“We’ll get answers, I promise.”
Her sweet smile lightened his heart. He stopped their progress toward the lobby, and pulled her into his arms. “I trust you. You’ve not failed me yet.”
“And I won’t, not ever again.”
Gazing into her amazing rusty colored eyes, he stroked her cheek. “Brittany? Is it too soon to tell you I love you?”
She gasped and her mouth fell open. Shock was a mild description for her expression right now. Utterly stunned was more like it.
“You…you…you…” She licked her lips.
“Yes. You heard me correctly. I’m in love with you, Brittany.”
She bit her bottom lip as her eyes watered. “Oh, Austin. I can’t believe you said it first. Usually I’m the one who says things like that first.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You’ve told men you love them before?”
She released an uncomfortable laugh. “Well, not really. But usually I’m the one who is the one being all mushy in a relationship, and the man has never returned my feelings.”
“So what do you think?” Using the pad of his thumb, he stroked her bottom lip. “Do you think you love me, too?”
“Oh, yes, Austin. I love you, too, but I thought it was too early to say anything.”
He shrugged. “Why wait? Life is short. We might as well tell each other how we feel now. That way, we can start our relationship sooner.”
Sighing, she laid her head on his chest. “That sounds Heavenly.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Okay, no more mushy stuff until we catch the bad guy.”
She laughed and looked into his eyes. “I agree.”
They turned and walked toward the lobby. Brittany reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell. “I should probably call Kurt… No, I’ll call Captain Martinez to let him know what we’ve found.”
“That’s a great idea. The quicker we can show them what happened, the sooner they will leave me alone.”
She frowned and looked at him. “I’m so sorry this has happened to you.”
“Me, too. But let’s end it now.”
He moved his gaze from her and back on the lobby as the hallway merged with the grand room. One figure stood out in the semi-crowded room.Derek!Anger flared through Austin, hotter than he’d ever experienced before. Betrayal was not a tasty pill to swallow.
“Derek!” he shouted.
His so-called friend jerked his attention toward Austin. His eyes widened.
In a flash, Brittany withdrew her gun and pointed it toward Derek. “Stop where you are.”
Derek took off running, as did the blonde woman who had been standing next to him.
Brittany cussed, and threw her cell at Austin. “Call 911. Tell them officer needs assistance.”
Before he could stop her, she dashed after Derek.
Austin’s hands shook—either from fear or anger—as he dialed the number. He couldn’t just stand there waiting, so he ran after Brittany.
“9-1-1. What is your emergency?”
“I’m at the Grand Hotel on Park Street, and we have an officer in pursuit of a…killer.” Bile rose from his throat. “She needs assistance. Immediately!”
