meet up with my team, and secure an update from my boss the Deputy Assistant Director. Then I’ll head over to where you are and pick you up to take you to your place.”
“Honestly, you’ve done so much. You really don’t have to do that…”
Why the heck was I trying to get out of seeing him when not seeing him was the absolute last thing I wanted?
“Simone, I told you I’m gonna keep you safe and I’m committed to that. You’re in danger. No matter how strong you are or how many family members you have around you. The situation is still dire. A very bad man has your contact information, ID, cellphone, and car. That’s too close of a connection than I’d like anyone to have on a single woman who’s as sweet as you.”
“You think I’m sweet?”
Oh my God! He thinks I’m sweet!
He laughed heartier this time and I felt a flush of embarrassment work its way across my cheeks and down my neck and chest.
“Simone, you got out of your car in a tiny pink uniform that made you look like cotton candy. You’re kind. Strong. And you were more worried about getting your sister into trouble because of the possibility that you’d get a ticket or be arrested than you were about yourself. You took care of me. Got us help. Yeah, I think you’re sweet.”
“Um…thank you.”
“No problem. So, text this phone the address to where you’re at…”
“I can have someone bring me, if it’s out of your way,” I offered not wanting him to take me up on it.
“See? Sweet. And no, I’d rather escort you. We want anyone who may be casing the place to know you’re in FBI custody. Meaning unavailable to hunt and hurt.”
I covered my mouth with my hand as I gasped.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I promised to keep you safe. I did that last night, right?”
“Yeah.” I let out the single word as though it were a whisper.
“And I’m a man of my word. When you’re with me, you’ll always be safe, Simone.”
I swallowed down the sudden emotion making my throat dry. “I’ll text you the address.”
“Fuckin’ sweet. Christ,” he blurted.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing. See you this afternoon, yeah?”
“Okay, Jonah. Thanks again.”
“You got it. Until then,” he said and hung up. No goodbye or farewell. Just, until then.
I pressed the button and turned around to a bunch of smiling faces.
“Don’t even start…” I warned.
“Oh no, we are sooooo getting into this. Jonah? You’re calling the agent by name?” Blessing noted right off the bat.
“Of course, I am, because it is his name,” I fired off and set the phone down.
“And you’re flushed, as though you’re happy to talk to him. Reeeeaaaallly happy,” Charlie added. “I know that look, girl. I feel that way every time I visit one of Addy’s photo shoots and see all those naked or half-dressed women. Who am I kidding? Even the men.”
“You hit on everything that moves,” I countered.
“True, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are into this guy! The FBI guy who saved you,” she teased.
“I think it’s romantic. Like a fairytale.” Liliana put her hands in a prayer pose at her chin, her eyes filled with rainbows and unicorns.
“Mama! Get them to lay off,” I requested.
“And ruin all the fun? I want to hear about this Jonah fella. I left the hospital before you two. Sonia said you’d chatted with the FBI agent who saved your life, but she didn’t say you took a liking to him. Do tell?” She leaned over the counter on her elbows and put her cheek into her hand.
“You guys are impossible!” I harrumphed.
“No, we’re your sisters, and you’re hot for a guy and we want to know more! Like, what happened with that good-for-nothing boyfriend of yours, Trey?”
“Oh blech.” I made a gagging sound. “He broke up with me yesterday. Let me start at the beginning of my day so you’re all caught up…”
“And then you’ll tell us about Agent Jonah Fontaine?” Liliana demanded in her singsong, life-is-amazing tone.
I took a deep, fortifying breath. “And then I’ll tell you about one heck of a hot FBI agent.”
When I opened the door, I was not only greeted by Jonah, but also the blond agent from the hospital.
“Hi, Simone, this is my partner, Agent Ryan Russell.”
I smiled. “Nice seeing you again. We met briefly last night.” I glanced at Jonah and his dreamy dark gaze was planted directly on my face, as though he were cataloguing my