Hold Me

Chapter 16

16

Julian

The black Lincoln is already waiting when I step outside.

“I told them you were busy, but they insisted on this meeting,” Lucas says, melting out of the shadows near the house. “I figured it was best to let you know.”

I nod and walk over to the car.

The window in the back rolls down. “Let’s take a ride,” Frank says, unlocking the door. “We need to talk.”

I give him a hard look. “I don’t think so. If you want to talk, we’re going to do it right here.”

Frank studies me, likely wondering how much he can push me, and I see the exact moment he decides not to annoy me further.

“All right.” He climbs out of the car, his gray suit stretching across his round stomach. “If you don’t mind the nosy neighbors, sure.”

I scope out our surroundings with a practiced glance. Unfortunately, he’s right. There’s already a curtain twitching across the street.

We’re beginning to attract attention.

“There is a small park around the block,” I say, reaching a decision. “Why don’t we walk in that direction? You have exactly fifteen minutes.”

Frank nods, and the black Lincoln pulls away, likely to circle the block. I have no doubt there is additional security staying out of sight, just like my men. There is no way the CIA would leave one of their own with me without protection.

“All right, talk,” I say as we start in the direction of the park. I gesture for Lucas to follow at some distance. “Why are you here?”

“The better question is: why are you?” Frank’s voice is edged with frustration. “Do you know how much trouble your presence is causing us? The FBI knows you’re in their jurisdiction, and they’re going apeshit—”

“I thought you took care of that.”

“I did, but Wilson refuses to let it drop. He and Bosovsky are sniffing around, trying to dig up a cover-up. It’s a f*****g mess, and your visit isn’t helping.”

“How is this my problem?”

“We don’t want you in this country, Esguerra,” Frank says as we round the corner. “You have no reason to be here.”

“No?” I quirk an eyebrow. “My wife’s parents are here.”

“Your wife?” Frank snorts. “You mean that eighteen-year-old you kidnapped?”

Nora is twenty now—or will be in a couple of days—but I don’t correct him. Her age is hardly the main issue. “That’s the one,” I say coolly. “As you know full well, since you dragged me from dinner with her parents… my in-laws.”

Frank gives me an incredulous stare. “Are you f*****g serious? Where do you get the balls to look these people in the eye? You abducted their daughter—”

“Who is now my wife.” My tone sharpens. “My relationship with her parents is none of your f*****g business, so stay out of it.”

“I will—if you stay out of this country.” Frank stops, breathing heavily from keeping up with my longer stride. “I’m not kidding about this, Esguerra. We can delete files and records, but we can’t erase people. Not in this matter.”

“You’re telling me the CIA can’t silence two nosy FBI agents?” I give him a cold look. “Because if they’re the only issue—”

“They’re not,” Frank interrupts, quickly realizing where I’m going with this. “It’s not just the FBI, Esguerra.” He reaches up to wipe the sweat off his forehead. “There are higher-ups who are nervous about your presence here. They don’t know what to expect.”

“Tell them to expect me to visit with my in-laws and leave.” For once, I’m being entirely truthful with Frank. “I’m not here to conduct business, so your higher-ups don’t need to worry.”

Frank doesn’t look like he believes me, but I don’t give a f**k. If the CIA knows what’s good for them, they’ll keep the FBI off my back.

I’m here for Nora, and anyone who doesn’t like it can go straight to hell.

When I return to the house, I find Nora arguing with Rosa about cleaning up the table.

“Rosa, please, today you’re the guest,” Nora says, reaching for the platter with the remnants of the lamb. “Please, just sit, and I’ll help my mom—”

“No, no, no,” Rosa objects, walking around the table and picking up dirty dishes. “You have the baby to worry about. Please, this is my job. Let me help.”

“I’m ten weeks along, not nine months—”

“She’s right, baby,” I say, stepping up to Nora and plucking the platter from her hands. “It’s been a long day, and I don’t want you overtiring yourself.”

Nora starts to argue, but I’m already carrying the platter to the kitchen, where Nora’s parents are packing away the leftovers. As I walk in, Gabriela’s eyes widen, but she accepts the platter from me with a quiet “thank you.”

I smile at her and walk back to the dining room for more dishes.

It takes a few more trips for Rosa and me to clear off the table and bring everything to the kitchen. Nora sits on the living room couch, watching us work with a mixture of exasperation and curiosity.

Finally, the table is clean, and the Lestons come out of the kitchen to join us. I take a seat next to Nora on the couch and pick up her hand, bringing it to my lap so I can play with her fingers.

“Gabriela, Tony, thank you for a wonderful dinner,” I say when Nora’s parents sit down next to Rosa on the second couch. “I apologize that I had to step out and missed dessert.”

“I saved you a slice of cake,” Nora says as I massage her palm. “Mom packed it for us to go.”

I give her mother a warm smile. “Thank you for that, Gabriela. I appreciate it.”

Gabriela inclines her head. “Of course. It’s unfortunate that your business took you away so late in the evening.”

“Yes, it is,” I agree, pretending not to notice the inquiry implicit in her statement. “And you’re right, it is getting late…” I glance down at Nora, who’s covering a yawn with her free hand.

“Nora says you’re staying at a house in Palos Park,” Tony says, watching us with an unreadable expression. “Is that where you’re sleeping tonight?”

“Yes, that’s right.” The house is on the far edge of the community, with enough empty acreage surrounding it that Lucas was able to implement the required security features. “That’s where we’ll be staying for the duration of our visit.”

“The two of you are welcome to use Nora’s room if you wish,” Gabriela offers, sounding uncertain.

“Thank you, but we wouldn’t want to impose. It would be better if we had our own space for these two weeks.” Still holding Nora’s hand, I get up and give the Lestons a polite smile. “Speaking of which, I believe it’s time for us to go. Nora needs her rest.”

“Nora is fine,” the subject of my concern mutters as I usher her toward the exit. “I’m capable of staying up past ten, you know.”

I stifle a grin at the grumpy note in her voice. My pet doesn’t like to admit that she tires easily these days. “Yes, I’m aware. But your parents need their rest too. Tomorrow is Thursday, isn’t it?”

“Oh, right, of course.” Stopping before we reach the front door, Nora turns to her parents. “I forgot that the two of you have work tomorrow,” she says contritely. “I’m sorry. We probably should’ve left earlier—”

“Oh, no, honey,” her mother protests. “We’re so happy to have you here, and we told you to come this evening. When are we seeing you next?”

Nora looks up at me, and I say, “Tomorrow evening, if that works for the two of you. This time dinner will be at our house.”

“We’ll be there,” Tony says, and I watch both Lestons hug and kiss Nora as they say their goodbyes.