Hidden Rocco (Hidden Alphas Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  They continued to sway together as she replied, “You mean, what did I do for fun before Jacob?”

  His face was warm and a laugh escaped his throat. Had women always been this complicated? Or was it just Mica? “Yes. What did you enjoy?”

  She pressed her lips together like she thought very deeply but then said, “Enjoy isn’t the right word. I went skiing, went to all the right places to be seen, but honestly…”

  “Yeah?” He realized her voice had trailed off and she wasn’t continuing.

  She let out a sigh and met his gaze. “I was never happy or enjoying myself. I was just there to get my picture taken and then return to work.”

  The image of Mica in the dress she now wore only smiling for a camera and heading to a desk somewhere seemed… sad. He held her tighter. “That sounds stifling.”

  The intensity in her brown eyes made it seem like they were the only people in the world as she said, “You’ve no idea. What about you? What hobbies do you have other than fixing things and cooking?”

  “I used to love watching cooking shows on YouTube and preparing something foreign or exotic. I’ve been using memories of my favorites since arriving.” He’d never had much enjoyment or extras offered, but he thought about summers, when he wasn’t near his brothers. “As a kid I enjoyed helping Mom in the garden, but I also liked fishing. The best times in my life were in the Marines.”

  Her gaze narrowed like he'd just spoken to her in another language. “Why? It had to be hard work, all the time.”

  Hard work was something that fulfilled him. Prison was a place where he was supposed to disappear and never see the bloom of a flower ever again. “Yes, but because no matter what I had to do, my life had purpose.”

  A door banged.

  His heart raced as he imagined the police storming in. Or more people like his brothers about to attack. In the latter situation, he’d protect Jacob and Mica with his life.

  The last thing he wanted was Mica in trouble so he let her go as she asked, “What was that?”

  Despite how his pulse went faster than an electric drill, he’d face the music alone. He walked out of the dining room and into the main hotel lobby as he called out behind him, “Hold on…” The door had flung open and banged against the wall from a cold wind.

  No one stood there. No guards, no officers. Adrenaline spiked. The police had warrants. His brothers didn’t go by rules. Rocco wouldn’t alert them, if an enemy was waiting. He could be wrong. He called out as he walked toward the door, “Just the wind.”

  He popped his head out but no cars were in the front of the chalet as Mica kept hers in the garage below, which was why he’d thought her place was empty the night he’d climbed into her window to escape the cold for a few hours.

  They were alone. He searched the lower lobby, then locked the door to ensure they wouldn't be bothered again. Fifteen minutes later, he returned to the dining room where Mica’s palm was on her chest, her keys in her other hand. “My heart went to my throat.”

  If he was free, it would be nice to spend his days with her.

  The thought hit him hard as he asked, “What did you think?”

  She lowered her hand, showed him the app of the baby monitor where Jacob slept soundly, and shook her head. “I thought… I thought it was some assassin out to kill my son. I was ready to grab him and bolt.”

  That was something she’d said before. She’d lived in fears for months.

  He’d said he’d help, but now… well if the report of the police was off then he’d have time to protect her.

  To be useful again? He thrived on purpose. “I promised I’d be here for you.”

  She ran into his arms and hugged him as she said, “I trust you, Rocco.”

  Her perfume made him sniff the air for more of her floral scent.

  She was prettier than a rose itself.

  However the slow song ended and a different, faster song came on.

  She tossed her shiny brown hair. “Turn that off. I don’t want to dance anymore. Let’s eat.”

  Dinner. Right. It was why they were here, on the date. He turned off the radio and silence was louder than blaring music ever could. Rocco ducked into the kitchen and filled bowls from the pot of savory stew. He returned and put the bowls down, then helped her into her seat and pushed her to the table. The brush of her hand against his woke him up. “Yeah, let’s eat. I don’t cook fancy, but I hope you enjoy this.”

