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“Okay, but when do you want me to talk to him? Can you send me the data?”
Haywood sounded a bit strained. She was asking a lot from him. “I will call you when I’m with Damon and we can go over everything then. I’m sorry but I have to go. It’s good to hear your voice, Haywood.”
“Yours, too. I’ll wait for your call.”
She hung up and leaned back on the counter. Was involving Haywood a good idea? She really didn’t want to bring her friend into it. Maybe she wouldn’t have to. Maybe Damon would hear her out and when he saw the data to back up her claim, maybe he’d do the right thing and she would never have to involve Haywood. God, her life had been reduced to randommaybes.
She went to the table and packed up the rest of her lunch. As she put it in the fridge, she noticed a bottle of wine in the door. Oh, my God, she could go for a glass of wine. Something to calm her nerves. She started to pull it out but then thought she’d better ask Xavier if he wanted some first. Or if he had any objections to her having some. Not that she was inclined to listen at this moment. She’d been taking a back seat long enough. Time to take control again.
She went up the stairs and walked into the bedroom. Xavier was in the bathroom toweling off. She stopped in the doorway and admired his naked body. He had a few scars here and there and a nasty looking one on his left shoulder that was still a bit angry looking, but the jagged marks in his flesh just added to the appeal. He was sexy as hell and she wanted him. Now.
“I came up to ask you if you wanted a glass of wine but,” she gave him a slow once-over, “now I’m having other thoughts.”
His gray eyes turned the color of a winter sky. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea.”
She pulled her sweater over her head and dropped it on the bathroom floor and then reached around and unclasped her bra. As she shimmied out of it, she said, “I think it’s a fabulous idea.” She put her hands on his chest and kissed him. He hesitated for only a second and then dropped the towel and pulled her into his arms.
Bliss. The feel of his skin against hers had her wet already. God, she wanted this man. She craved his touch, but more, she craved how good he made her feel. His arms were safe. And she could pretend she was loved. He was all hard planes and angles, and she loved every inch of him. But she liked his smile and his eyes, too. He listened when she spoke and didn’t belittle her ever, no matter how stupid some of her questions must be to him. He treated her like an equal, a partner but still like a woman. She wanted to spend as much time in his arms as she could. It scared her to think about the hole he was going to leave in her life when this was over. She was going to miss him so much more than she’d ever thought possible. She wrapped her legs around his waist. That was a concern for later. For now, she was going to enjoy every inch of him for as long as possible.
CHAPTER13
Xavier let Allegrasleep and got in another shower. He needed to get rid of her damned distracting scent. God, he needed to focus. When she’d walked into the bathroom and took off her sweater, his cock had swelled immediately. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on, but it was more than that and that’s what scared him.
He’d turned off so many of his emotions after he’d lost Jamie. It had just gutted him that he hadn’t been able to save his best friend. The physical pain of his body trying to heal and the gut-wrenching emotional pain of having to face Jamie’s family had just about killed him. He'd been drowning in a world of pain so he’d turned off his emotions. Shut them down. And somehow Allegra had opened them up again.
She made him feel good when he was with her and not just physically. He felt alive again. His protective instincts were on full alert with her. She made him want to get through this so he could enjoy life again. Made him think maybe there was still a life out there for him. And all of that scared the hell out of him. He wasn’t sure he had it in him to deal with any more pain. He turned off the shower and toweled off. What he needed to do was get them both through this and then he’d figure out the rest. One thing at a time.Focus on the task at hand.
He dressed in his new clothes, and quietly went down to the kitchen. He called Hank Patterson to update him on the situation.
“Jesus,” Hank said, “I am so damn sorry I dragged you into this, but shit am I glad you’re okay and you’ve got shelter for the night.”
“Yeah, I’m fine but, Hank, it’s touch and go. Gunther says the cops in town are being watched. I don’t want to do anything that might get one of them killed. It’s just a small town. I can’t imagine they have many officers with a whole lot of experience with hit squads.” If any, he thought. “These guys know what they’re doing. Former Austrian military according to what Simon told me prior to takeoff. They’re armed with machine guns and serious snow gear. They know what the fuck they’re doing for sure.”
“Shit.” Hank’s chair squeaked. “I’ve got nothing in the immediate area but I’m working on it. Are you sure you want to go to Bern? Maybe it’s better to go directly to Geneva? They’ll have a larger police force, and you should be able to get help.”
“The train will be a better option. It stops right next to the hotel in Geneva so we should be okay to get to Damon.” He gave Hank the address of the hotel. “It would be better if we knew who the hell is behind this but as it is, it’s all a risk.”
“Okay, let me see what I can do. Stay in touch as you can and good luck, brother.”
He hung up the phone and turned around to find Allegra staring at him. “Who was that?”
“Hank Patterson. He’s working on things on his end.”
She nodded and went to the fridge, pulling out the bottle of wine. “I know you’re thinking this isn’t a good idea but I would really like a glass of wine. Don’t worry, I won’t drink the bottle.”
He smiled. She really did know what he was thinking. “Yes, ma’am.”
She stuck her tongue out at him as she poured herself a large glass of white wine. Then she went over and curled up on the sofa. “What time is it?”
“Just gone six p.m.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You didn’t eat much earlier. Do you want me to heat up the rest of your food?”
She took a sip of her wine and made a face. “Not the best I’ve ever had but it’s cold and wet so I’ll take it. Sure, heat up the food and I’ll split it with you. You worked hard earlier. I bet you’re hungry.” She shot him a wicked grin.
This woman would be the death of him no doubt. He heated the food in the microwave and thought about the next leg of their journey. The drive to Bern would be fine as long as they made it out of town safely. The highway after they got out of the valley could be tricky. The train should be okay as long as no one knew they were on it. The hotel in Geneva presented a problem. How the hell would they get in to see Damon?
“What are you thinking about?” Allegra asked from her spot on the sofa.
“Just trying to plan our next steps.” He brought the plate over and put it in front of her on the coffee table.
