Page 14 of Dark Angel
“Back to the US, stopping in Madrid first.”
“Are you in danger?”
A shadow darkened his eyes. “I’malwaysin danger.” After draining his water glass, he said, “You’re having dinner with Mom and Dad tonight.”
She stared at him. “No way.”
“Surprise.”
“You are the best.”
He flashed a playful grin. “I know. Seven-thirty, under the name Fontana.” He gave her the name and address of the restaurant.
“Do they know I’m meeting them?”
“No, they thinkI’mmeeting them.”
“And you think I lead a complicated life?”
Halston appreciated the delicious food and amazing view, but it was the time spent with her brother that meant everything to her. The past nine months had been a challenge. It was a long assignment with little more than weekly interaction with her handler. She worked a lot, kept to herself at night and on weekends. She needed to build trust with Bulgrov and build it fast. Her strategy had worked. Initially, he’d asked her todo small jobs. Spying on fellow employees to make sure they weren’t leaking information, which suggested that someone had probably been watching her.
Back in June, she thought someone had been in her apartment. She ditched her burner and she moved. She never felt secure, which kept her amped. For as long as she’d been with the Agency, the stress never left her.
They finished their lunch. Outside, they said their goodbyes. She hugged him hard, wishing they had more time together. The rest of the afternoon she played tourist, appreciating the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. Always hyper-vigilant about being followed, she spent as much time glancing around as she did enjoying the sites. As far as she could tell, she wasn’t being tailed.
At seven-fifteen, she exited the taxi outside the quaint restaurant tucked away on a less trafficked side street. The delicious aroma of Italian food wafted past her and she breathed deep.
If I never eat Grechka again, I will be a very happy girl.
Just then, a sedan pulled up. The back door opened, an elegant woman stepped out. Her stylish updo and oversized sunglasses a welcoming sight. Halston’s heart leapt.Mom. Then, a bearded man in a dark suit, no tie, followed.Daddy.
The woman glanced over, smiled warmly. “Buonasera. Good evening.”
“Mom, Daddy,” she murmured before removing her sunglasses.
They stopped, stared at her. Halston—still in her shoulder-length dark blonde wig and brown contacts—shot them a little smile.
Her mom pulled her into her arms, held her there for several long seconds. Halston hugged her hard before kissing her cheek.
“Hi, baby,” her mom whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Halston broke away and threw her arms around her father. “Daddy.”
“Hello, angel,” her dad said, holding her tightly.
Halston broke the embrace. “Surprise.”
Her mom ran a tender hand down her back. “I thought Wolfie was up to something.”
“The arched eyebrow,” her dad said before turning back to Halston. “We’ve missed you a lot, honey.”
“Same,” she replied.
Her dad glanced around. “How are you here?”
“I’m on my way back to the States,” she said, this time a smile filling her face.
“That’s wonderful,” her mom said.
