Page 30 of Robbie

“If that means run fast, I’ll do my best.”

He gave her a slight smile. She was brave. Her face was pale and her eyes hollow, but she wasn’t quivering and crying.

Curtis glanced out of the alley, took stock, and then nodded to him.

Robbie dodged out of the alley and ran toward their condo. It was only a few streets over and across one bridge. Alice kept pace, holding tightly to his hand, her breathing ragged. There wasn’t time to check for more shooters. Did the hitmen know their condo location, or had they scouted him out before the assigned hit day? Maybe these two had simply gotten lucky and there were dozens of shooters searching for him.

Two large shapes with guns drawn appeared around the corner. Robbie swept Alice off her feet and spun, knowing their luck wouldn’t hold a third time. There was nowhere to hide. He dropped down, sheltering her with his larger frame. Could Curtis take out two threats? If only Robbie was armed!

No shots.

“It’s Price and Merrick,” Curtis said.

“Oh.” Robbie didn’t have a great response besides relief. The good guys had arrived. Three guards was much preferable to one.

He stood with Alice in his arms.

She clung to his neck, staring up at him. “You don’t have to carry me.”

“I want to,” he said. He wanted her close. Wanted to know she was safe.

Her breathing didn’t settle, but she cuddled into his neck and chest.

He strode forward. Price and Merrick nodded to him and took up positions surrounding them. They all rushed down the final street and to the front door of the building the penthouse was located in. Price typed in the code and Merrick swung the door open. The relief Robbie felt as they climbed into the old school elevator was immense. Unless someone knew their building and had gotten inside, they were safe. He cradled Alice close.

“What happened?” Price asked as they rose far too slowly.

“Multiple shooters,” Robbie explained. “A hit out for me on the dark web.”

Price’s eyes widened.

“But only if they got me by midnight.” That didn’t make sense. A hit was usually a hit. What was the significance of today?

“It’s not even a holiday,” Alice murmured.

He glanced down at her. Her face was wet with tears. Fear or relief? Probably both. Even with all his training and battle experience, the past twenty minutes had been intense.

“It is,” Merrick said. “It’s Flag Day back home.”

“Everyone else was killed on a holiday,” Robbie said, remembering the file he’d read on the flight over.

She nodded and clung tighter to him.

They reached the twelfth floor and hurried to their penthouse door. Merrick typed in the code, and they all went inside. They hurried up the stairs and into the closest suite, staying away from the windows and balcony in case a high-tech shooter using thermal imaging knew their location.

He rushed to tell River and Merrick the details, setting Alice on her feet and wishing he could keep holding her.

She paced in front of them. As Robbie finished, she spun on him. Her dark eyes were distraught. “I can’t. I can’t watch you die.”

Robbie’s eyes widened. She cared deeply for him. The horror of tonight had convinced her to resurrect their love, just as it had him. If he could be with Alice again, being targeted and almost killed was more than worth it.

He strode up to her and framed her beautiful face with his palms, savoring the feel of her warm skin against his hands. He wanted to pledge his love and beg her to forgive him for ever walking away, but the guards were watching and he felt it was wise to proceed slowly.

“We’re safe, Alice,” he said, his eyes searching hers. “We’re inside and away from windows. The hit was only for today. It’ll be all right.”

Price, Curtis, and Merrick eased away, taking up defensive positions in case anyone got through the door or patio.

“It’s not about us being safe, Robbie. It’s about you. The killer only wants to take those who are close to me.”

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