He pulls me after him and as soon as we step off the sidewalk, I hear somebody call out his name and as he stops and looks back, a car squeals to a stop beside me and before I can react, rough hands are pulling me away from him.
It all happens so fast. A shot rings out, and I scream as Julius turns, his hand instinctively reaching inside his jacket as I fall to the floor. More shots, and then a hand grips me and pulls me up, into his arms, a strong hand cradling my face to his chest.
“Don’t look.” His urgent whisper causes me to squeeze my eyes tightly shut, secure in the knowledge that the man holding me is the one who always should be. Car doors slam, and panic erupts around us, and before I know what’s happening, I’m thrust into a car that takes off at speed.
I stare in shock as Julius fastens my belt, shouting, “What the fuck was that?”
Two men are in the front, and one of them says, “An organized hit if I’m not mistaken.”
“Did you recognize them?”
Julius’s voice is delivered on the edge of a blade of steel, and I shiver inside.
“No, but we got a photograph of the car and the driver.”
Julius turns to me, and his expression changes. “Are you okay, baby girl?”
My lip quivers, but I bite it and smile through my tears. “I am now.”
My gaze flicks to the men in front, and Julius answers my unspoken question.
“Meet Giorgio and Connor. They’ve been tailing us since we left the aircraft.”
“Pleasure, ma’am.” One of them turns and smiles and then says with an edge of anger, “If they know where you are, you’re in danger. You may have to rearrange your plans.”
“Fuck that!” Julius slams his fist on the chair in front and hisses, “We take the flight. Check the passenger manifest and make certain an army is on hand to greet us in Denver. I’m done running; it’s time to face this shit head-on with all guns blazing.”
I’m seeing a side of Julius I kind of accepted was there but turned a blind eye to. Deep down inside, I realize he’s bad for me. I shouldn’t be here with him, and I shouldn’t want him, but I do.
Fate has a habit of delivering the unexpected, and the most unexpected thing of all is that nothing matters more than the physical ache that has taken over my heart for the man I should have never met.
23
JULIUS
Fuck. I was having the best time I can ever remember having until life turned to shit and reminded me why I don’t deserve peace. Rose is now terrified, and our cover is blown. We are in immediate danger and far away from home with only two of my guards and my wits to get us there.
We reach the hotel, and as the guards pull up outside, Giorgio jumps out of the car and checks the area before opening the door and nodding.
“All clear. We’ll pick you up at seven am. The flight leaves at ten. If we’re not here, shit happened and take steps to protect yourself.”
I say nothing and grip Rose’s hand, pulling her inside the hotel, and I say nothing until we are safe in the elevator.
“Remain in here when we get to the room. I’ll check it’s safe first.”
“Safe!”
Her eyes widen, and I feel bad for her and attempt to reassure her with a soft smile.
“It’s unlikely they are here, but we can’t take that risk.”
“Should we try another hotel?”
Her anxiety is obvious, and I shake my head.
“The only way up here is with the elevator key. When you’re in the room, you can disable the elevator so it can’t move until you wish to leave.”
“Is there a fire escape? What about the terrace?”
