LITMIR.BIZ

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told me this guy was desperate to track you down and would probably go to any means necessary. If that’s the case, and he seems to have plenty of resources at his disposal, I started to wonder if the phone line had been tapped,” he admitted. “As soon as we hung up, I hit the road. I’d already learned what I could about the murder. Beth was adamant you’d been framed. She said she was sure these men were after you. Obviously she was right.”

      She frowned as she turned to face him again. “How did you get there so quickly?”

      He hesitated, and she instinctively knew he didn’t want to answer her question.

      “I live right outside of Portland.”

      “Portland.” Her voice was flat. For years she’d feared he was dead. “You still live in the area.”

      He stared straight ahead. “I have an apartment. I’m not there much. My work takes me all over the country. Sometimes out of the country.”

      She was quiet a moment, wrapping her head around that. She wasn’t sure what “work” he was referring to these days, but she had to assume it was something dangerous. She also assumed he wouldn’t answer if she asked, so she saved herself the trouble and kept her mouth shut. Even when they were engaged, much of Alex’s professional life had been on a need-to-know basis. He’d more often than not decide she did not need to know.

      He’d been in the business of saving people and, often times, discretion was key.

      Claire shook her head. “I get it now. The reason you came after me today.”

      Alex gave her a wary look.

      “You always have to save the world, be the hero. This,” she said sadly as she tossed her hands in the air, “is what it takes. My life has to be in danger in order for me to finally have your attention.”

      “Claire,” he said wearily, “it’s not like that.”

      “Isn’t it?” She was hit with a crushing wave of sadness. She had always admired Alex’s selflessness. But at some point he’d taken it too far. His sole purpose in life had become trying to save strangers while distancing himself from those who were closest to him.

      He didn’t respond, and she didn’t press the matter.

      They rode in silence for a while, putting distance between them and Xavier’s men.

      “For what it’s worth,” he eventually said, “I’m sorry about your husband.”

      “I’m the first to admit it was not a happy marriage.” She struggled to keep her voice steady. She had realized too late what a volatile temper Jared had had, how controlling he would be, how demeaning. “I’m relieved to be free of him, but I certainly didn’t want him dead.”

      It pained her to admit it, but it was the truth. It was not something she wanted to talk to Alex about. She wasn’t willing to divulge the details to him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

      “That’s not how the media is spinning it.” His words were a fact, not an accusation. “They’re claiming your rocky marriage gave you the perfect motive for murder.”

      “I’m sure I can thank Xavier Ambrose for that.”

      “Jared’s business partner.”

      “You did do your research.”

      “As much as I had time for.” He cleared his throat and Claire braced herself. There was so much history between them. There were so many hurts, so many things left unsaid. If Alex had looked into her life at all, he had to know about Mia. “Beth mentioned you left your daughter with her.”

      She was sure she didn’t imagine the way his voice hitched ever so slightly on “daughter.” With clenched fists, she waited for a barrage of questions. Silence hung heavy and cloying in the cab of the Jeep for several long, drawn-out heartbeats.

      Minimal research would easily have uncovered that Mia was almost one by the time Claire and Jared had met. She was two by the time they’d married. She realized Alex wasn’t ready to discuss Mia yet. Neither was she.

      “I should let you know I sent a friend of mine to Beth’s house. Gretchen looks harmless, but the woman is lethal.”

      “‘Friend’?” Claire echoed. How close of a friend? Was Alex in a relationship? Had he found someone else to love after he’d told her his work had to come first? The thought sent a stab of pain through her heart. It wasn’t jealousy she felt, she assured herself, but rather the old hurt. The realization that she wasn’t enough for him.

      Had Gretchen gotten through to him in a way she hadn’t been able to?

      “Colleague.” He shot a look her way. “She’s a colleague, and I trust her to keep them safe.”

      “Right.” Claire fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan as worry began to niggle at her. “Beth lives in a gated community and her house has a top-notch security system. Do you think they could be in danger?”

      Leaving her daughter behind had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She’d only been able to go through with it because she’d been so sure that Mia would be completely safe with Beth. Far safer than if Claire had taken Mia on the run with her.

      “Gretchen will check over Beth’s security system, make sure it’s up to par. I asked her to stay with Beth and her husband until this is over. I don’t think your sister will fight her on it. She sounded frazzled when we spoke.”

      “I thought Mia would be safe with Beth,” Claire admitted. “Wouldn’t it be foolish of Xavier to go after her? It would draw unwanted attention to him, to the situation. He’s framed me, wants me to look guilty. If something happened to Mia, it would be too suspicious. Do you think I was wrong? You never answered my question. Do you think they could be in danger?”

      “You’re probably right and Mia is probably safest with Beth,” he agreed. “If he were to go after Mia, if she were harmed in any way, it would bring the investigation to a whole new level. Given how reporters are covering this story, something like that would cause a media explosion. But I’ve seen desperate people go to desperate measures. I prefer to err on the side of caution.”

      Claire’s stomach clenched at the thought of anything happening to her daughter.

      “Thank you. I appreciate the extra protection for my family. I’m sure Beth will, too,” she said. Her sister was married to a cardiologist. Though Steven was brilliant, he was in the business of saving lives via complicated surgeries. Not protecting them by fending off gunmen.

      She missed Mia so much her heart ached with it. Prior to this ordeal, she’d never spent a night away from her. Beth had always been actively involved in Mia’s life. Claire knew Mia would be comfortable with Auntie Beth. Yet the child had to be confused. Claire didn’t want her daughter to feel abandoned. She knew all too well how much it hurt to be left behind.

      “Claire?”

      Her head snapped up.

      He motioned to a sign up ahead. “We’re here.”

      * * *

      Tourist season was over for the year. The small campground was nearly deserted. It was the perfect, indiscriminate place to stay. A Place in the Pines offered small, one-bedroom cabins in addition to its nearly empty campsites. The setting was rundown—or rustic—depending upon your perspective.

      Alex scanned the parking lot as he returned to the Jeep. He was confident they hadn’t been followed. He’d driven the back roads long enough to be sure they hadn’t had a tail. Claire had not seemed happy with the prospect of spending time with him. Yet she hadn’t argued, confirming just how afraid, how desperate, she was.

      After what he’d put her through years ago, he owed her and he was going to take care of her now, the way he should’ve done back then.

      His mind was still reeling, trying to come to terms with what he’d inadvertently

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