Page 60 of Durango

“So, you two were having an affair,” I say.

She turns her gaze to mine. “It was more than an affair. He was going to leave Sylvia.”

“That’s what men say, but trust me, they don’t leave their wives,” Harding says.

Nancy’s eyes well with tears. “He meant it. I’m pregnant. He was so happy when he found out because Sylvia can’t have children.”

Well, this is a new development. But Damien is an arms dealer. He wouldn’t want a family, would he? Nancy might be lying.

“Well, we’ll get a pregnancy test so we can verify your claim,” Harding says. “For now, you’ll sit in a kitchen chair quietly.”

Harding leads Nancy to the kitchen and uses another wire tie to hook her to the chair. She then pulls me aside.

“I’m going back to sleep. Good luck.”

I take a seat opposite Nancy at the kitchen table. She’s not showing, so if she is pregnant, it’s early. “Are you really pregnant with Damien’s baby?”

“I am.”

“You bitch!” Sylvia says as she rushes Nancy and slams her and the chair to the floor.

How the hell did I not hear Sylvia walking up? I’m up and pulling Sylvia off Nancy. Harding is there again.

“Dammit, I just want a nap. Put her in that chair,” she instructs.

I sit Sylvia down in another chair, and Harding uses a wire tie to clasp her wrists together and attach it to the back of the chair. As she does this, I get Nancy back upright.

“Now, both of you shut up,” Harding says as she walks away.

Both women sit in silence, and I return my gaze to the window. The sun is up, and I keep my eyes on the driveway. A moment later, I hear a sniffle.

I turn to spot tears running down Sylvia’s cheeks. To find out your husband was having an affair and got someone else pregnant under any circumstances wouldn’t be good. But here, where she’s trapped with the woman? And right after her husband died? It has to be hard.

She takes a deep breath and seems to gain control of her emotions. Nancy, fortunately, remains quiet and stares at the floor. I just have to keep them quiet for another four to six hours as the others catch up on their sleep.

Miraculously, Sylvia and Nancy stayed quiet. Once everyone was up, we left and grabbed food. I ended up feeding Nancy. Moose fed Sylvia because they still had their hands tied behind their backs.

Due to Nancy’s nonstop complaining, Harding was able to get the handoff moved up, and by noon, we were debriefed and free to return to the United States. Harding called in a favor and got us a private flight to New York.

“I’ll be very happy if I never have to deal with someone like Nancy again,” Harding says. “I didn’t sign up for babysitting. Between this and the job in Istanbul, I’m starting to wonder if my boss is mad at me.”

“What happened in Istanbul?” Moose asks.

Harding shakes her head. “Long story, but we had to babysit a rich, entitled college kid until we got him back to safety.” She stands up and walks down the aisle. “I’m calling dibs on the bed in the back. See you in a few.”

I don’t need a bed to sleep. It’s a long flight, so I lay down across the seats. I can’t wait to get back and see Willow. We’ve waited a long time to finally have a normal date, and I’m looking forward to it.

CHAPTER 19

Willow

Stayingat Durango’s place when he’s not here feels strange. I directed Samantha to Piper’s old room, which fortunately still has her bed in it. And now I’m lying in Durango’s bed, which smells like him. The first time I’m in his bed, and he isn’t even here.

Lying in his bed feels a bit naughty. And thoughts of what we will do here someday turn me on. But then I remember why I’m here and the fear takes over.

Durango would be fine with me staying here if he knew what was going on. Piper never would have agreed if there was any doubt. Yet a small part of me worries he’ll find this an infringement of his privacy.

I sit up and turn on the lamp. As much as I should sleep, my mind is racing too much. Instead, I take in the room.

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