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Jupiter reached the seats overlooking the snowboarders spinning and flipping on the faux snowbanks crafted for the event. She took the steps two at a time, her long legs eating up more distance between her and Lyle. Just before she reached the top, a rough hand grabbed her waist and yanked her backwards.
Struggling in the hold, she opened her mouth to scream when another hand clapped over her mouth.
“Jupiter, it’s me. You’re okay.”
The sound of Rubble’s voice muted her fear and she relaxed against him. Turning, she met his gaze and her body started shaking, adrenaline waning. “I… he….” She couldn’t get the words out. Her tongue wouldn’t allow her to say the frightening words.
Rubble’s eyes darkened. He nodded to someone behind her, and Jupiter saw Kevlar on the other side of the bleachers. She hadn’t even noticed him there.
Rubble pulled her into the law enforcement booth, and she noted the radios lining the small space along with surveillance cameras. A man in deputy attire exchanged a glance with Rubble then ducked outside.
“He’s here, isn’t he?”
She managed a nod. “He came into the shop.”
Rubble’s jaw tightened. “He what?”
“I didn’t lock the door behind me.” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. “I should’ve. It’s not safe. Shit happens here too. I don’t know why I thought it didn’t.”
He rubbed her arms. “Baby, focus.”
His voice snapped her out of her tailspin. “I went to the back to get the cookies then heard someone enter the shop.”
“Did he see you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? He could’ve heard me.”
“His PI must’ve told him where you work.” He ran a hand over her head, smoothing her hair. It comforted her more than she could imagine. “Probably got him on camera at least. That’ll help narrow down the search.”
“How?”
Rubble motioned to the set up and focused his eyes on the screens. “A few FBI agents were assigned to the Xtreme Games. Looking for some scum or whatnot. Evidently, the Rockies are a great place to hide out.” Rubble pulled out a chair and sat, pulling her onto his lap. “We added Lyle Jones’s driver’s license to the list of possible threats, so anytime he shows his mug, the cameras track his movements.”
His fingers flew over the keyboard, the screens lighting up on faces as the camera scanned the crowd. Finally, the one face she loathed lit up bright green and several photos popped up as the cameras followed him through Snowshoe.
“There he is.” She couldn’t pry her gaze away. Lyle wasn’t even trying to hide. Four men flanked him, each one helping him find her. None looked familiar, but that didn’t surprise her. Lyle liked to switch up his hired help in case she started recognizing them.
“Jupiter.”
She blinked, but Lyle was there even when she looked away.
“Jupiter, you’re safe.”
She cleared her throat, a tremble in her voice. “He’s in the same state, Rubble. The same damn town. No, I’m not safe.”
In one swift move, Rubble cradled her face in his hands. She couldn’t look at the monitors if she wanted. His tattooed hands obscured her vision of anything but him. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
“What?”
“Think about running.” He pushed up her warm hat. “I can see it in your eyes.”
Jupiter bit her bottom lip. Shehadbeen thinking exactly that. “It’d be easier. I’d just vanish. Nobody would get hurt.”
“Nobody but me.”
She averted her eyes. His were too full of emotion. She couldn’t stand the love those blue and green eyes emitted. It tempted her too much. “Rubble—”
He gripped her chin and forced her gaze back to him. “No, don’t tell me it’s for the best or whatever bullshit you were coming up with. You’re mine, Jupiter. Nothing is going to change that. Not some asshole ex or your fear of being loved.” He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “I want you to know what it’s like to be truly loved by me. Let me love you, Jupiter. Please.”
