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The corners of his eyes crinkled as he chuckled. ‘For starters, I value my life. Turning up unannounced to The Devils enforcer is a really good way to get my head blown off. If he didn’t kill me, I doubt he’d hang around long enough to hear me out.’
She couldn’t argue with his logic.
‘Until you showed up, turning Alex Riley would not have been considered a viable play.’ Nable moved forward to meet Sarah’s gaze head on. ‘But you, Miss Darcy, might just prove to be the key.’
‘You think I can talk Alex into becoming an informant?’
‘I think he’ll listen to you. I think if you believe this could work, then he might just be talked into it as well.’
Could it work? Was this their way out of the nightmare?
‘What do you say, Sarah? Do you want to stop running?’
Sarah walked backto the old stone bridge, taking her time. The Detective said he had things he needed to take care of, implying he wouldn’t follow her. The reality was he probably knew where they were staying. Still, she didn’t know that for sure and she wanted to process what he had told her. What it could mean for them.
She listed the pros. It was likely the charges against Alex for Ray’s death would be dropped. He could give most of his evidence here in Europe so as not to tip off The Devils too soon, which had the added bonus of keeping him out of witness protection until most of his old comrades were safely behind bars, thereby increasing their chances of survival. It was an opportunity for Alex to right his wrongs, he said he wanted out and it couldn’t be just for her. He knew what he did was wrong. This was a chance for redemption. She could put the minds of her family and friends at ease, knowing she was alive and well. Once Alex had paid his dues, they would be free to live their lives however and wherever they wanted. They could stop running.
Now for the cons. They would have to go into witness protection at some point, which Alex didn’t trust to protect them at all. He would most likely have to serve some sort of sentence for his role in the murders he’d carried out, at the very least. They would be separated, possibly for a long time. She would have to face her family and friends and their inevitable questions and outrage. They might die.
‘Hey, you!’
The voice barely registered. Sarah knew nobody here other than Alex and Tom Nable. The accent was American. Just as realization registered, a hand gripped her left elbow, spinning her around.
‘Why’d you run off like that the other day?’ His tone was pleasant however the blonde-haired American tourist stood too close, his height advantage and proximity projecting the underlying menace.
She glanced about and saw only one more of the group standing by. ‘Where are your friends?’
He smirked ‘Back at the hotel. Let’s go say hi.’
‘Let’s not.’
Sarah rammed her palm into the throat of her would-be attacker. He released her elbow to grasp his own neck, stumbling back in shock. Sarah moved in, raising her knee into his groin. A strangled rasp acknowledged the accuracy of the strike. She turned her attention to the second tourist who stood frozen as he watched her disable his friend in less than three seconds. The step she took in his direction seemed to reanimate him, his hands flying up in surrender.
‘Take your friend and get out of Avignon.’ She resisted the urge to growl, keeping her voice low and even.
She watched him drag his still doubled-over companion away. A slow smile played across her mouth as she examined her own response. Her hands weren’t trembling, her breathing remained steady. She wasn’t afraid. And she hadn’t needed anyone to come to her rescue.
She looked around and found her bearings. As she headed towards the apartment, her smile grew along with her excitement. She knew what she needed to do.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Alex sat, waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. The key turned the lock, and Sarah pushed the door open. He knew he looked like hell, having given up on sleeping until she returned.
‘I don’t want to argue with you,’ he said.
‘I don’t want that either.’
He stood as she moved towards him and took his hand. She led him into the living room, sinking onto the sofa, linked by hands, knees touching. His anguish and frustration were wound so tight his chest hurt.
‘I don’t know how to make this right.’
‘You do. Let me in.’ She let go of his hands and tangled her own in his hair, her head coming to rest on his. ‘For better or worse, we’re in this together. Stop shutting me out.’
His arms crept around her. How many times would he have to hear her say it before it sunk in. He raised his head to look into her eyes.
‘I’ll try harder,’ he murmured.
Sarah nodded. Her lips were so close. Apart from the last time they’d shared a bed before he left to find Jizzy, his kisses had been limited to her cheek or forehead. His hands on her skin only when nursing her wound.
