Page 18 of Sizzling Nights

"Thank you, Marco." She paused. "I appreciate everything that you're doing for me. I want you to know I'm not being ungrateful. I'm just trying to be practical."

He grinned and nodded. "I know, I know. I will do anything to protect you. I promise you that."

"Thank you."

And then she stood on her toes, and her lips pressed to his ever so lightly.

While it was just a sweet, simple gesture, he would never be the same.

12

Theresa stepped toward her bedroom.

Her lips tingled.

She had thought about kissing him quite a few times over the last six months they'd worked together, but her logical mind told her not to get involved. She might have to run at any time. And as much as she hated thinking about that, she just couldn't get involved.

She knew it could break his heart. Hers too. She didn't want to break anyone’s heart.

Right now, she just wanted to stay alive.

She heard Marco's phone chime, and he answered.

"Karason."

"Oh, well, I'll be damned. Do you know who?"

A pause.

"All right."

Another pause.

"Okay, I guess that'll be the first order of business. Thanks for checking into that, Mitch."

He listened for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll do a little searching on my end too. I'll talk to Theresa about it. Maybe she's had some interaction or has seen something that would confirm that too. Talk to you tomorrow."

She halted, turned around, and took a few steps toward him in the living room. He sat on the sofa and looked up at her.

"Mitch says he's done a little investigating, and it seems as though the syndicate has ties to businesses here in Blossom Springs."

Her stomach turned. She had thought she was safe here, only to find out that they had been watching her all along.

Maybe.

Maybe they didn’t realize. Maybe they had ties to every city, in every state, all over the United States.

Probably further.

Who knew?

She placed her right hand over her belly. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Does he know who?"

Marco shook his head. "No. We'll have to do some investigating here."

"How does he know?"

"Well, he doesn't divulge his security secrets, but he said he heard some chatter. He has a chatter channel. Do you know what that is?"

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