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"Ronan," Gideon says.
Riley quickly introduces the other four men working with Ronan. They step forward when she says their names, nod at me, and then step back into line. I think they're all former military. They certainly seem like it.
"What's the situation?" Ronan asks once the introductions are done.
"Stalker," Gideon growls, cutting his eyes in my direction. "Possibly two. We believe one is John Ballentine, her former manager. I'll have a photo for you shortly. We're still working to identify the second. No one is to get near her without my clearance. I don't care if they claim to be her mother. Unless I say it's okay, they don't get close tomorrow."
"What's the play if we spot the former manager?"
"I want him on his back with your boot on his neck. Make it hurt, but don't kill him. I get to do that."
"I think we can manage that." Ronan grins. "Anything else we need to know?"
Gideon glances at me again, hesitating.
"Just tell them, Gideon. I already know it's bad."
He lifts his gaze to the ceiling, muttering a curse. "They're threatening to kill her tomorrow."
My stomach churns. I kind of figured that was the case, but having it confirmed sucks.
"Jesus," Ronan mutters. "And you're still going to let her perform?"
"I'd rather have her here in front of thousands of potential witnesses than at home in front of none," Gideon growls. "At least here, there's a chance that we can stop them. They've already demonstrated they can get to her at home. They walked into her apartment with her inside last night."
"Fuck." Ronan's eyes widen.
"Any other questions?" Gideon asks him.
"Not at the moment. Just send that picture over when you get it. I'll check in later for any updates."
Gideon jerks his head in a nod and then glances at Riley. "You good?"
"Yeah." She gives him a sympathetic smile. "You guys go."
He grabs my hand, pulling me out into the hallway. As soon as we come across an empty room, he ducks into it, pulling me inside with him. The room is piled high with hockey equipment. It's some sort of storage room. His arms surround me, allowing me to pull in my first deep breath in hours.
"Talk to me, Sparrow," he murmurs.
"And say what?"
"Anything. Whatever you're thinking."
"I'm not dying tomorrow."
"You're damn right you're not."
"What did he leave, Gideon?"
He doesn't say anything.
"I know it was something. You've been freaked out since last night." I pull back to look at him. "You're scared."
"A psycho is threatening to kill the woman I love. Yeah, I'm scared, Sparrow. I've never been more afraid of anything than I am of what might happen tomorrow." He exhales a breath. "But I'm not losing you. That's not an option. And I'm not telling you what he left, either. You don't need to know. You carry enough already. I'm carrying this one for you, Kenna."
"Promise me something."
"Anything you want, baby."
