Page 210 of Forever Never
“Promise me you won’t take any risks. You’ll stay indoors. You won’t step a foot out the door once I’m gone.”
“I promise you, Brick.”
He cupped her face in his hand, his blue eyes burning. “Promise me you’ll be here when I get back so I can ask you that question.”
She gave him a watery smile. “Yes to tacos.”
He brought his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.
She cupped his face in her hands, reveling at the rough of his beard, the smooth of his skin. This face was so achingly familiar to her. He belonged to her. It had been written so long ago, yet they were just getting started.
“I love you. Be safe. Text when you can.”
He nodded, then lowered his mouth to hers for one hard kiss. “I will. I love you, Remington.”
“Oh, hey. Don’t fuck anything up,” she called as he started to leave.
He paused and stared at her.
She shrugged. “What? I’m not giving you some kind of romantic last words. I’m giving you something terrible to hold you over until you’re home again. Then I’ll say nice things.”
“I’ll love you so fucking much,” he said fiercely.
“I’ll be waiting for you, big guy.”
“Keep your inhaler on you. I don’t know how bad the smoke is going to get.”
She blew him a kiss as he jogged down the porch steps.
His large form melted into the night as he ran toward the fire.
Remi watched him go with an ache in her chest.
Something tickled at the back of her neck. A nagging sensation that had her turning away from the direction of the fire and looking down the dark street. Neighbors were coming out of their houses to see what the excitement was about. Before long, she was sure there would be a crowd of bystanders at the hotel.
But something out there in the dark made her feel like she was the entertainment. Like she was the one being observed.
William herded everyone back inside and bolted the front door. And while a debate raged over hot tea or coffee or more wine, Remi decided to behave herself and rounded up her inhaler and phone. She had a shit-ton of missed calls and texts. Mostly from Rajesh.
The phone rang in her hand.
“What?”
“Dude,” Raj said, “the pics of you and Camille are getting so much play right now. Why didn’t you clue me in? I sounded like an idiot when the calls started coming in.”
Her heart did a lopsided roll in her chest. “What pictures?” she asked, gripping the phone.
“The ones Camille posted to Instagram. They’re freaking everywhere.”
“Those weren’t supposed to go up until tomorrow morning.” Tomorrow morning, when a dozen federal agents and all of the Mackinac Island Police Department were ready to spring the trap.
Ten minutes later, Agents Brice and White showed up. As William shut the door behind them, Remi barreled up.
“Which one of you asshats decided to post the pictures early?” she hissed.
Special Agent Brice frowned and shot her partner a cool look.
Two spots of color appeared on White’s cheeks. “What’s the big deal? He already knew you were here. He probably guessed his wife would run straight to you.”
