Page 94 of Be Very Quiet

“Any news?” Christian asked.

“Nothing yet. Luca was conscious in the ambulance. Did you have trouble with the authorities because you killed Theo and Ted?”

“None, besides the usual red tape,” Audria replied. “You will have to speak with both the Miami Beach PD and the FBI to give your official statement.”

“I figured as much.”

A commotion outside had them turning to see several ambulances rolling to a stop at the emergency room entrance.

“I wonder what that’s about,” Christian said.

“Maybe a traffic accident,” Audria supposed.

A few minutes later, the automatic door leading from the parking lot slid open, and Reese Reneau walked into the waiting room. He glanced around and, when he spotted them, headed their way. Liliana could tell something was wrong, and she got to her feet.

“What is it?”

“There’s no easy way to tell you this. A bomb detonated in the storage room of the real estate office, destroying it. Your studio suffered substantial damages.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“Eleven. A few are serious, but no deaths yet.”

Thank goodness. Liliana couldn’t care less about her studio. She never planned on stepping foot inside again, anyway.

A thought struck, and she clutched Reese’s arm. “Smoke?”

“One of my agents is taking care of him. I’d already packed up his things and stashed him in my car, along with your purse, when the explosion happened.”

She exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”

“I think you should keep him.”

“Luca?”

Reese chuckled. “Well, him too. I was talking about the cat.”

“Oh.” Heat filled her cheeks. Though they had tried to keep their budding relationship a secret, it seemed everyone already knew about it.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Luca’s arm ached, but he was ready to leave. Unfortunately, the doctor wouldn’t release him until he replenished his lost fluids. That meant he had to spend the night. Great. He hated hospitals.

The door opened, and Liliana appeared. An overwhelming sense of relief washed over him. He wanted to leap out of bed and go to her, but she ran to him and hugged his good side before he could. Then she brushed a hand over his forehead.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too, babe.”

“How do you feel?”

“Better now that you’re here.” He lifted one of her bandaged wrists. “What about you?”

“Better now that I’m with you.”

He smiled, loving her so much he felt as if he might burst. She’d gone through so much in the last week but was resilient. “He can’t hurt you anymore, Lil.”

A shudder passed through her. “I can never thank you enough, Luca. You gave me my life back.”

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