I step into him and wrap my arms around him. “I trust you, and I don’t care if we’re in hiding as long as I’m hiding with you.”
He doesn’t say a word. He just scoops me up and starts walking to the bedroom. I decide I don’t need a drink to get me through the afternoon. I need Rick Savage.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Savage
Me in a monkey suit. It’s not the first time. It’s not the last. But like the last time, I’m dressed to kill. I step out of the closet fully dressed to find Candace still in her robe, her hair in soft waves around her shoulders. She turns to look at me and her eyes go wide and warm. “My god, you’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”
And my God, I want her, and it’s not about sex and fucking either. We are so much more than those things. I close the space between me and her and catch her tiny waist beneath my hands. She is so damn tiny, so delicate and yet so freaking tough. I’m a damn killer, and no one can put me in my place like this woman. My eyes lower to her glossy pink lips. “I’m glad you think so.”
Heat spirals between us and I catch a glimpse of red lace beneath the robe. I tug down the black silk of her robe and my gaze lifts to her gaze. “What the fuck, Candy?”
“It’s for you,” she whispers. “I’m not leaving with him. I’m going home with you.”
I tighten my hold on her waist. “Yes. Yes, you are.” My voice is low, raspy, affected and I don’t even care. Yes, I’m affected in every fucking possible way with Candace. Just thinking about sending Candace off to that party alone, without me, kills me which is why I wait until the last possible minute to part ways but I have no choice. “I have to go,” I tell her, with only fifteen minutes until the car service arrives. “I’m meeting my father at the party in half an hour and a few minutes to lay down the rules with him is necessary before we go inside. Asher will follow you there and I’ll meet you inside.”
“I’m nervous,” she whispers. “God, I’m so nervous. You leaving makes me nervous.”
There’s a lot of deep-rooted history to that statement that cuts me in ten different directions. But there’s only one way to look at this. The outcome of tonight, ending with us, is a big step toward trust. “I’ll be right there with you at the party soon.”
“What if Tag—”
“Don’t finish that statement, baby. He has one thing to live for: hate. I have you.”
“My father—”
“I move on Tag at the same moment we move to extract your father. The minute he’s safe, Asher will send us both a text. Yours will look like it came from your friend Linda’s phone and read: How about coffee soon?”
“That means my father is safe.”
“Exactly. And just to recap. Someone will grab your boxes we set up by the door after you leave for the party. We’ll have movers get the rest once we’re through all of this. I won’t want you to touch your bank accounts until we’re through this either. Pocher will try to track you that way. We’ll dump your phone before we ever head to the private Walker-owned plane that we’re flying out on tonight.”
She nods. “Got it. I’ve been replaying it all in my head over and over.” I catch her fingers with mine. “Come walk me to the door.” I turn and lead her through the bedroom to the back door of the house before turning to her, sliding my hands under her hair. “Gun in your purse. Just in case.”
“Right. Okay.”
I grab the damn engagement ring nitwit gave her and press it into her hand. “Put that on after I’m gone. You won’t wear his ring again. Only mine.”
Her delicate little neck bobs. “Rick—”
“I love you, baby, so damn much.” I lean in and kiss her, a slow slide of tongue before I murmur, “See you soon,” and then I release her to exit the house. And holy hell, it about kills me to leave her behind even for a moment.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Candace
Take my gun with me.
Just in case.
Those are not words that comfort a girl but a gun in her purse is another story.
The minute Rick is gone, I shove the ring on my finger, but I don’t even look at it. I don’t want to look at it. Instead, I deal with pressing matters. I race to the bedroom, locate my handgun and make sure it fits in the sparkly black purse I’ve planned to wear tonight. It does, thank God. I quickly throw in lipstick and a few other items, just to have normal things in my purse, should I need an excuse to open my purse. Next, I do what I should have done before now. I go to my closet and grab the box where I’ve stored the ring Rick gave me years ago and grab the ring box. I open the box, stare down at the diamond and sapphire ring inside and quickly remove it. Returning the box to the top of the closet, I hurry back to the bathroom and stick the ring in the inside zipper compartment of my purse. My way of keeping Rick close.
