Page 19 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
“I heard. How is that possible by the way?” Hap asked. “How could he know so much about her? And how did he know she was going to be in Eastport Bay last night? One of the detectives told me it looked like a kidnapping attempt.”
I nodded grimly. “That’s what I think, too.”
“Shit.” Hap shifted from one foot to the other, his hands flexing then folding into fists. He looked like he wanted to punch someone but didn’t know who.
“The guy might have made an educated guess about last night since it was the end of her tour and her last show was in Boston,” I said. “I’m not sure about all the other incidents. I’m guessing the Rhode Island State Police are going to coordinate with the other states and start trying to figure it out, but I’m not waiting for that. I’m going to pull a few strings and get some people working on it privately. In the meantime, the most important thing is keeping Jessica safe.”
“How do you propose to do that?” Hap was pacing now.
“If the perp knows about her schedule and all her houses, he probably knows about this house, too, and the billionaire bachelor house—andour parents’ house,” he said, his voice rising in volume and pitch. “And she can’t exactly go into witness protection or whatever. She’s recognized all over the world. Even if she goes some place she’s never been, someone will see her and snap a pic. It’ll be online within five minutes, and he’ll know where she is. A guy that obsessed is bound to turn up anywhere.”
“I agree. Which is why until we find him, she’s going to go where there’s no one around to recognize her and post photos.”
“Where?” Hap asked.
“A remote location I know of. It’s very secure—completely off the grid. She could stay there for up to a year if necessary without ever having to leave for provisions. I sent someone over to her house to grab her suitcases and anything else they think she might need. Gray will meet her at the airport at nine to go with her.”
“You’re not going to tell me where?”
“It’s best if the fewest people possible know the location. Right now, even Gray doesn’t know where he’s going. The pilot will set down in the region and they’ll travel from there, so he won’t know exactly where they are either. I’m the only one who knows about this place.”
I set a reassuring hand on my friend’s shoulder. “She’ll be safe there—trust me.”
Hap skewered me with a penetrating look. “I do trust you.You.Not Gray, not someone else. I don’t know them. But I know you down to your soul.You’rethe one I want looking after my baby sister. Do this for me, man. I won’t ask you for anything else ever again, but this is life and death. I need you.Sheneeds you. Take care of her. Please.”
Fuck.How was I supposed to say no to an ask like that? But how could I say yes?
As beautiful as the remote compound was, as much as I enjoyed spending time there, itcouldend up being an extended stay... just me and Jessica.
She was hard enough to resist at a distance. Weeks or months on a private island with her would be tantamount to my own personal hell.
Hap walked over to a chair in the entry hall where a woman’s purse sat. Opening it, he drew out a wallet and extracted something from it. He carried the object back to me and held it out for me to see.
“Remember this? I spotted it last night when Jessica was checking to see how much cash she had on her.”
I took the photo and studied it. It was of the three of us—Hap, Jessica, and me when we were younger. She stood between me and her brother, both our baby-faces turned toward whoever was taking the picture.
Jessica wasn’t looking at the camera.
She was looking at me.
“She’s always looked up to you,” Hap said. “Like another big brother.”
Inside, I cringed. I hoped nothing showed on the outside. I hadneverlooked at Jessica like a sister and never could.
Hap went on, his eyes imploring. “She’s known you practically her whole life. She trusts you completely. Please, Wild. Do this for me.”
The combination of the look on Jessica’s young face and the raw note in my friend’s voice was the final straw. I nodded slowly.
“Can I keep this?” I asked, holding up the photo. “I was having a really good hair day.”
The joke lightened Hap’s troubled expression. “Sure. I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“Then yes. I’ll do it.”
Hap’s breath rushed out in an audible whoosh, and he grabbed me in a fierce, brief hug. “Thank you. Thank you. I’ll owe you one forever.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” I pulled away. “I’ve got a few more things to take care of before we go. I need to run by my place and throw some clothes in a bag, grab my passport, call the pilot and Gray and let them know about the change in plans. Will you make sure she’s ready to go by eight-thirty?”
