“Your idea. I made it clear I was against endangering your life.”
“There’s no danger if Bobby is innocent, and I believe he is. Anyway, the detective said he’d be in touch with the local sheriff about backup once we set up a meeting. We’re not going in alone and unprepared.”
“I still don’t like it.” Levi dropped his gaze from her stubborn expression to the sheet molding her breasts, and swallowed. “Arguing with you wasn’t the way I intended to start our morning.”
“We don’t have to fight if you agree to be reasonable.”
“You aren’t leaving me a hell of a lot of choice.”
She let the sheet fall away completely. “Then we may as well make the best of the situation.” A smile tilted her lips. “We’re both awake, and we don’t have to get up this early.”
Her skin resembled smooth silk, and his fingers itched to stroke every inch of her, despite his worry. “Fine.” Careful of her cast, he tugged her lower in the bed and slid over the top of her. “My outrage is strong, but my flesh is weak.”
She giggled as she wrapped her good arm around his back. “You butchered that saying.”
“I don’t care. Touching you makes me lose my mind.”
They rolled together on the bed, teasing each other and laughing together until their need grew too strong to deny. Pressing his face against her neck as he sank into her warmth, Levi simply held on.
“This is how I want to begin my day.” Her voice caught as he pressed deeper.
“Every last one of them.” Propped on his elbows, he stopped moving to kiss her, then grinned when she squirmed beneath him. “I’m trying to make this last. If you keep that up—”
“No reason to wait.” She strung kisses along his jaw as she bucked against him. “We can always do it again.”
“Yes, we can.”
Holding her tight in his arms, he loved her with a thoroughness and intensity that went beyond their physical connection, beyond the crush he’d had on her so many years ago—one he’d never fully gotten past. As the world shattered around them, he loved her like she was his—everything.
Still wrapped in each other’s arms, the minutes ticked by as their breathing slowed. Finally, she flipped back the covers and slid out of bed.
“Going somewhere?”
“Yep. Since I’m awake, I may as well get something done.”
“Such as?”
“I have an anniversary party to plan. Isn’t that great?” She stuck her arms through the sleeves of her robe, cinched the belt, and offered up a sweet smile. “What’s on your agenda today?”
“Hiking with guests this morning and minor repairs to a couple of empty rooms this afternoon.”
“How about if we text Bobby B and ask to get together with him this evening?”
Levi’s sunny mood dissolved. “Shit.”
She ignored his outburst. “I can show up first and tell him you went for a run and will be late joining us.”
Shoving a hand through his hair, he let out a breath. “You’re determined to do this?”
“I am.” Her tone was firm. “Actually, I should probably call him at the last minute to make it seem like a spur of the moment plan. He’s not an idiot. He wouldn’t do anything to me if the whole world knew I was meeting him.”
“I’m getting a headache just listening to your convoluted reasoning. What if he’s busy?”
“Then we try again a different time.”
Bobby would probably have other plans. Levi unclenched his fists and nodded. “Fine. We can discuss details later.”
“And I’ll give Detective Gilbert a heads-up.”
“Right. You do that.”
She gave him a long, considering look. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”
He didn’t move after she climbed down the ladder. The shower started a minute later. Frowning, he stared at the ceiling. He’d had an epiphany of sorts while they made love—a realization that he wanted Raine in his life for the long haul. She, on the other hand, had apparently been thinking about trapping a killer.
At the back of his mind, uneasiness churned. Fear that she might stomp on his heart again, the way she had back in college.
He sure as hell hoped not. Because this time, he might not recover.
* * * *
“See you soon, Bobby.” Raine disconnected and stuck her phone in her pocket, then let out a shaky breath. The plan was in place, and she wasn’t sure if she was happy about it—or scared out of her mind. Maybe both.
“He said yes?” Levi’s lips settled into a tense line.
“Yep. I told him you were currently running from here to Olympic Valley and suggested we surprise you by meeting there for a picnic dinner.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t already have plans. Isn’t he staying with friends?”
“Yes, but tonight, they were just hanging out at the house they rented. He said he’d join them later in the evening since he wants to see us.”
“What, exactly, do you intend to do?” Levi glanced up from tying his shoes, his brows drawn into a frown over worried eyes.
“Meet him at the trailhead leading up to Shirley Lake. There’ll still be plenty of light to hike up to a good spot along the creek, eat, and come down before it’s completely dark. Bobby thought it was a great plan.”
Levi’s scowl deepened. “No kidding. Seems like you’ve set up the perfect scenario to dump your body unnoticed.”
“That’s the idea. Meeting at a restaurant wouldn’t offer much of an opportunity.” Her words held more confidence than she was feeling. Not that she actually believed Bobby B, old friend and baseball superstar, would try to kill her. But still . . .
“I don’t like it.”
“Detective Gilbert isn’t going to let anything happen to me. By the way, he was impressed with my ingenuity. For a cop, the guy has a creative bent.”
“Isn’t that special.”
She ignored his irritated tone. “Anyway, when I called earlier, he said he would contact the sheriff to make sure deputies can be positioned nearby to come to my rescue at the first sign of trouble. He was just frustrated he couldn’t be here in person on such short notice.”
