Page 27

Chapter

Fifteen

Lizzy slept fitfully that night. She had hoped Chase would hold her close and kiss her over and over again, but their reconnection kiss had been interrupted by the police.

The Austrian police, FBI, and Sutton Smith’s people determined Grady had worked alone and Darren had a rock-solid alibi in Kansas. That was a relief.

After dealing with the police and answering numerous questions, Chase had made sure she was comfortable, then lay down on the couch in their suite.

There was so much she wanted to say to him, so many lost kisses to make up for. In the morning, she would be brave and beg him to love her like she did him. He was the right man for her. She was certain he could explain better why he’d closed off this past week to keep her safe.

Soft voices woke her sometime later. Dawn’s early light was just slipping over the peaceful lake outside.

Lizzy slid quietly off the bed and crept to the door. It was ajar just enough that she could put her ear to it and listen.

“I’m grateful everything turned out.” A male voice, not Chase’s.

“Me too,” Chase said. “All that matters is Lizzy is safe.”

“Ah, you love her,” a female voice said.

Lizzy startled, and her heart raced. Chase loved her? Was it Brandon and Madelyne out there?

“Ah, Madelyne.” Chase sounded overwhelmed. Why didn’t he proclaim his love? He didn’t love her?

“The important question…” Brandon’s voice was teasing. “Did you earn the million dollars?”

“No,” Chase said, his voice vehement.

A million dollars? How could Chase earn a million dollars?

“You didn’t make her fall in love with you?” Madelyne asked, her voice full of despair.

“I don’t know.” Chase sounded miserable.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Brandon’s voice was forceful. “If I can determine that Lizzy loves you, you’re taking my million dollars, whether you like it or not.”

Lizzy backed away from the door, appalled. She tiptoed as quietly as she could to the bathroom, shut the door, and walked on wobbly legs to the shower. Turning it on, she tried to comprehend what she’d just heard.

Chase would get paid a million dollars if she fell in love with him?

Had she misunderstood? It seemed pretty clear.

She took off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water mingled with her warm tears. It was Darren all over again. How could this be happening? Apparently, men only wanted her to love them for money; then they turned into monsters and hurt her.

Chase would never hurt her physically. Not Chase.

Lizzy rested her forehead against the glass shower wall.

No, Chase was destroying her emotionally.

No wonder he’d been so charming and fun their first week together and then conflicted their past week.

She had thought it was because he was focused on keeping her safe, but he was such a good person he most likely felt guilty for making her fall in love with him for a million dollars.

Everything clicked into place. It made sense.

Chase was incredible, but he didn’t love her.

At least she was safe now, with Grady Worthen captured. She could go home and lick her wounds, use the hundred thousand from Brandon to fix up her center and buy much needed supplies. She’d stretch the funds as far as she could.

Forcing herself to leave the shower, Lizzy used some of the products Madelyne had gifted her and put on a darling Anne Klein pale blue romper. It had a high neck and capped sleeves, classy-looking with the silky material. She looked as good as she could.

Now to face Chase, Madelyne, and Brandon.

She kneeled on the mat in the bathroom and prayed she could keep her emotions from showing on her face. Then she held onto the cabinet and struggled to her feet.

Walking out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, and into the main area, she felt her knees bowing in and the anxiety of Chase not loving her pressing down on her.

He’d worn that blindfold for her, looked at her scar and said she was beautiful, kissed her like she was his world, fought like a hero for her …

How could he do all of that if he didn’t love her?

He had a million reasons to trick her into loving him.

No. Not her Chase.

“There she is!” Brandon called out as soon as she opened the door. “How are you, Lizzy?”

Lizzy’s gaze was drawn to Chase. He was rumpled and in a T-shirt and shorts from sleeping. Next to Brandon’s expensive, polished suit and Madelyne’s lacy tan dress, he should’ve looked outclassed.

He didn’t.

He looked incredible, appealing, tough, protective, kind, and invested in her. Everything she’d ever wanted.

She forced her gaze away and pasted on a smile. “That was so kind of you both to come,” she gushed. “I’m doing amazing.”

“Ah, are we still best friends?” Brandon asked. “I’ve been a mess worrying about you these past two weeks. I swear everybody’s trip is imploding.”

Madelyne shot him a glance, and Lizzy wondered what he was talking about. Chase had said something about his ‘Squadron 7’ all doing trips. They were all going poorly? Why?

There was an awkward pause, and neither of them seemed to want to expound.

Lizzy grinned at him as if nothing was amiss. “We are best friends.”

Madelyne crossed the room and reached for her hands. “Are you really all right? I can’t believe you were attacked twice.”

“Chase kept me safe.” She smiled at him but looked away quick. “And neither of the attacks had anything to do with you two. All the nightmare was from my past. I’m so grateful that Grady Worthen is in prison now. Thank you.”

Chance gave her a partial smile, but his blue eyes searched hers, looking for answers. Had this ideal man really committed to making her fall in love with him in two weeks for a million dollars? Her stomach twisted. That was wrong and didn’t fit the character of the Chase she knew.

Thought she knew.

