“Just being with me helps. Knowing that you and the baby are safe means everything to me.”
He grabbed my hand and kissed the back.
“I’ve been thinking about it…I’ve already sent most of my security guards to the family estate. We’ll be able to keep everyone safe there. It’s not like Quito. It’s somewhat isolated, so it’ll be better. We have our own private airstrip, as well.”
“Okay.”
“We’re going to head straight there. You’ll get to meet Sofia. I know that she’ll like you.”
I was good with kids, so I wasn’t too worried.
After I kissed his soft hair, I left him to his work and went back to my seat. I fell asleep.
Estate
Naelle
I woke up when we landed on Emilio’s estate. Out of the window, all I could see was green.
“We’re here,” he announced.
The pilots helped the plane come to a smooth stop. Emilio came over as I was unbuckling my seatbelt.
The two of us went out the doors.
“What about our luggage?”
“Someone will bring it later. My top priority is to keep you safe.”
There was a small golf cart waiting right there.
I knew that Emilio was a little more relaxed now that we were on his own land. He helped me into the cart before getting in himself. Our golf cart driver was wearing some sort of gray security uniform, and I could see a couple more guys with the same gray uniform scattered around the estate. It was as safe as Emilio could make it.
We went straight to the house, which was completely lit up. If I didn’t already know that Emilio was very wealthy, the house would’ve convinced me. It looked like the kind of house that was featured in a magazine.
The golf cart came to a stop right in front of the house. Emilio thanked the driver before pulling me up the steps and into the house.
“Sofia!” he bellowed. “Where’s Sofia?”
“Miyo?” I heard a little voice call.
Through the slats of the balcony on the second floor, I could see a little girl. She didn’t look too steady on her feet. I was worried about her falling.
I ran up the stairs faster than Emilio.
“Hey there, sweetie.” I reached for her, but she just backed away. My heart was beating fast — I didn’t know if it was from my sprint up the stairs or from how close she was to the edge of the balcony.
“Miyo!” she said with a little more urgency.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” Emilio said, scooping her into his arms.
The three of us walked into what must have been her nursery. It was as if the Easter Bunny had set off a pastel bomb in there. Everything was pastel pink.
“It’s past somebody’s bedtime,” Emilio said, looking at his watch.
She obediently closed her eyes, her little arms around Emilio’s neck. He sat in the corner in a rocking chair, gently patting her back.
Father’s Raid