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“How can you possibly know that?Idon’t even know that!” The frustration was evident in her tone. She tried to look away and I suspected it was because she was about tocry.
“What does that mean? Do you have an ICE appointment?” I studied hercarefully.
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“You do or you don’t. Stop playing coy with me. I’m trying to help you,” Igrumbled.
Without saying a word, Talia stalked over to her old purse sitting on the shelf in the closet. She snatched it and grumbled under her breath the whole way back to the bed. “Fine. You want proof. Here.” She reached inside the purse, pulled out an envelope and dropped it in mylap.
My lips twitched while I tried not to laugh. This wasn’t funny, but she was so damn cute, I could hardly stand it. So, I picked up the envelope, ready to read it, when I realized a key point. “Pussy cat, this is still sealed shut. You never opened it.” I inhaled deeply. “This is yourproof?”
She bit her lip and I watched as the whites of her eyes turned pink. I wrapped an arm around her and drew her close. Finally, she spoke. “I was afraid. Now, after hearing about Dominik, I’m terrified. Franco may be older, but I feel like I’m the one who has to save both of us. It’s a lot ofpressure.”
“I bet it is.” I nodded, then pressed my lips to her forehead. “What if we open this together so we know what we’re dealing with?” I passed the envelope back toher.
“Why do I have to open it?” shewhimpered.
“Because it’s a federal offense for me to tamper with it.” I squeezed her more tightly. “I’m here for you. We’re in this together. You don’t have to beafraid.”
Talia stared up at me, a scowl on her face. “Your liberal use of the word ‘we’ hasn’t escaped me,Drew.”
I chuckled. “The fact that you still haven’t given me a pet name hasn’t escaped me,Talia.”
“Well, you seemed morally opposed to ‘asshole.’ Would ‘dumbass’ be better?” She glared atme.
“I think you’re missing the subtle distinction between pet names and name-calling.” My brow shot up in challenge. “Now stop deflecting and start opening.” I jerked my head toward the official paperwork she refused toread.
“You’re pushy as hell.” Shesighed.
“And you’re feisty when you’re scared.” I shrugged. “I can deal withthat.”
She growled before finally breaking down and peeling back the flap on the envelope. After taking a deep breath, she slowly pulled out the letter. When she finished unfolding it, she covered her eyes and shoved the paper at me, crinkling it against my chest. “You read it. Ican’t.”
“Damn. If this is the only way for us to find, I’ll do it.” I started to scan it and read it in my head, but she jabbed me in the ribs. “What?”
“Out loud,” sheurged.
“Dearest Talia Bartek,” I began jokingly. “Hey, I didn’t know your last name was Bartek. Fascinating. Look! I’m getting to know you better already!” I grinned as she rolled her eyes. “Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests the honor of yourpresence..”
“It does not say that,” shegroaned.
“It might. And if you’d have read it yourself, you’d know for sure. Instead, you get to hear my version,” I replied indignantly. Then I cleared my throat. “Where wasI?”
“Honor of my presence,” shegrumbled.
“Let me cut to the chase. Your appointment is two months away. That’s plenty of time.” I grinnedconfidently.
Rubbing her temples, she rocked back and forth. “Okay, so I take the money I was paid to date you, then I get a lawyer on retainer.” She glanced up at me. “Is the retainer double for two people? I can’t leave Franco to his own devices or we’ll be Skyping to celebrate Christmas together.” She blew out a breath. “Doesn’t matter. No matter how much the lawyer requests, we’ll blow through it in our first meeting. I know how these thingswork.”
“Talia, relax. You won’t be spending a penny of that money. Believe me, whatever they offered you for this weekend, you earned it.” I laughed. “On Monday, I can hire lawyers to help you. And once you stop fighting me, I plan to marry you.” I opened my mouth to relay my entire plan for how to help, but she shook herhead.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” She crossed her arms over herbody.
I frowned. “No thanks to the lawyers, or themarriage?”
“The marriage,” she blurted out. “The lawyers. Okay,both!”
“I understand you hate when I spend money on you. Get used to it. I plan to do it forever.” I pressed my lips to her temple. “Help me understand your objection to themarriage.”
