Page 26 of Tessa's Trust

“I don’t think so,” he muttered, clearly at a loss for what to do.

“It’s fine,” I said. “Go. If she needs your help, go. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ve got her,” Nick murmured.

Rory paused and looked from one of us to the other. He met Nick’s gaze squarely. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” Nick said. “She’s safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Hey,” I objected. “I can keep myself safe.” Even as I said the words, I felt like an idiot. Rory was some government operative, and Nick was an ex-soldier, who was both brilliant and incredibly quick. They had skills I couldn’t even imagine. “But I appreciate the ride home,” I finished lamely.

Rory leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Stay safe, and if you need me, call. I’ll have my phone on.” With that, he jumped into his damaged truck and drove off.

Nick scanned the area again and then walked over to his Jeep. “Hop up, Princess,” he instructed. “It looks like you’re mine for now.”

Chapter 10

I cuddled into the heated seat as Nick drove away from the cheerful Christmas lights downtown and maneuvered the on-ramp onto I-90. He texted with one hand while keeping an eye on the storm.

“I wouldn’t think you’d break the law by texting and driving,” I murmured, stretching my feet to the heat blowing from the vents.

“You’re right. I’m wrong.” He placed the phone on the console beside us.

Surprise filtered through me. “Wow. An Italian male who admits when he’s wrong.”

He snorted. “I shouldn’t have been texting. I was just making sure Jolene understood that I wasn’t attending the get-together tonight.”

I smacked my hand against my head. “I forgot about that. I’m sorry. Why don’t you just drop me off?” Not that I wanted him having a great time with the stunning Jolene, but he wasn’t mine to worry about—a status that had been my idea, actually. “It’s okay. I can find another way across the pass.”

“No,” he said. “I don’t know how or why, but we seem to be in this together. Besides, news of the attempted shooting will be all over town, and the last place I want to be is at a dinner with the media.”

I rubbed an aching spot on my jaw that would probably bruise from my face smacking the ice when Nick saved my life. While I definitely appreciated it, I didn’t love him acting like one of my overprotective cousins. The whole alpha-male type wasn’t for me, and I could definitely see those characteristics in Nick Basanelli. “We’re just friends, Nick.”

“I know.” He cut a quick glance my way before refocusing on the wide-open road. “But I’m still not going to leave you alone while you’re in danger.”

I actually could take care of myself, but I didn’t want to argue at the moment. So, I turned my attention and thoughts back to the dead guy we’d found in my basement. “I wish we knew where Sadie was. I’m worried about her.”

“So am I. The woman walked out of your new restaurant with a hundred and fifty thousand in cash and is now missing. I have contacts looking for her, but so far…nothing.” He sped up to pass a logging truck.

The windshield wipers were rhythmic against the window as they pushed away the snow, and I felt my eyelids becoming heavy. Darkness had fallen at least a couple of hours before, and it had already been a long day.

My stomach rumbled, and I tried to remember the last time I had eaten.

Nick’s profile was strong in the shadows. “We’ll grab something to eat when we get to Silverville.”

“I’m surprised you’re okay taking me across the pass,” I said. “I know you have trial tomorrow.” I was starting to feel guilty about the entire situation. It wasn’t fair that Nick was covering my back when he needed to do his job.

“It’s okay. I’ll drive back over in the morning.” He sped up, and snow smashed into the windshield. “I’ve done it a million times before.”

I paused. “No. Unless, I mean, why would you stay with one of your brothers?”

“I’m not. I’m staying with you.”

I gulped and tried really hard not to react. Yep. Definite alpha-male move that I would have to squash. Hard and fast. “You’re not staying with me.”

He didn’t answer. I wasn’t really up for an argument, but I could get there if necessary. His phone buzzed, and he flicked a button on the dash. “Basanelli.”

“Hey, Nicolo, it’s Uncle Bay.”

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