CHAPTER 59
Even though the day had started on an offensive note for Evan, she wasn't going to let it end that way. She mentally ran through the things she could do to pass the time. Nothing enticing came up. Not even food piqued her interest. She thought about calling Zoe. But her friend was miles away. What could she do? Since she was on her way to Jason's apartment, she called him to let him know she was heading home. "While you don't drive to my office?" He asked, "I've got something to show you."
It was a tempting offer. She had assumed he would be busy when he called. Not wanting to face him yet because she didn't want to talk about her family's role in his family's loss, she considered turning him down. It was childish, though. He had been specific when he explained to her that he didn't hold her parents guilty in anyway.
A bit tired, she reluctantly agreed to join him at the office. But as she changed lane so she could head back, she a nap would be good. Yawning, she told him she would meet him there. The drive to his office wasn't going to take long. While she drives, she hummed to the boring music blasting from her audio player. It only made her sleepier. As she drove into the Valdez' parking lot, she turned off the engine, reset the AC to suit her need and adjusted her seat backward. She was asleep before she remembered she hadn't called Jason.
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When she dropped the call earlier to inform him she was headed home. Jason heard the tiredness in her voice and thought of cheering her up. He knew the pregnancy would be taking its toll on her. He had to do something nice for her. Inviting her over was all he could do now while he brainstorm for ideas. Jason looked at James and asked for a quick update on the case before releasing him to plan a getaway.
"There's nothing new yet to report." James apologized. "The men have gone underground again." He was seated calmly in front of his boss as they went over the details.
"Anything from Anderson and Key yet?" The two had requested for a room and have been working every evening to get a hold if the account. That was the only link they had to explore now. Shaking his head, he replied with "None either."
Jason hit the table in frustration, "This is going too slow for me. I want them caught and everything be brought to a wrap. What's taking them so freaking long?"
It had been bothering him too, James thought. The cold chase and nothing for long had no thrill to it. There were ways to force the men's hand. He has been trained to lure out the enemy if he could handle it. He could do that now since the men in question where tasting them, bidding their time. It meant just one thing. They have a plan. Perhaps forcing their hand would disrupt their plan and they would start acting irrationally, which would be an advantage for the Valdez. "We could turn the situation around." James suggested.
"I'm all ears." He said in rapt attention, "What can we do?"
"Rather than waiting for them to come to us, we can take the fight to them." It was a quick fix to certain difficult problems. A technique he had mastered over the years. The last incidence though almost ended badly. Though he could hardly be blamed for that. This time, he was sure this situation calls for it and under good supervision, it would turn out right.
"But do we know enough to do that? I don't want any losses." Jason replied recalling the last time this had happened. They had forced a rival's hand and it almost cost him a man. It was years ago but the memory lingered. A rival company had somehow gotten into the database and was stealing client's information to go after them. Two clients reported getting a call from some company to their jobs.
Thankfully, they were old customers who knew his protocol. He'd never call them for business. They knew his principles. He would rather send one of his staff to get the job than run it through the phone. The internet fraud these days made it upsetting doing business online. In person business transaction was the only way he knew he could reassure his partners of his credibility. Call it old fashioned, Jason Valdez had his rules and he followed through with them.
Worried and out of loyalty, the two clients had called Jason. The hackers withdrew immediately they were sighted. Key was upset. The database was like home to him. Outside getting in was considered trespassing, in a rude way. It was an infringement into his privacy. So, he asked to be allowed to hackers' system. Everything changed drastically from there. The hackers having gotten key's information kidnapped him. By the time James and his team got to him, he was almost breathless.
"We will dig up more about them and lure them out." He countered. Jason nodded and he excused himself.
Alone, James checked his watch. Evan should have been here some minutes ago. He picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang, but no response. Worried, he pressed the intercom and asked James to come back in. "Where's Evan?" He asked soon as James walked in.
"I thought you knew. She's asleep in her car at the parking lot. Sam is on duty with her."
"Okay, good. Please get me a security detail. I'll prefer Sloane this time. You and Sam need to work up a solid plan."
James nodded. He tapped his ear pod and got Sloane.
"Get the jet and pilot ready. We're leaving Miami right away. I promised that woman a hell of a weekend."
James excused himself and left while speaking with Sloane to get his things. Jason packed the things he needed and he left the office. He gently tapped the glass so Evan could wake up and unlock the door. She turned and stretched while she unlocks the door. "Hey sleeping beauty." He greeted as he opened the car and sat down beside her.
"Hi" she smiled at him and checked her wristwatch. "I completely logged out."
"You needed it" he silently appraised her look, "The baby doing this to you?"
"Yes..." Before he could apologize for carrying their child, she added quickly, "And I'm loving it." she told him, robbing her stomach she said, "I've been waiting for the baby kicks. Must still be early."
Jason laughed at that, "How far gone are we to expect that now." He laughed hard as she playfully punched him
"Maybe it's just me who's excited about the little one coming." She pouted.
He sobered up instantly, "You know I'm as excited as you are about this."
She loved the easy way they chatted. This was nice. They looked relax around each other. Teasing him, she asked "Are you now?"
His phone rang. It was James. "Yes." He answered, "We're ready." The line disconnected and he looked at her, a smile played at his lips. "Where do you want to go in the world?"
Evan thought about it. Paris! Right now, in Paris, new haute couture was being released. It was that season again. The season when she loved to just pack all the clothes and lazy around in them. The last time she had been here was when Zoe was with her French designer boyfriend, Antoine.
He had invited them to his launch and she's loved it. Her favorite sequined blue strap had been a gift from him. Though they had planned to tour the place, their visit had been cut shut tragically when Zoe broke up with the guy. There had been nothing there to stay for, she was hurt and wanted to leave right away. Left with no choice, Evan had followed her back home. Till date, she hardly talked about the incident and doesn't even want to come over here. She wouldn't mind seeing the fashion city again. "I'd love Paris. But I doubt you'd fancy what I want to go there for."
"Then Paris it is. I promised you a great weekend. Let's start making it count." He said and she screamed in excitement.
Sloane walked over to the car as they got down. He bowed slightly when the couple walked past him and kept them company to the jet pad. As the two went up the steep stairs to the jet, Evan suddenly realized she hadn't packed anything. Her words were swallowed up by the noise. "Belt." Jason said once seated, "The clothes have been packed." He informed her and she relaxed.
He leaned over to whisper in her ear. He had been longing for any close physical contact with her. The sensual whip of her scent made him recall their night together and the morning after. He sure hoped Paris had more memories to offer. He intended to anyway. "You may want to get some other things when we get there though. Just in case."
"Thank you." She said. The jet lurched up and she held his hand. He smiled reassuringly at her. It was evening by the time they got to Paris. They had a quiet dinner and she went to bed tired. She was jet-lagged; he could see as she struggled to finish her meal before sleeping. He let her sleep and carried her to bed after setting it up. While she slept, he watched her sweetly. He couldn't believe he had been so lucky to find comfort again.
Evangeline shifted, moving closer to him. Her warmth made him want to have a go at her. But she needed her sleep for their child. He wondered if it was a boy or girl and rubbed her stomach lightly. She moaned. He gently tucked her hair behind her ears. He could watch her all day. Finally, he was sleepy too. Not wanting to wake her up, he slides carefully into her coiled form and so they slept, wrapped into each other.
