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"What did she say?" If anyone could convince Mel she needed a tracker, then it would be Rosa.
She smirks. "No idea. She's stubborn. Like you. She's your wife, get her to agree."
I roll my shoulders and then my eyes. "I wouldn't need your help if I could've done that myself. Convince her."
Rosa steps into the elevator with me. "She's agreed on the charities, at least. She was very enthusiastic about it too. I've asked that she speak to you about the details."
I feel my gut twist. She really is an angel. Of course, she wanted to run the charities. That was just who Mel is. A piece of sunshine in my very dark world.
"She's in her office working. Romero is outside the door, so there's no need to worry about me being down there. I've got it covered."
I squeeze my forehead and exhale. "I wasn't worried."
"Your pants are on fire. I can see it." Rosa presses the button for the highest floor. The one where Mel is hidden away right now.
"How did she do today?" I ask, for lack of something better to say.
Mel is going to flourish, and I know she will because that's just who she is. She steps in and makes things better. And despite our break up, she'd still managed to have my siblings wrapped around her fingers.
"Really good. Most of the pictures came out pretty good. The media branch will have the news out before the weekend runs out."
"It's not to get out until we have that tracker on her."
"She's not a fucking dog Xander. You're not going to lose her to the Russians if she gets out of the gate. You're more likely to lose her from trying to smother her,” Rosa snorts.
“I’m just saying that she needs to have someone on her. That’s all,” I snap.
Rosa rolls her eyes. “And you said you weren't worried."
I don’t respond to that.
The elevator opens, and I step out of it ahead of Rosa. Romero's head jerks towards us, and he relaxes his shoulders slightly when he sees it's me.
"How's it been here?" I ask on my way to the door.
"Quiet. She made a few phone calls, but that's been all." Romero answers, his hand tucked away from sight, probably snug against the butt of his gun.
I nod and step through the door. Mel looks up from her desk and then away. She's bathed in the rays of the evening sun, her blonde hair glinting almost champagne, and I suck in a harsh inhale.
Will I ever not want this woman? I can't help the surge of lust in my blood or the strong desire I feel to pull her from that desk into my arms or splay her out like a sacrifice and gouge myself on her.
I turn back to the door and pull it closed behind me. No one will open it with both Rosa and Romero out there.
She flashes a small smile at me, and then her eyes flit away. "Good evening, Xander. I wasn't expecting you."
No one knows my whereabouts. Easier to be safe that way. The Amory family isn't lacking in enemies.
"I'm here now. Are you ready to leave?" I take the seat in front of the massive, ancient-looking desk and watch as her eyes move nervously away from me.
"Not yet. Rosa sent a list of charities that you support." Her eyes meet mine and hold. "I didn't know anything about these."
The appreciation in her gaze has me feeling a few sizes taller. I shrug nonchalantly. "I have a certain image to uphold. Started it after my father got sick, but owning charities sounds too cuddly for my world."
Her eyes cloud with something too close to pity for comfort. She leans across the table towards me. "How long has that been going on?"
"Three years. He seemed to suddenly waste away. It's cancer. The doctors give him a few more months."
I have no idea why the truth comes spilling out of my lips like I've been waiting this entire time to tell her. No one but the family knows about my father's illness. He hasn't been seen by anyone outside of family either.
