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“I don’t usually forget those things. Having Connor around is messing me all up.” Allison frowned and shook her head while taking a wine glass from the cupboard. “Did you want some?” She held up the wine bottle.
“Not tonight.”
She filled her wine glass as she walked to the table. “Jake stopped in the office today. Cindy, his assistant, called and told him about Connor being at work with me.”
He’d known it’d only be a matter of time before someone in her family found out.
“I also called my dad.”
Something’s up, Rock thought as he piled food onto his plate, because although she’d claimed to be hungry, she hadn’t reached for a single rib.
“He and Abby will be in DC this weekend for a party. He asked if we could meet them for dinner before they leave.”
Never in is life had he done the whole ‘sit down and get to know you’ thing with a girlfriend’s parents. It had never seemed necessary. This time it did. Not that he looked forward to it.
He’d spoken a few times with Mark Sherbrooke at Addie’s wedding, and each time he’d come across as friendly enough. Back then though, he’d been only Trent’s brother-in-law, not the guy getting hot and heavy with Sherbrooke’s only daughter. That little fact right there made all the difference in the world. Or at least it would to him if he had a daughter.
“I told him Friday night would probably be okay, but I needed to check with you first.” Allison’s forehead scrunched up and her eyebrows came together. “Do you mind?”
“Depends. Will I need to wear a tie?”
“You’re not funny.” She huffed, crossed her arms, and gave him an evil eye, which rivaled his Nonna’s.
“Whoa, are sure you’re not part Italian? Your glare would scare even Nonna.”
She tried to maintain her expression, but her lips twitched.
“Friday night’s fine, A
lly.” Rock reached for another rib and put it on her plate. “You better eat before I finish everything.”
“Thanks. I know going out with someone’s parent can be dull.”
Considering he’d agreed to dinner with her father, she still sounded worried. When she cleared her throat, he knew she had more to tell him.
“He doesn’t know about the bodyguards and stuff. I’m hoping they’ll be gone soon. Please don’t tell him.”
He wished he shared her optimism. He didn’t see the guards from Elite Force Security gone anytime soon, not until Allison’s stalker made a mistake. No matter what she said, she had a stalker. And until the bastard was caught, he’d make sure she stayed unharmed.
“Please.”
If he was in Sherbrooke’s shoes, he’d want to know so he could keep his daughter safe, which was something he’d physically be able to do. He couldn’t say the same thing about her father. He looked healthy, but that didn’t mean he could stop the crazy SOB if he attacked. And honestly, was there anything more the man could do? She’d hired guards from one of the best firms in the country, a firm that did a hell of a lot more than just play babysitter, and he’d moved in with her. Unless Mr. Sherbrooke possessed some superhero powers, there wasn’t anything more he could add right now. Telling him at this point would only make him worry and stress Allison out.
“Won’t say a thing Friday.” He’d reassess his decision if and when something changed, because the situation would change. Unfortunately, he couldn’t predict when or how.
Chapter 13
He watched them embrace down on the sidewalk before Raimono said something to the muscled moron who’d driven Allison home. She’d hired some private bodyguard. Damn Kane’s flunky. The shooting at the Marine’s apartment had freaked her out. If the punk had followed instructions, he wouldn’t have this added complication now. But it didn’t matter much anymore. His plans had changed.
The memory of what he’d found inside her house today had the vein in his temple twitching and all the muscles in his body tensing up. He wished he hadn’t gone in again this afternoon, but he liked visiting. It brought him closer to her. He’d spent hours practicing his lock-picking technique so he could go in whenever he wanted. Finding the spare house key in her kitchen drawer had been an unexpected bonus. He’d made a copy and than returned the original in case she ever went looking for it.
Today he’d made his usual rounds of the townhouse. He’d grabbed a bottle of sparkling water in the kitchen before checking the Internet in her office. He liked scrolling through the sites she visited. It gave him ideas of what she liked and what interested her. When he’d finished, he’d moved upstairs. He always left her bedroom, his favorite room, for last.
The condom wrapper on her nightstand changed everything. He’d known Raimono had spent the weekend, he’d seen him leave this morning. Until he spotted the evidence, he’d convinced himself their relationship hadn’t progressed that far.
He knew deep down on some level, Allison felt the connection between them. He’d seen the way she looked at him. Talked to him. In fact, he remembered every word from their last conversation in December. She only needed time to recognize her feelings for him.
Damn you. Don’t you know you belong to me, Allison? How could you let him touch you like that? Spoil you like that?
