“And what about Remington?He’s supposed to be getting out soon and returning home.What do we tell him when he asks about you?” she asked.Saylor looked out toward the gardens, the pain in her heart stabbing at her like a wicked stepmother.
“Just tell him I had to leave.He won’t care.It won’t matter to him.”
“Oh, Saylor.I think you’re dead wrong, honey.You don’t have a lot of experience with men and certainly not men from Belle Fleur.Just because he hasn’t called you or written, doesn’t mean he isn’t thinking about you.These men have very dangerous jobs and he could be someplace right now where communication of any kind might get him, and his team, killed.”
“Exactly.Which is why I can’t wait around and hope that he returns.He could decide to stay another few years or not return home at all.I just can’t risk that, Aunt Nell.”Nell nodded at her, looking at the SUV pulling up outside, loaded with suitcases and boxes.
“Why won’t you let us drive you?” she asked again.“At least we could spend a few days together.”
“Aunt Nell, please.I just need to go.I have an apartment just around the corner from the hospital where I’ll be working.You have the address.I’ll call in a few months when everything is, well, settled and then you and Uncle Sor can come up.”
“Okay, sweetie,” she said standing with the beautiful young woman.They walked to the car and Sor opened the door for her, letting her hug Nell one last time.
“I love you,” she said to her aunt.“I love you both and I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve given me.”
Nell nodded at her niece, waving as Sor drove away with her.She’d insisted on not using the company plane, instead buying a coach ticket to Indianapolis.Just the charges for her baggage would be outrageous but she wouldn’t entertain any other way of getting there.
“You okay, Nell?” asked Ajei.
“No.No, I’m not because I know that she’s not and I know in my heart that this is a colossal mistake.”
“Well, if we know anything around here it’s that love will always find a way.If she and Remington were meant to be together, it will happen.”Nell turned and stared at the older woman she considered a mentor.
“Ajei?Don’t tell Sor I asked this but don’t you think Saylor looked a little fuller around the middle?” she tilted her head with a keen gaze and Ajei smiled at her.
“It did look that way to me.How long has Remington been gone?”
“Six months,” whispered Nell.
“Six months,” repeated Ajei.“She’s covering it well but she won’t be able to for long.I’ll make sure that the boys know to keep an extra eye on her for sure.”
“Thank you, Ajei.And don’t tell Sor.He’d just drive up there and drag her back.”Ajei nodded, hugging the younger woman.
“Maybe that’s what she needs, honey.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“We’ve got a location for Jericho,” said Ace.“And Trak said to tell you that Alvin said the woman tasted funny.I have no idea what that means.”
“Neither do I,” frowned Luke.“And I don’t think I want to know.Where is he?”
“Checked into the Royal last night.Had steak and seafood dinner, a bottle of wine, a very expensive bottle of wine, and bought a suit all on a credit card in his own damn name.”
“Is this guy stupid?” asked Eric.
“That’s a rhetorical question, right?” asked Ace.Eric nodded, laughing at the man.
“Yeah, it definitely is.Is he still at the Royal?Did he contact Remy?”
“Yes, and yes.He told him that he had other plans today and he would contact him later about meeting tomorrow morning.”
“Is he still at the hotel right this minute?” asked Luke.
“He is and Trak and the team are scattered around the lobby waiting for your orders,” said Ace.
“Tell them to sit tight.I want to be there and talk to this man.”
“We want to speak with him as well,” said Kane.“We need to know if other kids have been used.You know we have to know that, Luke.”
