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“If I tell her everything. Rory, I’m going to need to give her the contact information for the police officers investigating the ransacking of my apartment. Scarlet has connections with the NYPD. I’m sure they’ll let her in on the case. She has global connections, as well. She can get access to federales here in Huatulco if need be.”
“Fine,” Rory concurred. “Whatever we can do to put a stop to all of this.” He gingerly lifted Bayli into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. He set her in the tub and turned off the water. It was moderate, just cool enough to be refreshing without sending her into shock or anything.
She sat back, immersed up to her neck, and let out a long sigh.
“Oh, my God. That’s so helpful.”
Rory scowled. “I didn’t even take off your nightgown.”
“Doesn’t matter. It was just as drenched as I was. Sort of used to having it plastered to me now.”
Rory knelt alongside her and swept strands of damp hair from her forehead. His heart wrenched at the sight of her. Over knowing what she’d just been through.
He said, “You must have been really scared.”
A light mist covered her eyes. She worked down a hard swallow. Nodded her head.
“Bayli, I’m so sorry.” He pressed his lips to her cheek, then her mouth, which had chapped.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about, Rory. Other than being mad at Christian. He’s not to blame for any of this. Whether it’s Lily who’s behind this or some crazy fan in Japan, that’s not Christian’s doing.”
Rory shoved away from the tub and stood. “This is a lot more complicated than our relationships in the past, honey. I don’t know that Christian and I were ready for this. That we can handle how wrapped up we both are in you.” His shoulders bunched and his gut coiled. “Maybe we just proved that we can’t.”
He left her to soak while he went back to the wet bar and poured a stiff drink.
Christian was nowhere in sight.
* * *
Bayli’s heart hurt.
The tension between Christian and Rory was excruciating to witness. But she understood the extenuating circumstances. Knew she must have been a fright when they’d discovered her. Knew they’d probably been half out of their minds with worry when she hadn’t shown up on location.
Adding to the disastrous situation was Lily’s potential involvement. Though Bayli really couldn’t fathom she’d go to such extremes just to stand in for or push Bayli out of a cooking show. There had to be more—
She sat up suddenly. She recalled the notecard Rory had recovered from the lobby after the spiders had been delivered.
STAY AWAY FROM HIM
She’d assumed that warning had been for her to stay away from Rory.
But if Lily had been upset over losing Christian to Bayli, perhaps that was the actual warning. Maybe it had nothing to do with Rory—and everything to do with Christian. And the show.
Her mind working feverishly seemed to help her body come along more quickly. Bayli carefully climbed out of the tub, peeled off her nightgown, and wrapped herself in the matching satin robe. She was alone in the suite and that gave her pause, making her wonder if she should seek out Christian and Rory. She didn’t actually think they’d come to blows over her, but then again, this wasn’t some minor lovers’ quarrel they were embroiled in. She could have been seriously injured. And both men were wound tight over that realization.
Bayli might be able to alleviate all of that and strengthen these suddenly tenuous bonds. She phoned Scarlet and spilled everything.
* * *
Christian had a dozen different thoughts running through his mind, including the very ominous and highly infuriating notion that Lily could possibly have had something to do with Bayli being trapped on the balcony.
“Should we call the doctor the resort recommended for emergencies?” Rory asked as he joined Christian on the patio.
“Already did. He’s on his way over.”
“Good. That’s good.” Rory stuffed his hands in his pockets. Hung his head.
Christian let out a long breath. “If you’re here to apologize—”
