Page 15 of Freedom Fighters
Angelo was sleepy and protested about having to get up and dressed and head out into the night.
“It’s an order, Angelo. Get off your lazy fucking ass and move it, soldier!”
His eyes widened, although he got up and thrust his feet into his jeans.
Carmen watched him dress. She hatedthe little voice in her mind that pointed out that Angelowasskinny. His thighs had no muscle to speak of and his ribs stood out clearly.
When he was dressed, he tried to kiss her goodbye.
Carmen stepped away from him. “Kiss me hello, instead. When we get back.”
His expression was one of surprise, yet there was bitterness in it, too.
He walked away silently. His pack and belongings were onthe other side of the fire. He would only come to her sleeping bag when everyone was asleep, even though the whole camp knew they were together in a tenuous way that even she wasn’t sure she could define.
She watched him shrug on a jacket and heavy boots, then shoulder his pack, pick up his rifle and slide into the night. Once he was gone, she got into her sleeping bag and hugged it around herfor warmth.
The bag smelled faintly of Angelo. That should have comforted her. Instead, it annoyed her.
* * * * *
The United States had not officially recognized Nick as the Presidentpro temof Vistaria. Nor had diplomatic relations been extended toward the Loyalists. Their arrival in Washington was low key and the antithesis of any official flight Olivia had ever been on. They flew economyon a commercial flight to preserve the Loyalists’ dwindling funds and did not declare themselves in any way at the border.
The customs and immigration officials stared at Olivia and then at her hastily put-together Vistarian passport with deep puzzlement. She understood and waited them out. They decided there was no reason she should be denied entry and stamped her passport.
Because neitherof them were United States citizens, both she and Nick were photographed and finger-printed, which was a novelty for Olivia. It was interesting to be treated as a complete nobody. It was nerve-wracking being back on American soil.
They hiked through the airport to the luggage pick-up area. Nick stretched hard as they waited for the carousel to belch luggage. “I’m surprised they didn’t hold usup back there.” His voice was quiet.
“Perhaps the calls are going through now,” Olivia suggested. “I can’t see my father letting me walk free around Washington when I’ve just declared myself a non-American. I counted on him trying to horn in and ask a question or two.”
“Someone will let him know.” Nick glanced toward the exit and nodded. “I think someone already has. Look.”
There were fivetall, fit men in suits, looking around the carousel area.
“FBI?” Nick asked.
“National Security,” Olivia said. “They guard the White House. Dad would have sent them here as soon as the passports tripped everyone’s panic buttons.”
One guard spotted her and turned his head to speak to the others. Then they all strode toward her and Nick. Olivia stayed where she was. Nick turned to face them.
“Miss Davenport?” the lead man asked.
“It’s Señora Castellano,” Olivia replied. “You’re…Jerry, right? I think we’ve met before. You’re on my father’s detail.”
Jerry didn’t react. “Señora Castellano,” he acknowledged, “The Chief of Staff to the President of the United States would like to have a word with you and your…companion.”
“Officially?” Olivia asked, although she already knew this wouldnot be an official meeting. For an official meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff or the Communications Director would be here, and the demand to go with them would be phrased as a polite request.
However, Nick and she had no political standing here. Any meeting they could get would be unofficial and covert. Nick had warned her it would be this way, on the flight up from Acapulco, although Oliviahad already figured out how it would go.
An unofficial meeting with her father was a good first step.
Nick looked at her and raised his brows the smallest amount. This request matched what he had predicted.
She nodded and looked at Jerry. “We need to collect our luggage first.”
“No need, ma’am,” Jerry said. “We’ve already cleared your luggage. It’s waiting in the car.” He moved back and toone side and waved toward the exit, while another of his team spoke into their lapel microphone.
