Page 35 of Wilde In His Arms

“Yes.It’s our family.”

Thatourreally melted her heart.“Nick.”

“You’re doing it again.Saying my name like that.”

She giggled.“Have a good day.I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Bye, baby.”

Aria rolled to the side of the bed and sat up, smiling.She loved their chats.This one came with some sexy phone sex, too.And wasn’t she lucky that he was trying to be so open and honest with her.Not that he wasn’t before, he’d just pushed the door wide open now and let her in because he didn’t want to lose her.

All they needed now was to spend some real time together, so they could blend their lives together.

He was coming.

He’d be here soon.

Chapter thirteen

NickparkedbehindJulia’scar in her mother’s driveway.He’d followed her here from her place.She’d stopped off at the market on the way to pick up groceries.He’d waited in the car while she shopped, then he waited for her to park at the house and go inside before he approached.He wanted to catch her by surprise.

Her apartment had too many people around.If she was going to meet with her brother, it would be here.This place was out of the way and backed up to a sparsely wooded area, the three cabins out back hidden among the trees.

He climbed out of his car and headed for the porch, hearing Julia call out to her mother, “If you want something to eat, you better keep quiet.”The snap in Julia’s voice made it clear she expected that order to be followed.

Nick frowned.That was no way to talk to your mother.Then again, he hadn’t heard whatever the mother said before he got to the door.

Was she talking to someone else?

He’d find out.He knocked on the door.

Julia answered, her gaze shooting past him and searching for more agents, he guessed.

“It’s just me.Can I come in?I have a few more questions to ask you.”

She didn’t move back from the door.“How did you know I was here?”

He didn’t answer that.“I could ask your mom the questions instead of you, if you’d like.”

She pressed her lips tight and held the door open wider for him to enter.

The living space was just a couch, two chairs, a TV atop a wood cabinet, and family photos on the wall that separated the kitchen and living room.

Julia walked back to the kitchen.“I have to finish putting away the groceries.”

Nick walked to the entry between the living room and kitchen and stopped, staring down the hallway to the back bedroom, where he spotted Mrs.Lopez propped up in bed, dressed in a pair of joggers and a simple white T-shirt.

“Who are you?”she called out.

Julia went still, then called back, “He’s with the FBI.Here about Javier.”

Nick gave Mrs.Lopez an easy smile.“Have you seen your son recently?”It was a shot in the dark that she’d even answer, but worth a try.

Mrs.Lopez opened her mouth to say something, but Julia beat her to it.“Don’t say anything.Let me handle this.”

Mrs.Lopez crossed her arms over her chest.“I’m not a part of this.”

Wondering what she meant, Nick turned and raised a brow at Julia.

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