Next, I dress to include a strappy black pair of heels. My dress is the last thing I put on aside from a touchup of lipstick. When I stand in front of the mirror in the pretty red gown, I decide I look worthy of being a first lady but only if the president is Rick Savage. That idea has me laughing through my stress. President Savage would make for an interesting press conference. I’m pretty sure the press would like him though. He’d hand out food. God, I love that man for making me laugh when he’s not even here.
I grab my purse and slide my phone into the nifty pocket in my dress before I head for the kitchen where I quite literally pour myself a glass of wine and take a sip but decide to stop there. I need a level head tonight. My phone buzzes with a text exactly five minutes later and it’s the car service telling me they are arriving. I inhale and let out a breath before I head for the front door. Once I’m there, I turn and stare at my living room, the room where Rick and I made love the first time, and I say a little goodbye. I’ll be back, but I don’t believe that will be soon. I’m sad, but only because of the way this is happening. My work travels and I have no regrets about leaving this place behind to be with Rick in New York. That very idea has me ready to just be there now with him. I rotate and exit the house into a dark night, no stars in the inky sky, and lock the door behind me.
Once I’m inside the black sedan idling in the driveway, I hear the driver speak to someone on the phone. “I have her now.” He disconnects and eyes me in the mirror, his heavy brows all I really can make out besides, his meaty arm. “Good evening, ma’am.”
“Good evening.”
My cellphone buzzes with a text and I grab it from my pocket to read a message from Savage: Our guys are right there with you. You okay?
Yes, I reply. I’m fine. Do your job and stop worrying about me so you don’t end up dead.
Never going to happen, he answers. I have you to come back for. Text me or call me if you need me. Now delete this message and all messages from me as you get them. Signed —The Savage that loves you.
I laugh and delete the messages before sinking back into the seat to letting out a ragged breath of tension. My momentary distraction of talking to Savage doesn’t change the fact that I’m on my way to play fiancée to a man who wants to kill me and my father. And I’m doing what I’m doing tonight, because the two most important people in my life—Rick and my father—are in danger this night, as well.
It’s a few minutes later when the car pulls up to the Ritz Carlton where the Governor’s Military Appreciation Ball is to take place but we don’t pull up to the row of cars awaiting entry at the front door. The driver pulls us to the side of the hotel and stops at a private door. Nerves rattle in my stomach and my door opens as Gabriel appears. He’s a handsome man, with blond hair, a defined jawline, and piercing blue eyes, and certainly, he wears his tuxedo well, but all I see when I look at him is monster. I wonder how I ever saw something more. “My future wife,” he declares, offering me his hand.
Steeling myself for the touch, I press my palm to his, and he all but drags me out of the car and into his arms. He tries to kiss me and I cover his lips with my hand. “Unless you want red lipsti
ck on your face, I wouldn’t.”
“Hmmm,” he murmurs. “I guess the kisses can wait.” He sets me back from him and gives me a once over. “Stunning. Absolutely stunning.” He inches around me, leans into the car and speaks to the driver and then shuts the door. “Let’s go inside and get you some champagne.”
“Perfect,” I say, and he motions to the hotel door.
Someone opens it to allow us to enter the private passage. Gabriel motions me forward and I step inside to find a giant bald Hispanic man with intense brown eyes waiting on us. He's in a tuxedo, but for reasons I cannot explain, I know that he's not a guest. Gabriel joins me, his hands settling on my waist. “Honey, this is Alejandro. Your new bodyguard.”
And just that quickly, I know that nothing about my escape tonight is going to go as planned.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Savage
I pull my Porsche 911 into the hotel driveway just behind my father’s Mercedes and at the same time that Candace’s driver pulls the sedan to the side of the hotel, and private entrance. It’s all I can do not to follow her, but I resist for one reason: I know Gabriel is waiting for her there and I might just kill Honest fucked-up Gabe before he ever makes it into the building and that wouldn’t serve the bigger cause of saving the General and ending Tag.
