11

LINDEN

I went back to the hotel, distraught over something I’d done right. I should have told her I was there to bring her home, but what was the point when she already blew my cover?

She knew who I was, but my assignment. And she was going home anyway. Somehow, I still accomplished my mission. But I lost something in the end— the chance and her trust.

After I called Hope to confirm my itinerary the following day, I went down to Terzo waiting for me. He gave me an odd look the moment he saw my duffel.

“I’m going home.”

“Already?”

“Yeah.” I got in the passenger’s seat of his Maserati Ghibli. “I left tons of work.”

“You should chill out sometime. You will never run out of work, but our time is not a guarantee.”

“Look at you.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “How’s your father, by the way?”

“He’s doing great. That’s why I’m trying to enjoy before I take over the family business because once I’m in that position, I have a lot of changes to do and might as well disappoint my father