Share

Chapter 20

Author: Desiree Holt
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
"Forgive me, senora, but Jed Whitlow cannot see through his own ego. It is convenient to let him believe he is the leader of the group. He does most of the work, and he is the conduit to provide the firepower. But once everything is in place, we may find it better to have someone else in charge."

"Like you?" Lorena gave an unladylike snort. "That will never happen, and you know it."

"No, my dear. I was thinking of you. With me as your silent partner. I cannot, obviously, be the face of this organization." His lips curved in a humorless smile. "Just the actual el jefe."

"They'll never approve it," she told him, even as her heart beat just a little faster. "Everyone in that group believes he should be the one at the head of the table. None of them will give up even an inch of their power."

She'd lusted for this since the beginning, knowing even then it would be an uphill battle.

"Then it's up to you to convince them." He drew another slow puff on the cigar. "Or you and I."

Lorena s
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 21

    Silas leaned back in his desk chair and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. His hands felt gritty and dry and no wonder, the amount of time he'd spent looking at the damn screen this afternoon. Normally, he'd assign this kind of research to someone who did it as part of their job, but it was important that he read every bit of the information himself to pick up any nuances. So many times you had to read between the lines.Luis Rojas could win an award as one of the most evil men in the world. He had grown up as a foot soldier in the violent La Regla cartel, regla for rulers, which they had fully intended to become, until the day he assumed the mantle of control. There were whispers in back rooms that Rojas had gotten the throne not because he was the heir apparent but because he had killed off the three men higher than he was in the ranks and the two who had been discussed as logical successors. In dark corners and back rooms they called him asesino. Killer.Si was certain R

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 22

    The living room was empty when he let himself into the suite. He wondered if Regan was getting ready for bed this early.No. Don't think about that.He walked over to the big window and stood looking out at the lights of the little town below them."All set for tomorrow?"He had not heard Regan come up beside him, and her voice startled him. The carpet in the suite was so thick the sound of footsteps was almost nonexistent. When she touched her fingers to his arm, a powerful electric shock ran through him. The first time they'd touched, a handshake the day they met, the little tingles that surged along his arm had startled him but not given him a lot of worry. He was, after all, a healthy man with healthy appetites. He might not be as young as he once was but that didn't mean his desire had faded. He'd had to keep reminding himself this was not just a business arrangement. It was also an assignment he'd accepted with the fate of the country at stake, so no hanky-panky.So what if they

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 23

    He licked the surface of her lips, teasing at the corners before very slowly easing his tongue inside. And oh, god, the taste was like an elixir. He licked slowly, letting the flavor seep into his mouth. Regan reached up to place her hands on either side of his head and, when he eased back on the kiss, whispered against his lips."Bathroom." She mouthed the word. "They'll be listening for the water.""You're right."Taking Regan's hand and tugging her along behind him, he strode into the bathroom, slid back the solid glass pane of the shower door, and turned on the faucet full blast. He could adjust it once they were inside. Then he turned, brushed a kiss over her mouth, and stripped off his clothes. He was surprised he didn't pop the buttons on his shirt, as fast as he pulled it off. He kicked off his shoes and yanked his pants and boxer briefs down in one movement, being careful not to do damage to his rigid, protruding cock.Then he turned back to Regan, who stood there with a look

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 24

    He forced himself to set up a slow rhythm, in and out, back and forth. He held himself back with superhuman effort until he felt her perched just at the edge of climax. His cock filled her, thick and hot and incredibly hard. She wound her legs around him, locked her ankles at the base of his spine, and, pulled him as tight to her body as he could get. He balanced on one arm while he slid the other hand between them, found her clit, and began rubbing it.In mere seconds he saw the expression on her face change and felt the pulsing begin inside her core. Her inner muscles gripped his cock, and he stopped holding back and drove into her harder and faster, setting up a rhythm that she matched. He felt the beginnings of his orgasm just as her inner muscles started to ripple around his shaft, and he drove into her one last time, hot and hard. One more forceful thrust, and they were riding that roller-coaster together.Spasms gripped them as his cock pulsated inside her, her inner walls con

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 25

    Max couldn't remember the last timeif everhe'd been so emotionally involved in sex. His connection with Regan was a revelation that he could actually have that kind of relationship. They made love again just before falling asleep, slower and very delicious, and all the more erotic because they couldn't allow themselves to make a sound. By now he knew much more than his body was involved.But they had a job to do that came first. Thank god his engrained SEAL discipline would allow him to pack it in a mental closet until this was over. And extra thanks that Regan was on the same wavelength. The assignment took front and center. No question about it.They also knew that while they'd be sharing a bed at the lodge, sex would be off their list of activities."You know the room we'll be given is going to be bugged," Max whispered in her ear as they lay sated and quiet in the dark."No question about it," she whispered back. "All that time we spent with him and his wife still didn't answ

