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Piper picks up the pink tennis ball I gave her, and my heart stutters in my chest. Can you really leave like this? Without a word?
“No, I can’t.”
It wouldn’t be fair to Austin. I spin his office chair around and search his desk for some paper and a pen. My eyes fill and blur the image of the letter I’m writing several times as I fight to get the words down. When I’m done, I place the note on the island, where he’ll surely see it when he comes home. Then I collect my bag, get a dog treat from a jar on the counter, and lead Piper to the doggie door.
As soon as the panel lifts, I shove my bag through, toss out the dog bone, and follow Piper through the opening. It's a tight fit, but I make it. Now, all I have to do is sneak through the yard, avoiding the cameras, and get a ride to the airport.
I feel like the criminal I was born to be as I creep around the side of the house opposite the garage.
At the corner, I dart in a straight line to the trees and through the woods to reach the road. I haven’t heard an alarm sounding, but I don’t want to take anything for granted. Moving farther down the road, I unlock my phone with shaking hands and order an Uber.
The driver arrives to pick me up at the nearest neighbor’s mailbox fifteen minutes later. I’m not out of the woods yet, though.
During the drive to Norfolk International, I search the airlines for the earliest flight to Puerto Rico. I find one that leaves just before ten. A check of my watch tells me I’ll be lucky to make it in time.
After running the whole way to and from the TSA check, I reach the gate just as the last passengers are loading. I’m winded, and my nerves are shot. I’ve made it, but my lungs don’t draw an easy breath until I’m buckled into my seat.
And then, the tears fall.
My eyes have dried by the time the plane lands in Atlanta, but I feel no better about what’s happened or what I’ve done. I’ve kept my phone off because I couldn’t handle hearing Austin’s voice once he eventually made it home to find my note.
I’m too raw and brittle right now. At best, by running, I’ve made myself a liar. At the worst, my actions announce that I have no faith in Austin to protect me. Though neither is true, I doubt he’ll see things any other way.
I run to reach my connection in time and soon arrive at the gate for my flight to San Juan. The plane should land at four, so I’ll wait until five before I call my father in case he’s meeting with anyone. That means I have an hour to kill. He wouldn’t hesitate to take my call, but I’d prefer no one knows I’m back in Puerto Rico until I can talk with Apá face to face.
The plane lands on time, and I rush to the exit, having only brought my purse and one carry-on. I plan to hide out in a bookstore near home until my father can pick me up.
Walking toward the taxi stand, I freeze at the familiar figure leaning against a black limo waiting at the curb. Dario Cruz. The drug kingpin’s son. He doesn’t seem surprised to see me. His smile even hints that he may have been expecting me, though that’s impossible. Not even I knew I’d be here seven hours ago. Dario pushes off the limo and walks toward me. “Princess Borerro, what a surprise. I did not know you were coming for a visit.”
Wanting to keep my reasons to myself, I respond with an easy lie. “I just graduated and thought of visiting my father before starting my career.”
“Such a devoted daughter,” he coos.
His tone unsettles me, but I remain cordial, as is expected of a daughter of the organization.
Dario looks around before focusing on me once again. “Is he here to pick you up?”
“No. He doesn’t know I’m coming.”
“Well then. Let’s keep it a surprise. I’ll give you a ride home.”
Austin
Moonlight spills in through the windows, washing Marisol in its pale light. She looks like an angel in my bed. As much as I’d love to kiss her, I don’t want to wake her up. It’s too early, and she had a rough day yesterday.
I get up, dress in a Knot tee and track pants, and slip out of my bedroom. Piper waits for me in the kitchen, but she won’t be going with me today. This is a first. Kneeling before her, I cup her snout, bringing her nose to mine. “I need you to stay with Marisol today. Protect her for me.”
I didn’t use any of her commands, but for this assignment, the Mali won’t need any. If anyone threatens this house or Marisol, Piper will attack without orders. Not that I’m worried about Marisol being found here. Not yet, anyway.
Though I’m pretty well insulated from my rental properties, I can be found if someone looks hard enough. That’ll need to change. In fact, I’ve got several things to work through if I’m going to keep Marisol safe long-term.
I stop in the kitchen to make a coffee, grabbing a protein bar on my way out. The garage light flips on when I enter. Since I don’t plan on any rental repair work today, I won’t take my work truck. I slide into my Discovery and pull from the garage, activating the alarm from my phone once the door closes again.
A lead weight settles in my gut as I turn onto the highway, but I chalk it up to this being the only time I’ve ever gone to work without Piper. The tension worsens as I pull through the gate at Knot Corp. It’s so bad that I almost call Marisol.
I park in the well-lit lot and enter through the main door. Frank, the head of security, takes in my unaccompanied entrance with a sharp eye. “Where’s my buddy this morning?”
“She’s on special assignment today.”