She didn’t know him. Not really.

She absently touched the scar that her romper covered. He’d seemed to accept her and love her in that beautiful spot in Hallstatt. Their hydrotherapy heaven.

Lizzy drew in a breath and dropped her hand, noticing Chase’s gaze following her fingers. Was he remembering those special moments as well?

Any special moments had to be over. Chase had been trying to earn a million dollars by making her fall in love with him. She felt used and uncertain and undesirable. None of those feelings were unfamiliar, but she hated them associated with Chase. All of their memories now felt tainted.

“Time to go home, then?” she asked brightly.

“If you’re ready.” Brandon looked from her to Chase.

Chase nodded. “Let me take a quick shower and we’ll head out.”

He brushed past her as he headed for the bathroom.

The look he gave her made her knees quiver.

Maybe he did love her … but what did it matter if that love was built on a farce?

She’d let herself believe Chase wasn’t hiding any secrets from her.

She was far too trusting and let herself fall in love too fast.

As soon as the door to the bathroom closed, she started brightly chatting with Brandon and Madelyne about all the fun experiences, thanking them over and over again. She didn’t talk about falling in love with Chase or the attacks.

Chase came back out quickly, clean and dressed, and Lizzy loaded up her suitcase. She’d left her own clothes and toiletries in the Hallstatt house. The suitcase was now stuffed with all of Madelyne’s beautiful and generous gifts.

They left for the airport, where Brandon and Madelyne said their goodbyes. They were flying to check on their other friends from Squadron 7. They both seemed to want to say more or maybe get more questions answered, but Chase was closed off and quiet and Lizzy was far too chatty.

They loaded onto the beautiful private jet with her four original buddies—Peter, Tony, Elijah, and Joshua. She was grateful for those men and their protection the past two weeks. She was also grateful for the buffer they provided for her with Chase now.

The flight was long, and she didn’t watch The Sound of Music . She read, ate, watched some action movies the guys chose, slept off and on, and chatted with each of the men at different points. She and Chase weren’t alone, which was good. She had no clue what she’d say to him.

Finally, they landed in Eudora, Kansas. Lizzy looked out the window at the flat prairie, trees along the muddy-looking river, and her town.

It was home, and she loved it here, but comparing this scenery to Austria …

it was like comparing how bland her life would now be compared to how epic, fun, breathtakingly beautiful, thrilling, and romantic the past two weeks had been with Chase.

Maybe she was only cut out for bland—no mountains, no waterfalls, no excitement, no Chase. It was definitely safer. For her heart.

She rubbed at her scar.

Chase lifted her suitcase and gestured for her to precede him off the airplane.

“Thank you all for keeping me safe and being fabulous,” Lizzy gushed to the four tough men who looked uncomfortable with her praise.

She shook each of their hands and then had no choice but to walk off the airplane.

The airport was tiny and privately owned.

Her rusted-out Fiesta was not too far away.

“Ah, there she is,” she crooned. “Feisty Fiesta.”

Chase smiled at that. He walked with her to her car and waited while she popped the trunk. He slid the suitcase in and shut it. Coming around to the driver’s side, he rested one hand on the hood of her car, his arm brushing her shoulder.

Lizzy was instantly out of breath and filled with longing. The depth in his blue eyes tugged at her.

“Do you feel safe, or should I accompany you home?” Chase asked.

“I feel safe,” she rushed to say. She didn’t want him to see her small apartment, and she didn’t want to extend this goodbye. Her heart was already breaking.

“When will I see you again?” he asked, leaning in slightly.

Lizzy’s eyes widened. A million dollars. He’d been paid a million dollars to get her to fall for him. Maybe he hadn’t earned it yet. He hadn’t proven to Brandon and Madelyne that she loved him. Her gut churned. She wanted to shove him away and at the same time she wanted to yank him in close.

“I don’t know,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be busy, busy with the new money for the center and catching up after being gone. You’ll be busy with your police work.”

Chase’s eyes hooded, and she could tell she’d hurt him.

Well, good; he’d hurt her worse.

“Thank you for watching out for me, being heroic, and all the fun and incredible experiences,” she chirped. Their kisses were at the top of ‘incredible experiences’. Her face flared, and she wanted to grab him and pull him in tight. Instead, she whirled and yanked her car door open.

Chase backed away and held onto the door as she slid inside.

“Bye,” she said, all bright and happy.

Chase swallowed and nodded. He didn’t say goodbye, but he didn’t beg her not to leave either. He slowly closed her door.

The car was sweltering inside and sweat instantly popped on her forehead. Kansas in June was nothing like the Austrian Alps in June.

Lizzy started the engine, embarrassed at the loud rattle. Putting it in gear, she drove carefully away so she wouldn’t run over his toes. Why hadn’t he backed away from the car? She glanced in her rearview.

Chase watched her go. He looked like a man who’d lost the love of his life.

She almost broke then. Almost stomped on the brakes, spun around, yelled at him for only loving her for a million dollars, begged to know if he could ever love her for her.

But no. She had some pride. The pain of a million dollars being involved, just like with Darren, was too much. She had to go.