Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
With a nod, she released his elbow so he could leave.
However, he didn’t get more than a few steps before she called out in laughing tones. “If the test does come back positive, it would be just a horrible shame if that information was released to the media.”
Will stopped at the doors and whipped around on a gasp. “Are you sure?”
Charlie chuckled as he also stared at the older woman. “It could be fun. But are you sure you want to stay here for something like that? Considering the steps your son took to stop us, it could be dangerous for you.”
Catalina returned to her seat on the sofa, her chin held high and proud. “After being trapped as a prisoner for ten years? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I want a front-row seat.”
He couldn’t blame her one tiny bit, but he couldn’t shake the worry that gnawed at his stomach. She’d helped Will. He could extend her the same courtesy.
His mind made up, Charlie crossed to the same writing desk and quickly scratched out a secret email address they kept for jobs on the same pad of paper she used. He ripped off the sheet and took her the paper.
“What’s this?” she inquired.
“In case you change your mind and need help leaving the country. My team and I are good at arranging things like that.”
“Thank you. I’ll consider it. Now get out of here. I need to call the police about a robbery. Do me a favor. On your way out, can you grab some of the Chinese antiques from the front parlor? At least make this appear to be a robbery.”
“On it!” Soren shouted from the hallway before two sets of footsteps whispered down the hall toward the stairs.
Charlie sighed but kept his comments to himself. Looks like they were getting paid for this job.
Will was giggling as they hurried out of the house, the test tube clutched tightly in his fist and a bright light shining in his blue eyes. As they ran across the yard together, he held up his hand in front of Charlie’s face. “Are you ready to discover the truth?”
“Yes, I am.” He was ready for anything so long as Will never stopped smiling at him.
22
WILL MONROE
Will bit down on his bottom lip to keep from smiling as he glanced over at Charlie. His lover drove with both hands tightly clenching the wheel, his brows gathered over his nose in a scowl. Charlie was not happy about Will demanding to see Carlos in person in Buenos Aires.
It had been a week since they spoke with Catalina Perez and got the DNA sample. Will made endless phone calls and pulled every string he could to get the material in for analysis, which had required him to go to a lab in Buenos Aires. The entire team had accompanied him on the brief trip before they retreated again to their backup safe house.
Now they had the results at last.
Will was determined to deliver the news to Carlos in person. It was just because they’d gone through so much together, but Will also knew this was going to be his last chance to see the old man.
“I get why you need to do this in person rather than over the phone,” Charlie grumbled. His shoulders slumped a little and he finally looked over when they stopped at a red light. “I don’t want you to think I’m this overprotective monster who doesn’t believe in you or that I want to control your life.”
Will slumped in his seat and laughed. “I don’t think that at all, dearest.” Just tacking on that endearment to his statement had some of the lines disappearing from Charlie’s face and the worry clearing from his dark eyes. “I know I’m still in danger from Benicio Perez. Probably his father too. I need to tell Carlos in person. I need to say good-bye.”
Charlie released the wheel with his right hand and reached over to place it on Will’s thigh. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re just protecting your client,” Will added with a smirk. “Why else would you bother wearing an earwig today?” Will tilted his head toward the right, his eyes sliding over to the mirror on the door. “And I’m pretty sure I spotted Soren and Alexei in their sedan about three cars back.”
When he glanced over, it was to find Charlie’s lips twisted into something that was like half a smile and half a disgusted frown. “I thought you two knew how to be sneaky,” Charlie stated, clearly talking to whoever was listening on the earwigs.
There was a short pause followed by Charlie’s chuckle. “Alexei says it’s not his fault. He never should have let Soren drive.” Charlie rolled his eyes and sighed. “They’re all arguing now. You should be grateful you can’t hear it.”