Page 17 of To Have and To Hold

Jano nodded. “He should stay here tonight during the meeting. I’ll take Silas with me. The outside guards stay here too. No one is using our meeting as a time to get to my wife and son.”

He forgot Isabella, but I wouldn’t.

“I’ll tell him when he gets here.”

“He’s here. I received the message a half hour or more ago.”

My eyebrows rose. “They’re here…Isabella is here?”

“Sí,” he said dismissively. “Vete.”

Stepping into the hallway, I closed the office door behind me. Despite the hell that was happening on our streets, a strange twinge of excitement sped through my circulation at the knowledge that Isabella was in this house.

I contemplated going out the front door, but that would be disobeying an order. Jano told me to talk to Horace. That would be my first stop. If I happened upon Isabella in the process, all the better.

Walking toward the living room, I scanned beyond the open doors to the pool and the glistening ocean beyond. Nothing was as beautiful as the sight of Isabella seated under an umbrella at a table with Mia. The two of them had glasses and plates before them and were looking at the screen of a laptop.

As I passed through the living room and by the kitchen, I saw Silas’s wife, who wasel Patr?n’scook and housekeeper. “Viviana,” I greeted.

Her smile grew. “Emiliano,quieres almorzar?”

“No, gracias.” I could ask Viviana if she knew where Horace was, but that wouldn’t get me out on the pool deck.

I squinted against the sun as I stepped out onto the travertine pavers. “Buenas tardes.”

Mia and Isabella looked up. While Mia smiled, Isabella turned her attention back to her lunch. Determined, I walked closer.

Mia stood and reached for my arm. “Thank you for your help. Horace is the perfect choice for Isabella. I don’t know why I didn’t think of him. And he’ll be able to help her with the names of the club workers.” She waved her hand. “Honestly, pregnancy brain doesn’t go away when you give birth.” She turned to Isabella and back. “Em, you know my cousin, don’t you?”

Isabella’s stunning chocolate orbs were once again looking my direction, and her slender shoulders were back, making her pert breasts push toward the material of her sundress.

I bowed at the waist and stood tall. “Isabella, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Hi.”

“Oh,” Mia said, “of course, you’ve been together as recent as Ariadna Gia’s birthday. I just figured with Uncle Carmine’s overprotectiveness, you hadn’t been properly introduced.”

“We spoke,” Isabella said with more confidence than she showed in Kansas City.

“Yes,” I replied. “And not to worry. The punch came out of my shirt.”

Isabella’s eyes opened wide. “No, there wasn’t a stain. Was there?”

I felt my cheeks rise. “No. I am just teasing you.” I spoke to Mia. “I need to discuss something with Horace. Do you know where he is?”

“Yes, he’s out in Silas’s security building. Felipe took Rafaele back to the airport so Silas could show Horace the equipment he’s installed to make this house as safe as possible.”

“Thank you. I’ll go out there.” I tipped my chin. “It’s nice to have you here. I’m certain Liliana will appreciate your help.”

“I’m trying to get Isabella accustomed to my program.” Mia looked at me. “Em, you and Nick helped me design this. Could Isabella call you if she needs help?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m mostly on house arrest. My husband is a little stressed.”

“In his defense, he has good reason.” I grinned. “Of course, Isabella. Mia will give you my number. Call or text anytime.”

“Perfect,” Mia said.

Isabella’s only response was a pink glow to her cheeks.

“I’ll go find Horace,” I said as I turned and entered the house.

---