grab her and throw her down, so he could have his way with her.

  “Pft. I think I can handle myself.” She wrung her hands, scooting a few inches away from him while avoiding his gaze. “I’m more concerned about whether I’ll manage to avoid murdering you.”

  “Well, you’ll have to do your best. For the next week or so, I plan to be no more than five paces from your side at all times. If you shower, I’ll be outside the bathroom door. When you sleep, I’ll be next to you. When you—”

  “Hold up.” She raised a hand. “Sleep? You aren’t sleeping in my bed, you ass. No way.”

  “Scared?” He grabbed his sunglasses and toyed with them. Truth be told, he didn’t want to share her bed, either. Okay, that’s a bit of a lie. He longed to share it, but as her lover. Not her bodyguard. Big difference, there.

  “I remember what you do when you’re asleep,” Eva snapped. “How many times did you wake me up, making love to me in your sleep?”

  Memories flashed through his head of a few more unforgettable moments, and his cock hardened. He shifted on the couch to accommodate the apparent growing of said body part.

  “And I remember how horny you are in the mornings. So, yes, I am. You can sleep on the floor,” Eva finished.

  Her words brought out images in his head of her rising over him in the morning, a sleepy smile on her face as she licked him from head to toe. It wasn’t just him who woke up horny. But, like a gentleman, he would refrain from mentioning it. “Like a dog?”

  “If the shoe fits….” She arched a brow.

  He flinched. “The floor’s fine. I just need to be close to you to keep you safe.” And to love you.

  “Fine, whatever. But keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Indeed. At least, until you ask otherwise. Then all bets are off.” He grinned, trailing a finger down her arm. He couldn’t help himself. She was so fun to torture. She made it too easy.

  Her face turned bright red, and she slapped his hand away. “Don’t hold your breath. You’ll suffocate.”

  “I don’t know. I have a very high tolerance. You should know from experience.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. After he received the expected glower, he asked, “So, what are we doing tonight?”

  “We’re not doing anything. I have a date.”

  Joseph’s heart squeezed in his chest, and he straightened. “The hell you do. Fucking cancel it.”

  Chapter Two

  Eva watched Joseph’s green eyes darken with rage, and she bit her lip. She hadn’t expected him to be happy about her plans. But she shouldn’t have to back out of the date just because her ex had come into town to guard her.

  Right?

  “I’m not canceling. I happen to like this guy. He’s sweet, generous, and attractive. And I bet he won’t screw a stripper in my house.”

  He growled and loomed over her again. “He sounds great. But unless you want me to murder him in front of you, you’ll cancel until next week. I’m not letting you out of my sight, remember?”

  She gulped and pushed him away. “Stop getting in my face. It’s not gonna scare me.”

  “No, but I know one thing that scares you. This.” He closed the distance and kissed her.

  No, he didn’t kiss her. He ravished her, digging his hand into her curls and plundering her mouth. His tongue stroked hers, and she moaned. At some point, he must have lowered her back against the cushions because she didn’t even remember moving.

  His fingers trailed from her scalp, down her throat, and fell upon her breast. He cupped her, toying with her nipple while he nibbled on her lip. Hot desire shot through her blood, and she arched into his palm. When he cursed and pulled away from her, she groaned.

  Why the hell does he have to grow a conscience?

  She bit her t
ongue, blocking any attempt to call him back. He paced in front of her like he always did when he felt frustrated. Maybe she needed to give it a try.

  “I’m sorry, Eva. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She sat up and touched her fingers to her lips. Her emotions battled, each trying to get the upper hand. Desire, rage, betrayal. They were all there. Including overwhelming sadness. If only he hadn’t ruined everything…or she’d been enough.

  No, she couldn’t blame herself. She’d done everything she could, tried her best to keep him happy. She couldn’t be blamed for his indiscretions. She had no idea why he’d done what he had, but she couldn’t be held at fault. Could she?

  “Why?” she whispered. Terror gripped her and made her knees shake. She had to know.

  He paused in his pacing and faced her. Confusion wrinkled his brow. “Why, what?”

  “Why did you do it? Why did you sleep with her?”

  He sank to the chair closest to him. “I-I found out—”

  Knock, knock, knock.

