nurse in the ass when Bella turns, standing as straight as she can. “I’ve made arrangements. Crew is on his way. While your constant supervision has been thoroughly irritating, I have to admit, I appreciate the alias. Being extradited to England is not on my bucket list.”
I gloss over her talk of extradition as well as her shitty thanks for taking care of her. “Vega is on his way?”
She turns again and throws what little clothes I brought her into my duffle. “Yes. I spoke to him this morning while you were in the loo. He said he and his wife have a spare bed for me and I am welcome to recuperate there until I can get on my feet to do what I came here to do.”
“You’re not going anywhere with Vega,” I grit. “And you know better than to use a landline.”
“Do you really think after all I’ve been through, I would risk communicating with anyone that would alert authorities? Please, Cole. Give me a shred of credit. I know how to communicate safely. Not to mention, he said they live on a vineyard.” She turns to me and hikes a brow. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a vineyard? Let alone had good wine?”
I narrow my eyes. “Let me guess. Tuscany when we were able to steal two days between your assignments?”
She exhales before planting her ass on the side of her bed with a groan.
“I’m right. I remember it like it was yesterday. We had that B&B to ourselves. The food was good, the wine was better, but the sex was the highlight.”
She looks away and shakes her head.
“The beginning of the end,” I add. “Had I only known, I would’ve talked you into running away with me forever.”
She might not be able to stand straight easily on her own yet, but she levels her eyes on me and her tone is as strong as ever. “You didn’t have the luxury then just as you don’t now, Cole. You have responsibilities, that’s not changed.”
“You used to understand my responsibilities.” I pull out my phone and press go on a number I’ve called way too often over the last few days. I listen to it ring and don’t take my eyes off the biggest challenge of my life. And that’s saying something. “Not only did you understand, you insisted I put them first, which I did and will do until the day I die. But it doesn’t mean I can’t have other things as well.”
Hollingsworth answers but his greeting is as frustrated as I feel. “You’ve already called for an update today. I swear I’ll reach out if I find out why she’s here.”
The frown that has marred Bella’s face ever since she came to and saw me sitting next to her deepens as I speak into the phone. “If Vega thought I was pissed the night of the shooting, it’s nothing compared to what he’ll have to deal with if he shows up here today. He’s not taking Bella anywhere. She’s been discharged and is going home with me.”
“Damn you,” Bella hisses.
Asa keeps talking and I hear voices in the background. “Well, since I’m watching my boy Crew go at a new recruit on the mat, I don’t think he’s heading your way anytime soon. Don’t worry, if anyone is going to kidnap your woman, it won’t be us.”
I exhale and am grateful for at least one less speed bump to maneuver.
“Good luck taking her home to Red.” Asa has the nerve to laugh even though he isn’t wrong. When I told Red what was going on, he looked about as happy as Bella does with me right now. “I’d pay to see that show.”
“I don’t need any visitors, especially any of you. It was bad enough Jarvis got into her room when he did.”
“Jarvis.” Bella’s face lights up and it pisses me off. “He owes me his life—he said so himself. I’ll ring him to come get me.”
I hold my hand up. “Of all people, you’re not talking to Jarvis.”
“Tell her she’s out of luck,” Asa adds. “He’s in Ohio with Gracie. But they’ll be back tonight. Gracie couldn’t stop talking about Donnelly before they left. She’s going to want some time with your spy.”
“Nobody is getting time with Bella unless I allow it.” The topic at hand glares at me right before she rolls her eyes. “I wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be a scene to deal with