Page 43 of Love Undercover
“Sadie.”
She looked up at him, taking in the intensity of his gaze.
“It’s important to remember that anything I say from here on out is an act. None of it is real or true. Okay?”
Her chest tightened, a little spark of panic igniting in her core, but she fought to tamp it down and nodded.
16
An Enemy Revealed
Chase went back into the main part of the house as he heard the footsteps on the front porch. Two sets. So it was Santiagoandhis little pet, Travers.
The question was if Zimmerman knew about this visit, or if it was Santiago’s idea. He wouldn’t put it past the big Spaniard, given that he had never liked Chase, even before he’d outstripped him in rank.
He opened the door before Santiago could knock, though Chase hadn’t expected him to. Santiago probably knew that Chase was aware of his presence. His ready smirk when the door swung open gave it away, his obsidian eyes glittering with glee like he’d caught Chase with his hand in the cookie jar. He must have suspected something was off already. He’d always questioned Chase’s motives, but the stakes were higher now.
It set Chase on edge.
“You have a pretty little present for us in there?” Santiago purred, craning his neck to see past him to the bedroom.
How he knew where it was, Chase had no idea. This place had been his secret hideout until now. But just as Chase did, Santiago had his ways of getting information. His methods usually didn’t fall under thelegalcategory. Bribing or threatening the right person was not out of the realm of possibility.
“Definitely not for you,” Chase answered, working to keep his voice neutral enough to not seem defensive. The effort to not throttle the man snapped a rigidity into his muscles, and he clenched the doorknob harder.
“Aw, but she’s so. . .” Santiago sucked air through his teeth. “Delicious.” He brought his eyes back to Chase’s face as Travers snickered from behind him.
The smaller, wiry man was lacking in the brains department, but he had his uses. Having no moral compass meant nothing kept him from doing whatever he was told. Unfortunately, he was entirely too devoted to Santiago.
“Aren’t you going to invite us in?” Santiago asked, his faint accent landing heavier as any pretense of friendliness sluiced away.
Chase didn’t move, but Santiago pushed forward anyway, holding Chase’s gaze like a dog challenging another to see if he would charge or back down.
Chase did neither, though the image of taking Santiago down played in the back of his mind. That was a future reality he’d someday relish.
He was aware of Travers as the little man slunk into the house, allowing himself to be overly familiar with the sparse decor. Chase pretended not to care, though he didn’t like seeing Travers running his slimy fingers over his stuff. This was his home, his safe haven. Irritation churned inside even as he kepthis face stony. He couldn’t give these two anything to use against him.
“I haven’t told Zimmerman you brought home a little souvenir,” Santiago said, drawing Chase’s attention back to him. “I don’t think you have either.”
Again, Chase said nothing.
“It’s our little secret for now.” His smug smile widened.
Chase’s gut coiled at the tone, at the charge that filled the air. Something was coming. Something he wasn’t going to like.
“I haven’t checked in because I’ve been busy trying to get information out of the girlfriend,” Chase said, his tone belying nothing.
“Had much luck? You got to her before we could.”
Chase caught the note of frustration and tried to shove down any sense of satisfaction he felt about the fact. It was hard not to want to provoke the other man. “Some of us move faster than others.”
Santiago’s eyes tightened, and Chase fought his own smile. He didn’t have the upper hand yet.
“Interesting tactic, kidnapping her,” Santiago continued.
Chase lifted a shoulder, the picture of nonchalance. “I figured it would give me a lot more time to work her over for information.”
Santiago snorted, dark eyes raking him up and down with bawdy skepticism. “Work her over, huh?”
