“I kind of think yes. Noel said he and the others don’t exist in any database or anything. No way to backup what he’s saying as true, but I saw him in action. He’s deadly.”
Now anxiety reared its head. “Should we leave? Get you out of town? I have money. I could make it happen.”
“I’m not afraid of him.” Addy shook her head, her green eyes dark. “I should be, but I’m not. He’d never hurt me, Solene.”
“How do you know that? You barely know the guy.”
“I know enough. He wantsto leave the business, to come here and just be Noel Cavanaugh. Especially now with the baby.”
“Yeah, the baby.” Solene didn’t understand any of this. “Is the boy his or some kind of cover story?”
“The baby is another part of the mystery around Noel. Someone is trying to kill him, and someone dropped off the baby saying it’s either his, Deacon’s, or Hammer’s.”
Solene’s heartraced. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I know I should stay out of his mess, but now I’m in it. They tried to kill me to get to him.”
“Shit. This isn’t good at all, Addy.”
“I know. But I still want to be with him. Am I crazy or what?” Addy gave a half laugh, half sob. “He’s the one for me, Solene. It’s weird and nutty and I don’t care. I connect with him on a level I’ve never had withanyone else. And it just figures he’s a killer for hire.”
“That’s some weird-ass karma for sure,” Solene teased, half out of her mind with concern. “Do I need to worry that he’ll killmeif he knows I know about him?’
“No.” Good. At least Addy sounded definite about that. “He’s a good man. And right now I think he needs me.”
“Right now? What about later?”
“I hope hemeant it when he said Friday night was special to him. Because I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Falling? You mean fall-en, right? Past tense. You’re the teacher and all, but I’d say you’re gone for the guy.”
“Crap. I am.”
They sat in silence for a moment. “Okay,” Solene said. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to get packed, then I’m coming with you while thisgets sorted out. Don’t argue with me,” she said to stop Addy’s sputtering. “I’m staying with you at your place for double protection. I might not be a secret hitman, but I can handle myself with a Taser. And I’ve had some self-defense training. All those years modeling taught me not to trust men.”
“Is that where you learned it?” Addy feigned innocence. “I thought it was a birth defect.”
“Ha ha.”
“Solene, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Hey, I’ve already had the baby stay with me. I’m on somewhat-speaking terms with Deacon. And I’m your best friend. I’d say I’m already involved. What’s to stop whoever is after Noel from coming after me too?” A stretch, but hey, why not? Solene had no problem dealing with psychos, government sanctioned or not. But Addy wassofter, not as aggressive. She was too damn nice. “It’s settled. Now, help me pack.”
And Deacon, when you get back, you and I are going totalk.
