AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-five
Rylee faced Carl in the hallway beside her room, her skin was still burning, remembering how he’d caught her just a short time ago, lost in Jake’s arms.
“You were totally oblivious, Rylee. Even after I coughed, and he saw me. You were still caught up in romance. What the hell?”
“Okay. Enough already. So, I lost my head. He’s a very attractive man.”
“Fuck, girl, so are a lot of the guys back at the office, but I’ve never seen you lose your shit with any of those Romeos, and they all came on to you, every one of them.”
“Fine, give me a break. There’s just something about him.”
Carlos huffed, his breathing an indicator that his patience had been tested. Eventually he asked, “At least, did you get his assurance that he’d look after Miguel?”
“Before I left, he asked for my room number, and said he’d pick me up for dinner. I think he’s going to check him out. I hope so. Otherwise, I don’t know what will happen.” Her lip quivered and shocked them both.
Carlos’s demeanor changed, softened. “You’ve gotten attached to the kid, haven’t you? Chrissakes, Rylee, I’ve never known you to be so unprofessional during any other case we’ve worked on. You’re too personally involved now.”
“Which doesn’t mean I can’t do my job, Bud. And don’t you think otherwise. So just back the fuck off.”
“Okay. Now, there’s our girl. Fine. Let’s see how this plays out.”
***
Once she returned to the room and found it empty, her heart dropped to the floor. She called out just in case she’d missed the kid, and the door to her closet slowly opened.
His head poked out from behind a red dress, and he grinned. “I’m being careful, Rylee. I know you can’t be caught with me here.”
Melting, the look of pride on his face her undoing, she reminded him, “You could be a friend’s child come to visit.”
“Not likely. Maybe if I was a white boy and dressed nice, they would believe me, but not like this.”
Realizing the kid was right, Rylee nodded. “Okay. What’s your favorite color? I’ll go and do some shopping for you so you can leave here safely when you have to.”
Smiles began to form until his large brown eyes twinkled with joy, and she found herself melting yet again. This kid had a way about him that arrowed directly to the soft spot she reserved for those closest to her. Not many people were allowed in, but Miguel had penetrated her resistance. Fear for his safety had taken precedence in her mind, and until he was secure in Jake’s suite and under his protection, she wouldn’t feel completely comfortable.
After all, it wasn’t just that Jake was under surveillance by her and Carlos, he had clout and lots of money. That wealth could buy a way out of a lot of trouble.
After she’d returned with some new clothes for her young charge, her and Miguel took the chance to settle by the pool and have a swim. No one paid any attention to them, which was exactly what she’d expected. After all, just this morning, the captain told them this cruise had 3,140 guests, so how could they know everyone on board at any given time.
Laughing and paddling around, Rylee found out that Miguel could swim like any kid growing up by the ocean, and he proved it by beating her in most of the races, then letting her win the last few.
It spoke well for his character, the fact that he didn’t want her to feel like a loser. His gentlemanly ways were both old-fashioned at times and very charming. His mother must have taught him how to behave around his elders. His manners were impeccable.
By the time they were heading back to her cabin, the kid had tunneled so deep into her heart that her mind was skipping from one idea to another, trying to work out what she could do to keep him safe until they got him home. God, she hoped that Jake came through for her.
Once they were safely back in her cabin after being careful not to be seen, Miguel faced her, his expression full of concern.
“Rylee, I must go back to the space with the deck chairs. It’s dangerous for you to hide me here. If they find out, they’ll throw you off the ship. Maybe even put you in jail or – or ban you from ever taking another cruise.” His eyes filled. “I don’t want to cause you trouble, Rylee.”
She loved the way he pronounced her name with emphasis on the ending so the ee’s were drawn out. “Don’t worry, kid. I can talk my way out of most things. If they do find you here, just say your mother and I left you to watch TV while we went to the casino. Maybe act like you don’t speak English well. Make up a story and flash those big brown eyes at them. Trust me, it’ll work.”
Miguel grinned, his flashing white teeth accentuating the brown skinned dimples. What a cutie! One day soon, the girls won’t know what hit ‘em.
“It’s still three days before we arrive in Grenada.”
“That’s true, but I have a friend who has a large suite. There’s a full bedroom that closes off from the main area, and he’s already hiding a stowaway kitten in his rooms. He might be able to let you stay with them.”
“He would do that?”
