Page 111 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

When he disappeared into the back hall, she turned to Deke and Mendez. "Why don't the two of you go on to the kitchen and eat," she told them, aware that they had missed lunch while she met with Tehya.

Deke stared back at her, his gaze flat before glancing back at Diego. It was obvious he didn't trust Ian's father, and she couldn't blame him much.

"If you need us, just yell," he murmured.

"I'll be fine," she assured him.

Deke and Mendez didn't hide their reluctance to leave her, but they did anyway. As they headed into the kitchen Kira stepped slowly into the darkened room.

"Saul isn't with you?" She looked around the room as Diego watched her carefully.

"I sent Saul back to Colombia to oversee the estate there several days ago." He shrugged, his face shadowed as she moved to the chair across from him. "He is old. This is not the place for him."

As he resumed his seat she watched as he gripped the glass of liquor between his hands and stared into it as though he weren't certain if he should drink it or throw it.

"Saul was your father's advisor, wasn't he?" she asked.

She was taking advantage of this chance to talk to him, free of Ian's disapproving gaze or the bodyguards' obvious curiosity.

Diego smiled fondly at the question. "He and my father, they began the cartel. Saul was his most trusted friend. He returned to help me after Carmelita's death."

He hadn't mentioned his youngest son, but then she had heard that he didn't.

"Ian, he has completed this promise he made to me quickly, has he not?" Diego asked then. "I asked him to return to rid me of this problem that Sorrell represents. I did not expect him to do this so quickly."

Sadness filled the monster's voice.

"He's very competent," she agreed as she leaned forward, gripped the decanter of whisky and one of the extra glasses on the table.

As she poured, she was aware of Diego's eyes on her, his gaze thoughtful.

"You remind me much of his mother, Marika." Diego sighed. "She had spirit as well. But a spirit filled with grace. She was a lady. You too have this."

She looked up as she returned the decanter to the table and leaned back in her chair.

"His mother is a very strong woman, she's had to be. I take that as an incredible compliment."

"As well you should." He nodded. "It was meant as one."

He sipped at his drink then, his expression still though somber, his position relaxed. It wasn't a relaxation that bespoke confidence though, it was more wearied acceptance.

Kira sipped at the smooth, expensive whisky and continued to watch him, wondering what caused the small frown between his brows, and realizing that Ian had much that same look when something was bothering him.

"Ian frowns like that when he's thinking." She shared her thought, offering him a small smile as he lifted his head in surprise.

"He reminds me much of myself, sometimes." He nodded, a small, subdued smile tugging at his lips. "He is a good man. A man to be proud of."

Kira nodded rather than speaking.

"He has no pride in his father," he said, his voice almost a whisper now. "No pride in the world I have built for myself nor what I represent. He calls me 'pop,' thinking I am not aware of the condescending meaning behind it. He believes I do not know that he came to me, not for who I am, but for that which I can give him. Sorrell."

He tossed the drink back then reached for the decanter and poured another.

"What did you expect, Mr. Fuentes?" She was careful to keep her voice gentle, without judgment.

He nodded slowly. "I should be angry." He lifted his eyes to flash a quick look at her, mocking self-disgust lining his expression now. "I should be angry with my father, with Carmelita for the hell she caused him and Marika. I should be angry with my father for the deception that stole Ian's mother from my arms. Wh

y am I not angry, Miss Porter?"

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