Page 49 of To Have and To Hold

He texted back.

“Hasthis been cleared withel Patr?n?”

My response.

“Yes.”

My next textmessage was to Isabella.

“I’ll be there as soonas I can. Your tour awaits.”

She replied.

“It’sokay if we have to postpone it. I know you’re working hard.”

Oh,fuck no. We weren’t postponing this.

“Don’t leavethe apartments without me.”

Her reply causedmy dick to move.

“Yes, jefe.”

Chapter

Nineteen

Isabella

It was around four thirty when Horace knocked on the doorframe to my office. “Miss Izzy.”

I smiled at his use of my first name. “Yes, come on in.”

He stepped inside. “I received word from Emiliano Ruiz that he is taking you home tonight.”

Warmth filled my cheeks. “I told him I wanted to see more of San Diego, and with the lockdown” —I shrugged— “he was nice and offered me a tour.”

“You’re my responsibility.”

“Should I not trust Em?”

He took a step closer to my desk. “That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Em said he’d getel Patr?n’sapproval. He must have.”

“Sí, I asked Lieutenant Ruiz that same question.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“Miss, I’m asking you if you’d like me to accompany you and him on thistour?”

The way he emphasized the last word made me think he thought tonight was about more than a tour. “Horace, take the night off or do whatever it is you’re supposed to do when you don’t have to babysit me. I mean, you leave every night after you take me to Mia’s. You must have someplace to go.”

“You have my number. Your phone has a GPS tracker. If you need me at any time, call. I can find you.”

A GPS tracker. When did that happen?

Instead of asking, I simply replied, “Thank you. I will.”

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