Don’t be rude.
Eric didn’t say anything, but Bryson noticed that his eyes didn’t leave the girl’s face.
“You can see why I wanted your help, Adria,” Vega said and Bryson found his interest piqued.
“So willful it’s been impossible to find her a husband. I was hoping with Bryson here, the two of them might hit it off.”
The icy contents of his drink splashed into Bryson’s face as he choked on his beverage. Vega continued, “I didn’t think it would be love at first sight, but she truly is not as much of a handful as she seems.”
Bryson doubted that very much.
“What do you think, Bryson?” Daniela said, turning her attention back to him. “Think you could handle me?” she said, pressing her bare toe into the inside of his leg.
Bryson jumped.
“With behavior like that, what would you do, Adria?” Vega asked, and Bryson noticed the murderous look that Adria was shooting Daniela from across the table. Bryson made a point to scoot his chair away from the girl.
“It’s obvious she just wants attention. Just don’t give it to her.”
It wasn’t Adria that answered Vega; it was Eric. His gravelly tone held its traditional southern drawl, but Bryson caught a hint of something else.
Eric held Vega’s gaze, and Daniela sat rod straight, as if he had struck her. She gripped the table, saying, “What would you know, old man?”
Eric turned his gaze to her, his eyes serious. “I know if I were your father, you wouldn’t be able to sit down tomorrow after coming to dinner dressed like that.”
Bryson’s mouth popped open, and he could feel Kaydon grinning next to him.
“That is what I am talking about,” Vega said. Clearly he was not feeling or seeing the same thing Bryson was.
Daniela’s ears turned pink, and her chair scraped against the tile as she pushed back violently from the table, her eyes never leaving Eric’s face.
CHAPTER 27
POLANCO
Adria successfully avoided Bryson and the boys after dinner. She didn’t know what it was but the idea of being alone with the three of them was terrifying her.
What would they talk about? What would she even say?
Sorry I got the three of you kidnapped and now you have a price on your heads from the Triune. Also, do you wanna all be together?
No.
Instead, she escaped with the excuse of having an after-dinner drink with Vega.
When that was over, she further avoided them by choosing to walk the grounds. Adria followed the stone path that wound through the tropical foliage, inhaling deeply as she passed flowering jasmine vines that draped over wooden pergolas. The humid jungle air clung to her skin, and she found herself smiling despite everything. This climate reminded her of childhood summers, when the heat seemed to slow time itself. She trailed her fingers along broad waxy leaves, savoring the occasional cool droplet that splashed onto her forearm. Her nerves began to settle—until her new phone vibrated.
X: Chatter will settle down soon. Stay at Vega’s for a little while before making your final trip.
Adria: Do we have a plan for when we get there?
X: Just get here in one piece, then we can talk.
Adria hated the lack of plan. If waiting was torture, then winging it was pure hell.
She thought of calling Helen but changed her mind. She couldn’t risk giving away their location. Still, if she could trust Helen, it would be good to have eyes on the inside. Maybe she even had insight into who was pushing the sanctioned hit.
Or who was working with Jonathan?
