Come Midnight by Kat Martin

Author:Kat Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2021-03-12T20:06:06+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

BREE HELD DEREK’S hand as they crossed the clearing in the wake of Cisco’s stout, thick-shouldered frame. Night had fallen, the darkness lit by the orange-red glow of burning campfires.

A large tent had been set up a short distance from the rest of the camp. Cisco motioned them inside. Derek led the way, ducking his head, stepping onto a thick wool carpet that covered the floor in a bright-colored native design.

Bree let go of Derek’s hand as Rafael Castillo rose from an ornately carved wooden chair at a round, leather-topped table. A second man rose from the opposite side—blond, blue-eyed Julio Montez. His gaze ran over Bree, and a shiver of foreboding crawled up her spine.

Only Castillo approached, but it was Montez whose presence chilled her. She focused on the man with the scarred eyebrow, El Defensor, the leader of the group.

“Ms. Wingate.” Castillo took her hand and brought it to his lips as if he were a courtier instead of a terrorist. “A pleasure to see you again.”

Bree made no reply.

“I spoke to your father,” Castillo continued. “As you know, tomorrow is the last day for him to gather the necessary funds for your release. He assures me he will have them ready by the end of the day. Should that occur, the following morning, you will be transported by helicopter to the rendezvous site, where the money will be transferred by computer, deposited into an offshore account. After the transaction is complete, you will be released.”

She squared her shoulders. “Along with my fiancé, correct?”

He shrugged. “If that is your wish.”

“I won’t leave without him. You may tell my father that.”

Castillo flicked a nearly imperceptible glance at Montez before he answered. “As I said, that is your decision.” His lips tipped into a smile. “Enough talk of business. Tomorrow our goal will be met, our task here completed. Tonight we celebrate. You will enjoy a meal of roast pig served with machuca and boiled mashed plantains. Also pupusas, thick tortillas served with frijoles. You will drink our special horchata mixed with guaro, a liquor made of sugarcane. It is quite delicious.”

Montez said nothing, but his smug, predatory gaze made his intentions clear. No way was she drinking alcohol tonight.

“You are both dressed for the evening,” Castillo said. “Shall we join the festivities?” He offered her his arm, and though it was the last thing she wanted to do, she accepted, lacing her arm through his. She didn’t miss the dark look on Derek’s face as Montez held open the tent flap and she and Castillo walked past him into the night.

They paused next to the largest campfire in the circle, where a makeshift table and chairs had been set up and draped with a bright-colored, striped woven cloth. Castillo pulled out a chair and seated her, waited for Derek to sit down, then seated himself. An empty chair beside him waited for Montez.

Then one of Castillo’s men came forward, bent and whispered something that Bree couldn’t hear.

“I’m afraid you will have to excuse me,” Castillo said, rising.

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