Page 92 of Three Steps Behind

The knot in his stomach twisted. He should have stayed on comms outside the restaurant, been the one to make sure she made it home safe, but Tom had offered, and Aubry had let him so he could already be in his apartment, waiting for her.

He yanked his phone out of his pocket and dialed Tom.

The phone trilled.

Three rings, and then another. His shoulders tensed.

“Yes?” Tom finally answered.

“Where are they?” Aubry forced his voice to remain level.

“They went for a walk in the park.”

“And you’re . . . ?”

“In the van.”

“You mean no one is watching them?”

“I didn’t want to risk discovery. I’ll see them as they exit the park.”

What good did that do if something went down in the park?

He grabbed his jacket and opened the door, the phone still wedged between his shoulder and neck. Thankfully, voices echoed up the hall.

Bristol’s voice. Her laughter.

Thank you, Lord.

Relief swept through his body as the adrenaline burned out.

He stepped back into his apartment and closed the door in near silence.

“They’re here,” he whispered.

“What? How?” Tom asked. “That’s . . . not possible.”

“I’d brush up on your tracking skills if I were you.”

He hung up and positioned his eye against the peephole.

A second of staring at Bristol’s door, then they came into view, Dalton holding her hand and her holding a bouquet of lilies in the other.

“Well, here we are,” she said.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Aubry looked down. A sensation he hadn’t experienced before shifted through him. He looked back up. Dalton was walking toward the elevator.

“See you when I get back from my trip, my love,” he called over his shoulder. “I’ve got something special planned.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, and, trust me, you’ll love the surprise.”

The elevator beeped.

Aubry turned and slumped against the door.