Page 27 of Deadly Protector
“No, just family stuff.” That was all she could give him. “But I promise I’ll be in touch and we’ll set up another boating day.” Even though she felt bad, she still needed him gone. They had to get all this loaded up and to that storage facility.
“Okay.” He paused, shoved his hands in his pockets as he pushed up from the car. He opened his mouth once, as if he wanted to say more, but then smiled. “Let me know if you need anything?”
“I will. Sorry again,” she murmured as he opened the driver’s door.
“Everything okay?” Juan asked as she stepped into her foyer and found all the boxes in the living room gone.
Wow, they worked fast. “Yeah, I just forgot to cancel plans with him today.”
“The boating thing?” Dimitri’s voice was so neutral she couldn’t read his tone. Or his expression.
“Yeah.” She winced again, mentally kicking herself. Then she shook it off because she had more important things to worry about. “Who am I riding with?”
“Me.” Dimitri’s answer was immediate.
Okay, then.
“Unless you need me, I want to get to Angel’s.” Juan looked at Dimitri questioningly.
“We’re good. Thank you for today.”
“Yes, thank you so much.” She pulled Juan in for a big hug.
“You’re family,” he murmured as he hugged her back. “And you’re in good hands. I know this goes without saying, but keep me updated. I’m here for anything.”
She nodded, wiping away unbidden tears. “Tell Angel I’ll call her later. And tell her I’m sorry—”
“You’ve gotta stop with that. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Yeah, she knew that but it didn’t seem to matter. Ryba had pulled a gun on Angel. Sweat broke out over the back of her neck as she thought about it so she forced the thoughts away, reminded herself that Angel was okay. “I know. See you soon.”
He nodded, then said a few words with Dimitri and was gone.
“Are you ready to lock up?” Dimitri asked, his body language tense as he scanned her quiet street, clearly looking for a threat.
“Yeah.” She plucked up the lightweight cardigan she’d forgotten last time from the rack by the door and stepped out with him.
Once they were on the way to the storage facility, she leaned back and allowed herself to relax. A little. Kind of.
“My kids texted. They’re having a ball.” That was one thing off her chest.
“Good.” Dimitri reached across the center console and gently squeezed her leg. Heat punched through her at that simple touch, because all she could imagine was his big hand stroking over her everywhere when they had a lot less clothes on. “We’re going to get all this figured out before they’re home.”
She nodded, desperately wanting to believe him. And if Ryba was still a threat, she wasn’t going to let them come home. No one was going to hurt her kids.
