Sexual Affection (Contemporary Cowboys 3)

“You’re standing next to one of the richest men in the Carolinas. I’m sure Cartwell will help you get creative. Oh, and put Zak Blazier on the phone.”

“Zak? Why?” She turned around and stared at the man she loved, the man who was now seemingly a stranger. Why would her sister’s kidnapper want to speak with Zak? What did he have to do with this? There were so many layers to Zak, so much about him that was still a mystery to her, and the unknown greatly disturbed her.

Kane scowled at Zak. “Why would he ask to talk to you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Miss Baldini, we don’t have all night. Paddles and Picnics at midnight. That should give you time to work out some creative financing with Kane Cartwell or the McKays. I’m sure his good friends are standing by in Fletcher. Now. Put Zak Blazier on the phone. I won’t ask again.”

“He wants to speak to you,” she said, handing Zak the phone.

“This is Zak Blazier. Who is this?” Zak studied his brothers who were standing across the room. Did they understand what this was about and if so, why? How was Zak involved with those responsible for Nory’s kidnapping?

At one point Zak said, “I’m sorry I can’t help you. Wait. Wait. Okay.” He held his hand up in the air. “Okay. Slow down. Tell me what you want and when you need it by. I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

Drina tucked her forearm underneath her elbow and chewed on her thumbnail. She paced the room, waiting for the call to end so she could question Zak. At one point, she squeezed Gemma’s hand in passing, wanting to comfort her but uncertain how she could help in a crisis like this. She could barely keep herself together much less help Gemma. Besides, Gemma was blitzed. She teetered back and forth as if she believed she could rock herself into sobriety.

“Hold on. I have to…I have to check with my brother. You don’t understand. I don’t have that kind of power!” He thinned his lips and finally threw up his arm and nodded at Dallas. “We’ll make it happen. Yeah. Yes. All right. Midnight. Paddles and Picnics. We’ll wait for further instructions there.”

Zak ended the call, tossed the phone to the counter, parted his feet, placed his hands at his belt, and blew out a few hard breaths.

“I can guess,” Dallas said, shaking his head.

“They want guns and a lot of them,” Zak said.

Gemma glanced at Drina. “Guess I’m not the only one who runs with criminals, huh?”

“Do you know these people?” Drina asked, refusing to dignify Gemma’s slam by acknowledging her.

“They’re all connected,” Kane grated out. “Tell her, Zak. You owe her that much.”

“We’re legit now, Cartwell.” He searched Drina’s eyes before he grabbed her face with his hands and said, “Baby, you gotta believe me. If you don’t believe me then all of this has been for nothing.”

Kane’s eyes held pure fire. “She doesn’t have to believe a damn thing.”

Zak looked helpless. For a minute, it was as if Drina were watching a movie with a scene where the character turns around and around while the room’s furnishings become a blur.

After they’d wasted precious time on silence, Kane finally said, “Tell us what they asked for and how close you are to giving them what they want.”

Dallas looked rougher, meaner, and downright dangerous then. “What exactly do they want?”

“An arsenal.”

“Do we have it?” Dallas asked.

Zak slowly shook his head.

Kane went to Peyton and placed his hand on her shoulder. She immediately grabbed his wrist with both hands, apparently comforted by his close presence.

“We could unload what we have left and make them think they’re getting more than what they asked for,” Hales suggested. “We have ways of packing this shit to make it look like the receiver is getting more than what they are. We still have all the crates to do it.”

“There isn’t time,” Dallas said.

Zak frowned. “It wouldn’t work with these guys anyway.”

“We’ll make it work,” Drina said, desperate. “I don’t know how you’re involved with these people but you have to make them believe you will give them what they want.”

“Drina.” Zak said her name as firmly as he’d ever said anything in her presence. “I want you to stop and think about this. How would anyone involved with your father know about our family’s past business dealings?”