“No, that’s not—”
“I’ll drive you.” Hans cuts me off.
I lift my eyes to his. “You don’t—”
He cuts me off again. “I’ll drive you.”
The hard look in his gaze tells me it would be a mistake to argue. “Okay,” I whisper.
Mom clears her throat. “You all packed?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
“Where are you going?” Hans hasn’t turned his attention away from me.
“Um, Mexico.” I try to smile. “It’s for work.”
“Where in Mexico?” Hans’s tone has gone hard, like maybe he already knows the answer.
CHAPTER 34
Hans
When she says the name of the city, I nearly drag her over my knee.
I’m no stranger to the country. It’s beautiful. The people are kind. The food is some of my favorite on earth. But that city, that particular city, has been labeled the most dangerous city in the world the last three years running. Specifically for cartel violence and kidnapping for ransom. That city is not somewhere I want my Butterfly going. Ever. And definitely not without me.
But those facts aren’t something the average person would know. And if it wasn’t for my fascination with my beautiful neighbor, I wouldn’t know it either. But when I did my research on Cassandra, I did my research on the company she works for too. They have branches all over the world, but their biggest and newest manufacturing facility is in this particular city.
As someone who works in human resources, I didn’t think there would be any threat of her having to go there. That’s for product development people, maybe the salespeople for training.
But apparently, I need to up my game. Tap her phone. Hack her emails.
If I’d known about this more than a day in advance, I could’ve found a way to make sure she couldn’t go. But now…
“And where do you work, Hans?” Mrs. Cantrell asks.
Since I’m still staring at Cassandra’s profile, I watch her slowly turn to face me. She’s clearly curious about my answer but can’t really admit she doesn’t know.
In all fairness, I’ve never asked her about her job either. I just know the answer because… well, because.
“I’m a health inspector.” The lie is one I’ve had ready for years.
I don’t have to use it often since I don’t interact much with people outside my real profession, but I know more than enough about the inspector world to answer any question Mrs. Cantrell, or anyone else, might ask.
“Bet you go to some interesting places,” Mr. Cantrell says around a bite of bacon. “Explains the clothes.”
“Dad, there’s nothing wrong with his clothes,” Cassandra argues.
I feel a spark of warmth at Cassandra defending me.
Mr. Cantrell shoves the last bite into his mouth, holding his hands up. “I didn’t say there was. But a getup like that usually means military or construction. Health inspector isn’t exactly construction, but being in kitchens and basements and wherever else, you probably need durable clothes that clean easily.”
I lift a brow. He was paying closer attention than I figured. “You military?”
“Army communications. Served right out of high school, retired around your age so the wife and I could move back here and start a family.” His expression is nothing but soft as he looks at his daughter.
I’m not intimidated by a man in his seventies who used to serve in the army, but I am aware that I shouldn’t underestimate his observational abilities.
“Our little miracle baby.” Mrs. Cantrell smiles at Cassandra.
“Yeah, yeah.” My neighbor shakes her head. She reaches for the metal spatula and gestures toward my plate. “Would you like another slice?”
I look down and see I’ve finished every bite.
I believe Cassandra learned her love for food from her mom. But, and I’ll take this to my grave, her mother’s food is delicious rather than barely edible, so I nod.
A large slice of egg bake is set on my plate, and I waste no time digging in.
“How about your family?” Mrs. Cantrell asks. “Do your folks live around here?”
A twist of pain catches me off guard before I answer truthfully. “They passed away. A long time ago.”
Cassandra’s indrawn breath does something to settle that bit of pain.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Mrs. Cantrell’s voice is full of compassion.
I dip my chin, wanting to look at Cassandra but not quite daring to. I know she has big feelings. And her one inhale is enough to tell me that she’s going to have a look on her face that will make me want to drag her into a hug. Right here. At the table with her parents.