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“Not at the moment. I’m going to make sandwiches for lunch. Won’t take me long. Why don’t you go for a walk or something?”
“I wish I could. You know Mateo won’t let me outside.”
“Not even to do a lap or two around the house and get some fresh air?”
“Nope. He doesn’t think it’s safe. Can’t risk something happening to the only leverage he has over my father.”
“I think it’s more than that.” She stops what she’s doing and turns toward me.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play stupid with me. Anyone with two eyes can see what’s going on between you two.”
“There’s nothing going on,” I deny, though by the look on her face I can tell it does me no good.
“I may be old, but I’m not blind. And I know Mateo. The way he watches you. The way he finds an excuse to touch you when he thinks no one is watching. I’ve never seen him behave that way with anyone else before.”
“Have you seen him around other women?” I swallow past the lump that has begun to form in my throat. I want to know the answer, but at the same time I don’t.
“No.” She shakes her head.
“Never?” I find this hard to believe.
“He doesn’t bring women home. Never has. Which given his line of work, is completely understandable. It also tells me he’s never cared enough to bring one home.”
“Well, he didn’t exactly bring me home either, now did he?”
“I suppose not.” She chuckles. “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you. It’s written all over his face. You’re changing him.”
“He’s definitely changing me.”
“I can see that too.” She grins.
I know I shouldn’t be talking about this with anyone, but it feels so good to discuss it with someone else that I can’t stop myself.
“He’s not who I thought he was.”
“Most men never are.”’
“Do you think I’m crazy? Getting involved with the man who kidnapped me?”
“Maybe a little.” She props her hip on the countertop, tossing the rag into the sink. “Then again, isn’t that what love does to us? Makes us do crazy things.”
Before I can respond, Mateo reappears in the kitchen.
I can tell by his expression that something is wrong.
“What is it?” I ask, my stomach dipping a little when he addresses Norma directly instead of looking at me.
“I’m getting you out of here first thing tomorrow morning,” he tells her. “And you’re going with her.” He looks at me and there’s something in his dark gaze that doesn’t sit right with me. “Dimitri and Javier will accompany you.”
“Where are we going?” I ask, half panicked. This wasn’t part of the plan. I was supposed to stay with him.
“Javier has taken care of the arrangements. He and Dimitri will drive you to Minneapolis where you will check into a hotel under an alias. They will remain with you until they are given the all clear.”
“Minneapolis?” I question.
“It’s the closest major city. I need somewhere that you can’t be easily found. Plus, the more populated, the less likely your father or his men will make a move to retrieve you. It’ll be safer for you there.”
