“You became a problem the moment you said you wanted to stay and talk to the lady,” Mitch said. “Evidently, she had good info.”
Liz didn’t like what she was hearing, and even less what she was thinking. “So, bottom line, the woman in Arizona is dead, all because of me. It was like I killed her the moment I gave her name to my editor.”
“In this business of good and evil, there are casualties,” Mitch said. “You can’t blame yourself for what happens.”
“Don’t you tell me not to blame myself. Don’t you dare.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Liz needed to get out of the room. The air in the small office had become stifling. Walls were too close. Lights not bright enough. The Skype of Reese and Josh on the computer screen too realistic. She jumped to her feet, pointing defiantly at Mitch.
“People are dying because of me.” She swung her finger in her own direction. “First Keith. No, evidently first there was this woman in Arizona, then Keith. Maybe even my dad. All because of me!”
Mitch rose and tried to wrap his arms around her, but she shoved away from his hold.
Breathing heavily through her nose, her chest pumping with each inhale-exhale, she came to a decision. A decision that made no sense. But a decision she would not be talked out of. “I want to go for a walk on the beach. Right now.”
“No.” His expression blanked as he shook his head.
“Either you promise to take me for a walk on the beach in the morning, or I’ll sneak out tonight and go by myself.”
“We’ll talk about it in the morning, Liz.”
His tone was Mr. Protector now, hard and clipped and authoritative. She didn’t like it one bit. She understood, but he needed to understand her, too. This was nonnegotiable because ultimately, it was her decision.
The Arizona woman had died because of her. That beautiful woman with the perfect complexion and high cheekbones.
“And, tomorrow evening, I want to go to dinner at one of those restaurants Reese has checked out.” She sucked in a breath, deeper and deeper, feeling as if it might be her last. Even slower, she released her breath. “I need to dance. I need to laugh.”
“No.” Mitch shook his head one more time.
“You told me dying was not an option. Well, the longer I’m cooped up with all these OPAQUE rules…the more you struggle to keep me safe…the more I feel as if I’m dying a little bit each second.” Reaching out to Mitch, she touched his arm. “Don’t you understand? This protection is slowly closing in on me. It’s like being locked in a safe room.”
“You’re not in a box, Liz. This house is not a box. Not a safe room without windows.”
Panic rose, and she struggled to fight the edges. “I need…need…to go outside. I really—”
“No.” Mitch didn’t shake his head this time, and there was no sign of the tenderness he’d given her this afternoon. “Like it or not, youwill dowhat I say. When I say. No questions asked. That’s the way it has to be. I’m sorry.”
She felt him hold her in his arms. Felt him lay his cheek against the top of her head. Felt him kiss her forehead.
“I’ve got you,” he said. “Everything’s going to be okay. Everything—”
“No. No it isn’t. I…I can’t breathe.” She shoved him away and ran out the bedroom door.
…
Mitch glanced at the computer screen. “I’ll get back with you guys.”
“Panic attack,” Reese said.
“Yeah.” Mitch nodded then clicked the disconnect before racing downstairs. “Liz, where are you?”
The security siren beeped, louder and louder. The secondary security system whistled as the lights in the house flashed on and off. Evidently, she’d run outside. Forgot to turn off either system. But which way had she gone? At the bottom of the stairs, he clicked off the sirens and flashing lights then noticed the doors to the deck had been opened.
There she was…on the deck…leaning against the far rail. Facing out toward the Gulf, she had her head tilted slightly upward toward the moon…her shoulders heaving with obvious gasps for air. He quickly reset everything then grabbed a can of sparkling water from the fridge, opening the top as he walked outside.
He stepped up beside her, pressing the can in her hand. “Can I do anything for you?”
