Page 88 of Wicked Ambition

Ayla’s lips thinned, and the words he said registered in his brain.

“Wait, let me try again.” He pushed his hair back. “I’m sorry I manipulated you. I know I did it, that it’s not how you were interpreting my actions.” Oz shrugged. “That first apology was what I learned from my parents. The second one is what I meant to say. I’m sorry, Ayla.”

“You’re sorry I found out.”

“No, I’m sorry. Period. No qualifiers attached.” Oz sat on the corner of the couch again so he could look into her eyes. “But to be completely honest, in the same circumstances, I would do it again.”

“You could have explained it to me.”

Oz raised his brows. “Really? You would have listened? You would have stayed safely out of the way and let me and Baggs look for Iona?”

A faint smile crossed her face. “No, I wouldn’t have done that.”

“I know. You threatened to sneak out of the safe house and look on your own when you heard Baggs and I were going to search without you.”

Reaching out, Ayla’s hand curled around his forearm. “I understand you wanted to keep me safe, and I can accept that. My question to you is, are you going to continue to pull manipulative stunts like this in the future?”

He wanted to swear he’d never do it again, but couldn’t lie to her. He wouldn’t lie to her, not about this. “If your safety is on the line? Yes, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, even if it means manipulating you or outright lying, but not for any other reason. I promise, and I don’t give my word lightly.”

Her grip tightened briefly before she released him and leaned back. “You don’t make things easy, do you?”

“Did you want me to lie?” Oz asked. “I could, and I could probably get you to believe me, but I don’t want to do that. Youneed to understand that protecting you and our baby is always going to be my top priority, no matter what it takes.”

The door to the bedroom opened, and Oz stiffened, ready for anything. It was Iona Desmond. She still appeared to be partially under the influence of whatever drug she’d been given, and she leaned against the doorjamb. She wore khaki pants and a navy blue T-shirt that was half untucked. Her hair was stringy and her eyes were glassy.

Ayla immediately crossed to her sister. “Are you okay? How do you feel?”

“Thirsty. Hungry. I need a shower and fresh clothes. Could someone get my things? They’re in room 1238 atHotel Embajador.”

Her voice slurred the last words, and the only reason Iona didn’t land on the floor was Ayla’s quick reflexes. Her twin was out cold again.

Oz got up and went to them, wrapping his arms around the sister. “You can let go. I got her.” He didn’t want his Pollita hurting herself with the dead weight. When she complied, he hefted Iona into his arms. “Let’s get her back in bed.”

As soon as he laid her down, Ayla was there. She pulled the covers up and sat on the edge of the bed, fussing over her twin. He knew they were identical, but he could see why his Pollita said people couldn’t tell them apart. They were damn near clones of each other.

Seemed like the serious conversation they needed to have was on hold for the night.

Chapter 35

Ayla couldn’t stop smiling this morning. Io was up, showered, and her eyes were clear. Whatever drug she’d been given had worn off while she slept.

“I know I was out of it last night,” Io said, towel drying her hair, “but what’s up between you and the dude you were talking to? Did I hear right? Did he say protect you andourbaby?”

Her smile faded. “I’m pregnant,” she admitted.

Io nodded. “That explains the crackers you ate before getting out of bed. Want to give me some more details?”

There was a padded bench near the mirror and Ayla sat before filling her twin in.

Tossing the towel on the foot of the king-size bed, Io sat beside her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and asked, “What do you need me to do? You know I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Ayla nodded. “We have each other’s backs.”

“Absolutely, Ay.” Io straightened and shifted on the bench. “Although you never should have come to Puerto Jardin. This country isn’t safe.”

“I received your message.”

“It seems you only got part of it. I told you to contact Archer at the Paladin League, not fly down here yourself.” Io frowned. “I knew it was a long shot that you’d get anything with the distance involved, but you hate flying and the situation was too dangerous. I wouldn’t ask you to run down here and rescue me. No matter how serious things were.”

---