Page 30 of The Soul of Archer
“What do you mean?” Krista asked looking over her menu.
“Look, I can see it in your eyes. What’s up?”
Krista sighed and sat down the menu. “Alright. Ethan asked me to talk to you. What I’m going tell you, he’s telling Lance right now. When the guys go to Houston, he doesn’t want Lance there. In fact, Ethan wants you and Lance away from here.”
This floored Alora. She leaned back in her seat and just stared at Krista a moment. “You mean Ethan wants me and Lance to hide?”
“Yes and no. What Ethan is considering is, that Sam and Ian could slip away during the raid. He doesn’t want to run the risk that they will come back here and go after you, Lance or both. By now, Blackout is assuming that Sam has told his dad that he saw you and Lance together Saturday night. If so, that paints a target on both of you and Ethan won’t risk either one of you.” Krista explained.
It made sense to Alora and she agreed with Ethan’s reasoning. “So, he wants me and Lance to leave for the weekend?”
“Well, if you could, he’d like you guys gone the week of the raid. He knows you’re busy and understands that may not be possible…”
“I think I can swing next week. I finished the last of the specialty cakes just before I came here. I can leave Frank in charge until the Monday after the raid. Besides, my people have been telling me to take a vacation. I haven’t taken one in over a year.” Alora smiled.
***
When Lance picked Alora up that evening at the park, she could tell something was his mind and she could guess. “Did Ethan come talk to you today?”
Lance sighed, “Yeah. I guess Krista filled you in?”
“Yeah, she said Ethan wants us gone next week. As of today, my vacation starts at the end of the day on Friday. When I told Frank and my people, they practically cheered.” Alora giggled. When Lance threw her a questioning look, she laughed. “You see, I haven’t taken any time off in over a year and they all think I’m overdue. Maybe I am, but the shop is in good hands under Frank. My next specialty cake, a wedding cake, isn’t due till after the raid. So, we take off and when we get back, Malconi family or not, I go back to work and start on it.”
Lance reached over and took her hand. He lifted it to his lips and brushed the back of her knuckles with his lips. “You are one hell of a woman Alora.”
“And you’re one hell of a man Lance.” She smiled, reaching out to run her hand against the base of his neck. “So, where will we be going?”
“Jacksonville.”
Alora froze as he pulled into his driveway. He put the truck in park then shifted so he was facing her. “Did you say Jacksonville?”
“I did. I’m taking you to meet my folks. I want you to meet them. Is that okay?” he answered.
Alora scooted over and was in his lap, her arms around his neck. “I’m honored you want me to meet your parents Lance. I would love to go. Will you take me on your boat?”
Lance laughed and held her closer. “Yes Tigress, I will. In fact, you would be the first woman outside of my family to be on it.”
Alora smiled at that. She leaned in and kissed him. This kiss was slow, sweet, but still held the heat that was always simmering just under the surface with them. She pulled back and cupped his cheek. “I guess we better get inside. While I’m cooking dinner, you can call your mom and tell her. Unless you want to surprise her?”
“I think I’ll surprise her. But I will grab a shower while you’re cooking.” He grinned.
***
Danny sat at his desk reading the report from his undercover guy in Malconi’s crew. According to the agent, the location would be decided in the next two days and once he knew he’d pass it on. Sighing, Danny rubbed the back of his neck and leaned back in his chair. For the last decade now, he had been with the D.E.A. and he never regretted his decision to join. Yet despite loving the job, he was growing tired. He recalled something his mentor, Agent Greg Wallis told him after his first undercover assignment.“When the edges of the bigger picture start blurring Danny, that’s when you need to walk away.”And Danny was beginning to see those blurs. His eyes opened at the knock. He looked at his open door and saw Ethan.
“Hey bro.”
“Hey Ethan. What are you doing here?”
Ethan walked in and dropped into one of the visitor’s chairs in front of the desk. “Came by to see if you wanted to grab a burger and beer? Krista is over at Connie’s helping her with some Pinterest project or something and I don’t feel like cooking.”
“Burger and a beer sounds great right about now.” Danny nodded.
