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I don’t know where he is.
“Hey.” Softer. Ophelia inched closer to the half-wall. “Do not make me come out there and hug you. I’ll bust my ass as soon as I step on the ice and we both know it.”
Alina lifted her chin. “I’m okay.”
“The hell you are.” Low. Her gaze lasered over to Dmitri. He was busy reviewing his clipboard and making notes about the routine. Sighing, Ophelia’s attention shifted back to Alina. “You’re hurting.”
Not physically, she wasn’t. Or, maybe she was. It seemed like her heart might be breaking in a million pieces.
Memphis and Lane weren’t in the bodyguard business. They were Ice Breakers. Cold case solvers. And who knew what the heck else? They seemed to have money to burn. But when Alina had gotten settled back in her father’s guesthouse, Ophelia had come to her. She’d take over Midas’s bodyguard position.
Funny, the first time she’d seen Ophelia Raine, it had been when the other woman came hurtling through the window at Kiera’s home. Ophelia had proved to be an incredible distraction—and a lifesaver—that day.
Ophelia had a PI business. But in addition to her PI jobs, she’d revealed that she could provide protection services. She’d given her card to Alina and Ryker, and she’d offered to run point on Alina’s protection detail. She’d also provided a list of high-profile references that stretched for days.
Ryker had vetted her, and then she’d become Alina’s new best friend. Or at least, that was the story Ryker seemed intent on telling everyone. Another undercover ruse. But, at least this time, Alina knew the score.
Ophelia wasn’t really her friend. Just as Midas hadn’t been—hadn’t been—
“There it is again,” Ophelia murmured. “Gosh, you do this sad, doe-eyed thing that makes me want to burst into tears. Stop it.”
She was trying to stop it. “His dad killed my mom.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”
“And he…Midas left me.”
Ophelia winced. “I’m coming onto the ice, and I am going to hug you so hard. Give me just a second while I bust my ass, would you?” She sidestepped and started to reach for the door that would give her access to the ice.
“Alina!” A bark from Dmitri. “Skate, now!”
“God, that man is such a charmer. Don’t know how he manages to fight off all the women who must be vying for his affection.” Ophelia rolled her eyes.
“I-I need to get back to practice.”
“You have been practicing for hours. Take a break.” She opened the door. “We need to talk about Midas—”
“Who are you?” Dmitri’s voice boomed. He wasn’t talking to Ophelia. He’d grudgingly accepted her presence. Not like he wanted his star skater unprotected. When he’d learned about the abduction, the man had reportedly experienced a panic attack.
“Why are you in my rink?” Dmitri shouted. He rushed past Ophelia. “This is a closed practice! Security should have stopped you at the door!”
Yes, there was security stationed at the door. Two men at the entrance to the rink. Two at the rear. Her father hadn’t just hired Ophelia. He’d gone all-in on protection.
But as her head turned toward the newcomers and fear had her heart rate accelerating, Alina realized why security hadn’t intervened. She recognized the two people who walked toward Dmitri so determinedly. Detective Joyce Meriam and Detective Calvin Booker. They flashed their badges at Dmitri.
“Practice needs to pause,” Calvin stated in what she thought had to be his official-business voice. “We have to speak with Alina.”
Her breath shuddered out.
Dmitri did not move out of the detectives’ path. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder at Alina. “Do you want to speak with them?”
“Uh, buddy, we’re cops,” Joyce informed him. “She has to speak with—”
“Alina does nothing she does not want to do!” Dmitri boomed. “Except skate. She skates when I tell her to skate.” His eyes raked Alina. “Do you want to speak with them?” he asked again. His voice had softened. Marginally.
“Aw.” Ophelia’s voice carried only to Alina as she whispered, “Is he being protective of you right now? Like, nice in his angry Russian way? That is almost hot.”
“He’s not interested in women,” Alina informed her, just as softly.
