Dominance Never Dies (Masters and Mercenaries #11)(117)

She remembered how Robert had wanted to keep her, how he’d tried to hold on to her. “And Theo?”

“He won’t touch them. Says they’re not right.”

Because they weren’t Erin. Because deep down, under all the pain and drugs and treatments, he was still there and still in love with the woman who’d borne his son. “Good for Theo. I suppose Victor got an A plus in screwing over hookers.”

“Victor always strangles them after he’s done. Messy, but it tends to make him happy. I was the one who pointed out that perhaps selecting soldiers wasn’t our best bet. Victor was my experiment. I picked him out of a prison. With no morality to wipe away, all we had to do was train him not to bite the hand that feeds. Truthfully, if I had my way, I’d terminate the other two. I still think they’re dangerous but the doctor is fond of them, and harming Robert is an effective way to keep Taggart in line. Though please call him Tomas. Calling him anything else tends to give him a bad headache.”

She’d never hated anyone quite the way she hated Tony in that moment. And she was a child who’d lost her parents over the greed of others. Somehow Santos’s sins seemed worse. He and McDonald were keeping good men in hell so they could make a profit.

“I’ll make sure not to give him anymore pain than he already has,” she returned. “Should I even ask where we’re going to be staying? I don’t suppose it’s a nice hotel.”

“Hardly, but then you don’t mind it much when you’re f*cking that boy toy of yours.” Santos’s eyes narrowed. “I watched you with him. Should I perhaps offer you to Theo and see if you can change his mind about sex? We know he’s your type.”

Case was her only type. “I’m fairly certain I’m not his.”

“Still, it would be a fun way to f*ck with Case Taggart. Perhaps he would enjoy a postcard with a lovely picture of you in bed with his brother.”

“I’m sure he would have something to say about it.” Thank god he was alive. He was alive. She could breathe again.

“So it was Case you were worried about,” Santos said with a nod of his head. “You thought I’d killed him. I won’t anger Ian Taggart more than my partner already has. She was insane to think she could take a Taggart brother and they wouldn’t find out. Believe me, if I had a say in the matter, I would give that kid back and pray the tiger didn’t strike. Perhaps one day I’ll have more of a choice and then I’ll make a deal with the Taggarts to end this needless war we find ourselves in.”

She could read between the lines. So the minute he no longer needed the doctor, he would kill her and try to save his own skin and keep all the cash. It wouldn’t work. He was severely underestimating Big Tag’s desire for revenge. He wouldn’t be satisfied with merely getting his brother back. He would ensure the people who’d taken Theo could never do it again.

It was the mistake Santos was making with her as well. Drew would get her back, take a deep breath, and then likely hire an assassin to murder Santos. Drew didn’t forget and he never forgave.

Never.

Santos stood, stretching himself out. “As for your accommodations, well, we’re going to be hosted by a clinic. I’m sick as shit of clinics, but the doc enjoys playing around with the patients. I suspect you won’t be there long. I’ve already sent your brother a note requesting payment. Naturally he wants proof of life. We’ll settle in at the clinic and then make him a little video. You’ll be home in a few days and we’ll have the cash we need to finish the project. Victor! Come back and keep an eye on our guest, will you?”

Great. She was getting left with the serial killer.

Theo was the one who showed up. “Sorry. Hutch is flying the plane and Robert is watching him. I’m afraid the turbulence has affected Victor. He’s busy puking. I can handle one small female.”

Santos stared at him. “You know Mother will be disappointed if you screw this up. She’s going to meet us in a few days. That means you’re under my command. If you think Mother can punish you, you don’t want to know what I’ll do this time.”

“If you’ll send me the report of how I screwed up last time, perhaps I won’t do it again.” Theo stood at attention, his shoulders back, his feet aligned. His handsome face was blank, but his tone firm. He was a soldier seeking orders, wanting guidance.

“Just obey and all will be well,” Santos said with a shake of his head. “Watch her. It’s not like she can go many places. We’ll be touching down in an hour or so. Mother will meet us in a week. She’s got some tests to run. Until then you’re my soldiers. Is that understood?”

Theo nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll sit with her. I don’t particularly like to be around the new guy. His voice makes my head hurt. I want to stay away from him at the new headquarters.”

Santos touched his shoulder. “I’ll see to it. Behave and you’ll see that you can have many privileges, Tomas. You’ll see. Everything’s about to change. Once we sell her back to her brother, we’ll have what we need and Mother will be happy with you. That’s what you want, right?”

“Of course,” Theo replied.

An hour until they reached their destination. An hour until they landed and went to meet the person who would provide them with shelter.