20. Travis
The tension was thick as Jeff picked up the phone, dialing quickly. I watch Paige, her eyes fixed on Jeff in anticipation. She has a determined look on her face, the strength in her gaze surprises even me. The woman had just survived a plane crash, discovered a plot to kill her and now was facing an embezzling ex-colleague who was back from prison with vengeance. It was enough to break anyone, but here she was, standing strong, ready to fight.
My thoughts from earlier rise up once again. Could it be possible I love this woman? Jeff is speaking quietly into the phone. He hangs up and looks at Paige.
“He’ll be here in twenty minutes,” Jeff says. “He wants you to stay put. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water, please,” she smiles.
Jeff looks at me. “Water, thank you.”
After he leaves the office, I gently grab Paige’s hand. “Are you okay?”
She gives me a quick, tight smile and nods, but I see something flicker in her eyes - a hint of fear. The hand tightly gripping mine is trembling slightly.
”I will be,” she says, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hand. ”As soon as we get this all sorted out.”
The room is silent for a few moments. I take the seat next to her. Jeff returns and hands us a couple bottles of water.
“I can’t believe you are both sitting in my office,” Jeff says. “The plane actually crashed?”
Paige laughs. “It most certainly did. We survived on a tiny little island for a couple of days.”
“Unbelievable,” Jeff murmurs, shaking his head. He tilts his head towards me. “And you two are friends now?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Yes” Paige says, surprising me. She glances over at me, her eyes warm. “We’re very good friends.”
The detective shows up a short time later. After a long hour of questioning, we’re finally given the all clear to leave. I can’t say I’m exactly comfortable with the situation. Just because the police know, it doesn’t mean the guy stops. He’s still out there and he still wants to exact revenge on Paige.
Paige says goodbye to her boss, and we leave his office. A few people try and stop her, but she simply smiles and waves and promises she’ll catch up with them later.
“Funny, they all hated me before I died.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I guess you might have more friends than you thought.”
“They’re not friends,” she replies. “They’re just curious. They want to know who you are.”
“Me?”
“Yes. They want to know who the hot guy is that I’m with.”
“Hot guy,” I grin. We step into the elevator and that’s when things get very real. I must take this seriously. The man could be lying in wait.
Every nerve in my body is on high alert as we make our way back to my car, Paige”s hand locked in mine. I spot a man casually leaning against the back of a car. I see a police car and a couple of cops at the end of the row. Even with the added security, I can”t shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air like a thick fog. My eyes dart around the parking area. I don’t even know what I’m looking for.
“I don’t see him,” Paige whispers.
“Okay. We get in the car, and we drive south.”
“South?”
“I don’t know,” I say, unlocking the doors. “Just anywhere but home. We’ll go to a bank, and I’ll get some cash.”
“No, I will,” she says. “I am officially alive. I can pay.
As we approach the truck, my senses are on edge, every sound amplified. I tighten my grip on Paige”s hand, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. I open the car door for her. She pauses before getting in and gives me a quick kiss. “Thank you for being here for me. You’re a rock. I couldn’t have asked for a better pilot.”
I smile and kiss her back. “I know, now get in the—”
I see a man emerge out of nowhere. I immediately feel the danger. I step in front of Paige. I see the gun in his hand and malice in his eyes. My heart lurches in my chest as I realize what”s happening - he”s here to finish what he started, to make Paige pay for uncovering his secrets.
“What are you doing?” Paige asks.
I hear her sharp intake of breath and realize she’s seen what I’ve seen. “Zach!” Paige’s voice bounces around the parking garage.
“You bitch,” the man hisses. “You ruined my life and now I’m going to ruin yours.”
I know little about bullets and how they work, but I don’t think my body is going to stop the bullet from hitting her. I put my hand up, as if that’s going to stop anything. “Sir, I don’t know you, but killing two people is not going to help you.”
His laugh is dry and empty. “Who said anything about killing two people? I only want her.” His gaze locks onto Paige and I can see the raw hatred in his eyes.
