Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Alfonso Ramos' Estate

Present Day

ZO FOUGHT to remain on her feet. The adrenaline boost she'd gotten when she and Finn had been captured by Ramos' men had faded while they'd hiked to the car that had taken them to the hacienda. Now that they stood in the office, waiting for Al to make an appearance, she was losing the battle. Finn had his left arm around her waist, offering his support, and she took it, leaning into him.

This was her first visit to Al's estate, her first time inside his office, and it was amazing. Even with her vision blurring around the edges, she couldn't help but gawk. She'd known Ramos since she'd been a child, and she never would have pegged this as his style.

She hadn't seen anything this ostentatious since she'd been taken to Jorge Torres' mansion more than two years ago. Like Torres, Al had gone with a traditional style that incorporated a lot of gilt, but while the arms dealer's home had been a very feminine space, Ramos' home was the opposite. His office looked like it belonged to an eighteenth-century British lord.

The walls were a dark charcoal gray, but the desk was white with some kind of black inlay and a medallion carved into the center panel. Gold leaf liberally covered every carved pattern on the large desk. Behind it was a matching bookcase with sconces on either side, and the ceiling had carved crown moldings.

The exactness fit Al even if the style didn't match her mental image of his home, but it was a designer showplace, and the room lacked warmth. The only personal item in the entire space was a single photo on the bookcase behind the desk.

Al's grandfather.

Zo hadn't realized how tense she'd become until that picture allowed her to relax. Se?or Ramos was smiling at the camera with the Huarona ruins in the background, and if she was right about when this shot was taken, blowing up the image would show her head poking out of the pyramid temple behind him. She'd been eleven at the time, maybe twelve, and a professional photographer had come to take shots for some Puerto Jardinese magazine.

She missed Se?or Ramos. He'd known more about the Huarona people than anyone she'd met—including her parents and Doctor Castillo—and he'd enjoyed sharing every story he'd heard. The elderly man had also been kind, gentle, and the only person who'd ever been able to rein in Al.

Things were so much simpler when Se?or Ramos was alive. It was before the civil war had started, before her parents had frozen her out, before Mari had disappeared, and before Al had started working for a drug lord. And it was long before Al had launched a coup against that drug lord, and taken control.

Finn's arm tightened around her waist, and Zo let go of her sadness. Things weren't bad now, even if they were more complicated. She had a career that challenged her and that she enjoyed, she'd saved countless artifacts and gotten them into museums, and she was living with the man she loved. Her life was good—maybe not perfect, but damn good.

Alfonso Ramos strode in the office then, and the four men guarding them came to attention. Al wore gray sweatpants, a white T-shirt, black running shoes, and a stainless steel sports watch. The clothing wasn't for show. He was damn serious about his workouts.

He was also drop-dead gorgeous. If a person didn't look in his eyes.

His brown hair was cut short to control the curls. He had brown eyes, full lips, and dimples that were only partially hidden by his neatly trimmed beard. Al had a swimmer's physique and enough muscle to rival Finn in that department. He could have traded on those looks. He could have become an actor or a model. But instead, he'd murdered his way to the position of drug kingpin.

After settling in the office chair behind the desk, Al studied them, taking his time. At last, he smiled, but his eyes stayed cold. "Zofia, you're a mess," he said in Spanish. "It appears as if you rolled in the mud."

Witty repartee was beyond her at this point. "Sorry. I fell while your men were chasing me."

"If you hadn't run, they wouldn't have needed to chase you."

The words showed how much concern he had for her—zilch—but he'd always been this way. Zo pressed her lips tightly together.

Al didn't seem to notice, or if he did, he didn't care. His focus shifted. "Se?or Finley, or do you prefer Rowland?" He didn't pause for a reply. "You turned out to be quite a surprise. We didn't expect to find you with Zofia."

"Jail didn't suit me," Finn said carelessly.

And Tom Finley was back. Zo noticed that Ramos' eyes had narrowed, and she held her breath, but he didn't explode over Finn's tone.