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 26

    Max shook the proffered hand and nodded. "Good to see you again. Bernardo is grateful you're letting us fill in for him. He's very much invested in this, you know.""I do know. He and I go back a long way. I was delighted when he agreed to come on board."As if he just realized he'd cornered them in the doorway, Jed reached for one of the suitcases. "Here. Let me help you with these. Under normal circumstances, I'd have my caretaker haul them to your room. However, considering the nature of this meeting, I thought it best to give him a few days off.""Good thought."Jed took both suitcases and placed them to one side of the large foyer. Max held onto the briefcase, and Jed just shrugged. Regan would have bet a month's pay while they were occupied in the meeting someone would be going through them looking for any evidence they were imposters. That was one reason why Max's weapons were in the hard-sided suitcase. locked in a special compartment invisible even to the most intrusive in

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 27

    "Perhaps Ferren Arms and Munitions is not the right partner with you for this, after all." He looked at Jed Whitlow. "You and Bernardo have been friends for years. It's unfortunate that you and I never had much occasion to spend time with each other but, as I'm sure you know, my brother and I each have our own circle of friends. I can assure you he would not have sent me in his place if he did not think I knew what I was talking about." He closed his folder. "As I said before, maybe you need to contact someone else to handle this. Trust is very important. My brother became involved with you because he believes in what you are doing. But if you don't trust us, we have nothing more to say to each other." He pushed back his chair. "Come on, Regan. This has all been a fucking waste of our time."Regan forced herself to appear calm, gathering the items in front of her while the people at the table absorbed what Max had just said. Si had discussed this with them and told them it might happe

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29
  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 28

    "On that note," Jed Whitlow said, "I'd say it's time for lunch. Tonight we'll barbecue," he told everyone, and glanced at Max and Regan. "The first night of these meetings we like to relax with a good meal and a glass of bourbon. Or whatever your alcohol of choice is.""Sounds good to us," Max told him.Anna Whitlow pushed back her chair and stood up. "As usual, we've had everything else catered. It will only take a few minutes to get it all on the table.""I suggest you all stretch your legs," Jed told them. "Return any business calls you need to. Whatever. Give us fifteen minutes.""I think we'll step out to the patio," Max said to no one in particular. "You all have been here before, but we'd love to look around.""Help yourselves," Jed told them. "Just be careful of the wildlife and the snakes."They can't be any worse than the snakes in this room, Regan thought."Thanks for the tip." Max nudged her arm. "You'll protect me, right?" He looked across the table at those still g

    Last Updated : 2024-10-29

Latest chapter

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 40

    "I suppose someone should check on Max Whatever His Last Name is," Anna said."Why?" Jed asked. "He isn't going anywhere.""True. I just thought we might get him down here and find out who he works for. Who got onto us and how."Lorena gave an unladylike snort. "You think he'd tell you? I'd bet he's former military and has withstood more than you can dish out to him.""You haven't seen me at work," Gavin told her.She actually burst out laughing. "Gavin, you're a fifty-five-year-old rancher who has never been in the military yourself. Wrestling bulls isn't the same thing.""So, you don't think we should try to question him?""I don't think we'll get anything from him, but you're certainly welcome to try."Gavin looked around the table. "What do you all think?"Elizabeth, his wife, leaned forward. "I think I'd like to know where whoever planted them found someone who could be a double for the real Max Ferren.""And I'd like to know more about where Jeanne and Bernardo are," An

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 39

    The afternoon brought more of the same with one exception. Everyone at the table seemed a lot more uptight, and every so often he would catch someone glancing at both him and Regan with a strange look. He was beginning to think Si was right and they needed to split ASAP. Nothing changed until late in the afternoon when there was a knock on the door."I'll get it," Lorena said, pushing her chair back.Everyone seemed to freeze in their seats while she walked to the entrance. Max watched her carefully, shocked to see Luis Rojas and three men who could only be his "fixers" walk into the room. The muscles in his stomach tightened, and he pushed back in his chair, reaching slowly for his gun. Before he could get his hand around the grip, Gavin Emery was behind hm, grabbing his wrist. When he glanced at Regan, he saw Whitlow had pulled her from her chair and yanked her hands behind her back. In seconds, he had her gun, also."What the hell is going on here?" he demanded.Anna Whitlow l

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 38

    Breakfast was over and the dishes cleared, and everyone was back at their seats at the table with full coffee mugs. They had their folders open and pens out, and Max made sure he and Regan had their special pens in their hands. "Okay." Jed Whitlow looked around. "We have the shipments confirmed, the cartel soldiers at the ready, a schedule for when each event is to take place""I have a question." Lorena looked at Max. "Did you happen to bring any of the weapons you'll be shipping so we can take a lot at them? Maybe you could give us a demonstration.""I don't think that's necessary," Jed told her. "We won't be firing the weapons ourselves.""Luis wants to be absolutely sure they'll be top quality. He doesn't want inferior goods that will derails the entire event."Max looked at Lorena. He and Si had discussed this but neither of them were excited about the prospect of doing this."You can rest assured only the finest weapons are being loaded for the shipments." He looked over a