“And what if the deputies can’t reach you in time?” Levi closed the distance between them and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Then what?”
“That isn’t going to happen. Plus, you’ll be following us. Staying out of sight but within shouting distance. I’m not worried.” A total lie, but she spoke with every bit of conviction she could muster.
“If this is a surprise, how am I supposed to meet up with you two?”
“I’ll tell Bobby that we’ll call you once we find a good spot for our picnic. Which should give him plenty of time to make a move. Not that I think he will.”
Levi let out a breath and pulled her tight against his chest. “Fine. Call Gilbert. If he can’t arrange to have the deputies in place, we’ll cancel.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She leaned back slightly to meet his gaze. “I’m not a fool. Or helpless. I intend to carry pepper spray as my first line of defense.”
“Then let’s get this over with. What time are you meeting him?”
“In an hour. I told him you left on your run a while ago.”
Releasing her, he stepped away. “You seem to have thought of everything. Maybe you should have been a covert agent for the FBI or CIA instead of a party planner.”
A smile curved her lips. “I’m still young. I can consider a career change after this is over.”
“Funny.”
“Seriously, Levi, I’ll be okay.”
“You’re damn right. Because I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”
An hour later, after getting a thumbs up from Detective Gilbert, Raine dropped Levi off a half-mile from the ski area.
“If Bobby’s running late, make sure he doesn’t see you.”
“He won’t. I’ll take the side streets from here and come down through th
e woods to a spot where I can watch the trailhead. That way, I’ll be able to keep an eye on you. Don’t be in a big hurry to head out. I’ll need about ten minutes to get into position.”
“Got it.”
He bent down and kissed her through the open car window. “Be smart, Raine.”
“I will. No unnecessary risks. I promise.”
With a nod, Levi took off running. Once he disappeared from sight, she put the Jeep in gear and pulled out onto the main road. Shaking slightly from nerves, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she passed the Village at Squaw Valley with its shops and restaurants at the bottom of the mountain. But by the time she pulled into the nearly empty parking area near the trailhead and found Bobby B waiting for her beside his Tesla, a calm had settled over her. She would do this, despite the risk, because she was sick and tired of being afraid.
Sick and tired of being a victim.
Turning off the engine, she stepped out onto the pavement and waved. “Hey, Bobby. Give me a minute to load the food into my pack, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“I can carry some of it.” He strolled over to her side. “I brought a bottle of wine to go with our dinner. This should be fun.”
Smiling back was easy. Raine had always enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm. All his fame and fortune hadn’t changed the type of man he was, and she couldn’t believe he had a malicious bone in his body.
Not that I intend to let my guard down.
“What a great idea.” Bobby opened his pack and slid the rotisserie chicken wrapped in foil and a loaf of French bread inside. “Did you pass Levi on your way here?”
Raine nodded. “Yep, but he looked like he was in the zone, running with his earbuds in. He didn’t even notice me drive by.”
She loaded packages of cheese, apples, grapes, and a container of brownies into her pack. Pulling her water bottle from a side pocket, she took a drink to combat her dry mouth.
Those nerves again.
“I’ll call him once we find a place to eat. We should have at least a half hour before he gets here.”
“Sounds good.” Bobby raised a brow. “Do we have everything?”
“I think so.”
Levi’s requested ten minutes was up. The promised deputies were nowhere in sight, which only made sense since any sign of a police presence would defeat the purpose. Even without that visual reassurance, Raine trusted Detective Gilbert to keep his word.
Mindful of her casted arm, she awkwardly shrugged her pack over her shoulders and smiled. “Let’s go.”
Bobby swept out a hand. “Lead the way, my lady.”
It was already after six, and birds chirped in the lengthening shadows. They didn’t pass anyone on the rocky trail as they hiked straight up out of the valley. Once, Raine thought she saw a flash of movement. But when she studied the granite boulders and trees dropping away to the creek below, nothing stirred.
“There’s a pool where you can take a dip not far from here.” Bobby stepped up beside her and pointed. “I did this hike a couple of years ago, but it was later in the fall. If we tried wading into the water now, we’d probably get sucked over the rocks and bash in our skulls. The current’s still pretty strong with the last of the snowmelt.”
Raine shivered. Sliding her hand into the pocket of her windbreaker, she fingered the small container of pepper spray. “I don’t doubt it. Still, we can scout out a place to sit nearby. Listening to the water is relaxing.”
They left the trail and hiked up the creek, clamoring over rocks and tree roots. She made sure to stay a safe distance from the bank, but if Bobby grabbed her . . .
“That flat granite slab on the other side seems like a prime spot.”
A chill slid down her spine. “Getting over there looks a little tricky. We’d have to cross the creek on that log.”
“Hell, it’s over a foot wide and well anchored. As nimble as you are, you’d have no trouble.” His mouth stretched in a wide grin. “With my size fifteen feet, I’m far more likely to fall in.”
Her grip on the pepper spray tightened. Never had she felt more alone. A light breeze swayed the tree branches, and not even a squirrel moved in the rugged terrain.
