“I know that,” she whispered. “And I will. Going to Skye isn’t an option.”
“Two million dollars-that kind of money won’t appear out of nowhere.”
“Thanks for the update. If you’ll excuse me, I need to freshen my drink.”
She slipped away. John watched her go, as did Cruz. But while the older man looked troubled, Cruz was only pleased.
Life was all about timing. The right deal at the right time. The right conditions for the race. He believed in being prepared and then ready to attack when the moment was right.
Like now.
CHAPTER TWO
LEXI STOOD ALONE on the balcony at Glory’s Gate. She’d wanted to escape the crush of the crowd and find a private place to feel sorry for herself. Something that had lasted all of three minutes. She heard footsteps behind her and held in a sigh. So much for a little peace and quiet.
“You are looking especially beautiful tonight, querida.”
The man’s voice was low and sexy with the slightest hint of an accent. She recognized it, and him. Cruz.
She turned to face him, then wished she hadn’t. He stood closer than she’d expected, all tall and broad-shouldered, backlit by the light spilling through the large windows. The railing prevented her from retreating, and moving to the side seemed too much like admitting she was rattled.
“Mr. Rodriguez,” she murmured, then sipped her drink. She would play it cool. He didn’t have to know she wasn’t very good at the game.
He smiled, his teeth flashing in the shadows. “Now, Lexi. We both know we’re very much on a first-name basis.”
Her eyes widened. “What? Are you saying you remember?” She blurted the words before she could stop herself, then wanted desperately to claw them back.