“I’ll tell you when I get you someplace safe.”

With that, he practically drags me back to his bike and shoves the helmet at me.  I bite my tongue and push the helmet onto my head before I climb on behind Cash.

Just before we take off, though, I change my mind.

He’s not going to keep me in the dark about this.  We either share everything or this has to end now.

“No,” I say as I start to climb right back off the bike.  Cash straightens one arm in front of me to stop me.  “Tell me right now what’s going on or I’m getting off this bike.”

In profile, there’s enough light that I can see Cash’s lips thin in irritation, but I don’t let that intimidate me.  My resolve has already hardened, like a thick icy shell.

I lean back and cross my arms over my chest.

“Fine,” he snaps.  “They’ve taken Marissa as leverage.”

I gasp.  “Who’s they?  And leverage for what?”

“The books.”

“The books? I thought no one knew you had the books.”

“They didn’t.”

“Then how did they find out?”

“The only thing I can figure is that they have an inside man at the prison, maybe someone who can listen in on my conversations with Dad.  We’ve been careful, but…if they’ve been listening long enough, they could put the pieces together.  And this last time I went to visit Dad, I mentioned that I’d told someone.”

“Oh my God!  But, why on earth would they take Marissa then?”

His pause makes me even more anxious.  “I don’t think they meant to take Marissa.”

When the meaning behind his words sinks in, the bottom drops out of my stomach.  “What?” I breathe.

“If they’ve been listening or watching very long at all, they likely know who I am.  They called my phone, Cash’s phone, to tell me about Marissa.  If they didn’t know I’m the same person, they’d have called Nash’s phone.  Since we’re brothers, both numbers are programmed into her phone.”

“So then, if they know who you are, why take Marissa?”

“They probably knew Marissa was gone. And they thought you would be the only one coming back here.  But by taking her, they’re also making a point.”

“Which is?”

“That they could get to you” he says quietly.  “And that they know.”

My guts swim with nausea.  And fear.  For both Marissa and for myself.

I fight back tears.  “But why would they want either of us? We don’t know anything.”

“It’s not what you know. At least not entirely, I don’t think.  It’s who you are.”

“That would make sense with Marissa.  She’s the successful, influential one.  The one who comes from money. I’m a nobody, from nowhere.”

Cash turns around until he’s looking into my eyes.

“Not to me you’re not.”

Above the fear that’s clogging my chest, I feel a little thrill at his words.

“They—”

“Baby,” Cash begins, interrupting me.  “I know you have questions, but right now I don’t have all the answers. And we have to get out of here.  Just hold that thought.  Let me get us someplace safe and we’ll talk more.”

He doesn’t wait around for my answer. He guns the engine and the motorcycle shoots forward, leaving me clinging to his back for dear life.

CHAPTER FOUR

Cash

It makes me feel both reassured and guilty when Olivia’s grip tightens around my waist.  I’m so glad I waited around for her to get safely inside.  If I’d been just a few minutes earlier dropping her off or if she’d driven home by herself…

The air cools the cold sweat that pops out across my forehead.

I release the handlebars long enough to reach down and brush my fingers across the back of her hand.  I want her to know that I know and that I’m here.  In fact, I’m the reason she’s even in any danger, which is where the guilt comes from.

If I hadn’t taken such an interest in her, if I’d left it at just a fling, like all the others, no one would think to threaten her to get to me.  By caring for her, I messed up.  Now they’re onto me and, as a result, onto Olivia.

I wouldn’t wish anything bad on Marissa. I mean, she’s a cold bitch, but she doesn’t deserve to die because of it.  And I’m sure that’s what they have planned for her.  What they had planned for Olivia.

The thought makes my stomach clinch.

I speed up.  My only concern right now is getting her someplace safe.  And then I can work out the rest.  I don’t have a contingency plan for this; after all this time, I never thought they’d find out I have the books.  Not until it’s too late for them to do anything about it.

But, I’m a smart guy.  And my dad’s got real experience with these kinds of people.  We’ll figure out something.  We have to.  It’s that simple.

I take the most convoluted path I can think of to get downtown to the hotel I’ve got in mind. Constantly, I check my mirrors for lights or any other sign that someone’s following us.  I can’t take anything for granted now.

When I pull up to the extravagant front entrance of the hotel, the valet appears. He’s young and looks anxious to drive my motorcycle.

After we’re off, I tip him and watch as he drives the bike into the gated, underground parking area.  I figure my ride won’t be easily discovered there.  I’ll take as many precautions as I can think to take.

I grab Olivia’s hand, leading her into the luxurious lobby of the hotel.  Holing up here with her will cost me a pretty penny, but she’s worth every cent.  Besides, she might never have had the opportunity to stay at a place like this before. If I can manage to make her feel safe enough, she might actually enjoy it.  The fact that I get her all to myself, in surroundings like this, for an indefinite amount of time is a huge bonus for me.

There’s a brunette behind the reception desk. “May I help you?”

“We’re just passing through.  No reservations.  Do you have any suites available for the week?”

“A suite?  Of course, sir.  Let me check availability for those dates.”

As she types on her computer, I glance down at Olivia.  She looks like she’s holding up pretty well, all things considered.  She’s a little pale, but I’m sure she’s scared shitless, so that’s to be expected.

She looks up at me and smiles. It’s a small, tight smile, but a smile nonetheless.  I’ll take it.

I squeeze her hand and bend to kiss her cheek.  Before I straighten, I whisper in her ear, “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

When I lean back and look into her big, green eyes, they’re shimmering with unshed tears.  Her chin trembles and my heart squeezes in my chest.

I’ve done this to her.

I don’t know if it’s fear for her or Marissa’s safety, or just the shock of what’s happened on top of everything else that’s happened in her life lately, but something is overwhelming her.  I can see it and I feel responsible.