He nodded and tried to smile. “If the pattern holds, we’re safe until the Fourth of July.”
The words fell flat.
“You’re forgetting Juneteenth, and this isn’t a joke,” Alice hurled at him, yanking away from his touch.
“I know that.”
They stared each other down. He wanted to tell her so many things, most of all that he loved her, that he would earn her trust and keep her safe. Was she ready to hear his proclamations? Should he wait until they were alone and she’d calmed down?
Curtis stepped forward. “River just texted. He’s at the police station with the assailant. They want you both to come in, but he’s refusing to give away your location.”
“Tell them we’ll come at midnight,” Robbie said, still holding Alice’s gaze.
“All right.” Price smirked. “Actually, I’ll call Aiden. He’ll get them to hold off until morning.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Curtis. Merrick. Sweep their rooms and stand guard.” Pricelooked to them. “Keep your shades drawn and lights dim. Stay away from the windows.”
“Got it.” Robbie knew all of this, but Price had been a captain in the Navy and was well-respected by all of Aiden’s operatives.
Robbie waited for Curtis and Merrick to declare their rooms clear and then escorted Alice to her door. Curtis stayed back but was still in the hallway and could hear everything he said. Robbie didn’t care. He had to talk to her. His heart beat high in his throat. He was more nervous now than he’d been running from bullets or possible assailants. Then, it had been all reaction. Alice’s response right now could determine his future.
“Alice.” His voice was gravelly with emotion. He could’ve died many times over, during his years in the Army and especially as a Ranger, but almost getting taken out by a hitman with Alice by his side was making him reevaluate everything. He had to take his shot. “It’s obvious you care about me. Can you … let down your guard and let me in again?”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “It’s more obvious to me than ever that I need to keep my distance. I haven’t even kissed you and the killer has a bullseye painted on your head.” The fire died and her shoulders sagged. “I can’t endanger you like this. I should go home and stay far away from you. Then you’ll be safe.”
“No,” Robbie protested. Talk about his plan backfiring. He’d been convinced tonight they should be together, and she seemed to be convinced that being together would endanger him. “Please don’t leave.”
Staying together was the only way he could hope to gain her trust and prove they were right together. It was all so clear to him, but she saw it differently. He needed time and lots of help from the angels above. “Brandon will have Aiden or Sutton Smith send in more bodyguards if we need. We’ll be safe. Please stay. With me.”
She studied him, and he prayed she’d agree.
“I’ll pray about it,” she finally murmured. Then she slipped through the door and closed it behind her.
It slammed into him again that their views of tonight were vastlydifferent. He thought the threat would bring them together, but it had done the opposite for Alice.
The worries of the past hour threatened to overwhelm him. Alice in danger. Almost being killed by two hit men. A hit out for him on the dark web. Alice not admitting she cared or wanted to be together, wanting to go home instead.
Robbie strode toward his room, yanking out his phone. Ollie would get to the bottom of the request on the dark web. If Robbie could convince Alice the danger was over, maybe she would stay with him.
He feared he’d lost his chance with her and irrevocably damaged her trust fifteen years ago when he walked away. Knowing he could’ve easily died tonight had changed his perspective. Having Alice in his life was now his top priority. He’d always teased that he loved a challenge, but this was one he had to win. Alice was the love of his life. How could he resurrect the love she once had for him and keep her safe at the same time?
Chapter
Fourteen
Alice paced her room,unable to settle down as she replayed the horrifying moments of bullets whacking into buildings, pinned beneath Robbie and unable to catch a breath as she prayed he hadn’t been hit, then running for their lives, him carrying her.
The reassurance in his arms had been distinctive, but nothing could take away the fear. Five thousand miles from home, Robbie was being targeted by Big Buddha. He would be killed just like Jack, Ruby, Natalie, and Odie. She could see each of their bodies splayed out in coffins and Odie in a grave she’d dug as she’d sobbed at the back of her mother’s property.
It was too easy to imagine Robbie, strong and mesmerizing Robbie, lifeless, gone, those piercing blue eyes staring vacantly up at her.
Alice let out a cry of despair, dropped to her knees, and prayed desperately. After long minutes begging for help, she was finally able to slide into bed and fall asleep.
She and Robbie ran through the narrow streets of Venice. Big Buddha pursued them, and he was closing in. Her heart raced out of control. Her hand was ripped from Robbie’s grasp, and she was tossed into a canal. The stinky, dirty water closed over her head, encasing herin a sludge that she couldn’t escape. She screamed, but only a gurgle came out.
Fighting her way through the sludge, she surfaced to see the grotesque Big Buddha swing a sword at Robbie, who was defenseless and unarmed. Robbie focused in on her, and his bright blue eyes pierced her soul in a silent goodbye. He knew it was over.
