Page 33 of Royal Caleva: Luis

“Ah, Eve,” Luis said, the image of her face gilded by candlelight rising in his mind’s eye. “I will have to be careful with her.”

“She seems like a sensible woman,” Mikel said. “I don’t see the problem.”

“She and Grace are a tightly melded family unit. It will require finesse to become a significant part of Grace’s life without upsetting that balance.”

He faced an additional issue that he wouldn’t share with Mikel. Every time he got near Eve, he felt the urge to wind his fingers into her glorious hair, tilt her head back, and taste her generously curving lips before he slid his mouth lower.

He wasn’t sure what attracted him so strongly. She was not beautiful in the classic sense, but she had a warm sensuality that called to him. Perhaps it was also because once she had relaxed this evening, she had treated him like any other dinner guest. He had found himself at ease in a way he hadn’t been for a long time. If she hadn’t been the adoptive mother of his daughter, he would be tempted to begin a discreet affair with her.

He seized the plastic container of sweets and popped off the top before offering it to Mikel. “Have one. You’ll be amazed at how delicious it is.”

As delicious as the woman who had made it.

CHAPTER 9

“What is this bad news you have for me?” Luis asked.

The sun was barely peeking over the flat line of the horizon as he sat in front of a computer monitor on the desk in the rental house. He was discussing developments in Caleva with Raul, Bruno Sanz, and his top political advisor, Francisco Vargas, via video call.

“The group of consejeros who wants to renegotiate the Americans’ lease is threatening to stage a protest right outside the military base if they don’t get a meeting with you soon. The new one, Camacho, seems to be riling up the others.” Raul’s jaw was tight with frustration. “I am sorry that I failed to pacify them, Pater.”

“Joder! You have nothing to apologize for, Raul. Those gilipollas just want my attention.” Luis scowled at the computer monitor. “Why are these idiots trying to antagonize the Americans? The world is an unsettled place. We need their military presence now more than ever.”

“I think they are making trouble like the Lily Cabal did with trying to take over the lily sap production,” Raul said. “They got elected to the consejos by appealing to the voters’ greed, so they have to make it look like they are trying to squeeze money out of the rich Americans. They’ll claim they can use it to cut taxes.”

“You would think the Lily Subsidy would be enough,” Luis muttered at the screen.

“Señor, you know how sensitive the Americans are about their image in the international media,” Francisco said. “They don’t like friction with the local people. I think you need to meet with the consejeros before they organize the protest.”

A strange reluctance to leave Iowa clogged Luis’s throat. He wanted to be “just Luis” to Grace and Eve for a little longer. Once they came to Caleva and saw him amid the trappings of his position, he feared that he would never be “just Luis” again.

“I will be home by tomorrow morning.” He would sleep on the overnight flight home. “Try to work with Camacho, win him over to our side. Since he’s fresh to the consejo, he won’t have entrenched loyalties yet. Did you read his report about the conflicts he claims have occurred between the Americans and the locals?”

“Yes, and I spoke with the jefe de policia in Camacho’s district,” Raul said. “He says the number of incidents has not increased in the past six years, as Camacho claims. Nor have they escalated in violence.”

“Which person do the facts support?” Luis asked.

“Both, in a way,” Raul said. “Camacho’s report includes clashes—mostly in bars—where no one pressed charges on either side. Some of those have been confirmed by witnesses.”

“What is your gut feeling on this?” Luis asked his son.

“Camacho feels strongly on the subject,” Raul said. “I don’t think it’s a major issue, though.”

Luis nodded. “Good work.”

The tense set of Raul’s shoulders eased, and they moved on to other matters, most of which did not require Luis’s immediate attention. While he listened to the discussion, he wondered again what Grace thought of him. He glanced at the time in the corner of the computer screen. Much too early to call Eve to see if she would meet him for lunch. He could not interrupt Grace’s rotation today, but he could develop his relationship with Eve. He also wanted to get her perspective on his daughter’s reaction to her newfound father.

“That’s all we have right now,” Raul said, pulling Luis’s full focus back to faces on the computer screen.

“Excelente!” Luis said. “Raul, would you give me a few more minutes of your time?” He had told Raul about the DNA test results the day before, sharing his excitement with his son while also making sure Raul knew this would change nothing in their own relationship.

“Por supuesto.” Raul waited until Bruno and Francisco had left the video call. “How did it go with Grace? Will I like my half sister?” He smiled, but Luis saw the wariness in his eyes.

“That is a question only you can answer, but I find her intelligent, engaged, passionate, and articulate. In short, she shares many of your finest qualities.” Luis smiled at his son with all the pride he felt in both his children.

Raul laughed, relief in the sound. “Then she’s not the country bumpkin Odette described.”

“Not at all. Her adoptive mother has done a superb job of raising an impressive young woman.”

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