Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

Darcy was insanely happy.Nick had talked to his boss and the important job that was somehow keeping them apart was being ‘handled' for the time being so Nick could come with her to Tecate. She wished he could share everything with her, but she understood a security specialist would have to keep some secrets. She trusted Nick and knew he'd tell her if he could. All that mattered was he wasn't going to leave her.

Jagger and Hays drove them to the small Daytona International Airport and said goodbye. It was rough to say goodbye to her ‘brothers.' Great men. She prayed they both found happiness and love.

She and Nick flew in Mercedes's jet. They chatted about how she'd help more children and expand her houses with the million dollars, and she told him more stories about Samuel, Missy, and Izzy. He told her more stories about his family. She could hardly believe he was going to meet her kiddos. She was so happy. They also spent time—a lot of time—kissing. They were brilliant at kissing each other, and the four-hour flight was much too short.

Landing in the small Tecate airport, Darcy realized she hadn't called anybody for a ride. "Let me call my friends Gary and May and they'll come pick us up."

"No need." Nick winked and grinned. "Aiden will have a car waiting for me."

"Really? He's a very nice boss, isn't he?"

"The best."

He escorted her off the plane and there wasn't just a ‘car' waiting. It was a black Range Rover with darkened windows. Was it bulletproof? It looked like it should be in a caravan protecting the president. How intriguing. Everything about Nick was thrilling and intriguing but made her feel safe and protected. The vehicle fit him perfectly.

Nick helped her into the soft leather seat. There were a bunch of extra gadgets on the dash. She had no clue what would happen if she pushed one of them, but she'd bet on flames coming out the sides of the vehicle or a grenade launching at the vehicle behind them. She was very careful not to touch anything.

"Who left the car for you?"

He shrugged. "One of Aiden's headquarters is in Dana Point, California, only an hour away. A couple of the guys drove it down for me while we were flying here."

"Huh."

He lived in a very different world than she did.

Darcy gave him directions to her house. She could hardly wait to hug Samuel, all the other children, and Gary and May. She wanted to rock her babies to sleep. Yet as Nick held her hand across the console, she realized she wasn't lonely and aching for family connection like she'd been most of her life. Her and Nick's future wasn't a clear picture, but she wanted him in it. No matter what.

They pulled up to the gate, and she told him the code. The rusty gate swung open. He nodded to her. "I'll tell Jagger you have some security."

She smiled.

He parked next to the back door and hurried around to get her door. He helped her out, but immediately turned and shielded her with his body. What was happening?

"Hola," a man's voice called.

Oh. One of Johnny's guards was standing in the backyard. They didn't usually interact with even her. She just knew they were around, keeping an eye on things. With the Range Rover and Nick showing up, they must've thought they should make their presence known.

"Hola," Nick returned. "Se habla Ingles?"

"No mucho," the man said, striding over to meet them in the driveway.

Darcy eased to Nick's side. "Nick, this is one of my security guards." She'd never seen this guy before, but different guards rotated through all the time. Johnny had a large security team. He'd explained that since he was an international businessman, people could try to hurt him by going through her, so it was better for both of them if he kept her safe. Even though they weren't married any longer.

"Sean," the man said, nodding to Nick but not offering his hand.

"Nick," Nick said.

"Nick is with me," Darcy said. She kept trying to learn Spanish but wasn't very good at it. The children all learned English from her, Gary, May, and the other English volunteers. They learned Spanish from the Spanish volunteers, but they usually spoke in English and everybody she interacted with in town usually understood some English, or someone was willing to interpret for her.

"Estoy con ella," Nick said to the man.

"En realidad?" The guard's brows lifted, and he didn't appear to like whatever Nick had said.

"Si." Nick nodded to him and then shut the door and escorted Darcy past him. He clicked the lock on the Range Rover and the man startled at the beep and then scowled. "You don't know Sean?" Nick asked quietly.

"They rotate through constantly and keep to themselves. I've never seen him before."

Nick glanced over his shoulder as they walked to the back door and he opened and held it for her. The man watched them steadily.

She felt uneasy. Then she glanced at Nick and relaxed. All was well. He was here.

They walked into the large kitchen in the middle of dinnertime, which explained why the children weren't playing outside in the backyard.

May squealed when she saw Darcy. Gary cheered. The other volunteers called greetings.

Samuel scrambled off his chair and ran for her. "Darcy, Darcy!" he screamed.

She swept him into her arms, holding him close. He smelled of out of doors, dirt, watermelon, and a hundred percent little boy. She had no idea why no one had adopted him. He was perfect. Maybe it was God's mercy, as she felt like he was one of her own.

Missy and Izzy struggled to get out of their chairs and come to her. The toddlers cried greetings and her name. The babies either squealed with delight or started crying at the commotion.

"Samuel." She focused on him first. "I missed you. Did you grow?"

"Yes! I so strong." He flexed a skinny arm, but then he instantly looked up at Nick and blinked his big brown eyes. "Strong … so strong … strong guy." He jabbed a finger at Nick and sounded nervous.

Darcy laughed and said, "Samuel, this is my friend Nick." It was sobering that Samuel was rarely around men, especially not around a well-built man like Nick. With some bruising and scrapes on his arms and face from the fight with Jagger, Nick looked dangerously beautiful.

Missy and Izzy were clinging to her legs now and begging for her. She patted Missy on the head. This was the only part of her job she hated, besides the children not finding families—not having enough of her to go around. They needed so much more love.

"Samuel." Nick extended his hand. "Darcy told me all about how tough you are and how you watch out for her."

Samuel solemnly put his small hand in Nick's as he simultaneously pushed out his thin chest. "I do." He released Nick's hand and squeezed Darcy around the neck. "I love my Darcy."

"Ah. I love you too, handsome." She squeezed him back. Izzy was crying now. Shoot. "I need to—" She didn't want to set Samuel down, but at thirty-five pounds, he was the biggest of their children. The other boys and girls that came that first year and would be his same age had been adopted. She could hold Missy and Izzy at the same time.

"Darcy told me I could throw you high in the air," Nick interrupted.

"Yay!" Samuel cheered.

Nick took Samuel from her arms and easily tossed him. The ceilings were nine feet in the old restored house. Thankfully, Samuel didn't hit a ceiling fan.

Samuel squealed with delight. "Again, again!"

Nick obliged while Darcy picked up Izzy and Missy, each in one arm. She soothed Izzy but couldn't stop smiling as Samuel laughed happily while Nick teased him, holding him upside down by one leg now. The little boys that could walk were rushing for Nick, begging for their own turn.

Darcy met May's glance. The older lady was grinning at the exchange, but she had a lot of questions in her eyes about who Nick was and why he was here.

Darcy didn't have all the answers, but she wouldn't fret. She just wanted him here.