Cravings Read Online Free PDF Page B

start with your name, shall we?”
    â€œSanj—”
    â€œI mean it. Tell me now,” he said sternly.
    â€œMy name is Sasha,” she said, meeting his eyes, her chin held firmly in place. She could do this, become the woman who would make Paul and Maeve proud.
    â€œWhy did you lie?”
    â€œI told you I’m hiding from a very dangerous man.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with me?”
    â€œI had no idea who you were. It has nothing to do with you, except—”
    â€œExcept what?”
    â€œExcept I’ve learned over the years the less you know the more protected you are. I thought if you didn’t know my name, you’d be in less danger, if he caught up with me and by some chance, you.”
    He appeared to mull that over, then lifted one eyebrow. “So now?”
    â€œI am a recovering coke addict, Sanj. I’m working on things like honesty. There was a man in my life a few years ago who changed everything for me. He made me want to be a better person. But after you’ve lived your life so long one way, it’s difficult to change. So it’s very easy for me to lie, I’m afraid.”
    He sat back in his chair and took another sip of coffee. “Sasha,” he said. He cocked his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t trust you, but your skills at lying could come in very handy for me. I might need you to help me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIt’s my friend. I think she’s in trouble. Her husband definitely is. He’s in prison,” he told her. “I’m waiting on word as to when I can see him. Maybe he knows where his wife is.”
    â€œShe’s missing?” And are you talking about Maeve?
    He nodded.
    â€œWe were supposed to be vacationing together, here. Something has gone horribly wrong,” he said.
    â€œBut how can I help?”
    â€œA beautiful woman who’s skilled at lying and, um, manipulating might be useful,” he said, taking her in with his eyes.
    â€œI’m not sure I’m worth the risk, Sanj, and I’m not sure about the beautiful part, anymore.” She pointed to her scar.
    â€œI’ll tell you what,” he said. “You let me be the judge of that. In the meantime, you can stay here. You are safe here.”
    â€œThank you,” she said, a wave of relief washing over her.
    â€œNow, I have an assignment for you. I need to get Jackson’s cameras. I’m betting they are in the hotel safe. I asked about it earlier. There is a safe in his name. Do you think we can get into the safe? I mean, you certainly can think of something, right?”
    â€œHow much cash do you have, Sanj?” she asked, knowing how susceptible hotel workers were to bribery.
    He placed a one-thousand-dollar bill in her hand. She was happy Ecuador used American dollars because Sanj was flush with them.
    â€œThis will be easy,” she said, taking the money and leaving the room.
    First stop, the desk clerk to ask for change. Five hundred dollars ought to do it. She certainly didn’t need to use the whole amount. The desk clerk nodded and smiled at her as he handed her the change. They made eye contact. This might be the best time. Could she be so lucky to be presented with the opportunity so quickly?
    â€œI’m told you have my friend Jackson’s safe,” she said.
    â€œJackson?”
    â€œJackson Dodds.”
    â€œYes, yes,” he said, as his eyes fell to her breasts, then back up to her face.
    She held the five-hundred-dollar bill between her fingers and gave it a slight wave.
    If the man were a dog, his ears would have pricked up and his tail would have wagged.

Chapter 7
    T hree cameras and one was a digital.
    But Sanj knew there had to be more. When Jackson traveled, he lugged a ton of equipment with him and it took him forever to get through customs.
    â€œWe need to figure out how to get in his room,” Sanj told Sasha as he