She gave him a gracious smile and touched his arm. “Justin, I’ll take my sister with me when we go to Uncle Tony’s. We can use the excuse that we’re trying to comfort Robin in her time of need. And I’ll wait until my uncle leaves the house. He’s not there all the time.”
Justin shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”
“Justin?” Brad said. “I’ll make sure that one of my friends is watching the house to make sure she’s safe.”
His heart raced. She’d be in grave danger. They’d all be in danger. But men like Snakes and Tony needed to be stopped. “Who is this friend of yours, Brad?”
Brad chuckled on the other end of the phone. “Let’s just say he’s very good with a gun... and he owes me a favor.”
“Justin.” Brooke turned to him and stroked the side of his face. “I’m the only one who can do this, and you know it. I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll be outside the house watching closely, too,” he said in a tight voice. “I won’t let anyone harm you ever again.”
“Okay,” Brad said in an excited voice, “let’s get this thing rolling. I’ll call my friend and let him know. Of course, we’ll have to wait until both of you return to civilization.”
“We’re coming home today,” Justin answered, matter-of-factly.
Brooke’s eyes widened in surprise. “Today? Are you sure we’ll be able to get back down the mountain?”
He grinned. “Now that the storm has passed, I’m having my helicopter pick us up.”
She gasped and clutched his arm. “You have a helicopter?”
Brad’s laughter rang from the other side of the phone. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Justin nodded. “Yes, angel. I have a helicopter... and a small plane.”
She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Oh, this is too much...”
“Brad,” Justin said as he took Brooke into his arms, “call your friend. I want this over and done with as soon as possible.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you when you get back.”
Brooke pulled away enough to meet his stare. He stroked her soft cheek, trying to comfort her.
“You really shouldn’t do this,” he said.
“I should have done this when I first noticed the fake ID’s in his office.”
“But angel,” he slid his hand gently down her neck, “you’ll be in Robin’s presence. She’s hurt you too much, and I don’t want her to hurt you again.”
Brooke took a shaky breath. “Tiffany will be there with me. Robin is rarely mean when Tiffany is around. My cousin is only extremely rude when nobody else is around.”
“I wish I could go with you.”
Brook shook her head. “It’ll be better if you’re not there.”
“I’ll be there.” He nodded. “But I’ll hide somewhere in their yard.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes blinked quickly as liquid gathered. “Justin, you don’t know how much it means to me that you want to protect me.”
His heart softened toward this amazing woman, and he smiled. “You are trying to protect me by collecting the evidence, aren’t you?”
“Well... yes.”
“Then why can’t I want to protect you?”
She shrugged. “We may have just met yesterday, but I feel like I’ve known you much longer than a day.”
