Chapter 20

HOPE

I looked at Nicco. He looked intense and I didn’t know what was going on. I weighed my words.

“If the adventure is with you, I’ll go anywhere,” I said.

Nicco looked pleased. That was the right answer, somehow. He nodded, opening the bedroom door and walking out into the hall.

“I’ve ordered some lunch to be sent up,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”

I took the towel off my head and began blotting my hair. “Can we go out instead? If you’re too busy, I don’t mind going alone. I have never been to New York City before.”

Nicco halted and turned back to look at me. “Hope, I’m sorry. But something has come up. We're going to leave very shortly and you can't leave the hotel. I promise to bring you back to New York City and give you the grand tour when it’s all over.”

I didn’t like it. I was used to being able to go where I wanted, when I wanted to. And Nicco was back to being bossy. I didn’t say anything, just down the towel and picked up the comb, attacking the waywar