  They both jerked and stared at the door. Then, their eyes met. What had he been about to say? She’d mustered up the courage to ask him the question that had eaten at her for the past month and a half, asked and almost received an answer, when someone had to go and ruin it.

  Damn it.

  How would she get the courage to ask again? And did she even want to know the answer? She exhaled and stood up. “Coming,” she called.

  She took three steps toward the door but stopped when Joseph grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. She gasped and fought his hold.

  “Who is it?” His voice rang out loud and clear in the apartment, and with sudden clarity, Eva realized who had to be on the other side of the door.

  Antonio, her hot date.

  “Um, Antonio Soto. I’m looking for Eva. Is she there?” His voice came muffled through the door, but she recognized his soft accent even so.

  Joseph pressed his lips to her ear, and his hot breath made a shiver run down her spine. Oh, how she wanted him.

  “Is this your date?”

  His hand still covered her mouth, so she nodded. Reaching up, she caught his pinky and bent it. He snagged her wrist with his free hand and held it down. Kicking back, she lurched in his arms. When her foot made contact with his inner thigh—a bit too far to the left, more’s the pity—he grumbled and picked her up until her feet kicked without purchase in the air.

  Son of a bitch.

  “She’s occupied. Date’s off. Go away.”

  Her heel connected with his shin, and he laughed at her attempts to free herself, making her even more furious than she had been. She growled through his fingers and tried to yell. The pressure over her mouth increased, rendering her silent.

  “I’m sorry, but who are you?” Antonio questioned from the hallway. “Eva, are you in there? Are you okay?”

  Joseph whispered, “Tell him to go away, or I’ll shoot him here and now. We have no clue who he works for or what his motives are.”

  Eva shook her head. He frowned, pulled her arms free from between them, and spun her. Somehow, he managed to keep his palm over her mouth. So, she jerked her head in an attempt to get her message across. He removed his hand but kept it close by.

  Eva gulped in air and whispered, “He’s not a killer. He’s a businessman. A good guy. Let me talk to him. He’ll stay unless he sees I’m okay.”

  Joseph sneered. “No deal. He might have a gun.”

  “Eva? Are you okay? Answer me, or I’m calling the police.”

  “Please, let me show him I’m all right. He’s a decent guy.”

  He grumbled something under his breath but loosened his grip on her. “Fine, but make it quick.”

  He kissed her hard before he released her. She scowled at his liberties—while at the same time her heartbeat accelerated.

  “Stop kissing me!” she ordered. “I’m not yours to do with as you please anymore.”

  “Tell it to my body,” he mumbled.

  He motioned her forward and followed on her heels. She looked over her shoulder and saw him rest his hand on his lower back. His Glock 22 was holstered there, loaded and ready to fire at a moment’s notice.

  Like always.

  She took a soothing breath and unlocked the deadbolt. When she swung the door open, Joseph stuck his foot out, leaving a crack of only a few inches for her to speak through. That was all he seemed willing to allow. She shot him a dirty look over her shoulder and turned to Antonio with a smile. His gaze moved first to her hair, which she had a sneaking suspicion appeared mussed, to her swollen lips, and then landed on Joseph. Eva faltered, realizing what it looked like they’d been doing. Ah, hell, what they had been doing. There goes the ‘he’s my cousin’ excuse I’d wanted to use.

  “Antonio, this is Joseph. Joseph, Antonio.” She didn’t bother to explain Joseph’s presence. It seemed pretty self-explanatory. It didn’t stop her, however, from feeling like a complete jerk. “We’ve known each other for years, and he stopped by because he came to town.”

  Antonio stepped forward, sticking his hand through the small opening of the door, to shake Joseph’s hand. When Joseph returned the gesture but placed his arm over Eva’s shoulder instead of on his own damn body where it belonged, she groaned. The message was clear. Joseph had claimed her as his, in male language. She shrugged and tried to step away, but Joseph scooted closer and threw his entire arm around her shoulders. His other hand, she noted, remained on his gun.

