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He laughs and gives me a deep kiss. “Promises, promises.”
He puts his hands in my hair and cradles my skull as I gaze at him. “Be vigilant. Be safe. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He winks as my heart dances for him. Dylan approaches as Luke releases me and their eyes meet. Dylan gives a slight nod in that secret communication they all do. Except now I’m understanding some of it. Whatever happens, I’m now Dylan’s responsibility and Luke is trusting him.
In the past, I would have grumbled about it, but knowing the threats I face, it makes me feel safe. After one last hug and a quick kiss, he follows Mark and Garrett out the door into the garage. I move over to the window facing the front and watch the SUV disappear down the path. I exhale and grab the towel from the couch.
“Should be ready for you,” Jordy says. I thank him and head outside. Steam billows over the water in the cool morning. I slide into the water with a sigh, leaning my head against the cushion built into the side. The deck sits beneath the awning, so I don’t have to worry about getting sunburnt.
Birds chirp, the water bubbles and swirls, and I relax. It gets a little warm, so I bring my arms up out of the water and rest my elbows behind me on the edge. I’m about to doze off when a weird breeze picks up. Stabbing pain erupts in my right arm and I swat at it, thinking a bee stung me. The breeze dies and I lift my hand up, but there’s no stinger. There’s nothing at all. I narrow my eyes and peer closer, but I can’t even find a red mark. The pain fades. What the hell?
I take in my surroundings, but there’s nothing out of the ordinary. The sliding glass door opens, and I turn to find Dylan. “You ok?” he asks, scanning the yard beyond the deck.
I glance at my arm. “Yea. It’s nothing. Just a weird dream or something.”
He eyes me, then takes a patio chair and sets it next to the hot tub. A water bottle appears in front of my face and I take it, sipping, before setting it on the edge. He takes a seat and leans back, folding his hands over his stomach and propping his feet on the edge of the hot tub.
“How long do you think we’ll stay here?” I ask as I settle down into the water.
He lolls his head to the side to face me, the picture of relaxed calm. But it’s only a façade. “Until Luke thinks it’s safe to go back.”
I sigh and watch a sparrow land and hop on the deck railing. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“No,” he says.
“Why not?”
He sighs. “We’re friends, but I won’t risk my job for you, Princess. You’ll have to ask Luke if you want more information.”
I wipe a fake tear from my eye. “We’re friends?”
He smirks, but stays quiet as he watches the birds with me.
“Well, I’m glad we’re friends. When we first met, I thought you were an insufferable asshole. You still are, but you’re likeable now,” I say.
He’s quiet for another minute. “I like you too.” He sighs like he’s irritated that I made him admit it.
“You remind me of my brother.”
He smirks. “Is he perfect in every way?”
I scoff. “Nope. You both drive me insane sometimes, but you’re loyal.”
He laughs at that. “He’s lucky he has you.”
“You have me too, Dylan.”
He says nothing, so I drop it. We’re pushing into unfamiliar territory here that I’m sure he’s not comfortable with, and I don’t want to freak him out.
He shifts in his seat. “Thanks Liv,” he says in a quiet murmur a few minutes later.
We smile at each other for a second before we settle into silent bird watching. I doze for a while until the jets turn off. When I look up to restart them, I’m alone. I float for a bit, then Jordy appears above me. He made lunch so I climb out and the three of us sit at the patio table, chatting about football while we eat. They argue about who should be called the number one quarterback. I stick firm to my loyalty to Brody, but they both scoff at me.
Once I’m finished eating, I take a long shower and blow dry my hair. I hum to myself as I apply makeup. I pull on my bra and panties, then dig through the closet for an outfit. Luke’s suit provides inspiration and I pull out a dress. Maybe I can make dinner for the two of us tonight on the deck. Just because we’re stuck here doesn’t mean the romance has to die.
I slip the dress off the hanger then stop and frown when muffled shouting reaches me. I leave the closet and stare at the closed bedroom door. It’s not unusual for Garrett and Dylan to get into verbal fights that sometimes get physical, but it’s all in good humor. They’re brothers at heart, if not by blood. I unzip the dress and freeze. Garrett isn’t here, and I’ve never known Jordy to raise his voice. Every cell in my body goes on high alert at an aggressive shout from Jordy. Glass shatters and a muted thump reverberates through the wall. I gasp when the room plunges into darkness.
“Lockdown sequence activated,” Nova chirps. I drop the dress and dive behind the bed. I fumble around, trying to find the gun I know Luke hid on his side, but I can’t remember the exact spot. And he could have taken it with him.Shit.
My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I stick my hand under the mattress. I freeze when the door bangs open against the wall. The silence that follows is eerie. Dread pools in my gut as a presence enters the room. My instincts scream at me to hide as fear ripples up my spine. I move my hand to the left and it hits something metallic and hard. My fingers reach for a grip, but I yelp as rough hands grab me and I’m flung backwards. I land hard on my ass and have just enough time to slam my fingers on the panic button on my hip before I’m grabbed again.
A feral scream roars out of my throat, and I kick and hit in every direction at once. I land a few blows followed by masculine grunts, and I’m pinned to the floor as someone straddles me and puts all their weight on me. Another person is there and holds my arms down as I continue to struggle.
“Calm down, Little Peach,” the man on top of me says, and the blood drains from my face as ice flows through my veins.No.
I scream, but it tapers off at a sharp prick on my neck. My muscles relax without my permission and the darkness swallows me.
