Chapter 7

Two months later.

“I’m sorry, but we need more work experience. We loved your upbeat attitude, but we’re going with another applicant.”

Pearl’s grip on the phone tightened painfully as she thanked the caller and hung up. She stared out the kitchen window at the leafy tree, watching as a bird landed on her bird feeder. The feathered regular seemed to not have a worry in the world—not a financial care. Pearl wished she could fly away from her fears—with Aysha. Where would they go? A cabin where they could live off the land? Like Pearl would know anything about remote living—she’d probably chop off her foot.

How about an island? Run a beach bar and sell trinkets to tourists? Now, that was more Pearl’s style. Cocktails on the beach at sunset… clear blue seas… that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. Like not even in the next decade. Even with their new identities.

Not fake identities. Pearl had reverted back to her maiden name—Taylor. The name-change had taken some work, but she’d succeeded with assistance from a lawyer friend of Antonio’s.

“Hellooo? Mommy! Are you listening? Hot dogs?”

“Sorry, Bug.” Pearl turned to Aysha. “We had hot dogs last night. Tonight, you’re eating vegetables.”

“Ugh. Yuck. You don’t make them like Daya.”

Daya was Rajin’s chef in Colombo, and thanks to her Michelin skills, Pearl’s daughter now had a discerning palate.

“Steamed carrots and green beans are not yucky. They’re good for you. Plus, I’ve baked a chicken dish.”

“Fine. You look sad, Mommy. Do you wanna dance?”

Pearl laughed. “Again? We danced twice this morning. Not another Disney song. This time Mom gets to choose.”

“‘We are the Dinosaurs?’ Please, Mommy?”

“Fine.” Pearl groaned, picked up her phone, and searched for Aysha’s favorite song. When the ballad started, Aysha marched up and down the kitchen before they both broke out into an uncoordinated dance, which finished with giggles and tickles.

Aysha sat down at their tiny dining table and played with a Barbie while Pearl served up the food. She didn’t quite have enough for the both of them, so she pulled out a packet of ramen noodles and cooked her dinner while Aysha ate.

Just as the microwave dinged, the doorbell rang, and Pearl walked through the small living room to the front door. After looking through the peephole, she cursed under her breath and opened the door. Pearl’s lungs refused to work as she took in the glorious sight before her—Antonio Torres in a tuxedo—a freaking tuxedo and a mouth-watering smile. How to fell a woman where she stood.

Aysha’s running footsteps indicated that she’d abandoned her vegetables. “Neo! Neo! You look like my Ken doll!”

“Really? Does Ken’s bowtie cut off his oxygen supply?”

Aysha looked up and frowned.

“I mean ‘air.’” Antonio chose a four-year-old friendly word. “Cuts off his air.” Sagging against the door, the tall agent pretended to choke, and gasp and Aysha giggled.

Only then did Pearl spot the grocery bags in Antonio’s hands. She folded her arms and stepped back. “We weren’t expecting anyone.”

“I know. I’m heading to a boring-ass charity ball—my father’s doing—and it’s in the neighborhood. Thought I would swing by and say hello.”

Antonio often swung by to say “hello.” At least three times a week, he always brought gifts, annoying the hell out of Pearl. His generosity had all started the day they’d moved in, and a furniture van had pulled up with two brand new beds. Next had been a sofa set. And a television. When Pearl had tried to refuse, Antonio had claimed that the condo came fully furnished and that the new furniture was a long-term investment.

After they’d settled, he’d swing by with household items and groceries. Pearl’s pride resulted in the same argument every time. She wasn’t a charity case! Well, maybe just a little. Aysha needed to eat, and Pearl had meticulously divided up the food for her child’s meals.

The fact was they needed all the help they could get. As predicted, she’d been unable to make the first month’s rent, and that grated her. Pearl had to put that money aside but couldn’t. Aysha needed to go to school, and Pearl needed a second job. Or a better-paying full-time job. Her customer service position allowed her to work from home with a free work laptop, but it didn’t pay well—minimum wage on thirty-six hours per week. And she’d applied for hundreds of jobs.

Pearl’s ideal wish list had been two remote jobs, but with her experience? No luck, and she’d been trying for weeks.

She’d also been rejected from two diners and a burger joint. Not even the fast-food industry would take her. Which wasn’t a bad thing because leaving Aysha at a strange daycare didn’t feel right—not while hiding from a psycho ex-husband.

Antonio pushed off the doorframe and walked confidently to the kitchen. He moved so gracefully—like a panther. Pearl wanted to rip off that jacket and run her hands across that firm stomach. Her crush on the capable man had grown over the past two months. Their budding friendship was all thanks to his proactivity.

Her hesitation was based on not knowing his true motives. Did he just feel sorry for his new tenants? And it circled back to feeling like a charity case. Pearl looked down at her fluffy slippers and purple leggings. And a gorgeous man, dressed to the nines, stood in her messy kitchen. Pearl wondered if he had a date for the charity event. If so, did she live nearby? Lucky lady.

“I brought you some yogurts. And there’s milk and bread… eggs.” Antonio unloaded the bags. “Also, some—”

“You don’t have to do that—shop for us. We’re fine.”

He paused. His dark brown gaze ran over her length before he continued unpacking. “I’m heading out of town for a week—a sudden work trip. I didn’t want these groceries going to waste.”

“Where are you going?”

“California. We’re tracking a suspect. If you don’t need the food… it’ll just go to waste.”

“Okay.” Wrapping her arms around her waist, Pearl nodded. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t finish my vegetables.” Little hands grasped the counter.

“And that’s something to brag about?” Pearl laughed.

“Well, I’m not impressed.” Antonio leaned over and squinted at Aysha. “Bichito, you need to grow up to be big and strong if you want to ride a Rhinocorn.”

“What’s that?” Aysha asked with wide eyes.

“Remember—Rhinos that are secretly unicorns. Without the bum glitter.”

Pearl suppressed a giggle.

“Here, I have the intel.” Antonio pulled a kid’s book out of a bag. “See… I told you they were cool.”

“What’s inkel?” Aysha asked.

“Intel? The right information.” He handed over the book.

Pearl caught a glimpse of the title, “Rhinocorn Rules.”

“Bichito, can you read?” Antonio asked.

“Kind of. Not really.” Aysha excitedly turned the pages.

“Well, your mom will have to read that for you. But, when you can read, could you read ‘Rhinocorn Rules’ to me?”

His request hit Pearl in the chest, and she didn’t like the feeling. There was already a fragile bond forming between Antonio and Aysha. How long would he be hanging around? His exciting life included protecting embassies, chasing bad guys, and looking like James Freaking Bond. Pearl and Aysha would choose their own path, and they might not be in Virginia in the foreseeable future. This was just a rest stop while Pearl gained her bearings.