Chapter 18:

Mentira

When Nicoletta returned, slightly calmer than before and ready to try and act normal, Sands had had a shower and got dressed. Nicoletta wasn't sure whether to be sad or relieved about that. The idea of watching Sands in the shower was worrying but gave her a nice feeling in her stomach. Disgusted with herself she focused back on Sands who was talking to her.

"…meet my contact. He's supplying me with information about the cartel. I won't be back till late so go out and get something yourself."

Nicoletta gazed at him, "I haven't got any money," she said stupidly.

Sands dug in his pocket and produced a wad of banknotes, "Take this." He told her.

Nicoletta reached out for it. And as she took it her fingers brushed his sending an electric shock through her body. She could feel herself blushing and she mentally chastised herself for being stupid and childish. Honestly, she should try and act professional.

"See you later!" she said to him with a big grin.

Sands gave her a funny look before walking to the door and departing. Nicoletta groaned and fell back on the bed. Now she had to entertain herself for the whole day on her own, she couldn't even go out because those men might find her.

"This is going to be fun!" she thought sarcastically.

Sands walked out into the street. Getting a taxi he travelled to La Luna Azul. It was a restaurant where he was meeting his "contact."

When he got there and entered he found the man sitting at one of the tables. It wasn't hard; he was surrounded by men in black suits. Anyway, Sands knew what he looked like; he was on the CIA's criminal database.

Sands walked over and sat down at the table.

"Ahhh. Mr. Sands. I'm glad you could join his." The man said softly, he looked Mexican. Dark hair and tanned skin, but his eyes were deep blue and outlined in silver. "We have decided the plan on how to get my ahh, 'package' to me."

Sands nodded, "Provided you stick to your part of the deal of course." He said with a sardonic smile.

The man returned the smile, "Of course."

Sands nodded, "Then please, explain it to me Mr. Bartulo."

The man nodded and began to describe what would happen.

When Sands returned from setting up what would happen it was 10 o'clock in the evening. He had already eaten and decided to return to the room and put the plan in motion. He felt a strange sensation in his stomach about what he was going to do to Nickie. He didn't want to betray her and it frightened him. Still, he had no choice. It wasn't as though it mattered anyway. She didn't matter. Ignoring the stab of pain he felt when he thought this he opened the door to the room and stepped inside.

He got the shock of his life. Nicoletta was lying on the bed in panther form, asleep. When he had realised that it was only her and got his heart rate and breathing back to normal, he locked the door of the room and took of his jacket. He hung it on the wardrobe door knob. Then he approached the bed.

Nicolettas breathing was steady and she seemed to be fast asleep. Sands sat beside her. Her fur was glossy and smooth, exactly the same shade as her hair. She looked beautiful and Sands wondered what it would be like to stroke her fur. He placed his hand on her and ran it over the soft silky hair.

That was when Nicolettas eyes flew open.

The lady of the shadows: Hey! Thanks for reviewing again! AAAAH! Don't hurt me! This update is soon enough right! I promise I'll update soon! Thanks for the very good chapter bit! I have only learned from the best (you being one of them!) Hope you like this! RandR! Luv ya!

SpadesJade: I know, another short chapter! ducks in fear of telling off But, since you didn't yell at me last time! (Thank you!) Maybe you could not yell at me this time since I promise the next one will be much longer and I really hope you will like it! I'm glad you thought the Nickie in love bit worked in my last chapter, cos I wasn't to sure how that would go. Glad you approved! Poor Sands, he's so confused, and that doesn't happen very often! The love thing will happen eventually (maybe, we're not sure yet…) but for the moment I like confusingness (not a word but I like it!) WOW! I got a perfect from you, I CAPITAL letters no less! Thank you so much cos I know you only say it if you mean it! Thank you! RandR!

Ididn'tdoit121: Hey! Thanks for reviewing! Wow, that was a long review! Hope you did do something good for your birthday and it's a shame about the state testing, that's really unfair! We haven't had it in England (you do come from America right? If yes, then you are so lucky! It's warm and sunny and way better than England, come to that, everywhere is better than England lol. ) well not here anyway! So I'm pleased about that! Hope you like this chapter and thanks for liking the last one! Yes, you must write your own story like straight away! Go for it! I would love to read one of yours! RandR and Get Writing!

Joselyngreenleaf: And it's the lazynesss! Again! Tut tut! Oh well, I'm glad you reviewed so never mind! OOOOOH! We all love Johnnys boxers, all over this land, yes we all love johnnys boxers…..! Ok, concentrate, glad you liked the chapter and I hope you're happy with this update! RandR!

CaptainRaven: Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked the chapter, and yes I totally identify with how Nickies feeling, I mean you would be pretty confused! Feel sorry for you having to get up so early just to come on but I know the feeling! I only go to bed at 3:30 every morning and get up at 7:30 cos my mum doesn't like me spending too much time on the computer and I have to keep ahead of this story or it would never get updated! sigh oh well, the sacrifices I make for you guys! As long as you keep reviewing I'll keep sleeping through Maths! Evil mother! Hope you like this update! RandR!

LadySparrowJack: Hey! Wassup! Nice to see you caught up and I totally don't blame you for having not reviewed cos getting a job you enjoy is WAAAAAY more important than this story! True Sands will have trouble with the whole Nickie Bartulo thing! But, he is great at this sort of thing so hopefully he'll work it out! (Note the "hopefully" in that sentence! gulp lol.) Congrats on your grandchild! (Boy/girl, name, I wanna know soon as they're born! I love kids they are sooooo sweet!) I love brownies! YAY for virtual brownies! (oh, and I also believe that everyone, race, age, whatever, should appreciate the wonder that is moment of revered silence JOHNNY DEPP! fan girls screams in background Thanks for saying I'm a great author and that this is a fantastic story I really appreciate it! Hope you like this chapter and review as soon as possible! RandR!