Page 17

Chapter

Fifteen

Robbie was irritated on Monday morning. Everything he’d lost and wanted to find was still out of reach.

He’d thought his near-death experience would bring them together, but it had only given Alice more reasons to keep her distance emotionally.

How could he convince her he might have to leave on jobs, but he’d be there for her and not die?

He’d somehow find a way to get on her mother’s good side.

He grimaced. If she had a good side. Aiden’s people would find this elusive Big Buddha, and she’d have peace on that end.

Alice in his arms, their lips tangled together, was more binding than he’d remembered and fantasied about in his many long nights away from her. It was heaven on earth for him, the connection he knew was lasting, and he found a happiness he only knew with Alice.

Robbie had rarely dated, too wrapped up in his military or security assignments, but nobody could equal Alice.

Not for him. He wanted to hold her and kiss her for hours, commit her to a relationship that he worried would be miserable for her.

She’d have to put up with her mom harping on her for dating Robbie and wait for a crumb of his time as he spent weeks or months undercover, had a short break, and then left her behind to start all over again on another dangerous op.

It wasn’t fair to her, and yet he still longed to make it work.

How could he show her she came first and his career wouldn’t come between them when it would definitely come between them?

Alice would never ask him to give it up.

She never had. The solution was out of his reach.

He was also chafing with inactivity. He’d hardly moved Sunday, and this morning Price was driving them in a rented SUV with Curtis in shotgun while River and Merrick trailed them.

They were headed to the famed Dolomites, the southeast Italian Alps, for the last five days of their trip.

The scenic mountains were two and half hours away and he chafed impatiently sitting in the car.

It was even worse because he couldn’t really talk to Alice with their bodyguards in the vehicle. At least she hadn’t gone home.

Driving through the lush, soaring, and sometimes jagged mountains, he realized they’d at least have a chance to be active.

Could he get Alice alone or would there always be a bodyguard or a risk?

They should be safe for a few days—there were no holidays until Juneteenth and no hits on the dark web for him.

Aiden’s people would keep checking and were working hard to find Big Buddha.

Ollie had apologized for not seeing the hit ahead of time.

They’d all assumed Big Buddha was a serial killer and serial killers typically made their own kills.

Robbie suspected they knew nothing about Big Buddha and how he operated.

The holidays and targets close to Alice were the only common denominators.

They drove into the village of Brixen or Bressanone, Italy, a small city surrounded by the gorgeous Dolomites, an extension of the Austrian Alps. Cows with bells wandered the grass-covered hills. The church tower was distinctive, the town quaint and welcoming.

Price drove past the historic old town and toward the towering mountains. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a three-story home with loads of windows.

“It’s beautiful,” Alice said, clapping her hands together.

It was, and she was.

Robbie wanted to rush around and get her door, but he waited for their security guards to sweep the house and set up their security cameras and sensors. He could tell Alice was chafing to get out as well.

Finally, Price pushed out of the car and got Alice’s door.

Robbie hurried around to be by her side as they explored the house.

Of course Madelyne had found them a gorgeous place to stay.

He’d hardly thought of Brandon, Madelyne, Chase, or any of his friends.

He wondered how his other buddies’ adventures were going and prayed they were all safe and maybe discovering the love of their lives like Brandon had hoped for.

At least they weren’t being targeted by a serial killer with hits out for them on the dark web.

That was crazy stuff, even with all his battle experience.

They wandered up to the front porch and through the spacious main area that boasted an open kitchen, dining, and living area. Wood accents were everywhere, and all the windows gave views of the epic and verdant mountain scenery and the quaint town below.

This looked exactly like he’d always envisioned a house and setting in the Italian Alps would be like.

The four bedroom suites on the third level were nice, extremely so.

They each had knotty wooden walls and light and dark strains of wood, bright white bedding, free standing bathtubs, massive showers, gorgeous views, and their own balconies, the railings teeming with colorful flowers.

Robbie briefly wondered how the security guys felt about sharing bedrooms, but he’d shared tiny tents during his military service. It was part of the assignment.

