The Protector of Ambra (Mercenaries of Fortune, #5) Read Free

her plans had blown up in her face. The last few minutes left her effectively stuck in the country. “I know, in theory, that I should be able to get a new passport. I need you to tell me it’ll be an easy process. Lie if you have to.”
    “Of course it is. You’ll be fine. Tell you what. I’ll have you out of here flying first class. You deserve it after your evening. But...”
    She’d already started crafting her dream of what the golden streets of first class might look like, before his strained “but,” kicked its way through. “Yes?”
    “My mission has to come first. Besides, going through all the formal channels takes time. It’ll be much easier to take the accelerated route. That means, however, you staying in town while I finish up some things. I’ll come back and get you out of here.”
    “Some things? Secret things?”
    “Yes.”
    “Important things?”
    He nodded.
    “That won’t work for me.”
    His eyebrow quirked up in open amusement. “That wasn’t one of the options. I didn’t really give options. Okay, I’ll put you in a taxi for the nearest consulate and make some phone calls when I get back. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”
    “Can’t do that either.”
    Pierce stopped, tapping his finger against his lips. “So, option one, then. Question. Why exactly are you here again? Perhaps if you tell me this secret mission of yours and yes, I get the hypocrisy, but...” His hands clawed the air, urging her on.
    She didn’t have anything to lose by telling him the truth. Given his powerful connections, whatever they were, he might even be able to help. Despite her best efforts, he’d been nothing but helpful since they’d met.
    Melody put one foot in front of the other and laid it all out on the line. Her chin was darn near melting into her chest. There was nothing as humiliating as asking for help. Only two things would ever make her do it. Her family and her career. This trip impacted both. “It has to do with my business.”
    “You’re a baker.”
    “Chocolatier.”
    “Got it,” he said with a dimpled smirk. His bottom lip quivered, but he nodded appreciatively. “And your situation?”
    “It’s the chocolate.”
    “You have a chocolate situation?”
    “Are you laughing at me?”
    “Not at all,” he said, behind a half opened fist.
    “Good. I pay top dollar for fair trade chocolate. I get it directly from the source. Well, not directly. Obviously via a distributor. That’s not the point. That point is that Sweet Happiness Chocolate Haus is good from the inside out. It’s not just branding, it’s what I believe in. It’s who I am.”
    He grinned, but she wasn’t afraid or ashamed of her passion and kept right on going. “I want to be the owner of a world dominating chocolate company. One built on love, kindness, rainbows and all that other good stuff. I’ve dedicated everything to this. As part of the agreement with my distributer, a percentage of profit goes back to the community, but the numbers just aren’t adding up. Something’s off. Plus, the taste of the chocolate has changed. The quality isn’t there anymore. I think my guy down here is ripping me off.”
    “So why not go to the police?”
    “I’ve tried. Twice. It’s too small a case for anyone to be concerned about. Who cares if another small business goes under? Or if poor people in another country get screwed? Tell me I’m wrong.”
    His pursed lips said that he couldn’t. Pierce’s eyes narrowed and he stared at her as if solving some impossible math problem. Good . He should know he wasn’t the only hero around here. Dollars to doughnuts, she rocked the cape a little harder than he did. The man had a team and government backing.
    She was doing this all on her own. As far as righteous qualities went, she matched him blow for blow. When counting raw talent in this field, however, the point had to go to him. He’d saved the lady on the plane and now her. The dude was two for two. She’d be the