I don’t miss the warning tone in his voice. Once again, the disobedient daughter has gotten herself into trouble. Any resentment I feel is ebbed by the fact that now is not the time for wallowing in my daddy issues.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say before hanging up.
I let go of a breath and smile for Enrique’s sake. “Not a problem. I’m supposed to wait at the police station, and someone will come for me.”
“Let’s go,” he says, taking my hand to take me there.
The police station has a small area in front with a bench to sit on so I take a seat rather than try to file a false report for my “stolen” belongings. Best to wait until the arrival of whoever it is my father is sending.
“It’s fine now, Enrique. Go and take care of whatever you need to.”
“I’m not leaving until he comes,” he says with a look on his face that doesn’t invite any protest.
Although I know he has a lot to take care of, a part of me is relieved he’s staying. I take his hand and squeeze appreciatively.
“Leira Montoya?”
I turn at the sound of my name and find a policeman approaching.
“Yes?” I reply.
“I was sent here to escort you to a secure location? For a new passport and a plane ticket?”
“Um, yes,” I say, pleased that an actual policeman was sent.
“Who sent you?” Enrique asks with suspicion.
“Señor Montoya and a Walter Hanson?”
Enrique turns to me with a raised eyebrow for confirmation.
“That’s my father’s lawyer,” I say, feeling even more relieved. I hadn’t even thought to question the officer.
Enrique relaxes and nods.
“One moment,” I say to the police officer. I turn to Enrique and smile. “Do what you have to do, and don’t worry about me. I’ll spend the week singing your praises to my dad so when you finally do come to rescue me, he’ll treat you like the royalty you are, as far as I’m concerned.”
A grin spreads his face and he pulls me in for a kiss. We linger over it, enjoying this last moment. That swell in my heart that’s been developing over the past week finally has it beating at a rhythm that only spells one thing.
I pull away, and quickly lean in to whisper in his ear. “Te amo.”
Without waiting for a response, I stand up and walk past the police officer to head out.
Chapter Forty-Seven Enrique
I love you.
I watch Leira’s retreating figure as she exits the door, the policeman quick on her steps.
Even though they were whispered, her words still echo in my ears as loud as a roar.
Te amo.
I knew something had been building over the week at my grandfather’s vineyard, but it only now hits me how deep it ran.
And it wasn’t just her.
Being raised by parents who put wealth and image over comfort and affection, my emotional compass has always been slightly off-kilter. The last remnants I have of sincere love are the snippets I remember from my mother, my real mother.
Leira has created a crack in the damn blocking those feelings, letting enough seep out to be receptive to those two words.
Te amo.
Suddenly, finishing this mission for Constantin is more urgent than ever. Suddenly finishing everything is more urgent than ever, ending with my father.
Something in my mind snaps into place at that thought. The beginnings of an idea form in there.
“Perfecto,” I mutter to myself as I stare at the wall ahead.
The irony of being in a police station as I formulate yet another criminal scheme hits me, and I smile as I stand up to walk outside. My first stop, after a brief detour to get the key, is to the Estació Nord Bus Station. The lockers there have a fifteen-day maximum storing limit, which works well enough with my visits back to Barcelona. For my purposes, it’s much safer than a safety deposit box or storage unit, both of which leave a paper trail.
The key is kept in a storm drain leading from my apartment building, secured deep inside by a long wire that I use a knitting needle of all things to dig out. All very cloak and dagger, in a crude sort of way, which is the beauty of it.
The only item inside the locker is a completely untraceable phone, only to be used in case of getting in touch with my crew for the next job. I’m sure this one will be a surprise for them.
For this one, we’ll be taking it all.
The best part is, Constantin will still be getting what he has coming…in more ways than one.
Sometimes I impress myself.
While I send the message with the code word, a meeting location, time and date for two days from now, I think about what life will be like once all of this is over. I definitely want to take Leira back to my grandfather’s vineyard in September for the harvest festivals. That’s when the area truly comes alive from its sleepy summer. By then, I should have hopefully won her father over.
It’s a good thing I’m so charming.
I catch the next ferry out to Ibiza. This time, my mind is too preoccupied to pay attention to whatever movie is playing. By the time we dock, it’s well after dark. I find my scooter still in the lot and take it back to the road along the beach where my boat was anchored. There’s enough of a moon for me to just barely see it in the distance, and then only because I know where to look. At least something is going right so far.
There’s no way I’m taking the boat out to the convent island at night. Instead, I stop at a restaurant to eat something then head to my apartment to sleep until sunrise.
Since I dozed some on the ferry ride in, I do fine with a few hours of sleep, waking just before light begins to appear
