Page 74 of Let Me Love You

“Are you trying to do a jump scare like the movie we just watched?”

She laughs as she rubs her eye. “No, but you left me in my room, so I came to see what was going on.”

I scoot over so she can climb in beside me. Once the door is closed, I say, “I’m going to meet the guy who infiltrated the gang. He can only see me tonight.”

Her mouth parts.

“I know you can’t come because Summer is sleeping, and Annie isn’t here to watch her.” When she opens her mouth to protest, I continue, “But I was going to tell you everything in the morning.”

She sits there for a minute, not speaking, rubbing her chin. A strand of her red hair falls into her face, and I have the urge to move it for her. But I don’t. I can imagine all the questions running through her mind, but I wait for her to be ready.

“Okay.”

Serenity always has a lot to say, but when she doesn’t speak, I say, “Go to bed. I’ll be back before you wake up.”

She nods, but I can see the wheels turning in her mind. Then she leans in and gives me a quick peck on the lips. She reaches for the door handle, pausing when I touch her arm. When she turns back, I pull her to me. Our gazes hold. The same fire I always see is alive in her eyes.

“What aren’t you saying?”

Serenity sighs. “I’m scared you’re going to get hurt.”

Something inside of me snaps into place. No matter how much she denies how she feels, she cares. And I’ll latch onto that little piece of hope she’s giving me.

“I won’t. I promise.”

She shakes her head. “You can’t promise something like that.”

I wink. “Good thing I know a fantastic nurse who can patch me up.”

She smacks me while scowling. “I’m serious. One day, I got the call my husband was in a car wreck, and he never came home again. I don’t want that to happen with you.”

I always think everything through when I speak, but the first time I don’t, I put my foot in my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.”

“Just promise not to take any unnecessary risks.”

I nod. “I promise. And don’t worry; I have Miller with me.”

Serenity nods, exiting with another quick kiss, and the moment she pulls away, coldness wraps around me. Now, she’s going to go to bed with thoughts of my stupidity. No matter how much she resents her late husband, giving her any sort of thoughts that I may end up hurt was so wrong my heart aches.

I’m so lost in my mind, it’s almost like we teleported to the hotel.

Jay parks out front, and I head inside with Miller. The desk manager helps with new arrivals check-in. Nothing seems out of place.

Halfway down the long corridor, I stop at a door marked Conference Room 1. A man with black hair sits inside at the large rectangular table, scrolling through his phone. He looks like a regular person in black slacks and a button-down shirt—probably to blend in better here, but his muscles look like they’re about to rip his shirt. His foot taps, and he bites his lip.

Something is wrong.

I enter without my bodyguard and close the blinds on the door and windows. Maybe that will help ease his anxiety. The man glances up from his cell and pushes to his feet.

“Mr. Barlowe, I presume?”

I nod and stride over to the table, sitting in an office chair across from him. “So, what do you have for me?”

He takes something out of his pocket and places it on the table. A flash drive. “This.”

Eying it, I glance back at him. “What’s on it?”

“Pictures of the higher-ups in the gang. I was also able to take a few photos of some of the regular members. I bet the lackeys are the ones breaking into your girl’s house though.”