Page 20 of Casualties of War
Chapter Four
Ariella didn’t call back, which didn’t surprise Adán. She wasn’t the type of agent who tried to inveigle her clients into roles they didn’t want. At least, she wasn’t with him. They’d be working together too long. She knew he meant what he said.
Instead, the next call he got was from Olivia.
“I’m sorry about your father,” he told her. “I got the impression from Nick that youand he aren’t close, but it doesn’t matter. At least, it didn’t for me. I was devastated when my father passed, even though we hadn’t spoken to each other for years.”
“Thank you,” Olivia said, her voice soft. “I hope I don’t have to deal with that, too. For now, he’s stable and they’ll let him have visitors.”
“You’re in L.A. then?”
“I’m at the hospital. Only…”
He waited.
“The only ID I haveon me is my Vistarian passport. They won’t let me in to see him unless someone vouches for me. Even though half the Secret Service knows exactly who I am.” The distress in her voice was low-key although Adán’s chest tightened in response. “They’re pissed I sold out to Vistaria,” she added. “At least, that’s how they view it.”
“You want me to tell them you’re harmless?” he asked.
“You’re theonly person I know in the whole city,” Olivia said. “Given how friendly you are with the President…”
“I don’t think it’s worth much right at the moment,” Adán said. “He’s not taking my calls, either. I’ll come and see what I can do, though.”
If his name was worth anything at all, he would use that capital to help her. After all, Olivia was Vistarian now, too.
* * * * *
Olivia slumped in alounge chair in an empty waiting room somewhere in the depths of the hospital. Secret Service and FBI had shepherded and deflected Adán until he found himself in the same room.
He gave her a hug and could feel her trembling. She had twisted her ash blonde hair into a serviceable knot on the top of her head. Her pants and silk shirt were creased from sitting. Her eyes were red.
“Who have youspoken to?” he asked.
“Only the Secret Service detail guarding the unit my father is in,” Olivia said. She nodded down the corridor.
“They’re taking a risk, blocking the daughter of the Chief of Staff from her own father,” Adán said.
Olivia’s smile was grim. “Jerry, my ex-husband, is their boss. They know exactly how much they can get away with. I’m counting on your reputation scaring themmore than my ex does.” She grimaced. “It’s a stupid one-up-manship game and I don’t have the energy to play it right now.”
Adán glanced up the passage. There was nothing to see from here. They had parked her a long way from the area of interest. “Let’s find out if you’re right about me,” he said.
They walked along the passage to the t-intersection just ahead. “Did you come here straight fromthe airport?” Adán asked.
“I look that bad?” she asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“I’m thinking about the time. It’s past dinner time here and you’re on Washington time. After you’ve seen your father, I’ll take you back to my place. You can eat and take a shower. I’m only thirty minutes from here.”
Her smile was warm. “You’re very Vistarian, aren’t you?”
Adán lifted a brow.“How so?”
“I’ve been married into the family for a microsecond and already your house is my house. I don’t want to trip you up, Adán. You must have people screaming for your attention. I wouldn’t have asked at all, except—”
“Except you don’t know anyone in the city, except family. You won’t be tripping me up.” He hesitated. “Actually, you would be doing me a favor if you stay at my house. I’mleaving for Vistaria tomorrow and would rest easier knowing someone was in the place.”
Olivia put her hand on his arm, halting him. “Adán, no! You can’t go there! Serrano would crucify you or something. He’d put your head on a pike and parade it through the city.” Her voice grew hoarse. “I know Serrano. I know him personally. He’s ruthless and crazy and he is king of his own fiefdom right nowand can do whatever he wants.”
“I know—”
