Page 120 of Hot Momosa

The stalker’s tactics were too personal, almost intimate. Sure, Robert could have a thing for Dahlia, but that didn’t feel right.

Maybe he’d studied Stalking for Dummies to make it look real?

Too tired for more mental gymnastics, I returned to my family.

Dahlia let out a quiet laugh and motioned to the little man.

Gunnar had passed out at the table. His face an inch from his bowl, he had one hand wrapped around his sippy cup like a miniature drunk after a long night.

Scooping him up, I whispered, “Let’s get him upstairs. I’ll give him a bath in the morning.”

“Would you mind if he slept between us tonight? He’s liable to freak out if he wakes up in a strange place alone.”

“I’ll put him on the sofa in my old room. He’ll be close, but not close enough to kick your side in his sleep.” I followed her to the second floor.

“Good thinking.” Dahlia removed the throw pillows and pulled an extra blanket from the closet.

That she knew her way around made me smile. We’d spent a lot of time in this room when we were in college. Only back then, I’d slept on the couch.

We took turns kissing him goodnight. It felt so natural, so damned right. I needed to know it wouldn’t end once they were safe.

I met her gaze over the sleeping boy and whispered, “Marry me.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She cracked a grin. “Yes, I’ll marry you as soon as we aren’t hiding out from a psychopath.”

You really botched that one, Marchionni.

I wanted to groan but I didn’t want to wake our son. Instead, I hung my head and followed her into the hall.

“Let’s get this over with.” She moved slower than normal, and I’d caught her wincing now and then.

I took her into my arms as gently as possible. “Dahl, you need to take it easy. I’ll call your dad.”

“I should be the one to tell him.” Her voice cracked. “He’s going to be devastated.”

“Which is exactly why it should come from me. I’m not as emotionally involved. If you both break down, so will the communication.” I pulled back and met her gaze. “Worst case, I’ll ask to speak to his security team.”

“Okay. That makes sense.” She handed me her phone and followed me into the guest room across the hall.

Scrolling through her contacts, I mentally rehearsed what I’d say to the governor. There was no playbook for telling someone their assistant of over twenty years had tried to kill their daughter—twice.

Waylon Calhoun answered the phone on the second ring. “Hey, darlin’, everything okay?”

“This is Leo. Dahlia and Gunnar are safe, but we need to talk.”

A rustling sound came over the phone. “Sure thing, son. Give me a minute to get someplace private.”

He’s not alone. Shit. Could Becker have made it back to Baton Rouge?

“Is Robert Becker with you?”

“Rob’s playing poker tonight with Harrison. Why do you ask?” His voice rose.

I hadn’t told him anything yet, but he already seemed stressed. “Is there any chance we can get someone from your security team on this call?”

“You’re worrying me. What’s going on?”

Rather than pussyfooting around the issue, I said, “We know who shot my brother and Dahlia. You and your wife are in danger.”

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