Page 17 of Illinois Innkeeper
My mind is buzzing, trying to figure out how to protect Miranda from Jerry’s wrath when she continues, “I think he was ready to come unglued when I suggested that whoever is undermining his authority might make a tougher boss than he is. He definitely didn’t appreciate that.”
Blood pounds in my ears. I can’t believe she spoke to Jerry Columbus this disrespectfully. I’ve personally witnessed the cruel man’s retaliation against even the most minor perceived infractions. His response to Miranda questioning his authority is sure to be swift and severe.
Grabbing Miranda’s upper arm, I say, “We need to get you out of town. Now!”
The stubborn woman bears down on her heels, refusing to budge.
Gaping at her, I say, “Miranda, your life is in danger. We need to leave.”
She shakes her head as if I’m being preposterous. “Jerry was furious at first, but he calmed down after we talked a bit more. He even admitted that someone made an attempt on his life while he was on a superyacht in Hawaii.”
I’m surprised he would confide in her, like that. The last thing the vain man ever wants is to appear weak to anyone. My fear is that he overshared with her because he intends for her not to be alive long enough to tell the tale.
Not seeming to notice that fear for her safety has drained every drop of blood from my face, Miranda continues, “He plans to set up an elaborate trap to find out who is working against him, then he said he’d ‘take care of’ the problem.”
She makes air quotes with her fingers for the last bit, then leans in to say, “I think that means he’ll make them swim with the fishes.”
It might be funny, if it wasn’t so insane for us to be standing in the middle of the road casually discussing Jerry’s vengeful side, while Miranda’s life is in immediate danger.
Needing to make her understand, I take her hand to pull her toward my Jeep as I say, “We need to get out of here before he sends someone to makeyouswim with the fishes.”
“Jerry promised that you and I would not be harmed,” she says, still refusing to move.
I freeze and turn back to face her. “What do you mean he promised?”
“He promised that we would be safe,” she reiterates with wide eyes. Then she adds, “He gave me his word.”
For the first time, tentative hope begins to surge through my veins. “Did he actually say those words?”
“Yes, he guaranteed our protection from any harm, on his honor,” she answers.
Taking both of her cool hands within mine, I tell her, “Jerry lives by a strict code. His word of honor means everything to him. He won’t go against that.”
“Well, I told him he’d better make sure of it, or he’d have to deal with me,” she says in a serious tone.
The surprised laugh bursts from deep in my chest as relief washes over me. When it subsides, I say, “It was a dangerous, crazy thing for you to put yourself on the line like that for me. No one has ever done something that brave or dumb for me before.”
Her face scrunches up at the word ‘dumb,’ but it relaxes when I add, “You are the strongest, most courageous and wonderful person I’ve ever known, Miranda Wilson.”
She moves closer and beams up at me as she says, “You’re pretty great, too, Graham Timber.”
Needing to make sure she understands the gravity of what she did, I say in a solemn tone, “Promise me, you’ll never put yourself in that kind of danger again.”
“You know I fight fires for a living, right?” she quips.
“I know that, and I would never ask you to change careers for me––even though I’ll worry about you every time you go to work. What I mean is no more contacting dangerous mafia men for any reason. Agree?”
“Agree,” she says before tipping up to press her lips to mine.
Whistles and cheers arise from the fire truck behind us. I’d forgotten her crew was here witnessing this entire exchange.
We smile over at them before turning our attention back to each other.
“So, you’re staying in town?” Miranda asks with hope glimmering in her gaze.
Hugging her tight, I answer, “This place is my home. You’re my home, Miranda, and I’m never leaving you.”
We kiss and then grin over the catcalls from her crew.
