Protector(79)

From the way Alex’s mouth tightened, it appeared he’d come to the same conclusion. Maybe that was why his tone was far more clipped than usual as he said, “Mr. Santiago, these warlocks have kidnapped two of Caitlin’s friends, a McAllister and a Wilcox. I don’t think I need to stress how serious the situation is.”

Simón looked very grim, although it could be that was his usual expression. “That is unfortunate. But I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.”

Right then Caitlin desperately wished they had brought someone older and more experienced with them. It seemed clear to her that the Santiago clan leader intended to stonewall two people he thought were beneath his consideration, and not worthy of being treated as equals.

She cleared her throat, and reminded herself that you caught more flies with honey than with vinegar. “Sir, if they did come from this territory, then any information you have could be helpful. You see, they’re using some dark magic we don’t completely understand, and — and they’re hurting my friends, using their blood somehow — ” On those last words, her voice caught, and she had to stop herself so she wouldn’t start blubbering like an idiot in front of this forbidding-looking man.

His expression softened, but only a fraction. “That is a matter of grave concern, and I can see why it would upset you. But I’m afraid I don’t know anything of these young men or where you might find them.”

Alex rocked back on his heels, his hands straining against the pockets of his jeans. Caitlin got the impression he was doing so to prevent himself from grabbing hold of Simón’s arms and shaking him hard to get him to tell the truth. The impulse was completely understandable, but she knew that would be the absolute worst thing he could do.

Then again, what Alex said next wasn’t much better. “Oh, really? Because I could have sworn from the way your daughter reacted that she did know something.”

At once Simón Santiago’s brows swept downward, and his jaw set. “She is high-strung and easily upset. You misinterpreted her reaction. And since I have nothing of use to tell you, I think it’s best that you go.”

“Just like that?” Alex said, his tone disbelieving.

“I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing, but if you’d called — ”

From the way his eyes began to blaze, Caitlin could tell Alex was really about to let loose on the older man. “It’s fine,” she said, laying a hand on Alex’s arm and beginning to pull him toward the hallway, and from there to the front door. “We’re sorry to have taken up any of your time.”

At least, after resisting her for a second or two, Alex slipped his arm from her grasp and seemed to recover some of his composure. However, he wasn’t mollified enough to offer any sort of parting remarks to Simón, and instead stalked to the front door, opened it so Caitlin could slip out, and then slammed it shut behind the two of them.

“What an asshole,” he growled.

The sky had decided to start misting after all, letting fall fine needle-like drops that felt like pins hitting her skin. “I know. But we can’t force him to tell us anything.”

“No, that’s Matías’ thing.” Alex still sounded extremely irritated, and Caitlin couldn’t blame him. To have driven all this way, only to be treated with slightly more courtesy than someone trying to sell magazine subscriptions door to door?

She wouldn’t call it a waste — not after what the two of them had shared — but she couldn’t help wondering if they might not have been able to come to that point in their relationship in Alex’s home rather than in a hotel room. Then again, maybe those neutral surroundings had helped to relax a few inhibitions. At this point, did it really matter?

All she could do was offer a shrug, and he added,

“Well, I guess your premonition that we wouldn’t need the hotel room was right. I just wish I’d known it was because we were going to get sent packing like a couple of panhandlers or something.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, then went to him and took his hand. At least he reciprocated, wrapping his fingers around hers and giving them a squeeze, so she knew he was angry at Simón Santiago for being a dick and not at her for failing to accurately predict what would happen with this interview.

“Hey!” came a soft voice as they were climbing into the Pathfinder.

Caitlin paused in the front seat with her hand still on the door handle and looked over to see Lucinda Santiago hurrying toward them, coming down a narrow path that ran along the tall hedge that separated their property from the neighbors’. That path must have led to the backyard; as Caitlin gazed in astonishment at the young woman while she practically ran the last few steps to the SUV, she noticed a gate in a tall wrought-iron fence standing open.