'I love you so much, Christian. And what you did for your father . . . and for Jasmine? It makes me love you all the more. I was selfish and wrong when I asked you not to go. I just want you to know that.'
Christian heard her soft sob and knew she was crying. He pulled her closer, murmuring in her ear.
'I'm not sure I could make that decision a second time. It scares me what I almost lost . . . what we almost lost. I don't ever want to be in that situation again. I love you more than my own life, Raven Mackenzie. And there will be no more secrets between us. I swear it.'
He held her, knowing he'd crossed a threshold with the woman in his arms. A threshold he'd been looking for his whole life. Finally, he'd come home.
When the doctor came down the hall toward them, Nicholas stood, unable to hide the dread and expectation on his face. Christian couldn't read the surgeon's expression, grim and edged by exhaustion. But the man raised his hands as he approached, allaying their worst fears.
'She made it through surgery.' He forced a cautious smile. 'But the next forty-eight hours will be critical. She's in recovery now. We'll be moving her to ICU soon. You can see her then, one visitor at a time.'
Charboneau looked as if he'd collapse back into his chair. He let out the breath he'd been holding and almost doubled over in relief. Raven didn't say anything, but smiled at Christian, wrapping her arms around his waist.
The doctor gave them more on how the surgery went. Although Nicholas looked as if he listened to every word, Christian knew his mind was a blur with relief. He felt the same. As strong as Jasmine was, he knew she'd make it through the critical time with flying colors. The woman was too stubborn to die with a whimper.
When the doctor left, Christian spoke to his father. 'Sounds like she's gonna make it. I'm glad.'
'She's tough,' Raven agreed, smiling at Charboneau.
His father let out a sigh, but avoided his gaze, coughing and clearing his throat. No doubt, something in the air made eyes watery and red.
'Yes, she is.' He nodded. When he looked up, his attention shifted down the hall. His shoulders slumped and his face registered his sudden wariness.
'What the hell does he want?' Nicholas, slouched in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest. 'Do we have to deal with this now?'
True to form, Captain Luis Duarte headed straight for them, his gaze locked on Charboneau. The man had cleaned up, dressed in uniform—all business and looking like pure trouble.
'I heard Ms. Lee has come through surgery. Good to hear.' No smile. 'But you and I have business, Mr. Charboneau. You want to discuss the matter in private?'
'No need. Say what you're going to say, Captain.' His father narrowed his eyes. 'I have nothing to hide.'
The captain found amusement in his father's declaration of innocence. Christian wanted to believe his father had nothing to do with events at Genotech Labs and the nightly deliveries of the drug-addicted to the research facility's gate by a secret faction of the Cuiaba police, but he wasn't delusional. He shifted his attention to Charboneau, eager to hear what he'd say.
'I have had Chief Zharan under my own surveillance for quite a while. I've tracked his activities and his conversations. Anything you care to offer before I file my report?' The cop added, 'My government might be more lenient if you cooperated.'
Duarte had disclosed enough for a guilty man to leap to his own defense, trying to cover his tracks. Cops used this tactic all the time, hoping their suspect would admit to something. But unfortunately for the good captain, Christian knew he'd met his match with a man like Charboneau who'd dodged charges his whole life. Such a simple ruse wouldn't catch a man like his father.
'How thoughtful of you to consider my well-being, Captain. And, of course, I will cooperate with your government in any way I can. This man should be brought to justice.'
Charboneau sat up and leaned forward in his chair, challenging the policeman to spell it out. Daring him to do it.
'I'll be eager to learn what transpired while I was out of the country. Your chief of police has used his position to undermine the noteworthy work of the genetics research being conducted at a facility I support financially. I'm sure he's set back our work, and I'll be contacting my lawyer to see what can be done about it.'
Cagey to the bitter end. If Duarte had a trump card to play, now was the time to spring it. And Nicholas knew it.
'Chief Zharan is cooperating too. And Fuentes. With what I have, we shall soon know everything that happened. I will need a statement from you.'
'Yes, about the kidnapping. I understand.'
'The kidnapping and other things.'
'Ah, then I will need time to contact my lawyer. A man would be ill-advised not to seek counsel on such matters.'
His father raised his chin, baiting the captain. Duarte looked as if he'd won. With Nicholas asking for a lawyer, it raised the red guilt flag to a cop.
But his father quickly shifted gears, deflating Duarte's small victory. 'After all, I would hate to cast a dark light on the impressive research of Genotech Labs. I would want my attorney to protect the lab's reputation, of course. I'm sure you understand.'
He stared the police captain straight in the eyes without flinching. He'd asked for a lawyer and made it seem like his concern was for the reputation of the research facility, not his own backside. Christian never wanted to play a game of chess or poker with the man.
'I would imagine Dr. Phillips was coerced to participate in Zharan's scheme, but certainly, if there is more to it, I'd want to know the extent of his involvement. As a financial contributor, I'd have every right to know such things . . . for the sake of the facility and its research, you understand,' his father added.
'I can expect your cooperation then.' The man held back his disdain, but Christian felt the heat. 'I will be in touch. Don't leave town.'
Duarte turned toward Christian. 'I'd like to speak to you in private, Mr. Delacorte. My request is not open to debate.'
Christian followed the cop down the hall, glancing back over his shoulder at Raven. She did not look pleased. When they found an empty hospital room, Duarte closed the door behind him and started in.
'I don't know what your involvement is with Nicholas Charboneau, but you don't seem like the sort of man who would work for such a . . .' He didn't finish, but the man glared at him, expecting his response.
'I told you. I don't work for him. I did this as a favor for Jasmine. What are you trying to say?'
'Men like Charboneau come to my country and take what they want. They give nothing in return. This I am used to, but I suspect he's involved in something subtle and far more sinister.'
'You have proof?' Christian leapt to a conclusion about the evidence, but by the look on Duarte's face, he'd hit the bull's-eye dead center.
'Not yet, but I plan to do everything in my power to determine his guilt.'
'Or his innocence. Did you leave that part out?' He wasn't sure why he was defending his father, a
