Page 27 of Dreaming

“No fucking way, Nia! All this shit goes down and you’re leaving? Stay here and let’s figure it out.”

“I can’t. I cannot stay, Dennis.”

Eyes wide, he whispered, “How long?”

“Six months. Maybe longer. I have to go underground until we ferret out the people who sent those guys tonight. If they know I’m still in Chicago, you won’t be safe, Dennis.”

He took her shoulders with trembling hands. “Nia. Don’t go. I’ll hire as much protection as you need. Stay with me.”

Tears spilled over her cheeks. “I wish I could. I swear it. I wish I could.”

“I’ll take you somewhere. Just the two of us. We have an estate in the islands…”

Reaching up to hold his forearms, her tears fell faster. “You can’t be anywhere near me. They’ll kill you first, Dennis. They won’t make it quick and they’ll make me watch. My people will protect you. Hire more security for your club through them.”

Seeing his tears destroyed her. “Nia…”

Reaching up, she pulled him to her for a kiss and put every ounce of emotion she felt for him into it. His arms crushed her and she hugged him back as hard as she could.

At his ear, she whispered, “I’m sorry I brought violence into your life. I-I’ve never had to pull my weapon in the field. I’m trained but I never did it. As soon as I heard their voices, I knew they were there for me.” His arms tightened around her. “Forgive me. Please forgive me.”

His hand cupped the back of her head and her feet didn’t touch the concrete of the garage floor.

“My beautiful Nia.”

“Every minute with you made me forget how cold my life was before. I don’t expect you to wait for me and I don’t expect us to get past this, Dennis. It’s too goddamn much.”

“We can…”

She shook her head against him, struggling to hold back her sobs. “No. Some things can’t be glossed over and ignored. You don’t need this shit in your life.”

Petting her fingers over the back of his head, she whispered, “I was so angry when my dad and brother were killed. I was recruited to hit bad guys where it really hurts. I’m good at my job, Dennis. What I do comes with consequences I never thought I’d pay.”

At her neck, he groaned. “I can’t lose you, Nia.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Picking her head up, she stared into his eyes. “Kiss me and let me go, Dennis. You have to kiss me and let me go, baby.”

Shaking, both crying, he made love to her mouth for a long time. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his, her eyes closed, her heart aching.

“Let me go,” she whispered. Gasping for air, he lowered her to her feet. She pulled gently against his hold and he loosened his arms around her in increments. “That’s it, Dennis. It will be okay. Let me go.”

Then his arms dropped to his sides and she bent to grab her duffel. Taking his arm, she pulled him from the garage and keyed in the code on the panel to lower the door.

She stared up into his face and could see the shock of everything setting in. Removing her work cell, she made a call. “Get him home safely. Leaving now.”

Placing her palm on his cheek, she smiled through her tears. “Dennis Hancock. You’re a magnificent human being. Be careful and everything will be okay.”

A blacked-out SUV stopped in the street behind his Mercedes.

“Goodbye, beautiful man.”

Nia turned and ran for the waiting SUV. Throwing her bag across the backseat, she slammed the door behind her as Dennis shook himself, started to follow her, and his protective detail got in front of him.

Driving away, she didn’t let herself look back.

There was a puzzle to solve if she ever wanted to see him again.

Chapter Ten

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