Robbie looked around at the storybook view. He felt a world removed from Venice here. The house and surrounding valley and mountainside gave the impression of safety and comfort with the opportunity for adventure.

He could breathe easier here. Venice and all the cities they’d toured had been intriguing with all the history and architecture but too crowded and enclosed for him.

Though Venice did have the added bonus of being the spot Alice wanted to honeymoon, he felt relieved to be here.

To him, this was a picture-perfect escape from reality.

A true vacation. Especially with Alice close by.

Could he have the chance he was praying for to reconnect and love her in this epic setting? Even if it would be difficult to navigate a relationship, they had both matured and could navigate their situation. They were meant for each other.

Alice exclaimed over everything, clapping her hands and being absolutely delightful .

They eased back down the stairs and all the way to the walk-out basement.

They both stopped to survey an indoor pool that glistened blue.

A glass wall was open, and the patio extended from it, offering epic views of the valley.

A roughhewn gray stone wall was on the opposite side of the glass wall.

Comfortable chaise lounges were scattered around the poolside and outdoor patio.

Walking around the other side of the thick stone wall, it looked as if it belonged in a cave, not a home.

They viewed eight comfortable loungers with a theater-style movie screen directly in front of them and a wall-sized fireplace on the opposite wall. This room was darker, with no windows.

“Oh, my,” Alice cried out. “I love everything about this home.”

“This is one of the most incredible houses I’ve ever seen,” Robbie agreed.

“Nicer than Brandon’s homes?”

“His homes are larger, probably more high-end, but this is unique and beautiful, and the setting is out of this world.”

“I agree.” She smiled and rubbed her hands together. It was interesting that she didn’t seem sad about leaving Venice either. Had the attacks there dampened her enthusiasm for the place, or was it something Robbie had done?

“So what do we do first?” she asked.

“Of course Madelyne has everything lined up.”

“Ah, Madelyne. I can’t decide if she’s our genie or our taskmaster.”

Robbie smiled. “Has it been a chore so far?”

Alice looked him over, and he feared she’d say yes. Her mouth turned down, and the fears grew. “No,” she admitted. “Everything but Big Buddha coming after you has been amazing.”

That was a relief. He wanted to ask if his kiss was amazing but decided against it. “There are a few different hikes we can choose from this afternoon, then we get to relax in the pool tonight. Dinner will be delivered.”

Her cheeks grew darker as she looked at the pool, then back to him. He was already imagining kissing her in this swimming pool. Would she push him away again, or was he being gifted a second chance to reconnect with Alice in this unreal setting?

“Tell me about the hikes,” she requested .

Robbie read her the descriptions and reviews. They decided together on a more difficult hike to Radlsee Lake. The trail map said it was nine-point-three kilometers, so not quite six miles.

They drove with Merrick and Price to the starting point. Robbie kept an eye out, as he knew their guards would. All seemed quiet and peaceful.

The hike wove steadily uphill through pine tree forests. They talked about her work as an architect and her dreams of her own company taking off. Even though Merrick and Price were in front of and behind them, Robbie felt like they were virtually alone.

Alice grew tired and needed a break when they were about a mile from the lake.

Robbie talked her into climbing on his back and hiked the last mile with her clinging to him.

It gave his legs a better workout, which he appreciated, and even better he had her beautiful body close to his.

He would’ve liked it even more holding her against his chest, but it wasn’t very practical for the steep climb.

They finally reached the lake and Alice slid off his back.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

He held her gaze. She looked away first, pulling a water bottle out of the backpack she’d been wearing while he carried her. They each drank from their water bottles, taking in the views of the fabled lake.

“Fish and witches?” Alice said, referring to the hike’s description.

“And a hut with food.” Robbie pointed.

There was a wooden structure right on the bank that had outdoor chairs and food.

They sauntered over and were greeted warmly by the host. They ordered dumplings and sparkling water, enjoying the epic view and the chance to get off their feet.

Robbie finally felt like his legs weren’t restless and as if he and Alice were themselves again.

There was far too much between them still, but at least they had this escape from reality together.

Maybe that was his gift and he shouldn’t look too far into the future.

It was hard not to at least hope for a future with her.