Page 86 of Noel Secrets

It might be dramatic, but she’d thought she trusted him above all others. She’d been wrong.

Addie would never trust a man again. Especially not Price.

Chapter Twelve

Price’s gut churned. Addie was safe, but she was furious with him.

He answered all the questions from the detectives and gave them access to his camera feeds as the cameras from Addie’s security company only had the front porch. None of them could discern much more than a dark shadow, but the police and Aiden would have the technology to analyze the footage and hopefully get some description or characteristics of the perp.

The person had planted the bomb near the master bedroom. The assailant knew where Addie slept. It was a miracle she’d survived. Price kept thanking Heavenly Father and cussing himself for not calling her. At least she was safe and hadn’t been in her bedroom. It was a miracle.

Price also pleaded with Him to let Price stay close to her. Would his vow to keep her safe be possible now? Would Addie want to be anywhere near him? Her eyes were full of anger and shouting that he’d betrayed her. He didn’t blame her for feeling that way.

Why had he listened to her sister and ignored his own instincts? Probably because he had no experience with womenbesides Jaydyne and he’d messed that all up, but it was no excuse. He should have told her everything last night when he’d saved Addie from Travis and she’d kissed him. He’d hid the truth initially because the client had told him to and then he’d continued to hide it at her sister’s request.

Price hung his head, cussing himself and his lack of relationship knowledge.

He could see on the monitors that the firefighters had gotten the last embers of fire out and were monitoring it. The detectives had said the house would be a total loss. That would be another hard hit for Addie.

The EMTs checked Addie out and proclaimed she was healthy.

If only she wasn’t giving him looks that shouted betrayal. She’d figured out exactly what his purpose here was. Any trust she’d had for him had disappeared. That made his gut churn, but the primary objective right now had to be keeping her safe. Price had promised God and himself and Addie he’d keep her safe. That meant he would get her somewhere far from here, and quick.

He texted Nick Porter.

Addie’s house exploded. She’s okay. Need a safehouse and immediate evac. Tell Daphne.

The problem, as he looked at Addie, was whether she would agree to come with him. What other option did she have? The police could offer a safehouse, but it wouldn’t be as good of a situation or as secure as wherever Nick found for him to take her. Aiden’s operation had the resources and connections to ensure Addie was protected, to find the perp, and to end this nightmare.

The EMTs left and Addie looked a little lost after Price shut the door behind them. He approached her. Nervous. Hopeful. Mostly nervous. The last time he’d felt nerves like this, he’d been running through a land mine with the enemy closing in behind him knowing every step might be his last.

Looking into Addie’s blue eyes, he feared this conversation might be his last with her. He’d vowed to keep her safe. How could he solve that conundrum?

“How are you holding up?” he asked softly.

“I’m not.” Her blue eyes flashed, and she folded her arms across her chest. “Daphne hired you?”

“Vance Gem hired me.”

“Ah, that’s how you justified lying directly to my face.”

He nodded, moistening his lips. “I’m sorry. Daphne instructed me not to tell you. After our conversation outside Quincy Market last week, I agreed it was for the best that I stay in the shadows. It was obvious you didn’t trust me or want to date me.”

“That’s not fair,” she shot at him. “I was a mess, and the captain requested we set you up. That wasn’t my idea.”

He nodded, wishing she’d believe that deceiving her wasn’t his idea, but his deception was on a much larger scale. “I know. I’m only saying I agreed to watch you and keep you safe but not make contact. I didn’t feel you’d want me close, and I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

She nodded but didn’t comment, her blue eyes still full of righteous indignation.

“Then Travis tried to push his way into your house,” he continued, “and that night you kissed me, and …” He rubbed at the back of his neck. Negotiation had never been his strong suit. With Addie, he had felt like he could talk to her, really talk to her. Not any longer.

Her eyes widened and she glowered at him. “And?” she prompted. “You lied to me, took advantage of my gullibility, kissed me … back. Oh heck, I always kissed you first, didn’t I?”

He nodded, knowing that didn’t make it any better. He’d definitely kissed her back and taken those kisses to a higher level.

“But you did kiss me back,” she flung at him, “multiple times, and you made me feel like you cared. How could you do that?”

He wished she’d slap him or something. It would hurt less. “I do care, Addie.”