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“A better man would have let you go.” His breath was hot on my ear. I twined my fingers through his resting on my stomach. I’d missed him.
“Good thing I want one who never will.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Carlos
“They’rethree minutes from the drop-off point.”
Donato and I had decided, with Holly’s agreement, we’d send a team of his men to the meet. Once Jason and whoever else was there got comfortable enough to believe we were giving them the money, the authorities would take over. Her brother and his so-called friends needed to be behind bars. It wasn’t the best solution, but Holly felt it was better than leaving him out in the world to fend for himself.
I was torn between wanting to handle the situation myself and staying put with Holly and Gabriel. She’d asked me to protect them, and I would, but I somehow felt responsible for Jason.
I wasn’t accustomed to relying on others. The more I did, the easier it became, though I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it.
Holly paced in front of the coffee table in Daniel’s study. She’d put up a brave front today, especially around Gabriel, but her nerves were palpable. After we’d picked him up from school, we’d left him in Muriella’s care while we waited for the evening’s events to unfold.
I leaned against the mantel. Every time she moved, her scent enveloped me. I longed to hook her by the waist and comfort her, but I was uncertain. She’d allowed me to hold her through the night, even after she woke and thought I didn’t know. I didn’t take it as a sign she’d had a change of heart about us. She’d needed someone to be there for her. As long as I had breath, I would be.
Holly stopped beside me and looked up. A myriad of emotions washed over her face. Fear. Anxiety. A trace of anger. All I desired was to take it away so she would be free to enjoy her life with Gabriel.
When I felt her arm slide around my back, I stiffened in surprise, but immediately folded her against me. She flinched at the feel of my gun, though she didn’t let go. Why was it when she was close I could breathe easier and lose my breath all at once?
I kissed the top of her head, and she burrowed against me. This was my place. It had taken me over forty years to find it, but I finally had.
Daniel and I exchanged a look. Understanding, as if he’d been in my position, was in his shrewd eyes. He knew I’d had no business ever pursuing Holly, but sometimes there was no choice.
The shrill ring of Donato’s phone pierced the otherwise silent air. Holly jumped and held me an extra second before she let go, steeling herself for the news.
Donato didn’t speak as the person on the other end briefed him. He hung up without ever uttering a word. His back was to us as he sat in one of the chairs facing Daniel’s desk.
He and Daniel had a wordless exchange before he stood and moved toward us. The man rarely showed emotion, and now was no different. It was impossible to tell if things had gone as planned or straight to hell.
“Holly, I’m sorry.” And he sounded as if he truly were. I put a hand of support on her hip. “Jason slipped away again.”
She gasped, put a hand to her chest, but quickly collected herself. “What happened? Why would he do that when he called me for help?”
Donato put his hands in his pockets. I couldn’t recall ever seeing him uncomfortable, but he didn’t seem to want to relay the course of events.
“The authorities swarmed before they should have,” he said with a trace of annoyance. “Gunfire was exchanged, and in the commotion, he escaped.”
She stared at him for a moment, as if willing him to take back the words. I pulled her back flush with my front, but she didn’t seem to feel it.
“Was he wounded?”
“We don’t know. One of my men trailed him into the woods, but Jason evaded him. It seems he’s quite good at that.”
Holly snorted. “Tell me about it. He vanishes and reappears like magic.”
“I’m sorry this didn’t have a better outcome.”
“I need a minute,” she said hoarsely as she shrugged out of my hold.
“There’s a bedroom down the hall to the left,” Daniel said.
She nodded and disappeared from the study. I was two steps behind her when Donato placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Let her be.”