My heart races; time slows to a crawl, yet everything seems to be happening at once. I can hear Paige”s shallow breathing, feel the rapid beating of her heart under my palm. The man”s finger tightens slightly on the trigger. Fear seizes me, but I force my voice to remain calm and steady.
Suddenly, there is a flurry of activity. Detectives swarm in, their voices sharp and authoritative as they order him to drop the weapon and surrender. For a moment, time seems to stand still as the tension crackles in the air, thick and palpable. I can’t breathe. Even with the cavalry, there’s no guarantee the guy is going to drop the gun. He’s already broken about ten laws that will land him in prison for a long time. He has nothing to lose.
And then, with a resigned sigh, he lowers the gun and raises his hands in surrender. The detectives move in swiftly, their movements precise and practiced as they secure him in handcuffs and lead him away, his protests falling on deaf ears.
I let out a breath I didn”t realize I”d been holding, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. Paige is safe. It”s all I can ask for.
As we watch the detectives lead him away, I turn to Paige to make sure she’s okay. Her face is pale, eyes wide with shock. I pull her into a protective embrace, resting my chin on top of her head. She stiffens for a moment before relaxing against me, tucking her head under my chin. ”Are you okay?” I ask.
”I”m okay,” she whispers hoarsely, her voice shaking slightly, betraying her fear. Her arms tighten around my waist, as if holding onto me is the only thing keeping her grounded.
”Hey,” I say softly, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears, brimming with terror and relief. ”We”re safe now.”
She nods, her lips trembling as she fights to keep in the tears. I press my lips to her forehead, whispering assurances that everything will be fine. I can feel her body relax a little, the tension leaving her shoulders.
“Let’s get out of here,” I suggest, opening the car door for her again. She nods and climbs into the passenger seat.
As we drive away, I glance at her from time to time. She’s staring out of the window, lost in thought with a thoughtful look on her face. Her hand is resting on her lap, fingers curled into a small fist, holding onto some invisible form of security.
“So, should I take you home?” I ask.
I hope she says no. I want her with me, but now that the man threatening to kill her is locked up, she’s safe. She can go back to her old life. Why would she want to be shacked up with me?
She remains silent for a few seconds before turning to look at me. ”No,” she says, her voice small but firm. ”Not yet. Unless you want to get rid of me.”
“I do not want to be rid of you.”
“Could we head to your place instead?” Her eyes don”t meet mine and there”s a vulnerability in her voice that resonates deep within me.
”Of course,” I reply. “I’d like that.”
I know it’s just one night, but I’ll take it. Maybe we’ll need to have a conversation eventually, but for now, I just want to hold her.
“Do you really think it’s over?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” I reply. “You don’t think it is?”
“I don’t know,” she admits in a whisper. “I’m afraid to let my guard down. What if he had a partner.”
“You can stay with me as long as you want,” I told her.
“I have a life to get back to,” she sighs.
“Yes, you do, but you can take some time. Don’t go back if you’re not sure.”
“I’ll call the detective tomorrow,” she nods. “I’ll see what he says. If he says Zach acted alone and the threat is over, then I’ll figure out next steps.”
”Good,” I say, squeezing her hand gently. The rest of the drive back to my place is quiet. I don”t know what”s going through Paige”s mind, but I find comfort in the silence.
When we get back to my apartment, there are a mountain of packages sitting outside the door. I turn to look at her with a smile. “More panties to tear off,” I laugh.
She throws her head back and lets out a sound I’ve never heard her make. She’s laughing. She sounds a bit crazy, but I understand it. She’s been under so much pressure for days and now it’s over.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her. The kiss is meant to reassure and calm her, but it sparks something else in both of us. She pulls me closer, deepening the kiss with a surprising passion. I respond enthusiastically, wrapping my arms around her waist to pull her closer.
When we finally break apart, we”re both breathless. I quickly unlock the door and kick the boxes inside. They’ll wait. But my need for her won’t.”