The dog happily bounced around them.
Anna levered up, balancing herself with a hand on the middle of Aiden’s back. “Sorry about this, Marlie. It has to seem weird.” She flopped back down.
Marlie remained frozen in place. Then she jerked herself out of it. “Hey. Are you okay? I could hit him from behind if you want.” Then, without waiting for an answer, she ran ahead and jumped in front of Aiden, nearly tripping over the dog.
Anna laughed out loud.
Aiden sighed heavily. “That’s sweet of you.” Then he ducked and lifted an overnight bag over his free shoulder, tossed a hand-knitted blanket over Anna’s form, and headed right back out into the hallway.
Marlie wavered and then followed, running in front of him and blocking the outside door. She had no chance of beating him in a fight, but she could probably take out his knee. “Should I call in a kidnapping?”
Anna laughed harder, and Aiden kept coming straight at her, amusement tilting his full lips.
“I’m thinking the Albertini family might be a little odd,” Marlie muttered.
That stopped Aiden cold. His eyes warmed, showing a conglomeration of blues. “They are. Get out now if you can. Trust me. Run fast and run far.”
Anna laughed harder, squirming over his very broad shoulder, his hand on her thigh holding her in place.
Marlie swallowed. “We’re just friends. I mean, Bosco and me. Just friends.”
“Ha,” Aiden said, sidestepping her easily. “That’s how they get you, darlin’. I’ve already heard about you, which means the family has heard, and you’re as good as in. I hope you like big weddings.” He kept walking.
Anna whistled. “Fabio, come!”
The dog panted after them.
A phone rang from the big bag over Aiden’s shoulder. He sighed, stopped again, and yanked it out to hand to Anna.
She pressed a speaker button as if she talked to people all the time while hanging over Aiden’s very broad back. “Hey, Bosco,” she answered easily. “I have the dog.”
“What the fuck are you doing going to my apartment by yourself when dead bodies keep showing up around you?” Bosco yelled, his voice somehow low and pissed, even while yelling.
Marlie paused, catching her breath. Dead bodies? Seriously?
“Exactly,” Aiden said.
Anna sighed. “Bosco—”
“No. I’m headed into a war zone, damn it. Devlin? Do you have this?” Bosco snapped.
“I’m about to,” Aiden said agreeably.
“Good. I don’t care what anybody says. You’re a fucking saint.” Bosco ended the call.
Marlie’s insides went all jittery.War zone?
Aiden stalked toward the outside door again. “I am a saint,” he muttered. “Should get a medal or something.”
Anna levered up, placing her hand in the middle of Aiden’s back again and lifting her head so her gaze could meet Marlie’s. “Hey, Marlie. Lock up Bosco’s apartment for me, would you? Thanks so much. I tell you what? I’ll give you a call when this case is over, and we can grab a drink. What’s your number?”
Marlie rattled it off as quickly as she could. The front door opened and then shut, taking them out into the snowy day.
Quiet descended.
Marlie reached for Bosco’s door and shut it, locking it. Maybe it was a good thing—a really good thing—that she and Bosco were just friends. The Albertini family seemed absolutely crazy. Then she caught sight of Anna’s wallet near the door, which had fallen out of the bag Aiden had thrown over his shoulder.
She grabbed it and ran outside just as he was loading Anna into the front seat of a black truck. “Your wallet,” she breathed, handing it over.
