Page 138 of Javier

“Javier told me the same thing the other day.”

“Well then, the guy’s got sense.” Thena flashed a quick grin before she sobered up. “I understood your decision all along. It was only when Dash showed up and told me we were all in danger that I knew we had to find you. And now, I can’t lie. I’m so glad to have you back. I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me, too.”

We fell into each other’s embrace again. In the last thirty minutes, it had become a regular occurrence. It was as if we needed that physical touch in order to believe our reunion was real.

“Life without you was so lonely.” I sighed, content in my sister’s embrace. “I felt cut off, like a tree without roots or a body without limbs. The Sisters of Charity were very kind to me, but I missed you, Cece, and Affie. I can’t stop thinking about them. What if the assassins catch up with them before we find them?”

“I’m worried, too.” Thena took a deep breath. “We’re doing everything in our power to make sure we find them as soon as possible. Dash says that, since we know Cece and Affie, we have a big advantage over the hired assassins trying to locate them.”

“I pray that’s true,” I murmured.

Thena reached for the pot and got us a refill. She didn’t put any sugar in her tea, but it warmed my heart that she remembered I liked two cubes of sugar in mine. She handed me the steaming cup.

“What if Cece and Affie are…” I stared into my tea, unable to say the word.

“They’renotdead,” Thena said with confidence that blew me away.

I met her gaze. “How do you know?”

“I just do.” Thena picked up her mug.

“You seem so confident.” I wrapped my hands around the warm mug, trying to dispel my dreadful thoughts. “Has there been any news on their whereabouts?”

“We have clues.” Thena took a sip of her tea. “We’re following up on them.”

“I hope we find them soon.” I bit down on my lip.

“You used to bite your lip just like that when you werelittle.”

“Did I?”

“You were the cutest, sweetest little baby.” Thena’s eyes lit up with her memories. “I remember holding you for the first time and knowing you were a gift from the universe.”

“I’m not a baby, or a sweet little girl anymore,” I ventured. “Haven’t been for a while.”

“I know.” Thena’s eyes rounded. “You’ve changed a little. Or perhaps a lot. We both have.”

“I’ve been working on myself,” I said. “Baby Missy, Prissy Missy, and Mousy Missy are out. I’m just Missy now.”

Thena arched her eyebrows. “You were always quiet and shy, and you were the baby of the family, but you were never prissy or mousy to us, and we all adored you.”

“I needed a lot of help growing up.” I wiped a fugitive tear from the corner of my eye. “All that fainting. You were always so worried. I’m so grateful I had you by my side, but in the last three years, I’ve turned the tables. I’ve spent my time caring for others.”

“I get what you’re trying to say, Missy. I really like the woman you’ve become. So, no more baby girl for you. Now, tell me the truth. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I sipped on my tea. “My time with the nuns taught me a lot about the world we live in. Getting out of Nicaragua was hairy, and I can’t even begin to tell you how frightening Bekker and his NWO are, but until today, we were safe here. Javier is highly skilled at his job and he took excellent care of me.”

“Oh, yes.” She put her cup down and winked at me. “I can see that.”

My face went red. “I don’t want him to lose his job because of me.”

“Dash is just protective of you, of all of us. He won’t bemad at Javier forever, especially now that he knows he saved your life.” She paused and studied my face. “Is it truly love?”

“I don’t know how he feels about me, but I said the truth back there. I love him. And…”

“And what?”

---