  She waited for him to sit and then took a bite of her stew. She made a "mmhmm" sound and then put her spoon down. His nerves were now standing on edge. Did she hate his cooking?

  “What are the green vegetables?”

  Most people just used carrots, potatoes and beef. He’d been inspired by all of her fresh produce. “Spinach, green onions, parsley, cilantro, and chives.”

  She picked up her spoon again, winked at him, and laughed. “I guess I just had plain meat and potatoes before.”

  He stared at her as she took her second bite. She took her time chewing so he asked, “You don’t like it?”

  She swallowed and shook her head. “The opposite. It’s delicious and unusually good. I’m usually more of a salad girl.”

  Salads never satisfied him, but he picked up his silverware. “Well, then I’m happy.”

  Both of them ate in silence though Mica made the room alive just from being beside him.

  If he could stay here, and not worry about jail, he wasn’t sure he’d make her happy, but it would be fun to try.

  When she finished, she put her spoon down and folded her hands in front of her. “Rocco, earlier I sent your mom information on the cancer center, did you ask her if she checked in?”

  Twenty minutes before he’d seen Mica in the dress, his mother had called him and she’d handed him her phone out in the second floor hallway. So she knew they’d spoken again. So he nodded and said, “She had.”

  She scooted closer and said, “Good. I hope she’s okay.”

  If his mother went into treatment, he’d succeeded in his mission because of the beautiful angel at his side. He’d do anything for Mica if she continued to trust him like she did. “Me, too. I hope delaying won't hurt her.” She let her hands fall in her lap, her softness this evening making her gorgeous. “Can I ask you a question, Mica?”

  “Anything.” She stacked their empty bowls.

  The last thing his princess should do was dishes. That was for common people, like himself. Rocco took the dishes but she followed. Once he had them in the kitchen sink he turned and asked, “What is it about me that made you trust me? For all you knew I was… just as bad as my brothers.”

  She tugged on yellow rubber gloves, and then picked up a sponge like she’d do the chores. He blinked in surprise as she turned the water on and started scrubbing the sponge over the bowl. “You’re not a bad person. When I stared into Ali’s beady eyes I saw he cared only about himself. When I stare into your eyes, I see… appreciation and serenity.”

  Any blind man would see how wonderful she was, but he narrowed his gaze as he took the dish she’d washed, rinsed, and put it on the drying rack as he said, “I’ve never been serene.”

  She laughed, finishing the second bowl as she said, “You know who you are, Rocco, and don’t mind holding a baby to help a woman.”

  Yet at this moment she was doing his job, and Mica somehow became even sweeter. “Jacob will grow up to be a man who is worthy of you.”

  A grin grew on her face as she started on the silverware. “See, your humble nature is far more attractive than a royal pedigree.”

  He headed to the refrigerator and found the vanilla ice cream and the bowls to serve dessert as he swore to himself he’d never hurt her.

  Mica deserved protection and if by some miracle in heaven itself he remained free then he’d take a bullet for her and Jacob. “Attractive?”

  “It’s not just your rough-around-the-edges, handsome face.” She finished with the dishes and turned off the faucet. “You took my arm
or from me and showed me that good men exist in the world.”

  He stopped and put the container down as he met her stare. “So no more bad men in your life.”

  “Not here, not today.” She took his hand. “I don’t want ice cream. I want you, here, with me.”

  He swore like this was the day he'd promised the Marines to be all he could be and puffed out his chest. “I won’t let you down. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you and Jacob are safe.”

  “I believe in you.”

  If he was truly a free man, he’d found his angel. He knew better than to believe in fairy tales, but he leaned in, intending to kiss her cheek, but she turned and let him kiss her lips.

  And he was lost in her perfection.

  Chapter 11

  Mica’s lips still had the taste of Rocco’s kisses that lingered as she woke.

  She’d ached for him in a way she'd never wished for anyone, but he’d gone to his room, alone.

  She couldn’t wait to see him again.

  The thought of him brought her into the shower singing, and she danced as she shampooed and rinsed.