Bobby frowned. “I guess the log does look a little damp. If you’re nervous about slipping, we can stay over here. Why don’t you call Levi? He must be nearly to the end of the valley by now.”
“I imagine so. It’s been a half hour since I passed him.”
“Did that maniac plan to run all the way back home, too? Round trip must be thirty plus miles.”
A shaky laugh slipped out. “I think he intended to contact Uber for a ride.”
“Good to know he isn’t completely crazy. Actually, let me call him.” Bobby dropped onto a boulder and pulled out his phone.
Nearly dizzy with relief, Raine sank onto a rock and let her pack slide over her cast to the ground. She’d given the man a perfect opportunity to get rid of her—and any threat she might pose. Yet, he hadn’t made a single move.
While Bobby spoke to Levi, describing their location and joking that he planned to eat all the food if he didn’t hurry, Raine quickly texted Detective Gilbert.
All good. Bobby didn’t take the bait. Check him off your suspect list and call off the deputies.
Hitting send lifted a huge weight from her chest.
Bobby pocketed his phone. “Levi was just about to call for that Uber and have a beer in the village while he waited. He implied we’re slow and said he’d be here in fifteen minutes. Maybe less since he intends to run.”
Raine leaned back against a rock and relaxed for the first time all day. “My guess is he’ll be here in ten if he doesn’t get lost.”
Levi showed up nine minutes later. He gave Bobby B a fist bump and then hugged Raine. “Sorry. I’m kind of sweaty.” As he pulled away, his eyes were full of questions. “When did you decide on this impromptu picnic?”
“I called Bobby while you were running. Seemed like a fabulous idea, and it all worked out perfectly.”
“No doubt.” Bobby opened his pack and pulled out the chicken. “Raine brought a feast. Let’s dig in, and you can tell me all about your new business.”
They ate and talked about her partnership with Camille Valentine in High Sierra Celebrations, the baseball season, along with the Oakland A’s impressive record, and the highlights from their Yosemite trip. Finished with their meal, Raine stuffed the trash back into her pack and settled next to Levi with her half-full, plastic wineglass.
Sitting across from them, Bobby wrapped his arms around his updrawn knees. “I hung out with Rosa the other night.”
Levi picked up a smooth stone and tossed it in the air a couple of times before chucking it into the creek. “Are you two dating?”
“No way.” Bobby rolled his eyes. “We’re far too much alike. Competitive to a fault. I just took her for drinks after working out at the gym to try to cheer her up. She’s still struggling hard with Cooper’s death.”
“Were Rosa and Cooper . . .” Raine shrugged. “I got the feeling they’d hooked up.”
“If you’re right, Rosa didn’t admit it. She just said she misses him. That she can’t wrap her head around the fact that he’s gone. Or that he’d died on our watch.”
“Our watch?” Raine’s brows shot up. “That’s an odd comment.”
“I said as much, but Rosa brushed it off. Said she just meant that we were all there and hadn’t been able to do one thing to stop it from happening.”
Levi frowned. “Did she say who she thought was responsible?”
“She was pretty drunk by then and muttered that someone knew a hell of a lot more than they were saying. But when I pushed, she just said she wanted to go home.” Bobby finished his wine and stuck his glass in his pack. “At any rate, she seemed pretty depressed. I know you weren’t ever super close with Rosa, but Camille still is. Maybe the next time you talk to your partner, you can ask her to check up on Rosa.”
“I’ll do that. Actua
lly, I might call her myself. Thanks for letting me know, Bobby.”
“You bet.” He rose to his feet. “It’s getting pretty dark. We’d better go if we don’t want to hurt ourselves on the trail. You don’t need another broken arm, Raine.”
“You’re right.” Levi stood to give her a hand up. “Once the sun drops behind the mountains, you can’t see a hell of a lot.”
Fifteen minutes later, they left Bobby with a promise to give him a call the next time they were in the city.
After settling in the Jeep, she turned to face Levi. “That was interesting.”
“What happened before I got there?”
Raine started the engine and followed Bobby’s taillights. “Nothing. He could have shoved me in the creek and disappeared with no one the wiser, but—”
“Jesus, Raine. That’s why I was against this idiotic idea from the beginning.”
“If he made any kind of move, I had my finger ready on the pepper spray in my pocket. The point is, he didn’t. I’m dead certain he isn’t the one who hired that guy to run me down—or the one who killed Cooper. Bobby B is as innocent as he seems.”
They drove in silence for a minute before Levi spoke. “I’m relieved he’s not involved. I’m even more thankful you didn’t get yourself killed. I was close enough to catch glimpses of the two of you hiking, but if he’d pushed you—”
“Once, I saw movement on the other side of the creek. Probably one of the deputies. I imagine if I had screamed, he would have taken action.”
“You mean he would have shot Bobby?” Levi’s tone was hard. “I’m glad it didn’t come to that.”
“Me, too.” She let out a long breath. “Next time, I’ll come up with a plan that isn’t so risky.”
He shifted to stare at her as they stopped at the light before turning onto the highway back to Truckee. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You heard what Bobby said about Rosa. If she thinks I know something, wouldn’t that give her a reason to try to shut me up?”
Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1) Page 17