Always Been Mine (38 page)

Even though this might be something that would hopefully be over on Monday, Alex couldn’t chance it. He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to Sarah, and he hadn’t warned Angel at all.

Some of the cooks had just arrived and started things up for breakfast. Alex glanced around. This might get ugly, so he decided the kitchen wasn’t the best place to have this conversation.

Angel turned immediately. Alex knew that would get his attention. If his expression was any indication of what the conversation might be like, he was definitely not looking forward to it.

They walked out back. Angel had already asked
what about
, twice. By the time they were outside, Angel had lost his patience.

“
What
?” Angel looked ready to kill. Alex knew the feeling.

“He mentioned Sofie, too. He was just trying to get in my head. Let me know that he’s done his homework and knows all about me and my family.”

“What did he say?” Angel demanded.

Alex filled him in, giving him more details than he’d originally planned but that was only because Angel was so damned adamant. They weren’t even done talking before Angel was on the phone checking on Sarah. She was with her mom, and Angel made her promise she’d stay there until he was off.

Though he didn’t really think it was necessary, Alex offered to have someone watch her.

“I don’t want anyone following her. Just make sure you schedule us to work together until this psycho is caught.” He stuck his phone in his holster. “I’ll watch her.”

Alex tried to reassure him that she’d be okay, but Angel was visibly shaken. Alex understood all too well. He was glad now he’d agreed to go along with Romero’s plan. He wanted this thing over with.

***

The resort was as glamorous on the inside as it was on the outside. The entire theme was tropical, from the enormous salt-water aquarium in the front entrance to the vast assorted plant life that decorated every inch of the hotel. Valerie had been to Vegas several times, and this place almost measured up to some of the more sensational casinos she’d been in.

She walked through the place, feeling excitement build as she glanced around. This was such a welcome retreat from all the stress of the past week. Before she left her dad’s house that morning, she made him promise he’d behave. She and Norma went over her dad’s lunch and dinner menu. Norma laughed, saying her ears would be ringing when she served him his less than exciting, healthy lunch.

Luke had given her the meet-and-greet pass ahead of time, in case he was running late. It was a good thing too, because he’d been a no-show. She wondered if perhaps he’d only gotten her a pass and not himself. Had he only said they were both going to get to Alex? The way he acted that night, she wouldn’t put it past him.

The first part of the seminar was everything she’d expected. George Stone didn’t disappoint. He was as moving as all the books she’d read. His wit was just as quick as in his books even with the impromptu questions he took from the audience.

Valerie was surprised she still hadn’t seen Luke. The first break came. They had an enormous set up. Bagels, pastries fruit juices, coffee, and this was just a break. She could only imagine what lunch and dinner would be like.

She sat at a table with her bagel and coffee lost in thought, George Stone’s amazing speech still on her mind. Feeling like she was being watched, she glanced up and saw the guy across the room. He looked younger but his eyes were very penetrating. She remembered these hard-ass guys back in college, trying to intimidate with their sexy stares—much like Luke’s—but she was way past that.

He made his way to her table, and she looked away. There had been plenty of times she had to reject guys, and she prepared to be nice. When he reached her table, he smiled. It wasn’t a bad smile. He was tall, and very handsome.

“Hey, I noticed you the moment I walked in. I haven’t heard a word George Stone has said.” He reached out his hand. “You’re breathtaking. I’m Abel, what’s your name?”

Valerie nearly spit up her last bite of bagel. Bruce wore a suit and tie, blending in right along with all the others there to see George Stone. He stood a few inches taller than Abel, nose to nose. “I appreciate your taste in women but this one’s ALL mine.”

Abel backed off, putting his hands in the air. “I meant no disrespect. I’m sorry.” He gave Valerie a quick rueful smile and walked away.

Valerie sat frozen in her chair. Bruce took the one beside her, cradling her chair between his legs. “Have you seen the suite yet?”

Her breathe was caught somewhere between her throat and her chest. “What suite?”

“The one lover-boy got for you? It’s pretty cool.” He stood up, holding his hand out. “Let’s go check it out. This place is going to be on lockdown soon anyway.”

“What?” Her heart pounded wildly.

“Moreno’s is busy today.” He tapped his pocket. “You wouldn’t want it blowing up on a day like this now would you?”

“What are you talking about?” Her heart felt like it was going to rip through her chest. She glanced at her purse, thinking of the taser gun and phone that sat in it. She glances back at Bruce.

His menacing eyes stared at her, pleased. He leaned over, closing in on her face and stopping when she flinched. “Be pleasant, darling. We have an audience… a small inept audience at that, but an audience nonetheless.” He tilted his head. “You always knew this day would come, didn’t you?” His eyes twinkled with malice now. “I always did.”

“What are you talking about—blowing up Moreno’s?” She demanded as she stood.

He stood with her and hushed her, leaning in and reaching for her hand. “Now, now I’m a reasonable man, Valerie. I’d say I’ve been very patient. Nothing is going to happen to Moreno’s if you just do as I say.” She pulled her hand away. Bruce tapped his pocket again. “It’s up to you, Valerie. Take my hand and come with me, or we’ll be hearing about the tragedy at Moreno’s on the news very shortly. But first,” He leaned in close enough so that she could smell the liquor on his breath, “kiss me.”

“Go to hell,” she hissed, backing away.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “You’re trying my patience,” he hissed back, then kissed her brusquely. Valerie closed her lips tightly, her thoughts going wild with worry. Would Bruce really do something to Alex? She concentrated on staying calm but at this point, she was close to screaming.

