I purse my lips. His eyes smolder. In turn, I dig into my taco, because really, tacos seem like the only thing that makes sense in this crazy world right now. And Starbucks. Planning recaps begin and I eat and drink, listening to the preparations for the night. All the while, I think tonight will change my life.
That’s all I can think the entire time the Walker team is talking. One way or the other, this night is a new beginning and an ending. I just pray I celebrate my new beginning with my father alive and well.
“One last thing before we leave,” Adrian says as everyone packs up. “I plan to have you in sight at all times, but I’d feel better if you were wired. However, we’re afraid Gabriel will find the microphone.”
Rick grunts with the idea that Gabriel will be that intimately by my side tonight.
“Make a scene if you have to,” Adrian continues. “Scream with a foot cramp or spider bite. Be creative. Just buy time and wait for me if we get separated.”
Nerves explode in my belly just thinking about what situation might make me that desperate. I can’t imagine one at the party, but they can, and that means they foresee trouble. Or maybe that’s just their nature. God, I hope so.
When finally the team heads for the back door to leave, I’m relieved. I need some breathing room to deal with the stress of tonight. I might need a drink. The guys are all filing out when Rick receives a text and grabs his phone only to curse. Adam falls back and both of us ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Kara just sent me a text. Kelly left.” He eyes me. “That’s Max’s wife. Max being my buddy that left Tag’s operation behind and disappeared.”
“I remember,” I say. “I thought she was at a safehouse.”
He scrubs his jaw. “She was. Kara had her but she pulled a gun on Kara and left.” He dials his phone and the call is short but not sweet. He ends with, “I hope like hell that’s true. Do what you can. Thanks, Kara.” He disconnects. “Kelly told Kara she had one last chance to find Max but she had to go alone. She doesn’t trust us or she’d know that’s not true.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Pray Max is alive.”
She’s running.
If Rick doesn’t kill Tag, we’ll be running, just like Kelly. The problem is, that even once Tag is gone, Gabriel will not be gone. Pocher will not be gone. Rick might not be running from me anymore, but it seems we might be running together. I wait for a sense of panic to overcome me but there is none. I’m worried about a lot of things but not this. If I’m running with Rick, I know I’ll be just fine. Adam heads out and Rick locks the door and when he turns back to me, I say as much, “We’ll be hiding in New York, won’t we?”
“Not for long, baby. I promise.”
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.”