Page 23 of Be Very Quiet

Luca entered the lobby and found Warren watching a pornographic movie. Figured. Luca’s steps were quiet, so he was only a foot away from the desk before Warren noticed.

“How’s it going, Warren?”

“Ah!” Warren fumbled for the remote to turn the movie off. “Why were you sneaking up on me?”

“Wasn’t.” Luca shrugged. “You must’ve been distracted.”

“I’m keeping guard,” Warren insisted. “Make noise next time, so I know you’re there.”

Warren really was a rookie. Bad guys rarely announced themselves.

“Besides, aren’t you supposed to be in jail? That cop came for you.”

Luca smirked. “He’s a colleague.”

Warren gaped at him, but Luca didn’t elaborate. He took the stairs to the parking garage and grabbed the box. He’d still need additional equipment, so whoever came to assist would bring it.

On cue, his cell beeped. He glanced at the screen to see that Audria Giroux and Christian Zamora would make the trip. Good. He needed all the help he could get.

Warren was on the phone when he returned to the lobby, so he nodded at the man, who guiltily ducked his head, and took the elevator to Liliana’s condo.

She held the door for him and then locked it.

“I have an extra bedroom. I use it as an office, but there’s a daybed. You could sleep there instead of on the couch.”

“I’d rather stay out here as a first line of defense. There’s a television, so I’ll be fine.”

Liliana walked to a closet and produced a pillow and blanket. “The bathroom is over there.” She pointed to a door. “If you need anything, let me know. Goodnight, Luca.”

“Goodnight, Liliana.”

#

It took all the effort Liliana could muster to walk away from Luca and close herself into her bedroom. It was a bad, bad idea, but she wanted him to join her. Hold her. Kiss her again. She couldn’t even blame the wine. It was her heart doing the wishing.

The feelings she’d had for him before came rushing back like raging water breeching a compromised dam. She didn’t know this Luca that time and experience had forged, but at his core, he hadn’t changed. He was still fiercely protective, extremely competent, and insanely handsome. It was astonishing how safe she felt with him. She would be able to sleep knowing he was near. Then again, maybe not, since she wanted him desperately.

Liliana brushed her teeth and changed into the tank top and boy shorts she favored to sleep in. The speaker beside her bed was set to her nighttime playlist, and she activated it before crawling into bed. The melatonin from the grape skin used to make wine worked its magic, and she was out like a light.

“I told you I’d come back for you.”

Liliana’s eyes flew open, and her muscles tensed. “Rader. What are you doing here?”

“Did you think you could hide from me by moving all the way to the edge of the country? Silly girl. You belong to me, Liliana. Always have, always will.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t. I’m with Luca now.”

“You mean the cop who shot me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not with him anymore. I took care of him.”

Fear rushed through her. “What do you mean? What did you do to him?”

“The same thing I did to sweet Erin and those other women. The same thing I’m going to do to you, my precious.”

“No, I don’t believe you.”

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