  She met Antonio’s gaze and noticed he’d been watching the silent struggle with wide eyes. “Are you okay, Eva? If this man is intruding, I can—”

  Joseph tensed and pulled her closer. “The intrusion, Antonio, is you. There isn’t room for a third wheel here, so….” Joseph moved to slam the door shut in Antonio’s face, but Eva snapped at his high-handed manner.

  “Knock it off right now!” She pushed Joseph back and stepped into the open space of the doorway to hide him from Antonio’s view. “Look, Antonio, I know this looks bad, but it’s not what it looks like. Joseph is an ex, who is having a hard time separating the past from the present. There is nothing going on between us, but I have to cancel our date. Something came up, and he has to stay here for a while.”

  “He seems to feel different. He looks like he’s ready to kill me.”

  “Because I am. Go the fuck away,” Joseph said from behind the door.

  She prayed his voice had been too low for Antonio to make out the words, but if the tensing of his shoulder gave any indication, he’d heard him.

  “I think you should come with me, Eva. This man seems to be a little on the unstable side, if you know what I mean. How can you trust him?” Antonio glared at the door as if he could see Joseph hovering behind it. “He might kidnap you or something.”

  “Oh, I don’t trust him. Not one bit.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw Joseph’s fists tighten.

  “Now, there’s the first smart thing I’ve heard out of him so far. I should kidnap you. And have my way with you while I’m at it.”

  He fondled her ass and she slapped his hand away, stomping her foot out of sheer frustration.

  “Shut the hell up, already! I’m not yours, and I won’t be.” She turned to Antonio. “I’m sorry, but he has to stay. It’s a private matter, but he’s a…um…a friend of my dad’s.”

  Joseph scoffed behind her, and she scowled even more.

  “Well, I don’t like leaving you with him.” He gestured at the door with his head. “I’ll help you do whatever you two are doing. Just let me in.”

  Joseph cursed and jerked Eva to his side, stepping out from behind the door despite her protests. He stuck his head in the doorway and said, “What we’re doing needs two people. I’m not into any kinky shit. Now, get the fuck out of here.” He slammed the door shut, locked it, and turned to Eva with a smile. “There. He’s gone. You’re welcome.”

  Eva stood in shock at Joseph’s barbaric ways. He hadn’t been this bad before. He
acted like he owned her apartment. And her. She shoved him back against the door, not minding the fact she stood five-foot-three with heels on versus his six-foot-one barefoot, and jabbed a finger into his chest.

  “You listen to me, jackass. I am not yours. You lost me when you decided I couldn’t keep you happy in bed. You gave up your right to speak for me and my feelings when you stripped another woman in our bed. The same bed we’d made love in mere hours before.”

  His eyes darkened, and he hardened against her as she plastered her body across his. Her nipples tightened at his obvious arousal, but she forced her body’s demands to the back of her mind. She tried instead to focus on the anger. It was safer, by far.

  “Eva, I never meant to hurt you. I’ve been trying to tell you what happened that night for weeks now. I made a bad choice. I found out—”

  She held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear your excuse. I don’t want to talk to you at all. I’m going to go shower, and you’re gonna leave me the hell alone.”

  She knew she contradicted herself. When his explanation had been interrupted before, she’d fumed. But now? Now, she didn’t want to hear him make excuses about why he had broken her heart. It didn’t matter. He’d destroyed her trust, and nothing would take the hurt away. Nothing would repair the empty hole he’d left inside her.

  “Eva. I’m not going to beg you, but you have to at least hear me out.”

  His eyes beseeched hers, and she ignored the plea. He never begged, so part of her enjoyed the power. Mostly, she feared his explanation—terrified she would forgive him and they’d be in her bed by nine.

  She shook her head. “I’m going to go shower. Don’t follow me.”

  He sat on the couch and leaned back with a mock smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He gestured her toward the bathroom, using a superfluous motion of his hand, and reached for the television remote. CNN, she’d bet. Or maybe one of the stupid gun shows he so enjoyed.

  He looked right at home, just as he would have if nothing had ever split them up. She stared at him, remembering how she used to bring him coffee on Sunday mornings, and her heart twisted. He would sit on the couch, going over files for work, and she would cuddle up next to him and grade papers. Then, when they’d finished their first cup of coffee, he would cook her breakfast.