Chapter 16 - Paisley
Not even getting carried off the stage by a big brute could erase the rush of singing and jumping around on the festive stage. Everyone was in such high spirits, and the cold, clear night was beautiful. I was riding high and hardly scowled when Dan set me down on the ground.
It looked like Rurik wasn’t in such a great mood, and Lilia suggested we get some snacks, not exactly being too subtle as she pulled me away from the two brothers.
As we got in line for some decadent treats, my phone began buzzing.
As soon as I saw it was another message from the FBI agent, my good mood disappeared.
Agent Pierce seemed to have forgotten about me for the last few days and I was fine with shoving him and anything going on at Axon to the farthest reaches of my mind.
I wanted to slide this one aside and pretend I didn’t see the message was from him, but I caught the word Urgent before I could swipe it away. The sweet smell of waffle batter made my stomach flip over and I reluctantly turned away from Lilia to quickly read it.
Bad idea. I should have waited until I was back in my room. My legs turned to jello as I scanned it again, wishing a second reading would make the words change to anything else.
We’ve located David Caraggio. Deceased. We believe you may be linked to the Axon employees who’ve gone missing. It’s imperative you let us know where you are for your safety.
Oh I knew I was linked to them, at least by now, anyway. I swayed on my feet, feeling all my blood seeming to drain away. I barely choked out an order when Lilia asked me what I wanted, and I wasn’t sure what I said.
I didn’t just silence my phone, I turned it completely off in case Agent Pierce tried to call me while I was with the others.
My throat dried up and tears stung my eyes.
I wasn’t even especially sad about learning Mr. Caraggio was dead, I had already pretty much assumed as much when I could bear to think about it at all.
It was just so shocking to have it confirmed, and I felt this terrible helplessness that I might have done something when I saw the fear on his face.
But it only registered as fear in hindsight, after I learned about the list and put it all together.
When he first demanded I finish up his report, he’d only looked stressed and in a hurry, which was pretty normal at Axon.
What could I have done to save him? And who could save me, now that I was involved thanks to him?
I wasn’t going back to LA just to be interrogated when I had no answers to the FBI’s questions.
The only thing keeping me from collapsing into the nearest snow drift was the fact I was in the midst of a family that employed armed guards.
Looking over at Dan and his brother, who seemed to be in the middle of an argument, I relaxed a miniscule amount.
Dan had picked me up like I was a feather pillow and had hands the size of frying pans. I was safe here. This was where I’d stay. I just had to act normal until I could collapse on my bed back at the lodge.
I forced a weak smile at Lilia, helping her carry the treats over to the guys, who still looked like they were arguing about something.
It was hard to believe not even five minutes ago I’d been walking on air.
The good cheer had evaporated for everyone and after a few bites, we headed back home under a tense cloud of silence.
I could barely think and was glad no one was talking. As soon as the car stopped, I jetted toward my room. Agent Pierce had probably sent me a bunch more messages and would expect a reply, at least to tell him I wasn’t in any danger.
“What’s the hurry?”
I whirled around on the stairs to find Dan hot on my heels. He raised his eyebrows, eating up the few steps between us to stick to my side like glue. “How about another duet?” he asked.
His tone was teasing but his eyes were serious. Apparently I wasn’t doing a very good job of pretending I wasn’t on the verge of fainting. His jokes should have been the last thing I needed, but I strangely found his presence comforting.
So, was I going to invite him into my room? His expectant look told me he thought so.
“No more duets tonight,” I said, quickly adding, “Or ever.”
“But we were a hit,” he cajoled. I recognized what he was doing. Trying to joke me out of my mood, that I should have been hiding better.
“You cost me that teddy bear,” I said, not having to work too hard to frown at him.
He grinned, pleased I was playing along.
But I wasn’t. How could I be joking around when another person was dead?
Mr. Caraggio’s anxious, sweaty face swam in my vision and I leaned against the door of my room, closing my eyes.
“Are you okay?” Dan asked. I felt his hand on my shoulder and my eyes flew open.
“I’m fine,” I snapped. “But I want to be alone. Not just tonight, either.”
He studied me, a slow smile blooming on his face. “Admit you had fun tonight and that we’re great together and I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the vacation.”
“I’m not going to admit something that’s not true,” I said, instantly realizing my mistake.
I had the perfect opportunity to be free of him and missed it.
Then again, it was probably better to have a big burly man around.
His dancing eyes told me he knew he’d won that round but I couldn’t be mad since he was basically a free bodyguard. I could still act mad.
I opened my door, slid into my room and slammed it in his face.
“See you tomorrow,” he called through it.
Fine, good, as long as I could sit down now. My shaking legs gave out and I crumbled to the floor. The little sparring match had distracted me, but now I had to face my phone. Or did I?
What could I do to help the FBI? I didn’t know anything except about the existence of the list. I didn’t know why the hell anyone was on it or why they were getting killed. I’d been going nonstop since morning and I was beat. Learning about Mr. Caraggio’s death had just about toppled me.
Shrugging out of my clothes, I pulled on my pajamas and fell into bed, pushing the FBI and Axon firmly out of my mind so I could sleep. Dan remained front and center, plaguing my dreams.
I woke up, overheated and tangled in my blankets. Everything came rushing back. Dan’s unspoken promise to continue hounding me, the unanswered messages. My phone was still off and I left it that way, ignoring it like it was a sworn enemy.
I needed to hit the slopes, do some hardcore snowboarding to get rid of this awful anxiety before I took charge of the kids for the afternoon.
Outside, the sky was leaden. It had snowed again during the night, with fresh powder coating all the trees and rooftops.
It was record snowfall for that time of year, more than the resort had seen in a decade.
At the moment, nothing was coming down, but the sky looked iffy, almost making me turn back.
Deciding to chance it for a quick run, I headed down to the lift. As soon as I pulled into the nearly deserted lot, another, familiar car pulled in next to me.
“You’re kidding me,” I said to Dan as he pulled his board from the back.
“You only had to admit we make a great team,” he said, shaking his head. “And I would have been forced to keep my word and ignore you.”
“You wouldn’t have kept your word,” I said. grabbing my board and stomping away from him.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” he answered, easily keeping up with me. “Anyway, I was planning on a run this morning anyway. You tagging along is just the cherry on top.”
I gave him a horrified look and tried to take up the entire lift, but he hopped on beside me, our boards thudding together.
“You’re the one tagging along,” I said. “And good luck keeping up this time.”
“I don’t need luck when I have such a good teacher,” he answered smoothly.
I jumped off a second or two early and thumped over to the most difficult trail. There was a safety warning for heavy snowfall that afternoon, but that was hours away and right now I needed freedom. Especially from the insufferable man who was quickly catching up to me.
Well, let him try, there was no way he was ready for a trail like this.
He’d be a fool to attempt it, and as annoying as he was, I knew he wasn’t stupid.
As I careened down the hazardous track, I let out a whoop of triumph, whipping around to disappear from his view around a sharp curve. Free at last.