  Mica went to the closet and settled on spring white pants and a teal t-shirt. No black today.

  She dressed Jacob in a navy blue onesie that had a fake tie drawn in, though he was still bald.

  Ready for a new day, she heard her phone beep and she quickly read the text that sent a shiver of nerves down her spine.

  Mica picked up her son and headed downstairs to talk to Rocco.

  She found him in the kitchen, standing near the oven, creating an omelet. His black jeans and light blue t-shirt fit his body perfectly.

  His defined muscles made him even hotter, but she kept that thought to herself as she smiled and said, “Rocco, good morning.”

  He flipped the omelet he’d cooked onto a plate. “I've made breakfast.”

  He walked toward her and instantly she relaxed her shoulders from the smell of his lemon citrus shampoo—he was here, in her chalet, hopefully to stay a while. She took her seat and placed Jacob in the playpen as she said, “I received a text this morning.”

  Rocco sat down. “And you’re worried?”

  She was alert and awake now. Her cells were alive, and he read her clearly. Wow. Mica sat straighter and lifted her chin as she picked up her fork. “Yeah, Julie said someone tried to hack into her computer.”

  He didn’t blink and his huge brown eyes had an intensity that somehow made her calm. “Did she unplug it?”

  She shook her head, not knowing the answer. “Good question, but the issue for me is my current address.”

  She bit into the omelet but Rocco didn’t. Instead he put his fork down and folded his hands in front of him. “So, do you want to go somewhere else and not tell Julie?”

  Her cheeks heated because that’s exactly what she’d done for the past six months at one hint of trouble. Now she stared at her omelet and said, “Hopefully it’s nothing.”

  He leaned closer. “If you’re worried, it’s on your mind and we should consider our options.”

  “Eat, before the eggs get cold, and let me think about this, okay?” She lifted her fork higher in the air.

  She didn’t move until he did, but they both ate in silence as Jacob slept peacefully.

  Mica knew, though he hadn’t said so, that Rocco had no ID so going through security would be difficult. She’d settled on road trips and helicopter as her best options for a while now, but her address being out there meant any flights she reported might be easily found.

  As she finished her last bite, she put her silverware down and said, “If we all go into my helicopter, I’ll file reports. It will be easy to track. I had to ship my helicopter here and drive to avoid the records.”

  He collected the plates. “So you think flight records aren’t secure.”

  Okay. Maybe she hadn’t explained in much detail but bragged more about her skills. She cleaned Jacob's banana tray and smiled at her beautiful son as she said, “My ex and his family know I enjoy flying planes and helicopters. Tracking aviation records and pilots is pretty standard if you are searching for someone, and if his brother, the new crown prince, comes after me, that’s the most obvious way for them to find me.”

  She lifted her son. “So we should drive?”

  A road trip with Rocco played in her mind. Shoulders brushing against each other, taking turns at the wheel and laughing for hours.

  If only.

  Mica shook her head and followed him into the kitchen. “It’s probably nothing. We should stay close today, but maybe a walk to clear our heads so I can think better—there’s a small local grocery store that carries ice cream.”

  “The news said the snow is delayed a few hours.” He saluted her again and this time she cringed. She didn’t want to always be the boss, not with him. He said, “I’ll get the stroller ready.”

  She fixed her ponytail tighter. “Be right back. Jacob’s adorable but outside we’ll need pants, jacket and a clean onesie.”

  He winked and turned on the sink as she left.

  To earn his trust, she’d have to be honest.

  Perhaps outside was the best place to tell him. Then they’d work on trust as she hoped he’d stay and help her as he'd promised.

  Mica cleaned Jacob and then strapped him into his all white Versace Book Plus Stroller.

  Rocco joined them in the lobby, wearing a new heather-gray Armani puff jacket that seemed like it was tailor-made for him and her heart skipped a beat. He held the door as she fluffed her hair and checked her own navy blue Prada trench coat with the belt buckle reminiscent of the trendy nuclear family.

