Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
PARKER
I wasn't sure what I expected when Molly said she had a favorite restaurant, but this wasn't it.
Or maybe it made perfect sense.
The Mexican restaurant was nothing more than a hole-in-the-wall in some shady neighborhood of Boston. The sign out front barely labeled what was inside, but it was what was in the restaurant that truly blew my mind.
The place was clean. And I meant super clean. Whoever the owner was and the employees who worked for them took pride in the place. There wasn't more than a dozen tables throughout the place, and almost every one of them was full.
"We're lucky we got here in time. This place rarely has an open table." Molly settled into the chair across from me at the small table.
"I'm surprised anyone willingly comes to this neighborhood." I didn't mean to sound like a jackass, but it was no secret drug deals happened on every corner, and the crime rate for the area was higher than anywhere else in the city.
"Juanita––she's the one who owns it––and her husband make sure to shut down before it gets dark.
They usually don't even make it that long.
This isn't a made-to-order kind of place.
They make two different meals a night. Once they are gone, they close up shop.
I've yet to have anything here that I didn't like. "
"Do you come here often?" I wasn't sure how I felt about her coming to this neighborhood by herself.
Molly scoffed, "Yeah, right. As you said, it's a sketchy neighborhood. Elle and I used to come every few months before she met Rhett. We haven't been back since."
I didn't know if that made things better or worse. Two women alone was dangerous. At least they didn't stay once it got dark. Silver lining and all.
A young woman approached the table before I could think of a response to that. "What can I get the two of you tonight?"
"We'll take one of each special, please." Molly winked at me. "Trust me, you're going to want to try both."
I would take her word for it. We ordered drinks, and the young woman was off to talk to another table of customers just as fast as she arrived.
"That's Maria. She's the daughter. Juanita likes to keep things in the family. Just the three of them work here."
"Where do they live?"
I knew the answer before Molly sighed. "Upstairs. Juanita swears up and down it's safe for them. The people in this neighborhood love the food too much to mess with them."
If she said so. I would reserve judgment until after I got to taste the food.
It took less than ten minutes for Maria to bring two steaming hot plates of food to us. The aroma alone had me salivating. If the food tasted half as good as it smelled, then I understood why the family had protection.
Sure enough, it was that good and more. One bite and flavor exploded on my tongue.
"Holy shit," I moaned. "You weren't kidding. No wonder this place is full."
Molly scooped up some of hers on a fork and brought it to my lips. Fuck, this was just as good.
"What the hell am I even eating?" I asked in desperation once I swallowed the second bite.
Molly lifted her shoulder and chuckled. "No idea. Juanita never names her dishes. She likes to keep her customers on their toes. It's just special one and two. Delicious, right?"
"That's the understatement of the year. I might just beg Juanita to come live with us. I could get used to this."
My wife shook her head. "Nah. That's what makes this place so special. It's the mystery. Will you get a table or not? Will there be enough food or not? The less you come, the better chance there is of having different dishes."
Maybe she was right, but damn it was hard to rationalize that when every bite I took just got better and better.
We shared both dishes and ate every morsel of food. I even considered licking the plate but stopped myself. I didn't want to look like a heathen even if the temptation was there.
I was just about to ask Maria for the bill when my phone rang. One glance at the caller ID, and I knew what was coming.
"It's Matthew. I have to take this." I hit the accept button and brought the phone up to my ear. "What's up?"
"Wheels up in two hours."
"Vegas?" It was a stupid question. That was the only assignment we were working at the moment.
"Yup." Matthew was a man of few words when he was in team leader mode.
"See you soon." I hung up before he could say anything more. He wouldn't have anyway.
"You have to go?" Worry laced Molly's face. I paid the bill and took her hand.
"I do. My flight leaves in two hours. I need to get you home so you can pack a bag."
Molly paused midstep. "Pack a bag? Why would I need to do that? I can't exactly come with you. I have work."
"We'll talk in the truck." I had to practically drag her out of the place. I didn't say anything again until we were driving away. "No, you're not coming with me, but I don't want you staying alone at your place either. Not until we know who tampered with your car. You're going to stay with Elle."
"Does Elle know this?" Molly crossed her arms and glared at the side of my head.
"She will in a moment."
I tapped Rhett's name on the screen and listened to the ringing come through on my truck speakers. "Yeah?"
"Hey. I'm taking Molly to pack a bag. She's going to stay at your place until we get back."
"No I'm not!" Molly screeched.
Rhett didn't bother to acknowledge her. "Figured as much. Elle's getting the guest bedroom set up now."
"Umm, excuse me. Don't I get a say in this?"
Rhett and I answered at the same time. "Nope."
Molly huffed. "I want to speak with my best friend, please." Despite the tacked-on please, I doubted my wife was feeling gracious.
"Hey, girl. I hear we're having a sleepover." Elle sounded a little too cheery about the ordeal.
"Can you please tell these two buffoons that I don't need to sleep at your place?"
It was obvious Elle was on our side when she tsked. "No can do. Our house is a fortress, and from what my husband tells me, you've got a problem on your hands."
"Ugh." Yes, Molly said the word, and to emphasize her point, she flopped back in the seat. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am. I want you safe, and a sleepover should be fun."
"You realize we're in our mid-thirties. We don't have sleepovers."
Elle chuckled. "Sure we do. We can have them every time the guys go away. Now get your ass here. I miss you."
Molly rolled her eyes. "You just saw me a few hours ago."
"Doesn't mean I can't miss you," Elle singsonged.
"See you soon," Rhett said as he took back the phone before hanging up.
"It's not cool that you've all ganged up on me."
I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers as I placed them on my leg. "It's for the best."
Molly didn't respond. In fact, she didn't say a word until we walked into the house. "I only need a few minutes." She headed straight for her bedroom. I stayed in the living room and checked in with the team.
Parker
What do we know?
Our tech analyst was quick to respond.
Caden
Still working on it. I should have something after you fly out. I'm trying to get the team what they need for Vegas as well, so it's taking extra time.
Parker
Message Molly when you have something. Or Elle. She's staying at Rhett's until we get back.
Caden
Smart. No one is getting past his security system.
No, they weren't. Rhett went a little overboard when he found out Elle was pregnant. He took overprotective to a whole new level. I wouldn't be far behind him. Once I knew where Molly and I were going to live, I would be doing the same.
"Okay, I'm ready to go."
Molly walked into the living room, dragging a medium-size suitcase behind her.
"How many days did you pack for?"
"Five." Molly sighed. "If I need more than that, I'll have someone bring me here to get stuff."
Fair enough. She was no longer fighting me about going, so I took that as a win.
I took the suitcase from her and placed my hand on her lower back. Once we were on our way to Rhett's house, I apologized. "I'm sorry. I know you're not happy about this, but I promise it's only because I want you protected."
"I know, and I appreciate it. I'm not even mad I'm staying with Elle. I like spending time with her and Savannah. I'm just ticked someone is screwing with my life enough that this is necessary."
I understood where she was coming from. "Caden is working on CCTV footage. He had to put it on hold to get the team ready for departure, but he promised to get back to it once we're in the air. He'll contact you once he has something."
"Okay." Molly sounded defeated, and that pissed me off. When I found out who was fucking with her, I was going to beat them within an inch of their life.