“They are, and no, you may not carry one. I’ve hired a car, by the way. It’s in the lot.”
I followed him to what looked like a brand new Jaguar. “You can hire—I mean, rent—these?”
He put the bags in the trunk and then came around to open my door. “I may have misled you, I’ve actually borrowed it.”
“From whom?”
“A friend. I believe you met her. Angel.”
“She drives a nice car.” I got in, but Tommy didn’t close my door. I felt his finger on my cheek.
“How are you, sweet Charlie?”
I turned my head away to hide my tears, and he closed the door. Before he came around, I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and wiped tears.
“Wine makes everything better,” he said, starting the car and driving straight to my apartment without asking where it was.
I’d been right earlier. Anyone could easily find me if they wanted to.
“Come, sweetness,” he said, opening my door after pulling into my driveway. “Second story, yes?”
I stopped and put my hands on my hips. “How do you know that?”
“I promise we’ll discuss everything. Let’s get you inside.”
I watched Tommy move about the room with his usual grace. He was such a beautiful man, and if I hadn’t met Lynx, or met him again, maybe I could fall for him.
“Here’s to you,” he said, handing me a glass of wine poured from a bottle he’d brought with him. We toasted and I took a sip.
“This is really good. What did you say it was?”
“Amarone della Valpolicella. It’s my favorite wine.”
I took another sip and sat on the sofa; Tommy came and sat beside me.
“We have some unfinished business between us.”
“Tommy, I—”
“Tsk, tsk. It’s not polite to interrupt, and I know for a fact that your mother would be appalled by your ill manners.” He winked and I smiled.
I folded my arms and turned so I was facing him.
“The kiss,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“Yes. The kiss. What was that about, Tommy?”
He scrubbed his face with his hand and sighed. It may have been the first time I saw the man without the shroud of composure enveloping him.
“I’ve rehearsed what I was going to say so many times, and yet, here I am, speechless.”
I put my hand on his arm. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
“Ah, but we do because you, my beautiful girl, mean the world to me.”
“It was just so…unexpected.”
He reached his arm across the back of the sofa, touching my shoulder with his fingertips. “You have no idea how lovely you are.” He shook his head and smiled. “Or, how bruised my ego was when you were…what is the word…aghast.”
“Surprised. Not aghast. Seriously, though, why did you do it?”
“Call it cocky optimism, I suppose. I was certain my affection would be reciprocated. So,” he slapped his legs with his hands. “Not the case. My broken heart has since mended, and quite a good thing since I understand your heart belongs to another.”
“My heart? No. There’s no one else. I mean, there was, sort of, but I’m sure you know that Lynx, we…uh…met a few years ago. Actually, I’m not certain I’d call it meeting since we didn’t even know each other’s names. Well, I knew his name was Lynx and he knew mine was Emerson, but we didn’t know last names. And then, well, I met him at our building…”
Tommy smiled. “It’s okay, Charlie. I know everything that happened.”
“Everything?”
He shook his head. “No, not everything.” He put his hand on his heart. “I couldn’t have withstood the pain of hearing details, but, yes, I know about you and Lynx.”
“There isn’t any ‘me and Lynx.’”
“About that, sweetheart, we need to talk.”
33
Lynx
I walked into the apartment that was now mine, at least that’s what the lease said. It didn’t look much different than it had when Saint was the primary resident. The wardrobes were empty, but I’d never checked to see what, if anything, was in them previously.
The refrigerator and cupboards were as bare as they had been when Emerson and I were first here together, which reminded me the chai tea cup might still be here.
I opened another cupboard, and there it was. Someone had obviously washed it but hadn’t known it belonged to Rashid’s father’s store. Perhaps I should walk down the hallway and give it to him. Then he’d have to take it over himself. Instead, I set it on the island so I’d remember to deliver it myself when I left.
And I was leaving. Without Emerson living here, there was no reason for me to do so either.
When Saint assured me he had reason to believe Emerson might be interested in a longer-term relationship with me, he didn’t mention that she’d moved out of her apartment. I’m sure it would be easy enough for me to find where she’d gone. But was that fair? Just like the morning I woke in the hotel room to find her gone, I found myself questioning the ethics of using my job or connections to find her.
Since I was in Boston for the weekend with nothing to do, I decided to call Simon. Maybe he and Bridget would be up to me visiting.
My call went to voicemail, so I sent my cousin a text message instead. While I waited for him to ring me back, I decided to take the ceramic cup across the street to Rashid’s father’s store.
It was brutally cold outside, reminding me of the harrowing ride I experienced from the airport. Perhaps driving to Providence this weekend wouldn’t be the best idea after all.
When I ran across Boylston and into the corner market. A man I didn’t recognize was behind the counter.
“I believe this belongs to your store,” I said, setting it on the counter. No sooner had I done so, than Rashid’s father came walking up from the rear of the store. “My apologies for returning this so late,” I said, pointing to the cup.