  They walked onto the main road of the mountain pass, traffic light as usual, and headed down the small one-lane road.

  Neither said anything but he ensured no snow or ice were in her way as they walked to the corner store. Mostly the country road was deserted as the small town she’d bring business to was below her mountain resort. The locals were going to get a huge economic boom when her clientele came for a visit.

  Once her chalet hotel reopened, skiers would come to this paradise in droves and the small market would get a lot of customers. She’d help bring everyone more cash which was good. For now, her small town was peaceful and quiet.

  As the first car passed them on their short walk, Rocco said, “I missed the smell of fresh clean air.”

  She smiled and wished there was no threat; that she was just a girl and he was just a boy. “Me too. New York is all skyscrapers except for Central Park, and the air doesn’t have this scent.”

  “In Miami, the air has a distinct swamp smell. I mostly had mountain clean when I was in the Marines—I did my training in Alaska which was beautiful and so different than Florida.”

  She looked down at Jacob, who slept in his stroller.

  Now would be a good time to tell Rocco. She lifted her shoulders to confess that she knew his name, past, jail history, everything, and that she'd fixed the wrong against him.

  Hopefully.

  She paid her lawyers to be fast and competent and had confidence in their abilities. Mica tugged her ear, then chided herself for stalling. “Rocco?”

  A police car passed them on the one-lane road.

  He kept his head down but everything about his body tightened. She wrapped her arm around his waist as they walked. The police car drove out of sight.

  Completely white, Rocco met her gaze. “I’m… I’m uncomfortable walking on the road.”

  They turned the corner already at the small store.

  Drat. She should have spoken sooner. His fear of being caught because she wanted to take a walk was like a knife to her own gut.

  She’d wanted to clear her head because someone might have hacked information from her secretary that included her address. Her automatic response was running—but was it necessary? His fear now was because she hadn’t told him she was about to solve his problems.

  Mica hugged him and said, “Don’t be. You’re here, wi
th me. And we’ll only be five minutes. What kind of ice cream do you want?”

  He held the door for her and asked as a bell rang over their head, “Ice cream?”

  She nodded. “Yeah all we have is vanilla so if we’re going to indulge, I wanted a yummy flavor.”

  They headed to two freezers with ice cream as he said, “Then it’s your choice.”

  She reached in and picked up the green that made her mouth water. “Mint chocolate chip.”

  “Sounds girly.” Rocco watched the front door.

  “Didn’t we just eat two desserts the other day?” She pursed her lips together and scanned the other boxes. “But if you don’t like it, we can get another flavor.”

  He reached behind her and massaged her arm. When she glanced up she was warm despite the cold that pressed against her skin from the freezer as he said, “I like girly.”

  Right. She let the door close and her heart raced. She glanced up at him. “This might be the first time you joked with me.”

  He motioned with his head and winked at her as they headed to the register to pay. “Guess I’m starting to lower my guard around you.”

  Her pulse zipped but she paid for the ice cream. The cashier put it in a paper bag for her and Rocco picked it up.

  She pushed the stroller and met his gaze. “About that-”

  “Let’s go home,” he interrupted and headed to the front door.

  Right. She didn’t need an audience. She straightened her spine and walked out, then waited for him. As he followed she said, “Sounds good.”

  In the parking lot another car pulled in but soon they were on the empty road, up the mountain.

  What would it be like if she truly had to run?

  Rocco would know more what to do if she needed to hide while getting away, since he’d escaped from a prison. That couldn’t be easy to pull off.

  His presence helped her mind stay off her ex’s family.

  And appreciate the chirp of birds in the trees. As they made their way back onto her property, Rocco once again held the door of the chalet for her.

  Now she needed to tell him what she’d done. She ignored the spike in her blood while she took off her trench coat. “Jacob’s sleeping. Can you put him in the playpen in the library and get the ice cream bowls ready? I want to call Julie and see what they found out about her computer.”