Al crossed his arms over his chest. "Zofia coming down by herself at the last minute required a good deal of improvisation on my part. It seemed most expedient to have the government watch for your arrival." His voice was every bit as careless as Finn's had been.

"You couldn't be sure I'd come to Puerto Jardin."

"Yes, I could." Al straightened in his seat, the breeziness gone in a heartbeat. "Even if you and Zofia were on the brink of divorce, I knew the instant you learned she was in trouble, you would do anything to reach her side. You are predictable, Se?or Rowland. All too predictable."

Finn stayed silent, but what could he say? The fact that he was standing in this office proved Al right.

"Why the elaborate scheme to get Zo?" Finn asked.

Al shrugged. "The plan was simple until Vargas underestimated Zofia." Ramos' gaze returned to her. "I did warn him that you were slippery."

Her lips curved. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Inclining his head, Al said, "I watched over you at the site for three years until I left for university. I know how much trouble you are."

Finn chuckled. "She hasn't changed much over the years."

With a frown, Zo looked up at him. "Hey!" she protested.

As Finn's arm tightened around her waist, Al said, "Relax, Zofia. Some men enjoy a whirlwind." He shrugged—a gesture that clearly indicated he was done with the topic. "Where is the disk? My men have searched you and your belongings and found nothing."

"Where is Tia Izel?" Zo countered. Finn squeezed her waist again, but this time it was in warning, not affection.

"Zo is worried about Izel Alvarez," Finn stepped in before Al could respond. "You're aware of how close they are."

"It's why I have Se?ora Alvarez as my houseguest. It was a certain way to bring Zofia here." Al never took his eyes off of her. "Where is the Disk of the Gods? I want it."

"Why?" Zo demanded, ignoring the almost painful grip Finn had at her waist.

Al came to his feet, and with his hands resting on the desk, he leaned forward. "My grandfather dedicated his life to locating that artifact. I want the disk," he repeated slowly, his voice brooking no disobedience.

"Apologize, loquita," Finn said. His voice was quiet, but in the deafening silence, it sounded as loud as a shout.

Swallowing hard, Zo said, "I'm sorry. I know how much the artifact meant to Se?or Ramos." She tried to stop there, but the rest escaped anyway. "He'd want it in a museum."

"So he would," Al said, but Zo couldn't read him. "I'll build a museum in his honor. When I have the disk."

"I'll give you the disk once Tia Izel is home safely with Tio Luis."

Ramos shook his head. "That's not the way it works. You will give me the disk, and once I'm satisfied it's genuine, I will return Se?ora Alvarez to her home. You do have the disk, correct?" The implications of that question made it impossible for Zo to find her voice.

"She knows where it is," Finn said, "but I need your assurance that you'll release my woman as well as Se?ora Alvarez if she hands you the artifact."

"You're in no position to bargain, Se?or Rowland, but I can assure you I have no desire to have either woman under my roof for longer than strictly necessary." Al checked the time, pursed his lips, and then sat down behind his desk again. "My men will accompany Zofia to reclaim the disk. You will wait with me for her return, and we'll proceed from there."

"Zo won't be able to find the disk without me. We both have different parts of the location memorized."

Ramos frowned, but Zo didn't think he looked surprised. " Then, the two of you will go, accompanied by my men, and Izel Alvarez and I will wait for your return."

"Zo needs to get some sleep first. She's in no condition—"

"No condition for the two of you to attempt an escape while you're retrieving the disk," Ramos interrupted.

"It's unsafe for her to be out in the rainforest while she's this tired."

"We'll caffeinate her, and she'll be fine." Ramos turned to one of his men. "Tell cook to brew a pot of coffee for Zofia."

"But—" Finn tried.

"Se?or Rowland, I'm done with this discussion. Zofia will rally her resources to do what's necessary to keep Se?ora Alvarez safe, isn't that right, Zofia?"