Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(33)

Hurt crowded in. For a moment she couldn’t even muster a response. How could he use her sister as a bargaining tool?

“You’re a bastard.”

He shrugged. “I’ve been called worse. And I’m the bastard who’s going to keep you safe.”

He was immovable as a mountain. Somehow she didn’t think tears or feminine distress would make a dent in his resolve. Not that she’d reduce herself to that level of manipulation. She had pride. She’d been stripped of everything, her dignity, her will to live. At times she was convinced that her very soul had been forfeit. But she refused to let go of her pride.

“All right, I agree,” she said in defeat. “To whatever it is.” She braced herself for what those conditions would be and hoped she hadn’t just agreed to a deal with the devil.

Rio nodded but he didn’t appear smug over his victory. His expression became serious. “I know she’s your sister and that your inclination is to share everything with her. However, I do not want our current location compromised.”

Grace’s brow furrowed. “But wouldn’t they know where you lived? I mean, this is your house, right?” Then remembering the clothes she hadn’t mentioned, she said, “For that matter, Shea has been here. These are her clothes. How did you get them?”

He held up his hands. “One thing at a time. Yes, they’re Shea’s clothes. No, she hasn’t been here. I saw her last when she and Nathan returned from your parents’ house just after you contacted her last. We had video surveillance of you in the house. Shea asked KGI for our help in finding you. I volunteered to go.”

She glanced up in surprise. “Why?”

He cocked his eyebrow. “Why what?”

“Why would you volunteer? What could you possibly care about a woman you didn’t know?”

The corner of Rio’s mouth curled upward. “I get that a lot of your life has been spent dealing with people without honor. But not everyone is an ass**le. I wanted to help Shea. I wanted to help you. It’s as simple as that.”

Ashamed, Grace glanced down, only to have Rio nudge her chin upward again.

“As for your other questions, yes, KGI knows of this location. They only recently acquired knowledge of it. But knowing I own it doesn’t mean they know where we are. I’d rather keep it that way.”

“Don’t you trust them? You work for them, right?”

“I do">&rned from n’t trust anyone,” he said bluntly. “Not when it comes to something as important as your safety. Which is why if you speak to your sister, the extent of your conversation has to be that you’re okay and whatever pleasantries you exchange. She’s going to want you to come home. She’s going to want you right there with her.”

“Why can’t I be?” Grace asked quietly. “Didn’t you say when you first came to me that you were there to bring me home?”

Rio nodded. “Eventually. When it’s safe. When we know for certain it’s safe. Until then the very last thing you and Shea need is to be together. Makes the enemy’s job that much easier.”

“So all I have to do is agree not to tell her where I am and you’ll let me talk to her?”

Rio nodded. “I, of course, will sit in on the conversation. If at any time you venture into forbidden territory, I’ll

shut it down immediately.”

She opened her mouth to argue but remembered that this was a take-it-or-leave-it situation. Rio showed no sign whatsoever of being able to be talked into anything.

“All right,” she finally conceded. “I agree.”

Rio rose from the bed and stood at the end. “Okay then. Why don’t you come out, get something to eat and then we’ll make the call.”

CHAPTER 16

GRACE walked down the hall shoeless, flexing her toes into the plush carpet. When she reached the living area, polished wood replaced the carpet and was cooler on the soles of her feet.

She paused just a few steps in, staring at the array of men slouched in chairs and on the couches across the room. They were watching a football game on the big screen and arguing about point spreads and fantasy football picks.

It all looked so…normal. Like she’d stumbled into some bachelor pad. Not like she was surrounded by mercenaries hired to protect her.

Terrence looked up and saw her first. He raised a beefy hand—one that was nearly as big as her head—and waved her over.

“Come on, Miss Grace. You don’t want to miss the big game.”

She glanced around, automatically looking for Rio. She found him behind the island bar in the kitchen, obviously preparing something to eat.

He dipped his head in Terrence’s direction. “Go on over. They don’t bite.”

Wiping her hand down her jeans, she walked hesitantly toward the mass of testosterone. There was a mad scramble as they sat up straight and made room for her on the couch next to Terrence.

She took the corner, grateful to have a guy on only one side of her, and leaned into the arm.

“How you feeling?” Terrence asked.

Grace nodded. “Better. Thank you.”

Diego cast her a sideways glance, studying her for a long moment until she was ready to fidget right off the couch.

“Your color is better,” he finally said. “Still a little pale but you’re getting there.”