I whip around my father and the line of cars waiting for valet services. My car needs to be close and easily accessed without anyone knowing I’ve left. I’ve just parked when Asher calls. “Did you get my text?”
“What fucking text?”
“When Gabriel exited his car tonight, he wasn’t alone.”
“He brought his fuck buddy?”
“No. It was a man who is now with Candace as well. He must have been in the car when Gabriel got in back to return to San Antonio.”
“Who’s the man?”
“Alejandro Rojas. He arrived in San Antonio with Pocher, but Pocher left without him. I sent you his photo and all we know of him which isn’t much. He’s out of New York, like Pocher.”
“I’ll call you back.” I disconnect and I eye the photo. One look at the asshole and I know he’s a private hire bodyguard and killer. His location and connection to Pocher drives me to one place. I forward the information to Kane Mendez and dial his number. He answers on the first ring. “Savage,” he greets.
“Look at your text messages.”
“I saw. What about him?”
“Who is he?”
“Where is he?”
“Too close to my woman for comfort. Who is he?” I repeat.
“Someone I would hire you to—handle.”
I curse.
“What’s the problem? You can’t handle him?”
“Fuck you, Kane.” I hang up and dial Adrian.
“Yo, man, what’s up?”
“Yo your fucking ass, Adrian. The big bald Mexican. He’s a killer and you will end up dead if you’re not careful.”
“I can handle him.”
“He’s not a man that shows up without a shit show planned in the future. If he’s too close to Candace, and you go at him, he might just fucking kill her. Do not make a mistake and get her killed.” I hang up and exit the car, intent on getting eyes on Candace right now.
With long, quick strides I travel the parking lot until I’m at the front door where I find my father waiting. He stands regal, still a powerful presence in a tuxedo or a pair of scrubs, and yet, the respect I once felt for him is long gone.
“Tonight will be interesting,” he greets dryly, once I’m standing toe to toe with him. “How many people do you think will be waiting for you to beat my ass again?”
“Everyone who knows you will be hoping I do,” I assure him.
“I’ve saved many lives, son.”
“And I’ve watched you take at least two. Shari Moore, who died on my table thanks to you and then, of course, my mother.”
“Says a man who makes a living killing people.”
I smirk. “You should remember that, old man. I do. And it could be you. Let’s go.” I motion toward the door.
He grabs my arm. “I don’t want to be your enemy. I’m only helping Tag to help you.”
“More like you’re trying to ease some level of guilt you believe you’re supposed to feel. Let’s go.”
He grimaces but smartly releases me. I walk to the door and enter, and he’s quick to follow.
“You’re going to give Tag what he wants,” he assumes as we walk through the elegant lobby of navy blue and gray decor.
“I’m going to give me what I want,” I reply, motioning toward the sign that points to the stairs going down.
We head down the steps, the sound of a piano playing gradually growing louder, and we don’t say another word. The man killed my mother and now he’s helping a man I’m about to kill before he can kill me and Candace. At the end of the stairs, we’re on the lower level where we cut right and pause at a double doorway where a man in full dress uniform greets us. My father signs us into the party and together we enter. The room is a typical party room with tables of food to the left and right, and an ice sculpture of three soldiers in the center of the room. Women in fancy dresses are decorating the arms of men in tuxedos and full army uniforms.
Asher speaks into my earpiece. “She’s near the stage, and Adrian is shadowing her. And, Savage, man, I thought the bald dude was there to protect Gabriel. He seems more interested in Candace’s every move.”
I grind my teeth and endure an encounter with one of the doctors I used to work with, and not because he’s an asshole. I barely remember the guy, but he’s still just as geeky and nasal as he was then. It’s downright adorable and all, but I just need the fuck away from any obstacle that stands between me and Candace.
“What are you doing these days?” the man asks.
“Trying not to kill anyone,” I say. “Actually, that’s a lie. I do try to only kill the monsters.” He eyes the scar on my face. “That one I killed,” I assured him.
