Stealing Beauty (Stolen 1)

I planned to change that as soon as I got back to my own territory.

“I need a plane,” I informed him. “We’ll be in David, Panama in five hours. Can you get your jet to meet me there?”

“Done,” he said immediately. “You can fly into Mexico City and stay with me for as long as you need to. You’re always welcome in my home.”

“We need to get back to California as soon as possible,” I said in clipped tones.

“Just stay with me one night,” he cajoled, but there was an edge to the words. “I have some business I’ve been wanting to discuss with you. I’ll have you on a flight to the States first thing tomorrow morning.”

I swallowed my frustration. For once, Stefano held power over me. The imbalance set my teeth on edge, but I had no choice. I couldn’t refuse him when I was asking him to side with me against my father, putting him in the middle of our dispute. He was taking a gamble and betting on me. I wasn’t in a position to deny his request. Not if I wanted him to get us the fuck out of Panama.

“One night,” I agreed.

“Excellent. I’ll break out the tequila.”

I didn’t want any goddamn tequila. I didn’t want to participate in a farce of a celebration with my tenuous ally.

“Sounds good,” I lied, cursing the man internally. He always had liked to mix business with pleasure, and every meeting was an excuse to have a party. The man practically lived on a diet of margaritas and cigars.

“I’ll see you soon, my friend,” he said. “Safe travels.”

I ended the call. At least we had a way out of Panama, even if it might cost me dearly in the future.

I glanced over at the beautiful woman fuming silently beside me. Even though I despised her, I’d pay any price to own Valentina.“Adrián.” Stefano’s deep voice boomed out my name with exaggerated delight when we were ushered into his opulent study.

Or perhaps he was expressing genuine pleasure. After all, I was about to owe him a huge favor. I had a feeling I knew what he might want, and granting his deepest wish would create serious problems for me.

“You must be Valentina.” He grinned at her, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

Stefano’s black eyes were sharp on her face, a shark scenting blood in the water. “I’ve heard so much about you,” he continued to address her. “Your husband is very concerned about you.”

She stiffened. “I’m sure he is,” she replied blandly.

My fingers curved into her hip. “Valentina is mine,” I declared, glowering at Stefano. “She’s coming back to California with me.”

His razor grin turned on me. “I’m sure Hugo will be devastated. But don’t worry, my friend. I’ll stand by you. We’ve always been close, haven’t we?”

I inclined my head stiffly. Stefano was announcing his allegiance to me, but there was a veiled threat behind his jovial façade. If I failed to return the favor he’d granted me, that allegiance could easily shift to my father.

“Please, have a seat.” He invited us to settle down on the burgundy leather couch across from his matching wing-backed chair. Mateo remained standing, propping himself against the wall next to the door. Stefano had several “friends” loitering in the next room, and Mateo was on his guard, as always.

“I trust your journey from Panama was comfortable?” Stefano asked, making genial small talk. He liked to play the part of gentleman criminal.

I much preferred to cut the bullshit and speak more directly. “It was. I appreciate you picking us up. What can I do to express my gratitude?”

“I was happy to help out a friend.” He waved his hand in an affable gesture, but his square jaw sharpened on a fierce smile, and his dark eyes glittered in the golden lamplight that illuminated the wood-paneled room. Shadows pooled beneath his high cheekbones, adding to the dangerous aura that belied his genteel mask.

He leaned back in his chair, picking up a crystal glass filled with amber liquid that had rested on the table beside him. Idly, he swirled the alcohol, his attention focusing on the drink rather than us.

“There is something you could help me with,” he said slowly, as though he was only just now considering his proposition. His eyes snapped back to mine, keen and cutting. “As I’m sure you’re aware, Pedro Ronaldo has been a thorn in my side for quite some time. I’d be grateful if you could help me resolve the situation.”

I smothered a grimace. This was exactly what I’d assumed he’d ask of me.

“Ronaldo has been a useful ally,” I said, as lightly as I could manage. “He’s been working closely with my man Caesar to open another route to move our product through Mexico.” Caesar Hernández might have once been my rival, but he’d proven loyal for many years now. He’d even promised his daughter, Sofia, to Ronaldo in marriage to solidify the alliance.