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A chill runs down my spine. “Okay, but what does that mean for Ashley?”
“She’s safe,” Royce assures us. “Maybe she won’t be if we bring attention to her.”
“Did they say that?” Cole asks, his tone sharp.
“Yes. They say they’re protecting her.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“Protection,” Royce says, “can mean many things. Come see me when you get back.”
“Tomorrow,” Cole says. “We still need to go by her apartment. A neighbor might know something about that man she was with.”
“Let my men handle that,” Royce says. “We will handle it and Cole, I wouldn’t want my woman anywhere near this.”
Cole sucks in air. “I’ll call you when we land tomorrow.” He disconnects. “We aren’t done. We won’t give up.”
“Agreed,” I say, making sure he knows I’m standing by him, holding up the world right now.
He studies me a moment. “How was your afternoon?”
“No one spoke of your father. I got the impression the living asshole in charge of the office affected them to present day and stirred the past. They want help.”
“That’s why we need to recruit Alex.” But he’s not thinking about Alex. He’s watching me.
I lean forward and brush his jaw. “They said what I know and one day you will, too. You’re not him.”
He is stone in response, but even in the hardness of his stare, I can see the demons of his past. The pain that lives there and in this place for him. Abruptly, he pulls me to him and kisses me. “We can’t be home soon enough. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Home.
Our home.
The place we don’t have to hold up anything but each other.
He stands to offer me his hand when his cellphone rings again. He glances down at the screen and frown. “No caller ID.” He answers. “Cole Brooks.” His eyes jolt. “Ashley?”
I jump to my feet. “Is she okay? Where is she?”
He puts her on speaker. “I have Lori here, too. Where are you?”
“I love you both,” she says, her voice strong, “but you need to back off. I’m okay. I’m leaving. I have to go.”
“Witness protection?” I ask, sharing Cole’s concerned look.
“Yes. And I’m not supposed to say that. You will force me to hide even deeper. I can’t contact you. Cole, you’re like a brother. Lori, you were fast becoming a sister. But I’m gone now. Forget me or you’ll get me killed.” She disconnects.
Chapter eighty-four
Lori
Once Cole and I exit the Houston office, I stop him right before we enter the car waiting on us, concerned about privacy. “Should we call Royce about Ashley’s call?”
“Royce already told us what she told us,” he says. “In fact, I’m quite certain he was giving us a heads up about that call, but yes.” He eyes his watch. “I’ll text him in a discreet way from the car.”
I nod and he opens the door for me. Once we’re settled inside, he directs our driver and then sends the text. Royce replies instantly, and Cole shows me the message that reads: She’s safe. That’s what matters.
“She really is in that program,” I say, choosing my words carefully.
