Seventh vehicle. Activating protocol in fifteen.
Marco sees it too. “Okay. Primary suite. Now.”
And just like that, the decision is made.
When you realize you’re about to be trapped in your boss’s bedroom.
With your boss himself and his daughter.
During a crisis.
And you have to act normal about it.
Rosa starts packing a snack bag. Luis heads upstairs to do the final sweep. Filepe monitors the growing crowd outside.
And I stand there trying to remember how to breathe.
Trying to remember that this is about Ben’s safety, not about the fact that I’m about to spend an indeterminate amount of time in Marco Fiore’s bedroom.
Trying even harder not to think about what happens if this goes on for hours.
Or overnight.
Oh God.
Don’t think about overnight.
Ben lifts her head from Marco’s shoulder. Looks at me. “Are you going to stay?”
My heart cracks. “Of course, sweetie. I’m not going anywhere.”
What I don’t say, is:Besides, I don’t think your father would let me leave. Not while half the newspapers in town are out there waiting to take my picture.
Marco’s eyes meet mine over Ben’s head. There’s something in his expression I can’t quite read. Gratitude maybe. Or concern. Or possibly the same low-grade panic I’m feeling about the shelter-in-place situation.
“Thank you,” he says quietly.
I nod.
Ben tugs on my sleeve. “Jess? You’re making the worried face.”
I force a smile. “Just thinking about what games we should play. Frederick’s going to need entertainment.”
She considers this very seriously. “He likes quiet games. Because he’s a snail.”
“Quiet games? Perfect.” I look at Marco. “Ready?”
He adjusts his hold on Ben. “Wait.”
Luis returns. “Good to go.”
We head upstairs.
The three of us.
Together.
Into the primary suite.
