Twelve Days of Pleasure Read Online Free Page B

skewering him where he stood. Vanessa was tall, nearly as tall as him. And she was lean, with a nice hint of curve to her hips and breasts. She had a dancer’s build, and he imagined her movements would be easy and graceful. She was wearing a white sundress that billowed around her body as it complemented the sun-kissed tone of her warm complexion. Her hair was jet black, the extensive length falling to the middle of her back. She bore a striking resemblance to the Puerto Rican fashion model Joan Smalls, a woman who had graced the cover of a recent
Sports Illustrated
swimsuit edition. It was the only copy of the magazine that Kendrick had ever kept.
    SSA Layton suddenly stepped out of the room. Vanessa’s eyes followed her for a brief moment before shifting back toward him. He smiled, the warmth of it soothing the tension between them.
    â€œAre these all your bags?” he asked, gesturing to the leather luggage that rested on the floor in the doorway.
    She nodded. “Mine and Gabi’s,” she answered, gesturing to the little girl, who was leaning against the sofa back as she stared at them.
    Kendrick nodded.
    There was still something about the situation that didn’t feel right to him. Something felt off. Why was Layton there? And why the safe house in Baton Rouge, a property that sat smack-dab in the middle of cartel territory? A house that had been compromised previously? Fierro’s name attached to this meant there were bigger players involved, even if the man was dead. Where did Bennett fall in the bad-guy hierarchy? And just how much did the beautiful woman standing in front of him really know? Nothing about his orders felt right. Trusting his instincts, he was suddenly on edge. He stole a quick glance at the watch on his wrist.
    Layton suddenly stepped back into the room. “Change of plans,” the commander noted, pressing her hand to the earpiece in her ear. There was a moment of hesitation as she paused, listening to someone on the other end.
    Kendrick and Vanessa cut an eye at each other, both knowing that nothing good could come from plans being changed so sudden.
    â€œYou have new orders, Agent Boudreaux. I need you to take Ms. Harrison and disappear. Are you and Sayed still in touch?”
    Kendrick nodded. “Yeah,” he said, not bothering to mention that the man had just married his sister. “We speak every now and again.”
    â€œLeave a number with him. No one else should know where you are or how to get in contact with you. When we can be sure about Vanessa’s safety, I’ll pass a message on to him. You are not to trust communications from anyone else.”
    Kendrick’s gaze skipped from side to side. “But where...? How long...?”
    Layton held up her hand. “Those are your orders. And you need to leave now. We might have a situation.” She held out Vanessa’s cell phone, a text message on the screen.
    â€œThat’s my phone,” Vanessa suddenly exclaimed. She took a step forward then stopped.
    Kendrick took the appliance from Layton’s hand and read the message quickly.
    â€œWhat does it say?” Vanessa chimed.
    Kendrick lifted his eyes to meet hers. “‘I have eyes on you. You can’t hide,’” Kendrick said, reading the text message out loud.
    Vanessa’s eyes widened. She took a deep breath.
    â€œAgent Boudreaux will keep you safe,” Agent Layton intoned.
    Vanessa reached for Gabrielle, pulling the toddler into her arms. “I’m not leaving Gabi.”
    Layton shook her head. “That’s not possible. Gabi’s going to be fine.”
    â€œYou don’t know that,” Vanessa stated. “Her parents trusted me. So until you find her grandparents and I can personally hand her over to them, I am not leaving her,” she said emphatically. “Either she goes with me or I don’t testify, and I don’t care what my father promised you. I can go back