Redemption by Lindsey Gray

has instructed me to have a car at your disposal at all times.”
    “Please relay to Mr. Fleming my sincere gratitude, and that I look forward to meeting with him again soon.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The driver walked around the back of the sedan to the driver’s seat. Ian was already back down the stairs before the driver had a chance to drive away.
    “I hope you’re hungry. When I need something else to do with my hands, I cook.”
    “I’m famished actually.”
    “Good.” Ian led Becca into the house, straight to the kitchen.
    An amazing aroma of tomatoes and fresh herbs teased her senses.
    “I think you may have found my one weakness.”
    “Italian food, huh? I would have pegged you for a fish and chips kinda gal.” Ian stirred his sauce causing fragrant waves to waft in Becca’s direction.
    “I love Italian food. I thought about becoming a chef for a while, even studied in Italy.”
    “What changed your mind?”
    “I had a lust for violence. The FBI seemed like the safest choice.” She felt her hair fall at the back of her neck. “Would you mind if I got cleaned up a little? It was a pretty long flight.”
    “Sure. I put your bags in the first room on the right.” He pointed down the hallway.
    “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
    She slipped down the hall to the bedroom and found her suitcases lying on the end of the bed. She kicked off her shoes, and her feet immediately thanked her. She slipped off her jacket and skirt, before throwing them over a nearby chair. She stood in her powder blue tank top and underwear and pulled the band that was holding some of her hair in place. Her auburn waves fell far past her shoulders to caress her exposed backside.
    She thought by Ian’s attire, that casual was the way to go. She pulled out her favorite pair of jeans and slid into them and sighed at the instant comfort. She grabbed her navy hooded sweatshirt, slipping it over her arms, comforted by its soft cotton.
    By the time she returned to the kitchen, Ian had dinner waiting.
    “Come, sit.”
    He directed her to the kitchen table; a glass of red wine was already poured for her. She noticed the bottle sitting next to it.
    “Lily’s favorite.”
    “She left several bottles behind. I think she must have had stock in the vineyard or something.”
    She does. Becca smiled as he brought their plates to the table.
    “I hope it’s not too much. Just some sausage spinach ravioli with tomato cream sauce.” He sat across from her awaiting her reaction.
    “Wow, this is the closest thing I’ve had to a date in God knows how long.” Becca smiled because it was so true.
    “Don’t tell me that you don’t have a boyfriend, husband, or girlfriend to wait on you hand and foot.”
    “Uh, no. No boyfriend to speak of in three years, so definitely no husband. Never really thought of myself as having a girlfriend type, but maybe I just haven’t met the right girl.”
    Ian smiled as he swallowed his first bite. “You were saying you had been distracted earlier.”
    “I thought I would try one more time to get through to Lily. I sent her a video message right after we talked last. She responded and I had to watch it to see if I could show it to you.”
    “I’d understand if you didn’t want to.”
    “I do. There are just some things you won’t understand and I’m going to have a lot to explain. Are you sure you’re up to this?” Becca asked, taking a deep breath for good measure.
    “I’m all ears. You can tell me anything.”
    “It’s not all good. By the time I’m finished, you might want to give up on her all together.”
    “She’s married?” Ian asked warily.
    “No.”
    “She’s a lesbian?”
    “No.”
    “She’s a Republican?”
    Becca laughed. “No, I don’t think she even votes.”
    “I don’t see how anything you would say wouldn’t be anything I haven’t already thought of myself.”
    “I know she’s really going to kill me for just being here,” Becca sighed, taking a sip of her