“Mexico. Nephew of Juan Carlos Castillo has her.”
Tia jolted.
“Someone else took her but he got her back as a goodwill offering to us. Long story, can’t get into it right now. I would’ve told you last night but you were dead asleep. Pack for us? Shit for three, no make it five days, just in case. Something formal, too. We’ll need formal for the Fete opening so pack my black Boss tux. If you want, you can buy your dress there. Up to you.”
She stared at me.
“Sarah and Tessa’s boys are coming so Tess can see her boys right away. Talked to Sarah last night.”
“Uh, wait, Um…” She looked stunned. I knew she was trying to absorb all the facts I’d just spewed but she was also thinking about being in Mexico, when Earl Johnson had taken her from me and put her through that hell.
I rubbed her shoulders and kissed her forehead.
“Gotta stay there a few days. It’s strategic. She’ll need to see her boys so we’ll bring them and Sarah can look after them. I’ll get someone to bring racks of dresses in to the hotel for you two to go through, if you want?”
“I’m not going to the Fete opening.”
“Yeah, I need you on my arm. I want Tessa there, too. I’m booking a private hotel suite for us and it’ll be under heavy security.”
“I want nothing to do with that. I’d rather just stay home. I also don’t even want you
to go but whatever.”
“Huh? What’s all this?”
“If you have to do Vegas, can you do Vegas alone, please?”
“Because you’re worried you’ll be sick the whole time?”
“Because I don’t wanna go. How on earth can you expect your sister, after being kidnapped, to go to a sex club opening?”
Tia
“I need to be there; I need you with me. And it doesn’t matter the venue, it’s strategic.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t wanna get into it. It’s about who took her, why, and all that shit. You don’t need the details but her being there will send a message to the little fuck that took her.”
“Tommy,” I whined and rubbed my eyes.
“Tia, I need to fuckin’ know you’re okay. Do this for me.”
“Last time we were there, things were kind of rough.”
Understatement.
“It was rough, yeah. But it was also beautiful, baby girl. Vegas was where you told me you loved me that first time, where you told me you were mine. It’s also where I knew how important it was for me to fix what’s broken in me.”
My heart swelled, “You and me are both a little bit broken, Tommy. But we’re like puzzle pieces that fit together.”
I linked my fingers with his and tightened them.
“You’re not a little broken, Tia. You’re ten times stronger than I am.” He kissed each of my knuckles and closed his eyes, pulling me tight to his warm body.
“I’m sorry for being a dick this morning,” he said.
I nodded.