Hidden Prey (Lawmen) by Cheyenne McCray Read Free Book Online

daughter, Rosanna’s, murder. He’d had his son-in-law killed for failing to protect Rosanna. It had been her husband’s responsibility to protect her, and he had failed. Diego did not tolerate failure.
    Diego did not want Angelina to see his anger, so he kept his mask of the doting grandfather. It was not a stretch because he did dote on the pretty fourteen-year-old girl who would soon be celebrating her Quinceañera , a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity.
    Like all girls her age, Angelina should know only a soon-to-be young woman’s hopes and dreams. He sheltered her from the cruel realities of his world. A world that was no place for one so special as his lovely granddaughter.
    They sat at a small table on one of the sprawling home’s expansive balconies, where they enjoyed challenging each other in a game of chess in the evenings after their final meal of the day. The desert of Mexico cooled once the sun went down, and it was pleasant outside with no breeze.
    As he waited for Angelina to make her move, he let his gaze drift over the terracotta flooring interspersed with decorative ceramic tiles. He rested his gaze on the stone rail. He felt like a monarch when he looked over his own private kingdom.
    Below the balcony was one of his crystal blue swimming pools, the extensive gardens, and the lush vegetation. It was a magnificent view. He often stood at the stone balcony rail and looked out across his land and all that was his, all that he had worked so hard for. He deserved to enjoy the fruits of his labor, but he remained ever vigilant, running his business with a firm hand.
    When his gaze returned to Angelina, the glimmer of a smile passed over her lips, but she quickly hid it. She was good at schooling her expressions, but not good enough—yet. She would learn to fully control her expressions, mannerisms, and actions as the granddaughter of the respected and feared Diego Montego Jimenez, El Demonio. The nickname pleased him.
    Angelina reached with her slender arm, picked up her queen and moved it across the board. “Check.”
    She had caught him unawares. Perhaps he had been too lost in thought, not enough concentration. He gave a nod. “Very good.”
    She beamed then quickly shuttered her expression. “Thank you.”
    “However, my little angel, it is not good enough.” He took her queen with his knight.
    Without blinking, she took his knight with a pawn.
    After six more moves, a look of triumph flashed across her face. She moved her bishop. “Checkmate.”
    Diego steepled his fingers as he leaned back in his chair. The pride he felt for her was more than he could have expressed. He gave a slow nod as he laid down his king. “Excellent.”
    He met her gaze and her look of deep pleasure slid away and she looked down. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
    “You are a worthy opponent.” He put his hands on the arms of his chair. “Come. Walk with me.”
    He rose, as did she. When she became a woman, she would wait for the gentleman to pull out her chair before standing.
    The thought of his granddaughter crossing the bridge from childhood to becoming an adult brought him both pride and a sense of loss. He would miss the little girl she had been, always coming to him for her needs and desires. As a woman she would come into her own, broadening her horizons. He was torn between sending her away to college and keeping her with him. He did not like the idea of her going into the world alone. He had too many enemies and she would be but a woman.
    She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. “Where would you like to walk this evening?”
    He swept his arm toward the stairs that led below. “I wish to see my gardens.”
    “They are so lovely.” Her skirt flowed around her calves as they walked. “The blooms are magnificent and the perfume flows through me like the song of life.” She played the piano beautifully and he could imagine her fingers dancing over the keys as she breathed in the