[Callie, I’ve arrived. I’m sorry to bother you with my parents.]
On her way home, waiting for the bus, Callie received a message from Ximena.
She finally relaxed, responding with focused attention, “You’re safe, and that’s what matters.”
But for some reason, the buses seemed delayed today. As Callie stood there, heavy laptop bag in hand, feeling she could fall asleep standing up.
A horn honked, startling her. A Rolls-Royce pulled up, the driver rolling down the window with a courteous smile, “Miss Marsh, we meet again.”
Callie tensed, quickly scanning for any of Oconnor Group’s employees. The car door opened automatically, far more ostentatious than the Porsche from the morning.
She hurried into the car, making sure she wasn’t seen.
Inside the spacious vehicle, Nelson was busy with his laptop, his expression serious and slightly irritable.
“I’d be thankful if you were this cautious with strangers,” he commented dryly.
She had been unsure how to face Nelson, but his blunt remark unexpectedly made her feel much more at ease.
After a while, seeing him close his laptop, she ventured, “Are you done?”
Nelson glanced sideways, his face softening slightly.
“It’s nothing serious. I was just letting you know Ximena messaged to say she’s safe,” she hurried to explain, feeling it was necessary since he was involved, albeit indirectly.
Yet Nelson appeared puzzled, “What does her safety have to do with me?”
“But you helped her,” Callie pointed out.
“That was because of you,” he replied succinctly.
Feeling somewhat chastened, Callie murmured, “Then I’ll stay quiet.”
The air between them grew tense, filled with an unspoken understanding. Perhaps because of the confined space of the Rolls-Royce or the remnants of their earlier proximity, Callie felt the air thin, her cheeks flushing involuntarily as she avoided Nelson’s gaze.
The man relaxed back into his seat, his peripheral vision capturing her every small gesture, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Then, Callie’s phone rang, breaking the silence. It was Joaquin. She flinched, handing the phone to Nelson to see.
“Answer it,” he commanded calmly.
Callie cleared her throat and answered impatiently, “What do you want?”
“Where’s Ximena?” Joaquin’s voice was strained, an undercurrent of barely contained rage lacing his words.
“Ximena? Your girlfriend and you’re asking me? You’ve lost your mind,” Callie responded, trying to maintain her composure while exchanging a worried glance with Nelson.
This should not be happening-Joaquin wasn’t supposed to know about her involvement with Ximena.
But his tone was disturbingly certain, “Ximena has disappeared. I’ve checked all her social media. Guess what, Callie? I saw your conversation with her on Twitter! Very clever, I had no idea you were behind this.
Where is Ximena? Tell me now!”
By the end, he was nearly shouting, causing Callie to tremble, her hand shaking as she clutched her phone. Nelson opened his laptop once more, typing rapidly. He was drafting something for her to say, a calm in the storm of Joaquin’s accusations.
Callie read from the screen, echoing Nelson’s words with a steadying breath, “I did reach out to Ximena regarding your mother’s demands for money. She said she would consider it, but that was the end of our conversation. I don’t know where she is.”
“You’re lying! Ever since you met her, she wanted to break up with me! You must have told her about my debts. You better tell me where Ximena is, or I swear I’ll kill you!”
“I told you I don’t know. If you want to threaten someone, go ahead and try me,” Callie’s voice was firm, her resolve hardening under Nelson’s silent support.
-Hang up!
She immediately hung up the phone.