“It belongs to Emme,” he said, not bothering to make eye contact.
I had no idea what to do next. Should I take it back to her apartment and ask Rashid to keep it for her? That was probably the only viable option.
I thanked the two men and walked out of the market without purchasing any food. It would be easy enough for me to dine out somewhere tonight. If the weather improved, perhaps I’d catch a flight back to Austin in the morning. I was about to walk into the diner next door when my mobile rang.
“Lennox, it’s Simon. I got your text. What a coincidence that we’re both in town at the same time again.”
“Thanks for getting back to me, what are you and Bridget doing in Boston?”
“It’s actually Brendan and I. Since we were on our own tonight, we decided to do some early Christmas shopping. Wretched weather for it, though.”
I told him about my less-than-pleasant ride from the airport.
“We’re about to walk into a restaurant. Would you like to join us?”
“Would love to. Where?”
“It’s a place I’m sure you know, the Brazilian restaurant on Park Drive.”
“I don’t know it, but if it’s on Park, I’ll be there shortly.”
I rang off and hailed the cab that just dropped two people off at the bar next door to the diner.
“Do you know a Brazilian place on Park?” I asked the driver. He nodded, but otherwise didn’t answer before we sped off.
Less than five minutes later, he pulled up in front of the small restaurant. I could see that Simon and Brendan were the only two people sitting inside. I got out and thanked the man, giving him a generous tip, given the weather.
The smells wafting from the place I was about to walk into were divine.
Simon met me halfway to their table, and we embraced. “You’ve never been here?” he asked as he led me back to where Brendan was waiting. “Surprising,” he said when I shook my head.
“Why is that?”
He studied me
as though I was daft, similar to the way Rashid’s father often looked at me. “It’s just that Emerson recommended it to us.”
“I see,” I muttered and opened my menu. “When was this?”
“Earlier today when I called Bridget to let her know we’d be spending the evening in town.” Simon put his hand on my shoulder. “You’re looking a little piqued. Everything all right?”
I opened and closed my eyes, trying to bring the menu items into focus, and cleared my throat. “I’m fine.”
“I have to admit, I’m a bit shocked that Emerson would make plans with Bridget tonight given you’re in town.”
“She doesn’t know.”
“Ah. I see. Surprising her, then?”
I set the menu on the table since I couldn’t focus on making a selection. “That was my plan. However, she no longer resides where she used to.”
“That would make a right long commute.” The look on Simon’s face changed as though things suddenly became clearer. “She didn’t tell you she moved to Newport?”
I rested my elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I haven’t spoken to Emerson since I left in September.”
My cousin shook his head. “Bloody hell! Are you serious?”
34
Emerson
Just as I got to the bottom of the stairs, a car pulled up; I opened the front passenger door and climbed in.
“You really didn’t have to drive all the way down here. I could’ve met you halfway,” I said to Bridget, reaching across the console to hug her.
“First of all, it isn’t that far, and secondly, the girls got a decent nap on the way.”
I looked behind me to where Eleanor and Elizabeth were both asleep in their car seats, secretly wishing they were awake so I could hear their sweet voices as they called out for their Auntie Em.
“Where are you going?” I asked when she pulled out onto the main thoroughfare.
“We’re celebrating. It’s a surprise.”
I don’t know what I would’ve done the last three months if it weren’t for my friendship with Bridget. She and my mother were the only two people I confided in about Lynx, admitting that I was truly heartbroken that I hadn’t heard a word from him after his mission ended. Logically I knew we’d both agreed that our “summer holiday” was just that. Temporary. With an end date. That didn’t stop my heart from aching whenever I thought about him.
“You won’t believe who I ran into yesterday afternoon.”
She looked over at me and raised a brow.
“Tommy, you know, Saint.”
Bridget’s eyes opened wide. “I knew who you meant, but where did you see him?”
“He showed up at the end of my lecture.”
She peeked over her shoulder at the girls, who were still sound asleep.
“What did he want?” she whispered anyway.
“To talk to me about Lynx.”
Her furrowed brow softened, and she smiled. “And?”
“I don’t know if what I’m about to tell you makes me feel better or worse, but supposedly he’s here in the States. Evidently, he’s thinking of leaving MI6.”
Bridget’s furrowed brow reappeared, and I held up my hand.
“Before you say anything, I have run the gamut of emotions over the course of the last twenty-four hours, and I change my mind about how I feel hourly.”
“I don’t understand. Why hasn’t he been in contact?”
“According to Tommy, he wasn’t sure I’d want to see him.”
“That’s ridiculous. So, where is he now?”
“Tommy said he wasn’t certain, but he thought he might be in Texas…where his brother lives.”
“How is his brother? Simon mentioned he’d had several surgeries.”
“You know more than I do.”
“How’s this?” she said, pulling up to the curb in front of what she knew was my favorite restaurant in Newport.
“I love it,” I said, clapping my hands. “I’ve been craving Brazilian food since Simon asked where they should eat tonight.”