His eyes go wide, and I step away from the encounter as Asher speaks again. “Our team is in position for the extraction but sunrise is imminent in that part of the world. You have fifteen minutes and you need to leave if we’re doing this thing in unison.”
I’d tell him to fuck off and say I know, but I’d draw attention I can’t afford. I weave through the crowd until my starving eyes find my Candy baby. She’s standing with Gabriel who thank fuck is not touching her. That bald King Kong Motherfucker is right next to her, too, and one look at him and I know he’s more Tag than I will ever be. He’s a cold-blooded killer, the kind that never drinks himself into submission to get the job done. He’d rather be all in, living the kill. I stop at the bar, give her my back and pull out my phone, texting her a message: I’m at the bar. Bathroom. Now. Delete this. And because I’ve studied the hotel floorplan, I add, Exit the East door. I’ll be in the back stall. I push off the bar, and start walking, aware that Candace will follow, but so will King Kong.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Candace
Gabriel is speaking to some politician I don’t know when I read the message from Rick and quickly delete it. I slide my phone back into my pocket and when my gaze lifts “the brute” as I’m calling my new bodyguard is staring at me. I purse my lips and when there’s a break in conversation, I lean into Gabriel and whisper, “Bathroom. Do you want a drink on my way back?”
“Hell yeah, I need a drink right about now. You know what I like.”
He’s right. I do. It’s really amazing how well I know a man I don’t know at all. “I do,” I say. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take Alejandro with you.”
My brows dip. “Is there some threat I don’t know about?”
“Of course not, but you’re the future of our country. I was advised that a woman as beautiful as you might end up with some unsavory attention.”
“I don’t want an escort to the bathroom. When you win the office, I’ll lose my freedom. Don’t take it now.”
<
br /> He studies me a moment and then kisses my hand. “You’re right. Go. Just be careful.”
“Always.” And then I push my luck by adding, “Take me with you to New York and you can look out for me.”
“I wish I could. You know I do.”
“Right. I know. I just hate it. I’ll be right back.” I rotate away from him and I don’t waste any time walking toward the door. I’m stopped three times by random people asking how my father is and excited for Gabriel’s campaign. The questions about my father cut me because I know at any moment he could finally be safe, but he could also end up dead. The idea of that being the reason why Rick would so boldly try to connect with me here has me walking a little faster.
Finally, I clear the room and step into the hallway. Cutting left, I walk down a long hallway and follow a temporary sign that points to the ladies’ room. I rush in that direction and enter the restroom. There is a woman at the sink, fixing her hair and six closed stalls. She turns to leave and I quickly walk to the back stall and enter. Rick is there waiting, and I am instantly in his safe, strong arms. Relief, love, heat all collide and I wrap my arms around him. “My father—” I whisper.
His hands close down on my head, and he’s already kissing me, a long, deep stroke of tongue sending shivers down my spine before his lips press to my ear. “Alejandro is trouble. He will kill you before Adrian can save you if things go south. If you can escape, do it, but if you have to go with him, don’t panic. I will come for you. I promise.”
I swallow hard, and he pulls back to look at me, holding a finger to my lip and nodding. I nod my confirmation. He molds me close and kisses me again and for a moment or two there is nothing but us. Too soon the world explodes around us. Voices sound and Rick tears his lips from mine, wiping lipstick from my mouth before he leans in and whispers, “I’ll see you soon. Adrian is here and close. I love you, baby.” He turns me to the door.
I turn back around and push to my toes to whisper. “I love you, too, and Rick, I trust you. I trust us again.” When I settle onto my feet again and meet his stare, his eyes are filled with love and tenderness. He kisses me hard and fast and turns me to the door. This time, I open it and exit the stall. I exit the bathroom and stop dead in my tracks when I find Alejandro waiting on me, his cold eyes landing hard on my face. It’s not until that moment that the reality of what Rick just said to me hits home. I may end up this man’s prisoner tonight and all I can think is no. No, that is not going to happen. I won’t let that happen. I am not leaving this party with this man.
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