Page 116 of Three Steps Behind

This is part of the surprise. I wanted to deliver it in person to see your beautiful eyes when you opened it, but unfortunately, I still have some business to deal with today. I hope you like the dress. I can’t wait to see it on you tonight. You will look ravishing. Miquel is going to pick you up for the rest of your surprise at seven. I’ll see you soon, my love.

Dalton.”

“What do you think?” she asked Aubry as he leaned against the kitchen counter, his hands braced behind him.

“I don’t like it.”

She stepped closer to stand only a few feet away. “What part?”

He pushed off the counter, moving to stand within inches of her. “I don’t like that it’s a surprise. Did he do those often before, you know . . .”

“Before you arrested me?”

“Yeah.” He rubbed what should be a five o’clock shadow but had to classify as a nine a.m. one.

He looked good with a little scruff.

“He occasionally would. Like for our dates, sometimes he’d surprise me with a picnic or a mini road trip.”

“Okay. Good.” He exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. “So it’s not something out of his character.”

“I don’t think he has any character, but I know what you mean.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see where Miquel takes you and set up surveillance after we get there.”

“Okay, are we finished?” They would be as soon as this case was done. She doubted their paths would ever cross again. Sadness washed over her like a drizzly fall rain—cold and in your face.

He inched closer until no space existed between them, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I don’t like that word.”

“No?” Where was this going, and why was he moving closer still? And, even more importantly, why couldn’t she seem to move?

“Uh-uh.”

She studied him. There was something in his eyes—confliction? Over her?

He stopped directly in front of her, the toes of his loafers touching the toes of her pink heels.

She swallowed, suddenly parched. Had he changed his mind about pursuing a relationship? It was a laughable notion not long ago, but for some inexplicable reason, it seemed to make sense now.

He reached up, cupping her face with his right hand.

She tried not to lean into his hold, but she did all the same.

“I’ll keep you safe tonight.” He caressed her cheek. “I promise.”

He was the one person in the world who she actually believed kept his promises.

She blinked, trying to focus on the wonderful man standing in front of her, his touch warm and firm.

“I shouldn’t be saying this,” he went on. “In fact, I’m sure I’d get reprimanded if my boss knew, but . . .”

She met his gaze and hope ran through her. Hope for a different life. Hope, period.

“I just wanted you to know that I’ll miss you when this is done.”

“I’ll miss you too.” Had she just said that out loud? What was this man doing to her?

“And I want you to promise me something.”