There was a commotion near the entrance of the hotel and Valerie turned to see what was happening. Bruce didn’t seem at all interested. Instead, he tugged her along, picking up his pace. A security guard rushed past them in the opposite direction. Bodies began to hurry in either direction and voices started to buzz all around them.

“What’s happening, Bruce?” She tugged at his hand but he held it tightly. “Where are you taking me?”

“Oh, you’ll see in just a few minutes. Don’t worry about what’s happening, Val. It’s all part of my plan.”

She stared at his evil smile. Alex had told her many times if she ever got caught in a scenario like this to fight her way out no matter what she had to do. Never get in a vehicle with anyone attempting to kidnap her. But Bruce wasn’t headed outside. He was headed for the elevators.

The energy drink Alex had did nothing to energize him. The past few nights without Valerie, he’d hardly got any sleep, and it was really starting to weigh heavy on him. He could hardly wait to have her back in his bed.

Everything was set for the wedding, and they were ahead of schedule. Even the food was coming along very nicely. It wasn’t until he was on his way down from checking on the banquet room, and heard Sal paging him over the sound system, that he realized he’d left his phone in the office.

Alex you’ve got a call on line one
.

Alex rushed to the phone. Sal wouldn’t page him unless it was urgent. The adrenaline immediately kicked in as he picked up the phone.

“Something’s going on at the resort. They’re evacuating everyone. Steve saw Valerie leave, holding hands with a man, but it wasn’t Luke.”

Fear and other unknown emotions bolted through him. “Leave where? In a car?” Sal walked out of the office, and Alex motioned for him to bring him his cell.

“No, they walked out of the dining area where she’d been sitting having coffee by herself. But listen to me, Alex. He’s on to us. He’s been on to us for a while. That’s why he hadn’t changed the emails. The calendar Mr. X found was a ploy. He mocked up a calendar to throw us off. Mr. X picked up his real trail just a few minutes ago. He’s been planning this for a while.”

Sal handed Alex his cell, watching him, aware of Alex’s altered demeanor. “Planning what?” He hit the speed dial on his cell for Valerie.

“Getting to Valerie at this seminar.”

Alex felt the heat in his veins just as the line clicked on the other end of his cell. “Hello, Alex.” Bruce’s self-satisfied voice purred.

Alex shoved the restaurant phone in Sal’s chest. He gripped his cell phone, barely able to contain himself. “Where’s Valerie?” His voice was so loud Angel rushed out of the office.

“Oh, don’t you worry about her. She’s in very good hands, Alex. As a matter of fact these hands are getting ready to enjoy every inch-”

The line went dead. He let out a loud roar from deep down inside as he hit redial. His vision blurred for a moment. He was going to kill Bruce. Sal was trying to tell him something, but the roar thrumming in his own ears was too loud. The call went to voicemail. Sal grabbed his arm jerking him momentarily back to sanity.

“Romero needs to talk to you, man.” He held the phone in front of him. “Calm down and breathe. The cops are already there.”

“Tell him to call me on my cell.” Alex nearly collided with Angel as he ran into the office to grab his keys from the desk and pulled the gun out of the bottom desk drawer.

His phone started ringing as he rushed out.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Sal stepped in front of him. Angel backed him up. “You can’t just walk out of here toting a gun like that. What are you insane?”

“Get out of my way, Sal,” Alex growled, the thought of Bruce man-handling Valerie nearly blinding him again.

“No, Alex.” Sal pushed him hard in the chest. “Calm your ass, already. We’re not letting you walk out like this. You’re crazy.”

Alex’s phone was still ringing. In the moment he took to consider answering it, Sal snatched the gun out of his hand. Some of the employees gathered around as if to assist Sal and Angel in taking Alex down if they had to. Alex gave up the gun without a fight and answered his phone.

***

The phone flew out of Bruce’s hand as he stumbled, falling over the chair beside him. The heel of her shoe to Bruce’s temple with all the force Valerie could conjure up had done the job. Somehow, he’d known about the taser gun in her purse and had disarmed her the moment they stepped into the elevator. He’d even taken her cell phone from her. The only other thing on her person she had was her soft leather purse. She knew that wouldn’t make the impact she needed.

From her past experience with him, Valerie knew that playing nice was the only chance she had to buy her time. She’d cozied up to him just as they entered the room. He’d been so spellbound when she seductively removed her shoes, he didn’t even catch that she held on to one of them. The moment he got busy being cocky on her phone with Alex, she took advantage of the distraction, struck him with it, and ran.

Unwilling to take a chance and wait for the elevator, she was now running down the stairwell. Her heart threatened to pummel through her chest. The room had only been on the third floor. She was already halfway down to the first when she slipped and fell hard on her behind. It wasn’t until then that she even heard the footsteps coming down fast from the stairs above.

“Valerie!” His voice was crazed. “Valerie I’m warning you! Moreno’s is going down if you don’t stop!”

Her heart nearly gave out, and she was tempted to stop, but she thought of what Alex would want her to do in this instance. There was no other option but to run. Struggling to catch her breath, she reached for the rail and pulled herself up. She pushed the door open and ran right into the arms of a firefighter in full uniform.

Startled and barely able to breath, she tried getting past him. She had to get to a phone and warn Alex about the danger at his restaurant. But the fireman stopped her from going any further.

“You need to evacuate, ma’am. There’s a possible bomb in the hotel.”