Page 10 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“I didn’t mess with her! I simply had my assistant call her to set up a meeting to discuss a possible collaboration. You’re making this sound like I took out a billboard announcing her identity to the world.”

“As far as her brother is concerned, that is exactly what you did. Now, back to the penthouse. Are you interested in buying it?” Enrique asked impatiently.

“No. I’m strapped for cash right now. I can ask the CFO if we can swing it, but based on our budget meeting on Monday morning, it would not be advised. We have some projects that may not see the projected return, and spending a quarter of a billion dollars on the penthouse would be unwise at this time. Why can’t you hold onto it? Rent it out or something? All the family use it to host events in the city, not just me. This will be a hit to all of us, and you are the least extended right now. Do you have something happening that necessitates the sale?” Fernando was mentally crunching numbers. He needed Enrique’s penthouse for entertaining when in New York. He would never lowball his brother, but he just didn’t have the capital to spend on such a large investment with so many other irons in his fire.

“No, I don’t have to sell it. It would just make things easier for me. I’ll talk to Gabe and Anthony about it and see what they say. Julio already said he wasn’t interested and saw no need for it. I know Anthony and Gabe use it to entertain as well. Whatever I decide, I’ll let you know. Is everything else good with you? Have you fulfilled either of the BBC pacts yet?”

“No, I don’t even want to think about them right now. I have so much other stuff happening, and now you say I’m going to get a visit from an angry brother. What about you? Have you fulfilled them yet?”

“As a matter of fact, I have, and no, I’m not going to tell you. You will have to wait until New Year’s Eve to hear my story and meet my lady. Talk soon. Be safe out there, and watch your back—no more shadow business. If you need someone investigated, you should run it by J or me first. Love ya, man!”

“Love you too. Be safe yourself. Tell your lady your little brother said hello, and I can’t wait to meet her.”

The call disconnected, and Fernando took a moment to wonder at the woman Enrique had found to love. How had he accomplished that in less than four months?

A knock sounded at the door, joining his and Sophie’s office. “Come in, Soph,” he called.

“Hey, Andy. I’ve been thinking about your fear pact. What about a European vacation? You said the other day you needed to look through old photos of your trip to Italy and watch some YouTube travel videos to help inspire your next book. What if you went back and saw it again? How much more inspired would you be if you went in person and walked the cobbled stone streets yourself? You could fly this time instead of taking the cruise ship.”

Her smile lit up the room, and she vibrated with excitement. Fernando knew she had always wanted to go to Europe. After speaking with Enrique, he felt even more pressure to get this pact fulfilled. He had no hope of meeting his soulmate, but this one he could do.

“Okay,” he agreed.

“Okay? Just like that? I thought I was going to have to do more persuading,” Sophie asked, astonished at his easy acquiescence.

“No, my brother and I just had an intense conversation, and I think now would be a good time to get away. Get it scheduled. Anywhere you want to go. Say, three weeks. Look at the schedule and see what meetings can be shuffled around and squeeze it in. I trust you to make everything work out smoothly,” Fernando replied confidently.

“Yes! I’ll let you know as soon as I get things figured out.” Sophie hustled back to her office to work her magic with his busy schedule.

A few days later, Sophie popped her head in, “Andy, I found a window for the trip, but before I begin booking reservations, I need to know how you want to travel. Do you want to do this in grand style and go all billionaire luxury, or do you want to be a normal tourist and hoof it like your readers would be if they went? I’m asking because you said you wanted inspiration for your book, but your characters wouldn’t be staying in the private villas or palaces of the wealthy, like on your last trip.”

“Hmm, good point. Doing the everyday tourist thing could be fun, but how would I pull that off with my bodyguards and famous face? It won’t be so much fun with the screaming women or paparazzi showing up and swarming us. There won’t be any saving the trip after that either. Once they know we’re in Europe, they’ll have cameramen stationed on every corner and be tracking my location better than my brother.”

“Leave that to me. We won’t be leaving until the second week of May. Your last on-camera interview was yesterday, and you had a clean face. Start growing your beard out now. You’ll have to have a more laid-back wardrobe. Maybe some skinny jeans, graphic tees, or a hoodie. Ditch the contacts. Wear glasses and a hat. No one will recognize you,” she assured him.

“Sophie, I’m fine with all of that but the contacts. I never wear my glasses in public, you know this. Get whatever clothes you think I needand yourself some too. We need to look like a couple so I don’t have to deal with the ladies. That will help maintain my disguise. If they don’t get too close, they won’t recognize me, right?”

“Why, Mr. Santos, are you suggesting we fake a relationship to hide your identity so you can enjoy a vacation?” Sophie asked flirtatiously, making her way back to her office.

“Yes, Miss Williams, I think I am. Will you be my fake girlfriend for three weeks so I can have some fun and be normal for a minute?”

“Yes, Mr. Santos, I’ll be your fake girlfriend. And you must wear the glasses. You look hot in them.” On that note, she closed the door and began making plans for their trip.

Chapter Ten

“Hello, baby brother. What can I do for you this fine afternoon? Need help coming up with a way to fulfill the pact, perhaps?” Gabriel asked as soon as he accepted the call.

“Did Enrique tell you I hadn’t fulfilled it yet? Snitch. What about you? Have you faced your fear yet?” Fernando challenged.

“Nope, but I got it all planned.”

“Well, I’ll have you know that I do as well. That’s what I’m calling about, actually. I need some advice, but I need you to keep this between us. You and Rique have gotten really close lately, and I don’t need you blabbing this to him. Got it?”

“Hey, cool your jets, little brother. I’m close with all my brothers. I just happened to be nearby when Rique got all hot around the collar about you and your little off-the-books investigation. Trust me, it’s better that he vented all that rage to me before he called you calm as a cucumber,” Gabriel informed him.

“Wait, Enrique talked to you about my situation? The same situation he said I was in hot water for because it is a top-secret thing, and I’m not supposed to know about it?” Fernando asked incredulously.

“Yep. Turns out I know Sarah and her brother. I’m in their little circle of trust. I get why Enrique was upset, but I also know that Sarah’s brother isn’t likely to cut off your typing fingers over it. You’re just lucky you’re part of our family because if you weren’t, well, this would be much worse for you. Imagine how you would feel if some stranger turned up at Hannah’s door after all of us had worked our bottoms off to hide her and keep her safe. If you can imagine that, then you are playing the same sport as Sarah and her brother but not even close to being in the same field.”

---