Page 113 of Rum & Coke
Mateo never mentionedif he saw me pass a note to Autumn. Though it would probably look bad to Sebastian if Mateo allowed me to pass a note, so maybe he was just keeping his mouth shut?
Every day since my appointment, I waited, hoping someone would show up. It had been a week and still nothing. A week of Sebastian and Valentina acting as though the baby was coming the next day. They had already changed one of the spare bedrooms into a nursery, and to my surprise, Sebastian put the crib together.
It was the start of a new week of my third month in hell when—finally—hope came knocking. Sebastian and Mateo were at the club, as usual. When Valentina answered the phone, my ears perked up.
“But Mr. Delarosa isn’t here.” There was a pause. “We’re instructed to not let anyone in.” Another pause. “You have to? Si, okay.” Valentina’s eyes met mine, and I waited for her to say something, but she didn’t. She went to the front door and spoke to the guard who was always posted outside.
How were the neighbors okay with a guy standing outside all day? It was weird, and even though he was on Sebastian’s property, the neighbors had to wonder why he had a guard. Maybe he paid the neighbors off? I was slowly learning that money was the moving power for everyone.
Valentina came back. “Ms. Tessa, you and Colton need to go to your room.”
“Why?” I questioned, looking at Helen who was in the middle of teaching Colt.
“Because the FBI is here, and it’s best you get Colton and go to your room.”
The FBI was here? Was it Joss?Please let it be Joss.“I’m not going anywhere. This is my house now.”
“Please, cariño. I don’t want Mr. Delarosa angry with me,” she begged.
If I were to go upstairs and hide, the FBI wouldn’t know I was here unless they checked all the rooms. “What about Helen?” I asked.
“You can go,” Valentina stated to her.
Helen didn’t hesitate before grabbing her purse and going for the door.
“Please, cariño. Please,” Valentina begged again.
“I can’t,” I whispered. I had to see if it was Joss. If it wasn’t, then I would tread lightly because whoever it was could also be on Sebastian’s payroll and I didn’t want to take the chance of telling the wrong person. Joss was the only one I trusted.
She glared at me, and it was the first time she had ever shown one ounce of anger toward me. “I will tell him, and he will punish you.”
I walked toward her and lowered my voice so Colton couldn’t hear, “I get punished every day I’m in this place. Do you think I’d let this opportunity pass?”
Before Valentina could respond, the doorbell rang. I started to move toward the front door, but she held a hand back, making me stop. I sighed and watched her go to the entryway, hoping Joss was on the other side. When the one side of the door was fully open, I saw a man in a black suit standing there. It wasn’t Joss. But then, someone stepped around the guy, and it was her. My heart started to race, a lump formed in my throat, and I wanted to run to her. But then the guy spoke, and my world came crashing down around me—again.
“Sorry to bother you this afternoon. I’m Special Agent Montana, and this is Special Agent Jackson. We need to ask Mr. Delarosa some questions.” The man and Joss both flashed their badges.
“He’s not here,” Valentina replied.
Joss’s gaze met mine, and she gave me a tight smile. What did that mean? Did she not remember me? Was she not here for me?
“Then, I’d like to ask you some questions,” Agent Montana said to Valentina.
“About what?” she asked.
“Please, if you don’t mind, this Vegas heat is brutal.”
Valentina hesitated, but then allowed Joss and her partner to enter.
“Thank you,” Agent Montana said. “May we go into the kitchen and talk?” He met my gaze, making Valentina turn toward me.
“Si, right this way.”
I expected Joss and the other agent to both go into the kitchen, but instead, Joss moved to me.
Valentina spoke, “She knows nothing. She is a guest.”
“That’s for my partner to decide,” Agent Montana affirmed.