“Let’s take a picture,” Bridget said once the girls were settled in high chairs. She handed her phone to the waiter and then stood next to me behind Eleanor and Elizabeth.
“Simon will love this,” she said, looking through the photos the waiter had taken. “Do you mind if I text it to him?”
“Of course not. Why would I?”
“You know, cell phones at the dinner table.”
I laughed. “You have children to set a good example for. You won’t offend me.”
We were still looking at the menu when her phone vibrated.
“Go ahead.”
She smiled. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Oh!”
I looked up and watched as she hit the button to lock her phone and stuck it in her purse.
“I thought he was at dinner with Brendan.”
“He is,” she said, not looking up at me.
“Bridget?”
“I’m sorry, Emerson. I don’t know what to do.”
I tapped my lower lip with my finger. “If Simon sent you a risqué photo, I hope you don’t think you’re being rude by not showing it to me. On the contrary—”
“That isn’t what he sent,” she said, slowly taking her phone back out.
Nausea overcame me when she unlocked the screen. “Wait,” I said, holding up my hand. “Tell me what it is first.”
“Lynx.”
I closed my eyes when she handed me the phone, and then slowly opened one. There, between Simon and Brendan, was the man who owned my heart, whether he wanted it or not. I opened my other eye and studied his face. He was smiling, but didn’t look happy.
“He’s in Boston,” I murmured and then looked up at Bridget. “Why?”
She shrugged. “Do you want me to ask?”
“No…wait, yes…no. Definitely no. Or…”
“I’ll ask later, when we’re home.”
“Good idea.” I tried to focus on the menu, but everything was a blur. I wasn’t sure I was even hungry. But this was a celebration dinner, so it would be very rude of me not to order anything. Plus, Bridget had driven all the way to Newport, and she brought the girls, so I couldn’t ruin dinner just because the man who broke my heart was in Boston and hadn’t even tried to get in touch with me. I jumped up when my eyes filled with tears. “Be right back,” I said, handing her phone back and racing toward the ladies’ room.
When I came back out, I could tell by the look on her face that Bridget had responded to Simon’s text.
“What?”
“He planned to surprise you, but ‘you don’t live in the building anymore.’ That’s a direct quote.”
“How could he not know? Saint knew exactly where to find me.”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
I heard her phone vibrate again.
“Simon wants to know if it’s okay for him to tell him where you are.”
I stared into my friend’s eyes. Why wouldn’t I want him to know? “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?” There must be since Tommy didn’t tell him. Why didn’t Tommy tell him? Bridget was typing something on her phone. “What did you say?”
“I gave him the address of the restaurant.”
“But Boston is ninety minutes from here.”
She typed something else. “Now he has your address. Or Simon does.”
35
Lynx
I studied the photo that Simon had forwarded to me. Emerson was smiling, but she didn’t look happy. It was like the light inside of her had gone out, and I now knew that was my fault.
“You have to be certain, Lennox.”
I looked up at my cousin. It was the second time he gave me that advice. The first time, I wasn’t. Not even a little. Now, I believed I was. At the very least, I wanted to see where this thing between Emerson and me could go, as long as that was what she wanted too. “I am.”
He typed som
ething into his mobile and, seconds later, mine buzzed.
“That’s her home address,” he said, and then went back to looking at something on his screen. “You won’t get there tonight, I’m afraid.” He looked over at Brendan. “And we aren’t going to make it home either. Highway 95 is closed and so is 495.”
“Cool!” Brendan exclaimed. “We get to stay here overnight.”
“Wish I felt your enthusiasm, but, yes, that appears to be the case.”
“We’re only a few minutes from Saint’s apartment…scratch that…it’s my apartment now.”
Simon stood and walked over to the restaurant’s windows. “I’m thinking we should get our food to go. It’s quite nasty out.”
Brendan nodded. “This is awesome.”
Like Simon, I wished I shared the boy’s enthusiasm. Here I was, less than two hours from Emerson, and yet I couldn’t get to her. My frustration and disappointment were palpable.
The waiter brought our to-go packages, and the three of us stood to don jackets, hats, and gloves. Fortunately, I’d thought to bring them after Rashid ran them out to his boyfriend.
My cousin rested his hand on my shoulder. “It’s supposed to clear up by morning.”
“Right,” I muttered.
“Bridget and the girls are spending the night in Newport. Too dangerous to be out on the roads,” Simon said, joining me in the kitchen. “Thanks for setting Brendan up in the office. He won’t get much sleep tonight.”
I hadn’t given him access to classified information or technology, but that didn’t mean there weren’t countless things he could explore on the computers Decker had set up in addition to what Saint had in his office when he lived in the apartment.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked.
“Might as well. Not as if I’m going to be driving tonight, or getting called in to work the emergency room.”
I poured us both a brandy and handed him a glass.
“Let’s talk about tomorrow,” he said, setting his drink down on the coffee table and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
Undercover Agent Page 17
