“Yeah, I don’t think,Dear Officer, I pissed off a very bad man, is grounds for opening a criminal investigation,” Blake reasoned.
“Plus, these kinds of people have political connections,” Axel added. “Senator Webb, remember? They’re probably not thrilled about police involvement.”
“He’s right,” Ryker agreed. “It’ll just paint a bigger target on your backs.”
Fantastic. So, our options are hide and die, or don’t hide but still die. I’m sensing a theme here.
Axel’s hand moved from the back of the couch to briefly touch my shoulder. Just for a second, but long enough for me to feel the heat of his palm through my shirt.
“Then we hire private security,” Jace said, straightening. “I’ll cover the cost. Former special ops, best in the country.”
Ryker was already shaking his head. “I don’t think that’ll work. They can still aim a gun from a distance. Plus, that’ll just escalate the threat. Crime families love a challenge, and they love it even more when people are scared of them.”
“Well, this is just delightful,” I muttered, appreciating it when Blake’s mouth hitched up slightly.
Throwing me a bone of sarcasm to lighten the mood, he said, “If you do get shot, try to fall on your left side. Easier to repair the damage in surgery.”
I smirked, feeling a small part of tension leaving my body.
Axel leaned forward. “What if I try to talk to the guy? Man to man?”
“NO.” The word exploded from everyone simultaneously. Including me. The thought of Axel walking into danger made something fierce and protective rise in my chest.
Axel’s gaze locked on to mine, as if he felt my desire to shield him. And liked it. But with a thinning of his lips, I could also see he’d walk into the lion’s den if that’s what it took to keep me safe.
Wait, why did I just think the wordme?
“That’s not man to man,” Ryker said. “That’s a death trap.”
The room fell silent, except for the rain battering the windows. The weight of our complete and utter helplessness settled over us like a blanket made of anxiety and impending doom.
This is it. This is how I die. Not in some grand romantic gesture or heroic sacrifice, but because I took a petty revenge photo that went viral. And I’m taking Axel down with me.
The thought hit me like a sucker punch. Axel Pierce might die because of me. The man I’d spent years hating, who drove me absolutely insane, who made my blood boil with just a look …
The idea of losing him made something crack open in my chest.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“So, we don’t have any good options?” I asked. “We just sit here and wait to get whacked?”
“You said this dinner has you two trending right now? As a couple?” Jace stepped forward.
I blinked. Our stupid fake engagement seemed absolutely meaningless now. “Yeah. Why?”
Jace pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the screen. “You’re not just trending. You two are everywhere right now. Every influencer and gossip site is speculating about you.”
Oh good. At least I’ll die famous.
“So, what, you think all those people will reveal our location and help us get shot faster?” Axel questioned with tension in his voice.
“No.” Jace locked eyes with Ryker, and some kind of silent communication passed between them.
“The story might help,” Ryker declared. “You need to lean into it.”
I laughed because I thought it was a joke. Turns out, I was wrong. Ryker shot me a look that snapped my mouth shut.
“That’s ridiculous.” Axel’s voice went dangerously quiet. “I’m not gallivanting all over town with staged romance dinners when some crime boss might be looking for us. It’s dangerous. And for the record, I’d rather lose my business than my life. Or hers.”
