It didn’t take long to get unpacked, and then, just as she’d hoped, Mr. Murphy claimed jet lag and collapsed on the bed. Amanda closed the door between the rooms and turned on the television. Then she turned to Jaci.
“Are you going now?”
Jaci was already putting her shoes back on. “Yes. Do you have a room key?”
Amanda slipped it to her. “What if my dad wakes up?”
“Tell him I went down to buy a drink.” She’d better take some money and buy one, just in case.
“Good luck, Jaci,” Amanda breathed, her green eyes alight with excitement. “Be sure to tell me everything.”
“I will,” Jaci promised. She opened the door and stepped into the hallway, her heart rate already picking up. Anxiety raced through her veins, hotter than blood and thicker than fear. It was one thing to email or even video chat. Now she would finally see her father after more than two years. What if they had nothing to say to each other? What if this entire trip was a waste?
She banished the thoughts from her head. She couldn’t think that way.
Stepping off the elevator into the lobby, Jaci hurried past the check-in desk to the small concession area by the dining room. Her eyes scanned the empty chairs and the couches by the television in the corner, all while she remained facing the refrigerated goods. No one here. Would she have to wait?
She turned away from the food and moved toward the television, wishing she could at least speak the language if she was going to hang out and watch Swiss soap operas.
A hand closed around her forearm, pulling her to an abrupt halt. Jaci spun around and came face to face with an older man. His black hair was cut short and sprinkled with white, his mouth tight and weary. But the corners of his dark eyes crinkled as a smile lit his face, dispelling the grim shadows that had lingered.
“Jacinta!” he exclaimed, addressing her by her full name as he always had.
“Papá,” she uttered, emotion clogging her throat. She fell against his chest and felt his arms wrap around her. Her heart swelled with so many feelings she feared it would burst.
He drew back, holding her at arm’s length, studying her even as she studied him. He brushed away a tear on her face, his own eyes moist.
“Come and sit,” he murmured, speaking in Spanish as he led her to the couch. “Tell me how you are. Not what happened with Sid—I know the details of that from Detective Hamilton. I want to know about the family. How did you convince your mother? How is Cesar? Seth?”
Jaci let out a short breath and closed her eyes, all of the words tumbling around in her mind like a hurricane. Where did she begin? Did he want to know the trivial details about their lives or only the important things? She opened her eyes and peered into his, immediately calmed by the familiar warmth of his brown eyes. Nobody had ever made her feel as safe and protected as her father, and that was long before she found out he worked for an illegal vigilante group.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Mama knows I am here but I’ve told her nothing about you,” Jaci said, continuing the conversation in Spanish. “Mr. Murphy helped quite a bit, unknowingly, of course. I don’t know how I would have come otherwise.”
“So your mother doesn’t know you’re with me.” He nodded, though she thought she detected disappointment in his eyes. “But she knows we had contact.”
“She knows,” Jaci confirmed. Yet her mother had never asked for more details about their conversations. It was almost as if she didn’t want to know. Not wanting to tell him that, she moved on to Cesar. “Cesar’s taken an interest in football.”
“Not soccer?”
“No.” Again, Jaci didn’t explain. It would hurt her father to know that his disappearance from their lives had turned Cesar against the sport. “He’s very smart. Loves science.”
“Just like his sister.”
She nodded. “Seth knows I talked to you.”
“Seth.” He breathed out the name of his oldest child. “And what does he say?”
“I think he was jealous, really, maybe hurt that you didn’t talk to him. But like me, he understands why you stay away. He doesn’t quite agree.” She wasn’t sure she did, either, for that matter. Couldn’t he give up his crime-fighting life and retire now, come home and be a part of the family? He’d already done his duty. Sure, he’d have to face the music and answer for his deeds, but he’d done so much good. She was certain the law would have clemency for him.
Which reminded her of the envelope Detective Hamilton had given her. She couldn’t forget that.
“I would like to speak with Seth. Tell him how proud I am of him. Does he know you are with me?”
“No. Oh!” She brightened as she remembered what she should have told him weeks ago. “Seth is getting married.”
Her father’s brow furrowed. “I know he is, he emailed me months ago. He is so young.”
“He’s twenty-one,” Jaci defended, though she had to admit it was very young. “He’s marrying Megan Reynolds. She’s very mature for her age. He’ll still be able to accomplish everything he wants to.”
“But with a family to support, and then babies on the way—I don’t want him to strap himself down needlessly.”
“Well, if you want to give your two cents, you better find a way to contact him,” Jaci said, only half joking.
“Wait. Megan Reynolds. I know this name.”
“Yes,” Jaci said, a smile playing about her lips. “I wondered if you’d recognize it. She’s the daughter of the FBI agent who rescued us.”
“Ah. The girl Seth coerced to fund his crusade when he went off to find you.”
“That’s right.” Jaci didn’t fight the smile now. She and Megan had become close friends, and she knew all about how Seth had badgered her and blackmailed her, using her influence and money to help him track down his kidnapped sister. But by the end of their journey together, Seth’s loyalty to Megan was rivaled only by his loyalty to his family.
“If she can put up with him, I suppose it is a good match.” Mr. Rivera nodded begrudgingly. “Her father is an honorable man.”
Jaci gave his hands a squeeze. “I’ll tell him you approve.”
“When is the wedding?”
“During Christmas break. In like six weeks.” Her eyes widened. “Will you try to come?”
He hesitated as if seriously considering it. “I can’t.” Sorrow tinged his voice. “If he were marrying any other person, perhaps I would try. But with an FBI agent at the wedding—” He shook his head. “But I will send them something.” He caught her gaze. “And how are you coping? How is your recovery?”
Jaci took a deep breath and looked away, forcing her head to give a nonchalant nod. “I’m okay. I keep wondering when this nightmare will be over. I’ve given up years of my life to this, and it never seems to end.”
“I’m sorry, my daughter,” he whispered.
“It’s never going to go away, is it?” she whispered back.
He said nothing. The television droned on in the background for a few minutes, the Swiss actors laughing and shouting dramatically.
“I have something for you,” her father said, bringing her attention back to him. “It might make you feel better.”
“What is it?” she asked.
He pulled up his sleeve and checked his watch. “We don’t have time today. You will be missed. But tomorrow you will come with me.”
Jaci furrowed her brow. “How will I do that? I’m here with Amanda. Her dad’s not going to let me go anywhere alone.”
“The same way any young girl decides she’s not going to listen to her caregivers. You fall in love and run away.”
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