Nissan. Ivan watched as the biggest Mexican he’d ever seen climbed out. He and Samira didn’t speak as she handed him the suitcase, and he handed her back an identical black case, then – without a word – they both made their way back to their vehicles.
Ivan hooked his fingers over the hot steering wheel, trying to convince himself that she wasn’t doing what it looked like she was doing. But he knew deep down that whatever was in those suitcases, it wasn’t going to be anything wholesome. And getting involved in something like this would be tearing Samira apart. He needed to get her out of it.
In less than twenty seconds, it was all over and Samira climbed back into her car and turned around – heading back the way she’d come.
Ivan threw the truck into ‘drive’, then slammed on his brakes as he almost crashed into the BMW – which was also heading back after Samira.
As the two men sized each other up, Ivan got a good look at the guy – glaring into his eyes from behind his windshield. He was tough-looking, with brown hair and stubble, but he looked reasonably smart in his long-sleeved shirt and tie – which seemed excessive in this heat. He refused to look away from Ivan’s glare, and instead he was grinning in a cocky confident way that Ivan found irritating.
Ivan severed eye contact and revved his engine, refusing to let the other guy go first. Whoever he was, Ivan guessed he was trouble – and he wasn’t coming between him and Samira. Ivan thrust his foot down on the gas and wheelspun dust into the BMW’s open window, before speeding off to demand answers from Samira about what the hell she was doing.
If she was doing what he feared she was, he would throw her over his shoulder and ride off with her – somewhere far away from any trouble with tough guys or shady Mexicans.
Chapter Five
Samira drove back up the bumpy road toward the ranch, gripping the wheel with relief. Somehow she’d gotten away with it again. She had no idea what she would do if the cops ever happened to stop and search her car. But that was a problem to worry about for next time.
She glanced at little Quin in the rear view mirror. He was sitting in the back sucking his toes. “Looks like we made it home safe, baby. I hope you enjoyed the trip out, huh?”
He jiggled in his seat and laughed, melting her heart with love.
“I know you don’t approve,” she said. “But it’s the only way I can keep you in this country at the moment, so don’t go thinking Mommy’s a bad person, okay?”
Quin babbled some baby talk at her, and she laughed affectionately. She glanced in her rear view mirror and realized Ivan was still following in the truck, but the guy in the BMW was now pulling over to park halfway down the road.
Samira’s heart fluttered as a worried thought drifted into her mind. What if the guy hadn’t been employed by Mr. Langdon at all, but he was an undercover cop? Her body swirled with fear. But she assured herself that couldn’t be right. He wouldn’t just follow her around for three weeks, would he? He’d arrest her and everyone else involved in this whole shady business.
She tried to put him from her mind as she yanked up the parking brake and climbed out the car – unbuckling Quin and taking him – and the new suitcase – back toward the house.
She heard Ivan’s truck halt behind her, so she quickened her pace, determined not to answer his inevitable questions – not while she was still carrying the shady suitcase. She couldn’t handle having that conversation with him right now – there was so much to tell him.
She kissed Quin on the side of the head, rummaged for her keys, then disappeared inside the cool air-conditioned house, where she leaned against the front door and tried not to cry.
****
A little later, after giving Mr. Langdon the suitcase and asking Lola to take Quin for a while, Samira decided to go for a horseback ride in the beautiful field near the creek, to