Page 36 of Just One More Moment

Now that Ravenwas safe in Remy’s apartment, she’d calmed down, certain she’d overreacted to seeing Lance at the coffee shop. After all, she’d been safe, surrounded by people, and he couldn’t have hurt her even if he’d wanted to. But the moment she’d seen him for the first time, her gaze meeting eyes that were so similar to Caleb’s but lacked the warmth and humanity of the brother she loved, she’d panicked. As Remy said, she’d fed his need to scare her. But she was safe. At least for a while.

“Raven, I need you to pack your things.” Remy entered the room, a large suitcase in hand. “We’re leaving town.”

She blinked, stunned. “What? No. I have work.Youhave work.”

“I’ve got that covered. I put Stevie in charge of the bar and we have Pamela for the restaurant,” he said of the sub-manager under Raven.

She blew out a breath and did her best not to engage Remy in an argument when he obviously had a plan she wasn’t aware of. So she’d talk rationally, then she’d engage. Hadn’t she said she didn’t want to run but live her life? But she couldn’t deny she was scared of Lance, worried he was escalating or planned to. Remy might be a detective but she’d watched enough television shows and real true crime documentaries to know Remy was right.

“Where are we going?” she asked, as he lifted the empty but large piece of luggage, placing it on the bed.

“My family has a compound on Cape Cod.”

“Of course they do,” she muttered. The Kanes had money and were wealthy in their world but the Sterling financial situation was beyond her wildest imaginings. Maybe when she’d lived in Cassandra and her father’s home in Chappaqua she might have felt a little more comfortable at the idea of going to acompoundbut now? She’d been supporting herself on her salary and pinching pennies like the average New Yorker for so long, Remy’s type of money intimidated her.

Still… “I really want to argue with you. A part of me says I should stay and make a stand but the part of me that panicked when I saw Lance tells me to pack up and go. No more questions asked.”

He strode over and cupped her cheek in his hand. “I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to you. So if you’re waffling on your decision, can you do this for me?”

She swallowed hard. Put that way, how could she resist? She’d never had anyone worry or care about her the way Remy did except Caleb and Cara. But Caleb was her brother with a child to be concerned about, and Cara was still, for most purposes, a teenager who focused only on herself.

Except, her sister had called this morning because she’d heard about their mother’s visit and public spectacle. She was worried and wanted her to know she was Team Raven. Raven smiled at the thought of her caring sibling. They were the two reasons being adopted by the Kanes had been a good thing. Three when she counted her little nephew. They’d want her to go with Remy and keep herself safe.

“Raven? Where did you go?” Remy asked, his deep voice bringing her back to the here and now.

“Just thinking,” she murmured. “Okay, we’ll leave town.”

His eyes lit up and that sexy mouth lifted in a grin. “You’ll love the Cape.”

“Even in the winter?” she asked.

“Especially in the winter. Now pack.”

***

While Raven packed,she called her sister and Caleb to let them know she was leaving town. Both agreed it was a good idea and appreciated that she had Remy to look out for her. As an independent woman, normally Raven would argue that she could take care of herself. Just not when it came to Lance.

A little while later, they were on their way in Remy’s large SUV. He was alert and diligent, often looking in the rearview mirror, and yes, even taking a circuitous route around the city before leaving town. No doubt to lose any potential tail.

The adrenaline rush of seeing Lance in person had worn off and exhaustion claimed her. Raven dozed as they drove in the dark of night to Cape Cod. She woke up to the feel of the truck coming to a stop, and Remy opening his window to press a series of numbers into a keypad to open the gate.

Despite the outdoor light fixtures lining the driveway, it was difficult to see her surroundings and she had a feeling she’d be blown away in the morning.

A Porsche SUV was parked in the driveway.

“Shit,” Remy muttered.

She glanced at his profile. “What’s wrong?”

He cut the engine. “Looks like we have company. That’s Dex’s car.”

Despite having been around the Sterling family the times they came to the bar, Raven didn’t know any of them well. Dex, the ex-pro-football player, always seemed like a fun guy. Always upbeat and friendly.

“Well, I look forward to getting to know him a little.” She opened her car door and slid out, meeting Remy around the back. Out of nowhere, a large black dog came bounding toward them, the exuberance in the animal easy to see.

“Pogo!” Remy said in a deep voice, and the dog came to a skidding stop in front of them, tongue lolling out of his mouth, and snow on his nose.

“Pogo?” Laughing, she pet his head.

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