“Tell them to expect me to visit with my in-laws and leave.” For once, I’m being entirely truthful with Frank. “I’m not here to conduct business, so your higher-ups don’t need to worry.”

Frank doesn’t look like he believes me, but I don’t give a fuck. If the CIA knows what’s good for them, they’ll keep the FBI off my back.

I’m here for Nora, and anyone who doesn’t like it can go straight to hell.

When I return to the house, I find Nora arguing with Rosa about cleaning up the table.

“Rosa, please, today you’re the guest,” Nora says, reaching for the platter with the remnants of the lamb. “Please, just sit, and I’ll help my mom—”

“No, no, no,” Rosa objects, walking around the table and picking up dirty dishes. “You have the baby to worry about. Please, this is my job. Let me help.”

“I’m ten weeks along, not nine months—”

“She’s right, baby,” I say, stepping up to Nora and plucking the platter from her hands. “It’s been a long day, and I don’t want you overtiring yourself.”

Nora starts to argue, but I’m already carrying the platter to the kitchen, where Nora’s parents are packing away the leftovers. As I walk in, Gabriela’s eyes widen, but she accepts the platter from me with a quiet “thank you.”

I smile at her and walk back to the dining room for more dishes.

It takes a few more trips for Rosa and me to clear off the table and bring everything to the kitchen. Nora sits on the living room couch, watching us work with a mixture of exasperation and curiosity.

Finally, the table is clean, and the Lestons come out of the kitchen to join us. I take a seat next to Nora on the couch and pick up her hand, bringing it to my lap so I can play with her fingers.

“Gabriela, Tony, thank you for a wonderful dinner,” I say when Nora’s parents sit down next to Rosa on the second couch. “I apologize that I had to step out and missed dessert.”

“I saved you a slice of cake,” Nora says as I massage her palm. “Mom packed it for us to go.”

I give her mother a warm smile. “Thank you for that, Gabriela. I appreciate it.”

Gabriela inclines her head. “Of course. It’s unfortunate that your business took you away so late in the evening.”

“Yes, it is,” I agree, pretending not to notice the inquiry implicit in her statement. “And you’re right, it is getting late…” I glance down at Nora, who’s covering a yawn with her free hand.

“Nora says you’re staying at a house in Palos Park,” Tony says, watching us with an unreadable expression. “Is that where you’re sleeping tonight?”

“Yes, that’s right.” The house is on the far edge of the community, with enough empty acreage surrounding it that Lucas was able to implement the required security features. “That’s where we’ll be staying for the duration of our visit.”