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“Halli.”
Trent’s low voice in the doorway drew their attention. She’d just seen him in the kitchen, and yet when she glanced over her shoulder, Halli’s breath caught in her throat.
He hadn’t shaved after his shower and wore the same black shirt and jeans. His dark hair was still damp, its tousled disarray sexier than if he’d taken the time to comb it. The man’s effortless appeal stirred butterflies in Halli’s stomach and annoyed her at the same time. She should be completely focused on her family right now, not noticing his sex appeal.
Rachel’s tired gaze transferred back to Halli and she gave a pitiful excuse for a smile. “On the bright side, we got to meet Trent Tomlin, right?”
I got to kiss Trent Tomlin, but she wasn’t going to tell Rachel that right now. Maybe never. Instead, she rolled her eyes. “Not such a big deal when you consider what a jerk he can be, but I try to look past that.”
“While I deal with her neurotic, bossy brattiness,” Trent countered.
Rachel smiled for real. “He knows you already.”
“Shut up. You’re supposed to be on my side.” She leaned over and hugged Rachel. “We’ll all be on our way home before you know it. Years from now, you, me and Ben will laugh about our big adventure.”
“You cook, I’ll bring the wine,” Rachel whispered.
“Deal.”
Rachel’s hold tightened. “Be careful, Hal. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She sniffed back tears.
On their way out the door, Rachel called out, “Take care of my sister, Trent.”
He nodded once and they left.
****
Trent’s impatience grew by the minute and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. Halli’s need for essentials made sense, he just hated being cooped up in the car while she shopped. He tugged on the bill of one of Lorenzo’s caps and adjusted his sunglasses. She’d claimed it’d only take her a few minutes, and she’d only been gone five, but past experiences told him his wait had barely begun.
Damn it, the clock was ticking. If someone recognized him and alerted the authorities, his arrest would put her brother in more danger. Not to mention, the fact that Simone had given him Lorenzo’s gun wouldn’t help his case one bit. He should’ve stressed all that to Halli before she went inside the store.
It had crossed his mind to drive off without her. But as quick as the thought formed, he knew he’d never leave her alone without her safety guaranteed. Besides, with the money he’d handed her to shop with and the backbone she’d found over the past twenty-four hours, he had no doubt she’d figure out a way to follow him back to Bellagio.
If he was going to leave her behind, he should’ve done it at Simone’s.
So why the hell didn’t you?
Her sister would’ve talked some sense into her after he left, and he wouldn’t have another fight on his hands when he told her in no uncertain terms that he’d make the exchange alone. Leaving her at Simone’s would’ve forced her to trust him to do the right thing.
The hell of it was, he didn’t want her forced trust. He wanted her to trust him of her own free will. That she thought he might rank his freedom over her brother’s life cut deep, and pissed him off. It shouldn’t. In her shoes, he would’ve asked the same question. Would’ve thought the same thing she did when the memory card came up missing. But all they’d been through so far should count for something—right? He finally played the hero for real; a little faith was not too much to ask for payoff.
Besides, she should know he had the resources to defend himself if it came right down to it, so of course her brother came first. Hell, even without the money to hire defense lawyers, he’d like to think he’d still make the right choice. Good thing for her he had his movie star fortune, or paying the ransom would be impossible. What would Halli have done then?
Trent shifted in his seat, trying to stretch his legs as the second phone call from Lapaglia replayed in his mind. At first, he’d been so shocked by the demand for money, he hadn’t thought beyond doing what was necessary to ensure her brother’s safety. Now that he’d had time, he kept thinking how Lapaglia had been ready to deal, then told him to hold on.
Something about the whole thing didn’t sit right. Nothing he could actually put his finger on. The men sold near-extinct animals for money, they murdered for money, so it was no surprise they’d use any opportunity presented to make a fast buck. A million in cash in twenty-four hours was a no-brainer.
And yet, gut instinct said someone else had suggested the ransom. He hadn’t heard it directly, but the muted conversation on the other end of the phone had indicated a heated discussion. Then Alrigo’s smug stipulations. Not that it really mattered who suggested the ransom, did it? The end result would hopefully be the same. In their favor. His and Halli’s and Ben’s. After he paid.
Now all he had to do was figure out a way not to get killed in the process. More than anything, he wanted to take a trip up along the west coast of the lake and check out Lapaglia’s villa. See what they were up against. But something told him Halli wouldn’t let him go alone, and taking her that close to the hornet’s nest was a risk he wasn’t willing to take. He’d have to make do with the information Rachel had provided to coincide with Lorenzo’s headcount over the wire recording.
The back passenger door of Simone’s silver Lancia opened, bringing him out of his thoughts with a jolt. He immediately went for the gun, until he saw Halli. His tension eased as she tossed a couple bags onto the backseat and then got in the front.
She buckled her seat belt. “All set.”
Starting the car and checking for traffic before pulling out, he then glanced at the clock. Ten minutes. “That was fast.”
