Page 67 of Prisoner of War
Chapter Fifteen
Calli slipped into Nick’s office unnoticed as General Blanco spread his hands. “But it should be you,Señor, who represents us,” Blanco said in Spanish.
The big man in the formal dress uniform towered over Nick’s desk, for he stood at nearly six feet and weighed close to two hundred and fifty pounds. At one time most of that weight had been muscle. He was still strong despitethe iron-gray hair and the seamed face, but he was troubled.
Nick shook his head. “It’s not the time for me to take such a public role. I’m neither a soldier nor an elected official. It must be you, Blanco.”
“The men are expecting you. Everyone is expecting you. Even the Mexican officials are expecting you. It is a social event,Señor. No one will be discussing politics.”
Nick shook his headand stood up. “Politics will be the most popular topic, especially if I go.”
Blanco sighed heavily. “Your name is on the invitation. You will insult them if you do not go.”
Calli sensed this was Blanco’s last defense and even he knew it was a shaky one at best.
Nick smiled. “When I send the official head of the army in my place? If they do feel insulted, they have a warped sense of priorities.I’ve made my decision, Alonzo. I’m sorry, but now is not the time for me to publicly represent Vistaria. It must be you.”
Blanco sighed again.
“Did I upset your personal plans, old friend?” Nick asked.
“Not at all,Señor. How could you? My life is here in this house and will be until we can once again call Vistaria home. Only, I am a general, not a politician. I will do Vistaria a disserviceby trying to fill your boots.”
Nick came around the desk and patted Blanco’s arm. “We are both leaders of men, no?”
“Yes, of course,Señor.”
“That is what they will see—that you are a leader of men—and they will be honored by your presence.”
Blanco nodded slowly. “Thank you,Señor.” He swiveled to face Calli. “SeñoraCalli.” He gave the short Vistarian bow.
Calli gave him a warm smile ashe left the room, his shoulders square.
“How do you do that?” she asked Nick. “I watch you do it all the time and I still can’t see how you do it.”
“Do what?”
“Change people’s minds like that. Make them see things your way and like it.”
“I don’t make people do anything,” Nick answered, settling himself in his chair once more. “I just...explain things.”
Calli shrugged and gave up. The truthwas that Nick had a gift for dealing with people, one that he could not explain and others could not imitate. She dropped the DVD of Serrano’s goodwill tour onto Nick’s desk. “I think you were right. I think someone was trying to send us a message.”
Nick sat back in his chair. “And good afternoon to you too,mi esposa.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry.” She moved around the desk and leaned over to kisshim. Nick pulled her down onto his lap and took control of the kiss, making it a thorough one and when Calli came up for air, she clutched at his shoulder. “Maybe I’m not sorry enough,” she said.
Nick tackled the buttons on her shirt, one-handed. “You’re sorry enough,” he said with a growl. “You were saying...?”
“I was?” she asked, watching his hand work.
“About the DVD. It was a message?”
“The DVD...” His hand slid inside the shirt and settled on her bare breast and she caught her breath.
Nick’s gaze settled on her face. “Concentrate,” he crooned. “The DVD. Tell me.”
Calli battled to pull her thoughts together. “The DVD...” She swallowed hard. “It was sent to the network’s corporate office. Anonymously.”
