Page 10 of Naughty and Nice
“I’m ready.”
I spun to find Liliana standing with a suitcase in tow. No longer only in her underwear, she was wearing a pair of jean capris and a soft pink sweater. Her long hair was plaited into a braid, and she wore flat ballet slippers on her feet.
“Liliana, I’m sorry.”
She dismissed me with a shake of her head. “Like I said, it’s the same as wearing a bathing suit.”
“At a topless beach.”
She smiled. “I’m sure you have wars to fight or overseeing to do at Wanderland. You should get me to the apartments so you can get on with your night.”
Shit, Wanderland.
My mind was definitely not in the game.
I checked my phone. No messages. Diego was at Wanderland. If anything was happening that needed my attention, he would have called or messaged. “No news from Em,” I said, putting my phone back in my pocket.
Liliana’s smile faded and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “José and Renata worked for your uncle. Instead of staying in Sacramento with Rei, they followed me here. I don’t want anything to happen to José.”
“The doc at the warehouse can take care of whatever ails you. He’s patched up stab wounds and gunshots. I’m sure José will be fine.” I reached for her suitcase. “Let me help you with that.”
She straightened her neck and looked up at me. “I’m not a child, Nick.”
“Didn’t say you were.” My grip tightened on the handle. “Let’s go.”
Liliana locked her apartment before we walked to the elevator.
I took a moment to look at the line of doorways, separated by artwork and sconces. “This is a great building,” I said. “How did you find it?”
“Mia found it for me. Jano thought it was safe.” She smirked. “Apparently, not safe enough to be on my own.”
The elevator doors opened, saving me from answering. The truth was that I didn’t want anyone else watching over Liliana, especially not a red-blooded soldier. We stepped inside.
“Garage?” she asked, before pushing the G-button.
I nodded.
Once we were to the garage, I led us to my car and put Liliana’s suitcase in the trunk. She settled in the passenger seat. As I sat behind the steering wheel, she remained quiet and stared straight ahead.
“Are we…are we okay?” I asked.
“Fine.”
The small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. From my experience with my mom and sister, fine was never fine. “Okay.” I started the car.
Liliana continued her fixation on the windshield as we drove through dark and mostly empty streets.
I tried another subject. “Are you registered for classes in January?”
A smile appeared, if only momentarily. “Sí, they’re basic freshman courses, English and algebra.”
“Algebra?”
“Before Izzy came to help at the apartments, I had trouble with some of Mia’s spreadsheets. I’ve learned a lot from Izzy. I was shocked to know what we were doing was algebra. I even like it.”
“I like you. I always have,” I said.
She turned with a tight-lipped smile. “I like you too. Don’t worry.”
