Chapter 26
26
T heresa unpacked the groceries Jace and Margo had purchased for them. It frayed her nerves a bit to see there was enough food for them to be here for a month. Her system couldn't take this type of hiding and worrying for a month. The final exposé should be released in three days’ time, and after that, the cat would be out of the bag. She shouldn't have to worry about being offed, as everyone would come looking for the Celtics if anything happened to her. At least she hoped that would be her shield.
Marco stepped into the kitchen and whistled at all the food.
"It looks like there's enough food here to be locked up for a month."
She chuckled. "That's what I was thinking." She folded up a paper bag. "I won't stay sane for a month. Hiding. Being afraid of every sound."
He walked around the counter and put his hands on either of her shoulders. "The heat is on now because of the reports. They're likely hoping to stop them from being released. Once they can't, they'll need to go into repair mode, and they'll likely leave the country. At least the higher-ups will, so they can't be arrested."
"I hope you're right. If they're out of the country and their organization is fractured, they won't have time to worry about me."
He grinned. He was sexy all the time, but when he grinned, there was something that happened to her on a visceral level that made her entire body sizzle. His arms wrapped around her, and he stepped in closer to fully hug her.
Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she laid her ear to his chest. She liked hearing his heartbeat. It was comforting. It sounded so strong and solid. She closed her eyes and listened. They stood together, just taking comfort in each other. At least she took comfort in Marco. Maybe it was one-sided. What on earth did she bring to this relationship but trouble, turmoil, and upheaval in his life?
She swallowed the large knot that formed in her throat and released her arms. Marco pulled away and she felt the loss instantly.
Marco's phone rang. He wasted no time answering. "Karason."
She listened to his side of the conversation, not sure if she should. Maybe it was a personal call. Not everything revolved around her, though it seemed to lately.
Her cheeks heated as she realized she'd been rather selfish. His life had been turned upside-down the instant he offered to help her. She didn't resist enough either. She'd been caught up with the fact that Marco, this man she'd longed for from afar, wanted to help her. He likely had friends and things he did when he was off work that didn't include running from people firebombing your home or near it anyway. And, chasing off someone throwing rocks.
She started putting food into the large pantry and in the refrigerator and freezer.
Marco responded to whoever he was talking to with, "Hang on a moment. I'll put you on speaker."
He tapped his phone and strode to her. "Okay, Mitch. Say it again."
"My chatter channel has revealed some interesting information. There's a charity event in Blossom Springs this coming Saturday. On the surface, it's to raise money for funding for medical research focusing on the elimination of childhood leukemia. But it’s actually a front to launder millions of dollars for the Celtics. The chairman of the fundraiser is none other than Torin Terry, owner of the PCK Meatpacking plant outside of Blossom Springs."
Marco's brows furrowed. "Are you sure he's in on this?"
"I'm ninety-nine percent sure. I did some research after I heard this on the chatter channel. I have proof he's been in recent meetings with heads of the Celtics, including the president. Chatter is that he houses several people at his place outside of town. He has a ranch, with a ranch house. It makes sense to me that he'd have available beds out there. He can direct activities from out there and his guys can be all over town in the ranch trucks without anyone thinking anything of it. They could have been watching Theresa for a time. Hiding in plain sight. Much like she was doing."
Her stomach twisted. She'd remembered some of those guys coming into the Sandbar two days ago. They'd been that close to her. They likely came in for lunch to make sure it was her.
She nodded her head and Marco's jaw tightened. "Did you see them?"
"Yes. At the Sandbar."
"How do you know it was them?"
"They all wore work shirts with the ranch logo on them. Khaki-colored button-up shirts and jeans. There were three of them."
Mitch continued. "They were likely making sure it was you."
Marco stared into her eyes. "Did one of them have red hair?"
She pinched her lips together. "Yes."
"A man with red hair threw the rock through your window. They followed you home or were watching and found you packing your car."
Her stomach twisted and she worried she'd lose the little bit she'd eaten for supper. Her hand flew to her tummy and pressed as her knees began shaking. She realized they'd been close for a while now.
Marco took her arm and guided her to a bar stool at the counter. "They've been close but until they blew up the car, they only tried scaring you. Threatening you."
"Right." She took a deep breath. "They want my information."
"They'll get it when the rest of the world gets it."
She nodded.
Marco spoke to Mitch. "I'm going to that fundraiser to see if I can find out anything more on Torin Terry, the organization, and how close he is to the Celtics. Meaning, is he a leader or is he working for them?"
Theresa nodded. "I'm going with you."
"No, it might not be safe."
"I'm going with you. You just said they don't want me dead. Not yet. If they see me there, I may be enough of a diversion for you to get the information you need. And I can't just sit here and do nothing. It might also be good for my story."