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“I’m not going to lie, I thought that would be the easiest route. Women can’t resist an accent.”
“You assumed I’d roll over and give you whatever you wanted?” I heft the jewelry box out of the locker, testing its weight in my hands. It’s dim in here. He might not see it coming. But I’ve never been very confident with my aim. And what if I miss? I die. Leah dies. I can’t risk it.
Crash.
I turn, startled to see Gary standing over Liam’s body on the floor, the potted plant I used to talk to smashed to pieces around Liam’s head.
“Gary?” I half squeal, half yell. Hope soars in my chest.
“Did I get him?” Gary asks, his eyes still closed.
“What are you doing here?” I shove the jewelry box into my bag and leap over Liam’s unconscious body in the doorway, feeling weightless. We can make it. I’ll call Caleb and everything will be okay.
“You told me to come get my hair cut yesterday, remember?” Gary says. “I want to look my best for Darla. She’s coming tomorrow, you know.”
I told him that two weeks ago. But I’ve never been so grateful for his faulty memory.
His expression turns from wistful to concerned. “That man had a gun.”
“He’s a bad guy. We need to leave. Hurry.” I grab his arm, hurrying him to the door. “How did you get here?”
His eyes twinkle as he holds up his keys. “I drove.”
I snatch the keys out of his hand. I’ll have to address that problem later, but not right now. All that matters is getting to safety. Gary opens the passenger door and I run to the driver’s side of the car and jump in, locking the door behind me. “I can’t believe you saved me,” I say, reaching over to squeeze his hand. I’ll bring him tacos every Tuesday, forever.
“I told you I used to be a Navy Seal.” He puffs out his chest.
“Yes, you did. Are you okay?” I ask, trying desperately to conceal my anxiety. It’s not like we are running for our lives or anything.
“Almost.” Gary pulls something from behind his back and—
Gun. He’s got a gun.
“Give me the jewelry box.”
“Gary?” I squeak.
He flicks the safety off and my pulse skitters to a stop. “You should have drunk the tea, Amelia.”
Chapter 48
Caleb
“You’re sure her room is empty?” I yell at the hotel manager through the phone on the way to Amelia’s apartment.
“Yes, oh, wait. She left a note.” I hear a piece of paper and then he starts reading from it. “Hey Agent Underpants…” he pauses. “Wait, is that really your name?”
“No,” I growl and press harder on the gas. “Please continue. I don't have time for this.”
“Right, sorry. 'I went to the salon to meet Leah.'”
The salon. I merge to the right and then turn off the main road.
“I know what Liam is after,” he continues reading. “The jewelry box. I’ll get it and bring it back, then we can set a trap to catch him. Or you can do it your way since you’re the FBI agent.”
“Is there anything else important?” I grit out.
“Um, she said she gets why you’re so afraid. But she’s brave enough for two. And when she comes back she’s going to, um, kiss you.”