Page 103 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

"That is done." Diego returned the phone to its base before going back to the laptop. "I do still have my fingers in a few little pies." He seemed to roll his eyes from behind the cover of the laptop. "Let's see if I can't get a report should we have any unscheduled flights landing in the near future. He wouldn't come by boat, it would be too slow."

"He's already in Aruba." Ian folded his arms across his chest and glared back at Diego.

Diego cast his son a look of disbelief. "I would know if he were, trust me. Sorrell may be rather good at keeping his identity hidden, but he's not that good at keeping his presence hidden. Where he goes, death and the disappearance of lovely young women follow. We haven't had a disappearance in Aruba in over a year. Trust me, he isn't here yet."

Kira turned her back on the two men, her gaze colliding with Deke's, as Diego and Ian began to argue the points for or against Sorrell being on the island. It seemed a useless, pointless argument, until you paid attention to what wasn't being said and let the undercurrents of the conversation ebb and flow instead.

"You're a drug lord, not a terrorist, Diego," Ian reminded him coolly. "I don't think you're as knowledgeable about that particular species of evil as you believe you are."

"Terrorists are not so different." Diego shrugged as Kira turned back to him.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at his son, a quirk tugging at his lips. "We both have a vision and we fight for that vision. I say we have the right to choose to enjoy the stimulation of the drugs, the same as we have the right to bear arms or to the freedom of speech that Americans seem to be enjoy with such enthusiasm. Personally, I've always a found a drug addict to be much more literate, easier to get along with, and easier to control than your irate, political mismatch of lawmakers that America seems to find such great pleasure in electing to office."

Ian shook his head quickly as though attempting to shake reality back into his mind.

"Don't fuck with me today, Diego," he bit out. "I'm not in the mood."

"He could have a point, Ian," Kira drawled then. "Just think, if all our politicians were happily running out to the nearest convenience store to buy their next fix, they wouldn't be giving the rest of the nation a headache debating laws and freedoms. Anarchy could reign peacefully then."

Diego's burst of laughter was filled with merriment.

"That is a sharp female you have on your hands, my son, I hope you intend to keep her around for a while."

Ian gaze locked with hers again. It was a brooding, dark look, one that sent a shiver down her spine because she could see the warning in it.

"I need to question, Muriel," Ian stated rather than answering Diego's statement.

&nb

sp; It was deliberate. Immediately all humor fled from Diego's gaze and his gaze flickered with pain. But even that seemed to bring Ian no satisfaction. Kira could see the tension gathering in him though, the need to have this finished, to have it over.

"Kira, we need to talk first." She was surprised when Ian walked to her, gripped her upper hand, and led her to the door. "I'll be back in a bit," he tossed over his shoulder. "Deke, stay in contact with the guards outside and let me know if you need me."

"Gotcha, boss."

The door closed behind them as Ian headed quickly for the stairs.

"What the hell is your problem?" she hissed.

He was silent, tense, until they reached the bedroom and he slammed the door behind him. Stalking to the bureau, he checked the security on the room, slammed that drawer closed then turned back to her.

She could see the storm in his eyes then, the anger that bit at the edges of his control.

"Don't you dare feel sorry for him," Ian snarled, his voice low, intent. "I saw your eyes, I saw it in your face. Don't think for a minute that you can save him."

She licked her lips nervously. She didn't have a choice but to save him.

"He's a monster," she began, then inhaled roughly as satisfaction glittered in his eyes. "But he's a monster who loves his son."

"Fuck! I knew it." He swiped his fingers through his hair, pushing back the dark blond strands and revealing the savagely honed perfection of his face. "I knew it the minute I saw you on this damned island. You're letting your emotions cloud this now. How the hell can you say something like that?"

"My emotions aren't clouding anything, Ian," she assured him, her voice low as she watched him compassionately, aching for him. "I see the truth you refuse to see."

His brows lowered over his eyes, brooding anger shaping his face and thinning his lips.

"Don't start the psychobabble," he snapped. "I don't want to hear it. If you can't keep your emotions under control then you can stay with the rest of the group and get the hell out of my way."

Whoa, that one hurt.

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