Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“Got it,” she texted back a few seconds later. He didn’t know if that meant she had it with her already or she understood. He doubted she’d gotten rid of Tim and made it to her apartment to get packed so quickly, but it was possible.

“Let me know when you’re ready to go,” he said and then looked around his apartment again. What was he forgetting?

He grabbed his charger and his toiletries and then sat on the edge of the couch for a few moments, wondering what else he needed to do. Earlier in the day, he’d considered asking Ella to run off with him and get married, but he had no idea it would be under these circumstances. He didn’t care how it went, though, as long as he was able to make Ella his forever.

Realizing it would be easier to check in once he got to Vegas if they already had a room booked, he pulled out his phone and made reservations at The Venetian in one of the nicest suites. About the time he finished, he got a text from Ella. “All done.”

“Great. Meet me at my car so that no one sees me walking to your apartment with a suitcase, okay?” He wasn’t sure if it would make any difference since people might see them putting their bags in his car, but she agreed, and Rome headed out the door.

“Where are you going?”

The sound of that blonde girl who was always asking him out made Rome jump. He finished locking his door and said, “Oh, just a quick trip. Hey, could you do me a huge favor?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

He took a deep breath and thought carefully about whether or not he could trust her. “Federal agents are looking for my friend. For some reason, they think he’s staying around here, maybe even with me. If you see them, could you just keep an eye on them, let me know what they do? You have my number, right?”

“I do.” She gave him a wide smile, and Rome didn’t have the heart to tell her she actually had Bart’s number. She didn’t need to know that at the moment. He’d call Bart on the way to let him know what was going on.

“Awesome. Whatever you do, don’t mention my name--if they should ask you anything. Which they won’t unless you accidentally run into them. I just need to know if they come, what apartment they go to, and if they leave. Okay?”

“Sure thing.”

“Thanks a lot--you.” For the life of him, he couldn’t remember her name.

She shook her head and then said, “Bridgette.”

“Right. I knew that.” He widened his smile, giving her a glimpse of those dazzling white teeth of his. When he got the swooning expression he was waiting for, he rubbed her arm and then headed down to his car, thinking Ella was probably waiting for him already.

Bridgette was going into her room, but he knew she’d have her eyes glued to the window from now on, looking for the agents, because he’d asked her to.

Ella was pacing when he got there. “Sorry. Got hung up.” He’d explain why later. He took their bags and put them in the trunk and then got into his car. “Ready to rumble?” he asked.

Smiling, Ella said, “I’m so ready.”

Rome gave her a quick kiss and then backed out of his parking spot, headed out of the lot, on his way to Vegas to change his life forever.

The road flew by out the window, streets, and cars turning into green pastures and mountains in the distance. Ella loved the feel of Rome’s hand in hers and the thump of the bass from the song playing on the radio. It was so hard to believe she was running off to Las Vegas to get married, but she was smiling so wide, her face hurt. It would be impossible for her father to make her marry that guy from Paris if she was already married to Rome. Hopefully, her dad would see how serious she was about the fact that she loved him and would accept him into the family, despite his last name.

“What did Tim say?” Rome asked, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand softly.

“He just asked me why I didn’t come to him. I told him I had no time. I needed to get out of there. I told him I was afraid Dad would know where I was, so I was thinking about staying in a hotel for a few days. He said I could stay with him, but I said I didn’t trust my dad not to go there. I’m sure he will when he can’t find me at my apartment--assuming you’re right and he knows where to look.”

“I asked a neighbor to keep an eye out for him.” Something about the way Rome said that had Ella raising an eyebrow. “Okay--she’s not just a neighbor. It’s this blonde who’s asked me out a few times. But I’ve never shown any interest in her. Anyway, I figured I could use her interest to our advantage.”

“Rome! That’s awful.”

“I know. But I did what I had to do.”

She tried not to make a face at him. He was just trying to help.

“That reminds me. I need to call Bart and let him know what’s happening because she thinks she has my number. She really has his.” He dug his phone out of his pocket, and when he called, it was over speakerphone, which made Ella uncomfortable, but it was the safest option. They were out of the city now, but it still wasn’t safe to call and drive at the same time.

“Hey, Bart, do me a favor. If a girl named Bridgette calls or texts you about some federal agents, pretend you’re me, and just be thankful, okay?”

“Uh… who is this?” a male voice said over the car speakers.

“Haha, very funny. Just do it, all right?”

“Where the hell are you, man? We haven’t heard from you in days.”

“That’s not true. It hasn’t been that long. I’ve been busy. Say hi to Ella.”

“What? Am I on speakerphone?

“Yep. We’re in the car. Say hi.”

“Hi… Ella.”

“Hi, Bart.” She couldn’t help but laugh. He seemed nice, and friendly, but lost. She couldn’t blame him.

“Listen, I’m not going to tell you where we’re going because I don’t want anyone to try to get it out of you, but we’re not going to be around for a few days. Just keep it on the down low, okay? I’ll fill you in as soon as I can.”

“Okay. Are there really people looking for you, though?”

“Not me,” Rome replied.

“My dad,” Ella volunteered.

“Oh. I see. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Bart asked as if he had some idea what the story was. She imagined he must, that Rome must’ve told him at least a little bit about what was going on.

“I am. Thanks for asking.”

“Sure. Well, I can’t wait to meet you in person. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Thanks, Bart. I look forward to meeting you, too.” She had also heard about him--and Rome’s friend Mark. They both seemed nice, but Bart seemed like a nicer guy than Mark who came across as pretty stuck on himself from the stories Rome had told her.

“We gotta go, buddy. Thanks for your help.”

“No problem. Be careful.” Bart hung up, and Rome took a deep breath before he made sure his phone was off and took Ella’s hand in his.

“Are you okay?” he asked her.

She hoped her smile was enough to confirm for him that she was. “Yeah. I’ve never been to Vegas before. Is it as beautiful in person as it is on TV?”

“Even more so,” Rome replied with a broad smile. “I can’t wait for you to see all of the lights.”

Ella couldn’t wait either, but she was looking forward most of all to making Rome her husband.