Page 11 of Wicked Ambition

“Do you have a better idea?”

Yeah, he did. She should return to the States, but he already knew Ayla wouldn’t do that. It wasn’t as if she could hire someone to look for her sister. With the situation in PuertoJardin, whoever she picked could take the money and do nothing. The idea of offering to help her himself roared back, but his team was on an op. If she were in imminent danger, he might be able to get involved without angering his captain, but she wasn’t.

A voice in his head whispered that he couldtellher he’d look for her sister while she returned to LA, but Oz pushed it away. It wouldn’t be true. He’d only be able to keep his eyes open while he did his own job. If there was a threat to Ayla, he’d lie his ass off if that’s what it took to keep her safe, but all he had were his own worries. It wasn’t enough to backslide into how he’d behaved when he was younger.

He needed to think about a plan to get Ayla out of the country and keep her from returning. Sticking her on a plane without her agreement wouldn’t work. She’d turn around and come back. Oz would have to come up with something that didn’t require lying.

“Do you feel up to walking now?” He could mull things over while they moved.

“Of course,” Ayla agreed, sitting upright on the bench.

“Are you positive? Because I’m taking a roundabout route to the hotel to make sure no one is tailing us.”

That startled her. “You mean the gang?” Her voice dropped to a whisper on the final two words and her gaze darted around the park.

Running a hand over his face to hide a smile, Oz said, “Yes, I don’t want the gang to know where you’re staying. It’s unlikely that they followed us, but it’s better to be safe.”

“Definitely,” she agreed. “I can make it. I feel normal now.”

Oz stood, held out a hand to help her to her feet, and reached for the handle of the suitcase before she could grab it. “I got it, Pollita.” Ignoring her protest, he said, “I’m going to walk slowly, but if I go too fast for you, let me know, okay?”

She rolled her eyes. “It was adrenaline. I can walk just fine. I go to the gym, you know.”

“Yeah, I guessed that. What? I remember the tone of your muscles.” Her cheeks went red, and Oz hid a grin. He enjoyed her reactions when he reminded her about their night together. Fuck, he just plain enjoyedher.

This was a problem. He was dealing with desire and memories of how good it was between them. Hebelievedshe told him the truth about being here to save her sister, but he couldn’t trust his instincts when it came to her. Lust had a way of blinding a man to things he should see and his reaction to Ayla in Los Angeles had been strong and immediate. Nothing had changed since then.

“Come on,” he said, inclining his head in the direction he planned to go. “I’m taking you toPalacio Monasterio. It’s the nicest hotel in Trujillo.”

Ayla stopped in her tracks and Oz was forced to turn and walk back to where she stood. “How expensive is this place?” she asked when he reached her.

“As long as you’re in a regular room, it’s affordable. Maybe a hundred US dollars a night, including the fees and taxes.”

She hesitated and then nodded. “Okay. That’s doable.”

If it wasn’t, Oz would spend his own money. There were two hotels she’d be safe in, and the other was priced similarly. He wasn’t letting Ayla stay at a cheaper hotel in some sketchier area of the city.

Sketchy. Yeah. Now he needed to come up with a plan to keep her out of trouble while she searched for her twin. San Isidro was mostly fine. Señor Alvarez, the innkeeper in town, would watch out for her. It was Ayla at the ruins that made his gut clench. Check that. It was the idea of her hiking from the road to the ruins that made his gut clench.

She’d never survive the trek.

He glanced at her profile, saw the determined look on her face as she walked beside him, and swallowed his arguments. Damn, he needed some brilliant idea to pop into his brain, but nothing he’d thought of so far would work.

Oz was still running scenarios when they arrived at Palacio Monasterio. Part of the hotel was a historic monastery, but there was a low-rise building attached that held the vast majority of the private rooms. The architects apparently tried to match the exterior of the two sections, but it wasn’t a successful attempt.

“Are yousureI can afford this?” Ayla asked.

“I promise. Come on.” He led her into the hotel.

Within a few feet of crossing the threshold, she stopped again, looking around. The lobby was large and elegant with carved wood paneling, ornate chandeliers, and seating areas with plush sofas and chairs grouped around either a coffee table or a side table. The concierge was nearly directly in front of them, but the front desk was to their right. With his free hand, Oz encouraged her to move in that direction.

She shot him a skeptical glance.

“Pollita, if you don’t believe me about the cost, ask the front desk clerk. It’s only the suites that are outrageously priced.”

He stood slightly behind and off to the side while Ayla checked in. Her Spanish was good, but the few seconds of mental translation bothered him. A moment’s hesitation could be dangerous if she needed information quickly.

When the desk clerk signaled for a bellhop, Oz said, “I’ll bring her luggage to her room.”

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