Chapter Six
Allison was exhausted by the runaround with the police all night long. They’d gone through different buildings entering side doors and exiting out the back, they’d changed clothes several times putting her hair in different hats, they’d changed vehicles, and gone through parties and shopping malls and who knew where else. It was quiet at the private airport where they now waited. She was ready to hug her brother and Rachel then sleep on Abe’s comfortable plane while his pilot flew them who knew where. She didn’t care at this point, simply wanted to relax and know she was safe and with people she loved and could be her true self around.
Detective Jones hadn’t left her side the entire night. She really appreciated him, and she was ready to stop acting like she was all right and say goodbye to the kind officer.
She watched across the tarmac of the private airport as Abe’s white Cessna descended and landed smoothly. It taxied to them, too slowly for her liking. She could hardly wait to hug them. The plane finally stopped and the door swung out and down, making steps for them to descend.
Rachel rushed off first, running to her and hugging her tight. Allison clung to her, loving her sweet, unique smell and knowing if Rachel was involved, the plan would be excellent and Allison would be happy and safe. Rachel could single-handedly take over the case and Allison would have no doubt that the stalker would be caught.
Abe’s arms came around both of them and they as one instinctively leaned into his strength. Abe was a rock solid, brilliant, hard-working man who Allison had loved and looked up to her entire life.
“Ally.” Rachel pulled back and Abe’s arms softened around them. “Oh, Ally. Are you okay?”
Allison nodded shortly, willing herself not to cry. Except for the brief moments when the jerk Birch Merrill had held her, she’d been strong and hadn’t let down her guard at all. It was hard to stay aloof and resilient now that her family was here.
“I’m tougher than any lame and disgusting stalker,” she said sassily.
Rachel grinned, her cheeks crinkling into the scars on her left cheek and jaw. Allison thought the scarring from an explosion made Rachel unique and even more beautiful.
Abe wasn’t ready to allow himself to smile at her sarcasm yet. “You should’ve told me the first time you had notes on your door.”
Allison didn’t want to explain that although she loved his protectiveness she still had to stand on her own two feet. She settled for a shrug. “The Sticky Notes Stalker is kind of a joke in Hollywood. None of us realized how serious it was until tonight.”
Abe frowned. “A stalker is always serious. Never keep something like this from me again.”
“Demanding, demanding,” she teased.
“Don’t give me that sass,” Abe was glowering now. “I’ve hired a security specialist that Isaac Jewel says is the best, most trustworthy, and most impressive man on his team or anywhere in the military, in his opinion.”
“Wow. I get the best of the best of the best, sir.” She saluted, having a hard time not teasing Abe, especially when he got all serious on her.
“Ooh, I think that’s him now,” Rachel said, drawing back from Allison. “Even from this far away he looks like the best of the best of the best, sir.” Rachel also saluted, mocking Abe along with Allison, which was just another reason Allison adored her new sister-in-law.
Abe finally chuckled. He released Allison so she could turn to glimpse her new protector. Abe slung his arm around Rachel and whispered gruffly, “You’d better not be checking him out. I thought I was the only man you could ever look at.”
Rachel laughed. “I’m blinded to every other man by your superiority and handsomeness, love.”
Allison smiled at the two of them before squinting into the darkness to see the man who would be protecting her. He strode their direction, holding a military-type duffel bag in one hand. Even in the dim lighting it was obvious he was big, strong, and in charge of the world, or at least his corner of it. Allison had a brief thought of Birch. If only he had turned out to be as cute and fun and intriguing as she’d originally thought. She would’ve insisted on him protecting her, before he’d insulted her and everyone in her profession.
The police officers were watching the man approach as well. The female officer who would be impersonating Allison for the next few weeks whistled low. “I’d let him protect me.”
Allison smiled, even broader when Detective Jones shushed her. This woman would do a good job impersonating her.
The man finally walked under an overhead light and Allison gasped. “No!” she cried out as the handsome face of none other than Birch Merrill was revealed.
“No?” Rachel asked, obviously confused. “He looks pretty good to me.”
Birch was getting close enough he could hear them so Allison lowered her voice and whispered harshly, “He hates me. He insulted me … several times. I can’t be alone with this guy.”
Birch marched right up into their space, dropping the duffel bag and extending his hand to Abe. “Pleasure to meet you, sir. Birch Merrill.”
Abe shook his hand, clasping Birch on the shoulder. “I told you no on the ‘sir’. Thank you for coming, Birch. This means a lot to me.”
Birch’s gaze traveled to Allison. “I’m glad I could help.” He didn’t look glad. He looked tormented by inner demons, and a little bit concerned about how she’d respond to him. Well, he should be. She was tempted to punch him in the gut again.
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said, shaking Birch’s hand as well.
“You too. Your brother Isaac is one of the men I admire most.”