Page 25 of Hidden Rocco
“Finish and keep Jacob a few more minutes. I’ll go.” She wasn’t quite ready to hold her son yet, as her arms were weak.
“You should still be resting.” His gaze narrowed. “If you need me to answer the door…”
Adrenaline coursed through her as she smiled. No being weak. “Your hands are full. I doubt Ali’s men will knock politely, this early in the morning. Watch Jacob. It’s probably something Julie, my secretary, sent over.”
He nodded and picked up the next dish.
Mica made her way toward the front door of the chalet but as she saw the shadows with police hats and the blue and red lights from underneath the door and the side windows, her spine stiffened as this wasn’t a social visit. She opened the door. “Hello, officers.”
One of the officers with a mocking upper lip that frowned more than smiled nodded at her and said, “Ma’am. We weren’t sure the hotel was occupied.”
Another ma’am. She stood taller. She seriously wasn’t that old, but she lifted her chin and said, “I’m staying to prepare it for opening. I like to get a feel for the place before I invite guests.”
The older officer asked, “Are you Miss Murphy, the owner?”
She gave him a smile, and points for intelligence. He must have looked up the deed to see who owned the property. “Yes, sir. That’s me. Why are you here?”
“We're here looking for escaped prisoners.”
Her eyes widened as she imagined children lost in the mountain. “Who?”
The younger man with the sneer took out his phone to show pictures to her. “Prisoners. In Utah, lost two men a few days ago. We doubt any of them came this far, but we saw you in town with your son and weren’t sure if you knew? We’ll be patrolling the area to make sure our residents are safe.”
Cold seeped through her. Rocco had escaped from jail? She didn’t blink as she nodded. “I see. Well, it’s just me and my help here.”
The younger man handed her his phone, his scowl deeper. “If you see any of these men, please don’t approach them. Call 911.”
She flipped through the pictures, her insides freezing as she recognized the man who’d helped her, twice now.
Rocco Hellsworth. Ice crept through her fast and furious. Escaped prisoner? Here. Her son… Rocco’s kisses were still on her lips. Her muscles pulsated like she’d tremble so she held the door frame. She’d been fooled before, but Rocco was nothing like Ali. Now she had to believe in her hunches that always helped her win contracts. She glanced up and her voice was steady like this was a board room and she was in charge. “Of course. Is this man related to Roger and Harry Hellsworth? The men who tried to kill me last year?”
The older man’s black boots scuffed the snow as he braced his body, pressing a gloved hand on the other man’s shoulder, so that he would step back and not crowd her. “Their younger brother.”
Mica almost lost her composure but gripped the door and nodded her thanks. She wished them a good day, and closed the door a moment later.
Rocco had said his brothers were bad news. But if Rocco was here to kill her, he’d had the opportunity.
There had to be a mistake.
She rushed back but her baby and Rocco weren’t in the kitchen.
Oh no. Her heart raced and she pressed her hand to her chest as she ran, but then saw the library lights on. She headed inside where Jacob rested in Rocco’s arms. Rocco had a copy of Moby Dick and seemed to be reading out loud.
She’d kissed him.
Her son was comfortable with him.
Maybe she was crazy for not turning him in to the police, but she needed answers. “Rocco, what’s going on?”
He shrugged. “Jacob was crying so I’m reading to keep him calm.”
She'd read that reading aloud was good for babies. She hugged her waist and ignored the pins and needles of her skin. “You’re both okay?”
“We’re fine.” Rocco’s gaze met hers. "Who was at the door?”
“Sales people.” She straightened her spine as she absolutely wasn’t going to tip her hand that she knew who he was. Not now. Roger and Harry had worked for Ali and tried to kill her and her brother and sister-in-law. They’d been murderers for hire. Brute force, no questions.
Rocco was smarter. Clearly. Was he here to spy on her? She’d known Ali’s family would come for her.
