Page 32 of Resurgent
Chapter Nine
Charlotte
My heart stops as I watch Liam approach, ridiculous frozen umbrella drinks in hand, with the Hispanic man he’d been talking to at the bar. There had been something in the man’s eyes when our gazes locked that had made me uncomfortable, and for a second, my first instinct had been to go back to the villa and wait for Liam. But then they’d started walking over to me, and I couldn’t leave. I wouldn’t leave Liam anyway. Whatever happens, we’re in this together. The diamond on my finger glints in the sun, making me think of the vows that have always terrified me.For better or for worse.It doesn’t get much worse than having someone try to kill you. But then I think of my parents’ marriage and realize that’s not true. Shaking my head mentally, I focus on the situation at hand.
At least I don’t recognize the man. If we’d run into one of my kidnappers or guards, this would be a lot harder. As it is, I don’t know what I’m supposed to say or do.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Liam says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. He brushes his lips close to my ear, and softly says, “Shh.”
Images of last night flood my memory. He’d told me the same thing then, more than once, and I recognize the reminder to trust him, to let go and let him take the lead. I take a deep breath and relax. He had me then, and he’s got me now. No matter what happens, I can trust Liam to keep me safe.
“I’d like you to meet Manny,” he says, turning to the man. “Manny, this is my beautiful bride, Charlie.”
Charlie? That’s a new one. My whole life I’ve always been serious, focused, responsible. No one hasevercalled me Charlie. Charlie is a nickname for one of those fun-loving, popular girls. It wasn’t until I met McKenzie and Gemma that I even had a nickname at all, and they call me Chaz, not Charlie. And what happened to our aliases?
Smiling, I extend a hand to the man called Manny. “Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He lifts my hand to his lips, and I try to keep my face blank. His touch—actually, everything about the short but solid, powerfully built man—gives me goose bumps, and they’re not the good kind.
“Maravilloso! I see why you couldn’t leave this beauty behind, Liam.”Liam?“How are you enjoying our country,señora?”
“It is very beautiful, and I love the ocean.” At least that part is true.
“I hope you have found us to be hospitable hosts.” The way his beady brown eyes bore into me makes me wonder briefly if hehadbeen at the house where I’d been held hostage. But no, I would remember him.
“I can’t complain,” I say lightly.
Liam slips his arm around my waist, pulling me to him possessively. “If you’ll excuse us, I believe we’ll go back to our room. Time is short. I’ve got to make the most of it, if you know what I mean.” He nuzzles my ear and I lean in closer to him.
“Of course,” says Manny. “We will see you this evening. Let’s say six o’clock at the hotel bar.” He fixes Liam with a pointed look. “Don’t stand me up. Salome will have my head if she doesn’t get a chance to say hello and meet your new wife.”
I have the distinct feeling it’s a thinly veiled warning, and his wife is not the one who will have Liam’s head if we don’t show.
I wait until we’re back at the villa before I bombard Liam with my questions. “Who was that? How does he know your name? And why did you call me Charlie?”
Liam laughs, but there’s an edge to it. “Slow down, sweetheart. That was Manny. He’s married to Salome and they’re here on vacation with their two children. You now know as much about him as I do.”
I stare at him, dumbfounded. He sighs, pushing his hair off his forehead. “This memory thing is starting to be a real problem. I saw him on the beach yesterday. He recognized me, called me by name. I have no idea who he is, but he knows me, knows about the guns, knows I’d been killed, and now, obviously, he knows that I’m alive. The clock is ticking.
“Judging by the way he referred to El Gato and what he seems to know about the guns, he’s at least a lieutenant in the cartel. Maybe higher. He wanted to know if I’ve met with El Gato yet, and I told him we were enjoying a few days for our honeymoon first. I wasn’t going to tell him about you, but he turned around…” He shrugs. “There was no point in denying it. But hopefully the nickname may throw him off.”
“Are we really meeting him and his wife for drinks?”
“No. We’re getting the hell out of here. Pack your stuff.”
I don’t move. “Maybe we should talk to him,” I say slowly.
He turns to give me an incredulous stare. “Are you fucking kidding me? I’m not taking any chances. I don’t like being at a disadvantage. I don’t know how much he knows. Get moving.” He smacks my ass lightly and turns around, the subject closed as far as he’s concerned. “I want to make sure we have plenty of time to be far from here by the time six o’clock rolls around.”
“We should meet him,” I say more forcefully. When he doesn’t respond, I grab his arm. “Liam, listen!” The look he’s giving me is more than a little intimidating, and it occurs to me that as a SEAL commander, he’s probably not used to being challenged, but I forge ahead. “Right now, we don’t have anything to go on but your bucket list, and you don’t remember anything about it. As you said, the clock is ticking, and we don’t have time to figure this out at our leisure anymore. If we talk to Manny, we can maybe get some more clues, or at least find out what we’re up against.”
“What I’m up against,” he corrects.
“Whatwe’reup against. Unless you’re planning to let me go home.”
“Not a chance,” he says flatly.
“Then it’s youandme,” I say firmly. “And unless we’re going to be on the run forever, we have to start finding some answers. This guy is a good start.”
