Page 36 of Sizzling Nights

He held her close and felt her shaking. "It's okay, honey. It's okay."

"They know I'm here."

"It's possible."

"Why else would they target the car that Mitch loaned me?"

"I've asked him that question. He said he'll get back to me."

"When, after I'm dead?"

His arms tightened around her. "You're not going to die."

Theresa tilted her head up to look into his eyes. "Are you sure he isn't with them?"

"I'm certain. But I don't know his employees. I trust that he's careful and wouldn't bring anyone on who was dirty, but sometimes things can take a turn."

She stepped back and when her beautiful face tipped up to look into his eyes, his heart felt heavy. The sadness etched on her face was heartbreaking.

"Marco. I'm at a loss here. We're here because you have all this security. And that's great, but they now know I'm here. How long do you think it'll take for them to bribe or threaten one of your neighbors here into letting them inside? I'm a sitting duck here. I have to go. But Mitch has my car, and the one he gave me is in flames outside. I can't run, and I don't have a safe place to run to right now."

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. That said, it sure doesn't look like it tonight, does it?"

Her lips turned down into a frown. "No. But I know this wasn't your doing."

"It wasn't. I swear to you."

"I believe you. You're the only person I believe right now."

"Okay. So, let's think this through a moment."

His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket. "It's Jace. You trust Jace don't you?"

"Yes."

He tapped the answer and the speaker icons. "Hey, Jace."

"I just heard there was an explosion by your place. Are you and Theresa alright?"

"Yes. Rattled but alright."

"Thank God."

"Jace. Theresa is afraid she's a sitting duck here now. That was a clear threat."

"I read her exposé today. That's likely what escalated the threats."

"Yeah, that's what we think. Now we need to find a safe place to lay low. And, since we don't know who we can trust, minimal people should be told where that is."

"I agree with you on that. Do you have any ideas?"

He looked into Theresa's eyes and smiled. He mouthed, "Do you trust me?"

Her eyes looked deeply into his, he saw a tear form at the corner of her eye and slowly drift down her cheek. She sniffed lightly and nodded.

He took a breath. "Jace, there's a man at the VFW, I think his name is Wes. He's mentioned a family cabin outside of town. I know his MOS was surveillance and recon. I'm guessing his cabin is set up with the very best in all of that. Anyway, can you ask him about it and not mention my name or Theresa's? Maybe see if a friend can use it as a getaway or something."

Jace chuckled. "Great plan. I'll touch base with him. His name is Wesley Charles. He's a good man. Honest and true and you're correct, his place is like no other. I've been there."

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