Page 37 of Grave Peril

“I’m not telling you anything. I’m just saying that it’s dangerous,” Rip said. “You’re safe here. You need to keep out of sight. What’s happened to you so far should be a warning. The guys who are after you mean business.”

“All the more reason I have to go,” Lela said. “I don’t care how risky it is. I won’t let Ashlee down. I have to contact her.” She took a breath. “She’d do the same for me. I know she would.”

Rip strode over to the window and looked out. It was hell trying to reason with an emotional woman. He turned to face her. “You’re making it awfully difficult to protect you.”

“I don’t care. Maybe my safety isn’t my top concern,” Lela said. “And besides, you signed on to be my bodyguard. That means following me wherever I go. It doesn’t mean that you can run my life.”

Rip let out a long breath.

“So I’m going, whether you are or not.” Lela crossed her arms.

“What do you think?” Now Rip was pissed. “That I’m letting you waltz out of here, straight into the tiger’s lair, while I sit in this damned hotel room and drink margaritas. Not on your life.”

“Okay, then. Help me figure out how to make contact with her,” Lela said. “I’m not going to shy away from trouble, but I don’t want to get my friend killed in the process. Calling her cell phone would be foolhardy.”

Rip shifted gears. He was annoyed that he’d lost his temper. But Lela had gotten to him. He wasn’t going to let any harm come to her. Since she refused to be talked out of this rash plan, he’d better come up with a practical strategy fast.

*****

Since Lela couldn’t set up the meeting, Rip had to. He risked leaving Lela alone, long enough to make the connection. She was locked in the hotel room with the deadbolt flipped. The Hilton had security cameras, one more layer of protection.

Plus, Rip was certain that Lela’s location was unknown to the cartel for the time being. Word was out that she was in the company of a male, but without a name, it was difficult to trace. With her as safe as she could be, he ventured out to connect with Ashlee.

Lela had shared the details of her friend’s routine. Most mornings, she attended an early Pilates class, but Rip couldn’t interrupt that. Likely it was a room full of women, so he’d stand out. After class, she dressed for the office and liked to stop at her favorite coffee shop for a vanilla latte.

That could be his chance. Rip dressed like a businessman, in white shirt and slacks minus the tie. He was less likely to startle Ashlee if he fit with the downtown look. He tied his hair back into a ponytail and carried a leather pad to give the impression he was headed to a meeting.

Right on time, Ashlee entered the shop. She was easy to recognize: tall, thin, blond hair, blue eyes, and supermodel beautiful. Rip had been studiously scribbling on his pad, meaningless scribbles, just to look busy. When Ash walked toward the counter, he strode toward her, looking down at his notes.

He collided with Ashlee, and his pad flew out of his hands then hit the floor. “I’m sorry,” she said, and stooped to retrieve the pad. Rip knelt beside her, doing his best impression of being flustered.

“The pier at Sylvan Beach Park,” Rip said in a low voice. “Your friend wishes to meet you at six.”

Ashlee stood up and handed over the notepad.

“Thank you. I was distracted,” Rip said. “Be sure you aren’t followed.” Then he nodded and faced the door. There was a chance that she wouldn’t show without assurance that the message was from Lela. “Your friend still has a craving for her mom’s lamb barbacoa.”

There was a slight change in Ashlee’s expression, enough that Rip was certain she got the message.

“Again, I’m sorry.” Ashlee faced back toward the customer line, and Rip left.

*****

Lela hated waiting. It seemed to take forever for Rip to return to the room. What if something had happened?

She dreaded to think that Ashlee might be in real trouble, or that Rip might be hurt. It took all her self-control to keep from unlocking the door and going to find them. Various scenarios came to mind, and all ended in disaster.

She’d wait longer, but she wasn’t going to sit there indefinitely. If Rip wasn’t back before lunch, she was going after him. From now on, she’d refuse to be separated from him. He’d gone to extremes to protect her. But being in the dark and not knowing what was happening was worse.

With Lela’s frustration at a peak, she stared at the door, willing it to open. And finally it did.

“Where were you?” Lela rushed over to Rip and put her hand on his arm.

“It worked just like you said. Ashlee showed up at the coffee shop, but she didn’t show any reaction that would give away the true nature of our encounter.”

“I told you. She’s been expecting contact from me. She knows I wouldn’t just disappear.”

“The personal message seemed to do the trick,” Rip said. “I’m confident that she’ll be there.”

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