He chuckled at that. “Sorry. I came straight from Panama. I tried to clean up on the airplane and put on nicer clothes, but I didn’t have a razor. Then the butler and guards wouldn’t let me in, so I had to incapacitate a couple security guards and come through the back door.” He gestured to the hydrangeas. “Not the best way to start winning over my future mother-in-law.”
Alice laughed. Her mother would be livid about her flower bed, but she’d be more upset about Robbie’s presence on her property.
All that mattered was Robbie was here. They were together. She didn’t know for how long, but he’d proven he’d come back for her. She loved him and trusted him.
Robbie framed her face with his hands. “I love you,” he whispered, then bent and kissed her again.
A throat clearing from far too close yanked her out of the bliss of Robbie’s kiss.
Her mother. And the Lavitys. She groaned. They’d have to face them.
“How dare you break into my home?” her mother snarled at him.
Robbie lifted his eyebrows, but he was still smiling, his blue gaze confident and focused on her and her alone. “Please trust me, Alice. There’s a plan, and it’s going to work out.”
She was confused. A plan to win her mother over?
“Good luck,” she murmured.
It would be great if he could win her mother over, but Robbie was her choice. In the end, her mother would have to figure out how to deal with that.
Robbie released her from the hug, turning to face the foursome. He took Alice’s hand and gave it a squeeze. It strengthened her. She knew her mom loved her, and it would be sticky to navigate their relationship, but Robbie staying by her side wasn’t negotiable. Not to her. Not anymore. He’d come for her, and she was almost giddy with happiness.
“Happy Fourth of July,” he said. “I thought it imperative that I get to Alice on this most important of days.”
The four people staring at them didn’t move.
“No,” Alice cried out suddenly. Her stomach clenched and all the good feelings disappeared.
How could she have forgotten?
She whirled on him and wrapped her free hand around his arm. “Robbie! What are you thinking? You should’ve stayed in hiding. Why would you come today of all days? The day the murders started. Big Buddha would love to have it come full circle. You need to leave. Hide. Now!” She pushed at his arm, terror ripping at her insides.
“Not even Alice wants you here,” Preston said, looking down his nose at Robbie. “You need to leave.”
“That is not what I said.” She turned to Robbie, who was frowning at her. “I love you, Robbie, and you have to be safe. What if Big Buddha finds you?”
“That’s one of the reasons I wrapped up my job and took a redeye flight to get back to America. We’re going to finish this.”
Robbie was brave and strong and completely out of his mind.
“No! Please. Let’s go hide somewhere. Together. Please,” she begged, her stomach flipping and her nerves like taut strings. Her eyes darted around, waiting for a sniper to shoot him from one of the trees.
“Alice.” Robbie’s voice was patient, his blue eyes pleading with her to support him, but she couldn’t support him in being murdered. “Please trust me.”
Alice looked up. Four of her mother’s bodyguards were waiting for her command. To escort Robbie off the premises?
“Let’s go,” she whispered to Robbie. They had to hide and somehow get through this day. “Keeping you safe is all that matters today.”
“I’ll be safe. I promise you it’s all going to work out.”
Alice stared into his eyes. She wanted to trust him as much as she loved him. Finally, she whispered, “Okay.”
He nodded to her, then turned to face the group.
“Goodnight,” she muttered diplomatically to her mother and the Lavitys, then tugged on Robbie’s hand.
They made it past the four guards without any adverse effects. Her mother muttered something under her breath, but Alice didn’t catch much more than ‘ogre’.
