Page 78 of To Have and To Hold

He shook his head.

“Are you telling me all you know or are you trying to protect me? Because not knowing is unbearable.”

“The mission is complete. That’s all I know.”

“Casualties?”

My eyes flooded with tears and my throat constricted when he nodded.

“Names?”

Again, he shook his head.

I turned toward the opening of Liliana’s door. She peeked her head out. “What do you know?”

My nostrils flared as I tried to form words. “Not much.” I wiped my runny nose on the back of my hand. “The operation is over. There are casualties. No names.”

Liliana came out and reached for my hand. “Come in my room. I can’t sleep and neither of us should be alone.” With my hand in hers, she looked at Horace. “What about Wanderland?”

“No word, ma’am. Business as usual.”

She exhaled. “The club closes at three. Wake me up if I’m asleep when the tenants return.”

“Señora Ruiz, they can’t know what is happening. If they know you’re here all night, there will be questions.”

I replied to him, my voice an octave higher than before. “What are we supposed to do, show up tomorrow in the same clothes and act like we went home?”

“Yes, miss. That is exactly what you will do.”

“Come on,” Liliana said, tugging my hand.

I’d never officially shared a bed. There were times throughout our childhood that I’d sneak into Noemi’s room, or she’d sneak into mine. That was different. We were sisters and we each had queen-sized beds for as long as I can remember.

Liliana peeled the top blanket from the bed and handed it to me. Next, she peeled the top sheet and wrapped it around herself like a big cape. “Let’s sit here.”

We both sat on the small bed with our backs against the wall on the long side and faced straight ahead.

“Have you ever done this before?” I asked. “Been made to stay here overnight?”

“No. There’s been times I wasn’t taken to my apartment. I’ve slept at Valentina’s or Mia’s before.”

I held my knees to my chest. Breaking down, I laid my face on my knees and cried. My shoulders heaved as I gasped for breath. Lifting my head, I turned to my new friend. “What if I lose him? We haven’t had enough time together.”

“How much time do you want?”

Her question caught me off guard. “I want forever.”

She inhaled and nodded.

“Oh shit.” I wiped my eyes on the blanket. “Liliana, I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”

Her eyes opened wide. “What are you sorry about?”

I closed my eyes, feeling the pounding in my head. “I’m crying and carrying on about the unknown fate of Em and you lost your husband.”

She shook her head.

“Do you mind me asking what happened to him? Was it an operation or battle?”

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