Captive Heart by Patti Beckman Page B

them from financial ruin. Was a year out of her life too high a price to pay to rescue her parents? They would surely do the same and more for her.
    Her inner conflict was almost unbearable. All of her instincts for decency and honor screamed at her to say "no" to Del Toro's unholy proposition. But loyalty to her family told her she must make a sacrifice for their sake.
    "How do I know you'll keep your end of the bargain and buy those planes from my father?" she demanded.
    "As soon as you agree to the marriage, I will call my purchasing agent and order six cargo planes through your father immediately. Then I'll deposit the full purchase price in the bank in your married name. As soon as you become my bride you can authorize payment to your father."
    "How do you know I'll keep my end of the agreement?" she asked.
    Del Toro grabbed JoNell savagely by the wrist. He pulled her toward him. Again she saw the dangerous fires raging in his eyes. "You wouldn't dare walk out on me," he warned in a growl.
    JoNell shivered. She pulled back hard to rescue her wrist and rubbed the red mark where Del Toro's fingers had bitten into her flesh. He was obviously not a man to be toyed with. Whatever her decision, she would have to make it knowing that her suave "suitor" harbored a ruthless side to his nature.
    She drew a deep breath, as if about to take a plunge into an icy stream that had dangerous undercurrents. "All—all right," she agreed in a whisper. She regretted the words as soon as she had spoken them. But like her decision to come here in the first place, she really had no choice.
    She felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her.
    Del Toro's lips moved in a one-sided smile. A look of cool triumph filled his eyes. "I knew you'd see it my way. You won't regret your decision."
    "I regret it already," she sighed. "But I'll do anything to help my parents."
    Briskly, he said, "To show you I am a man of my word, I will order the planes now." He picked up the telephone. A few moments later, he was speaking in rapid-fire Spanish, telling his purchasing agent to place an immediate order for six expensive cargo planes directly through JoNell's father's business.
    Then he turned to her. "There. Satisfied?"
    "I suppose so," JoNell murmured.
    "Don't look so glum, my dear. You will be the envy of Peru. A number of women will eat their hearts out because you snared me and they didn't. Now, doesn't that make you feel just a little bit smug?"
    "Hardly, under the circumstances!"
    "But you might as well enjoy your triumph. After all, everyone is going to think it is you who conquered me, not I who conquered you."
    "Nobody's conquered anybody," she replied tartly. Then she asked, "How soon do we leave for the States?"
    "Not immediately. It will be several weeks before the official inauguration of the new president. I am in no immediate danger from Gustamente until he does take office. Meanwhile, I have many business matters to settle. But we must be married very soon so it will not appear so obvious that I take an American wife and leave the next day for the United States!"
    JoNell felt a wave of disappointment. She was homesick for her parents and hoped to see them soon. But she supposed now she would have to live by Del Toro's timetable.
    "How about Consuelo?" she asked bitterly. "I suppose you will keep her in the wings until the year is up and the divorce is taken care of, and then marry her."
    He shrugged, giving her a calculating look. "Why do you concern yourself with Consuelo? Are you being a jealous wife, already?"
    "Certainly not!" she said furiously. "I just feel sorry for the poor girl, in love with a heartless rat like you!"
    His eyes narrowed. She bit her lip, wishing she had not spoken so hastily. He obviously had a fiery temper, and she was pushing it to the breaking point. Somehow, he managed to keep his self-control. He said nothing.
    After a moment, she asked, "How soon will the— will we be—married?" She was barely able to get