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 37

    Jed Whitlow was shaving the next morning, standing at the bathroom sink wearing just a towel wrapped around his waist, when his wife walked in, holding her cell phone."I have a question."He rinsed his razor and stroked it through another line of cream. "Okay. Shoot.""Do you think I should try and call Jeanne? Maybe she isn't sure if she should contact us. Or it might be that Bernardo is worried that somehow whoever has them squirreled away has set up a way to trace cell calls."Jed thought for a moment while he shaved the rest of his face. Finished, he rinsed the razor, knocked it against the sink for good measure, and wiped his face. "Good point," he acknowledged at last. "It might be worth the chance, though, to see if we have enemies in our midst.""Okay. I'm going to call her right now before we go downstairs." Jed watched as she brought up her contacts list, found number for Jeanne Ferren, and hit Dial. He waited, watching, but nothing happened."Don't leave a message

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 36

    "Maybe we shouldn't have let them outside by themselves." This came from Kurt."Just how would you have us stop them?" Jed asked. "Tell them they can't go anywhere by themselves?""It doesn't matter," Kurt interjected. "They can't go anywhere without us knowing, and it gave us a chance to learn this information. But, somehow, we have to validate them. Make sure they are the real Regan and Max Ferren.""Exactly how are we going to do that?" Hildie Kavanaugh demanded. "It's not as if we can take their fingerprints and run them through a database.""If Bernardo's in the hospitalor even if he's somewhere else and Max is here, who's running the factory?" Gavin asked."Their general manager," Jed answered. "I called him when I was in Denver and again before I met with the real-or-not-real Max and Regan. Told him I was just checking on things. Bernardo had involved him from the start. He said sometimes both of the brothers are away at the same time. He's been with the company for fifteen

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 35

    Lorena Alvaro filled her wine glass and glanced at her husband, who nodded. Then she cleared her throat."Excuse me, everyone. We need to take advantage of the fact that the Ferrens are out of the room for the moment and discuss something that's come up. Something very important ad worrisome." Jed looked over at her."Is it about Max and Regan Ferren? I wonder if I'm the only one here who thinks there's something not right there. I can't put my finger on it even though I spent two days with them.""They're almost too good to be true." Gavin Emery's gravelly voice rattled in the air. "I said that from the beginning.""Exactly," Lorena agreed. "And they might very well be. You won't be happy with what I have to say. Things aren't exactly as we've been led to believe.""Well, what the hell is it?" Kurt Cavanaugh demanded. "Don't keep us waiting. We have enough to be on edge about.""All right." She let out a breath. "I know Luis can be a bit uncontainable at times but he can usual

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 34

    And that's a big fat lie, Max thought. We're not even close to being out of the woods yet."Okay, everyone." Jeanne Whitlow clapped her hands. "The steaks are ready, and everything else is set up on the buffet table. Please help yourselves."They ate at the umbrella tables on the patio. Max and Regan ended up with the Alvaros, not his favorite couple. In fact, although it wasn't blatantly obvious, they had maneuvered the seating to end up this way. By the time the meal was over, Max felt as if they'd been given the third degree by someone as expert at it as anyone he'd ever met. It was after eight by the time the patio was cleared. He was pretty sure Anna Whitlow didn't do any of her clearing and washing up except at these meetings. Nor, he thought, did the other women, but you had to make adjustments when you were plotting to overthrow your government. Of course, considering the subject matter, he wouldn't have wanted anyone around, either. He wondered where the hell Whitlow's se

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 33

    At that very moment, Max was standing on the patio at the lodge with the rest of the unholy group, trying to do more listening than talking. The afternoon had been devoted to analyzing the timing of each event, whether they should all happen at the same time or one after the other. Where each of the couples should be when it happened. At home, was the prevailing opinion. Max did his best to find out what the plans were after that. The best he could get was they would have observers at each site and convene the next morning to move forward from there. They touched briefly on the steps they would take to put their own people in place but not nearly as much as Max had hoped they would. He didn't want to push and call undue attention to himself, any more than his arrival already had.Immediately after the afternoon meeting broke up, he and Regan had begged a few minutes to unpack their suitcases. Jed followed them upstairs to show them which room was theirs and hung around the doorway.

  • SEAL Undercover   Chapter 32

    Silas Branson was sitting at his desk, studying a report and wondering how things at the cabal meeting were going when one of the cell phones on his desk rang. It was the line he'd set up dedicated to this mission, now titled Operation: Zeus, for the Greek god of law, order, and justice. Only select people had the number.He glanced at his watch as he reached for the receiver. Not quite dinnertime yet. Assuming he wouldn't be hearing from Max or Regan until later in the evening, he frowned as he lifted the receiver."Branson.""Sir," a deep masculine voice said, "this is Kaminski at the hospital in Denver. I think we may have a problem."Immediately, Si's hand tensed on the phone, but he forced himself to remain calm. Get the details, assess the situation then decide if you need to panic."Give me the details.""We had an odd situation here just a few minutes ago. A man showed up in the CCU who said he was looking for a friend. He was dressed in Broncos gear, and he told me his

DMCA.com Protection Status