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He sent a glare at Jennings, cutting off what he was saying.
“I see you are. Fine.”
“Oh, I’m still going to try to convince mywife.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. Across the room, her team had their heads together, whispering about what he’d just said.
“Now you’re pulling the wife card?”
He circled the table to take her hand. She let him have it, but still held herself stiffly. “Avalynn, the venue has sixteen weaknesses. Too many ways things can go wrong.”
“You won’t let anything happen to me.”
Heart tripping in his throat, he searched her eyes. The lines of their relationship, what was real and fake, had blurred…and then he’d crossed them. These feelings were as real as the sun lighting up the sky.
Whatever she saw on his face made her take a step closer. “Julius…I love you.”
Her whispered confession got her team tittering with excitement. Clay let out a groan, and Jennings outright laughed.
Julius drew her up against him, cradling her head to his chest. He pressed his lips to her temple. “I love you too.”
He didn’t give a damn who heard him or what they thought. This marriage might have begun as a part to play, but to both him and Avalynn, it was real.
* * * * *
The suite bustled with people going in and out. Damon and Freddy were busy packing up all Avalynn’s belongings that they’d just unpacked. Lana was on the phone, lining up interviews for before and after her performances at the festival. Heidi was deep in conversation with Lark about those sixteen security weaknesses.
She wished she could make out the low rumble of male voices from the other side of the room where the Sentry team sat discussing all the possible ways toclosethose sixteen gaps and make the place safe for her.
Twisting toward the windows overlooking whatever city they’d stopped in, she stared out at the world and tried to center her mind.
In a short time, they’d board another flight to reach the festival. Times like these, jetlag started to catch up with her. What she wouldn’t give to be back on that island with Julius. The closest thing she could get to his arms was the enormous cardigan she’d pulled on.
She drew it tighter around her body and rested her forehead against the cool windowpane. Though she didn’t appreciate him trying to cancel the festival she looked forward to most, she did understand that he was only trying to protect her.
From the corner of her eye, she caught movement. She looked up to see her lover approaching. When he settled his hand on her spine, she relaxed into him with a low sigh.
Concern lit his eyes. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
He peered at her closer. “Why don’t I totally buy that?”
She tipped her head up to study his face. “Are either of us really okay, Julius?”
“I don’t understand, honey.”
She directed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I get that you’re scared about me going to the festival. You’re scared the bad guy is going to hurt me. And…I’m scared you’re going to get the guy and then…leave me.”
“Oh, honey.” He kneaded the small of her back.
“Everyone?” Lark broke up the moment as she addressed the entire room. “Our transports are waiting. We’ll be shuttled to the airport. The private jet is prepared for our flight to Phoenix and then on to Tempe.”
Julius stared down at Avalynn. His somber expression reflected her own mood. She really was happy to perform at the festival, but so much was at stake. Now she was starting to question if she’d made the right decision in pushing Sentry to accept her request. Maybe it really was better to let Julius hide her away in a safe spot until this all blew over.
But she couldn’t forget her fans.
The next few minutes were spent getting downstairs in the hotel. She was surrounded by big male bodies as the Sentry team escorted her to a waiting black car with tinted windows. Heidi, Lark, Clay and Julius accompanied her. Then she was offloaded and boarded the jet.
