Page 63 of Crude Heir

“And this is Elena Santos,” he says, resting a hand at the back of her waist. “Welcome to La Escuadra.”

Elena’s smile is warm and inviting as they exchange pleasantries.

Frank comes behind us with our bags. “How was your first time on a plane, Miss Nicole?” he asks with genuine interest.

She gives him a big smile. “It was the best first flight anyone could ask for.”

“I’m glad.” He turns to Addler and gives a quick nod.

“Frank, this is Elena.”

With the last of the introductions done, Frank heads into the office.

“Let’s get on the road,” Addler says, grabbing a bag. “We might be able to check one more place on the way home.” Without thinking, I follow Addler, leaving the women to chat as they follow along at a slower pace.

“Was it wonderful?” Elena asks, walking with Nicole.

“Incredible. I never imagined how fancy those planes can be.” Both women chuckle.

“Oh, are you okay?” she asks, concerned.

“Yes, I hurt my ankle earlier, but it’s noth— Oh!” A huge gust of wind comes through, but I still manage to hear the pain in her voice.

“Nicole?” Elena’s voice carries a frantic note.

I turn to check on them. Nicole’s fighting to keep her skirt in place while her hair whips all around her. She tries to straighten her foot without calling attention to herself.

“It’s noth—” Then she catches sight of me dropping my bag as I head back.

“Let me take that.” Elena reaches over, thinking quickly.

“Derrick, I’m okay,” she insists, bringing up her hands as if she has a chance in hell of stopping me.

“Uh-huh.” It’s a comment I can easily ignore as I scoop her right up while Elena takes the computer bag.

“Derrick!” She’s well on her way to turning beet red.

“What did I tell you about hurting yourself?” I whisper next to her ear.

“I—”

“And lying to me?” I remind her of her second transgression.

“But—”

“And showing another man what’s mine…”

“Oh Lord.” She has enough sense to put her arm around me while carefully tucking her skirt around her thighs.

I glance back to find a huge grin on Addler’s face. He comes back to pick up the bag I dropped then returns to hold the door as I get Nicole settled into the back seat of the big truck. She scoots over so I can climb in to sit beside her.

Elena climbs into the passenger’s seat, dropping the computer bag by her feet as she glances back at us, her expression etched with concern. “I’m so sorry.” She pulls at the seat belt, bringing it across her chest. “Your ankle isn’t broken, is it?”

I quickly turn to Nicole, waiting for an answer.

“Do we need to head to the hospital?” Addler inquires, concern in his voice. “With the wind this bad, we’d have to drive. I don’t know if I can get you airlifted.”

“No-no-no. It’s not broken.” She gingerly tests her ankle, a grimace briefly crossing her face. “My foot went sideways, but I caught myself.”

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