“You have to be. Just like I have to. It’s what makes us good at the detail-oriented nature of our jobs.”
“True.” She tried her best to block out the words that ran through her head, the same words he claimed he’d only said because he was jealous all those years ago: “intense, questioning everything, stubborn, logical to a fault, naive...”
“Truth was, I didn’t think of you as a girl back then,” Matt said.
She felt her eyes bulge. “Excuse me?”
He held up his hands and smiled. “When you first moved in, you were someone new to hang out with...pure and simple. My brothers had gotten to the age that they were too cool to hang out with the youngest anymore.” He pointed his thumb into his wide, strong chest.
She blinked hard, trying to focus on anything but how nice it had felt to be in his arms earlier. “So... I filled a vacancy?”
“Uh...no. Like I said, we’re more alike than different. It was easy to hang out together. Only we put our energies into different things. I liked your friendship too much to let it matter once I realized you were a girl.”
“You mean, once it mattered I was a girl.”
He winked. “Semantics.”
Another police officer walked through the glass doors, prompting a ding from the store speakers. They watched him converse with the other officers before he looked toward the pharmacy. He spotted Isabelle and approached.
“Ma’am, we’ve yet to find either of the two men you described. We’re still combing the area and collecting witness statements.”
“What about the man you caught the other night? The one you got outside the Tower of the Americas... Did you ask him for the names of the men? I’m sure they’re all connected.”
The officer put his hands on his hips. “I can’t say much other than Jimmy Diaz—no confirmation yet as to whether that’s his real name—proved not to be helpful.” He looked at his shoes and sighed. “He was released on bail today.”
Unaware she’d taken a step away, she felt her back press into Matt’s solid chest. She didn’t move forward. Frankly, she needed the support to remain standing. “So, he’s still out there? Along with the others?”
“I’m afraid so.” He shook his head. “They don’t typically let officers know when they let these guys out. I found out only because of this shooting. I can assure you that your safety is a concern we don’t take lightly. It’s in our daily watch meetings. We will continue to increase patrolling around your hotel.”
The rest of the questions and comments sounded like background noise. Matt took over the discussion, but she didn’t pay any attention. Maybe she was wrong to have stayed this long. Her goal of fighting for a permanent home...maybe it was all selfish, all wrong. It’d certainly only brought Hank trouble and put Matt’s life in danger.
“Isabelle.”
She blinked and looked up to find Matt in her face, his head tilted in concern. “They’ve got the car waiting for us.”
Perhaps this was what sleepwalking felt like—if she were ever aware of it—going through the motions in a dazed state of mind. She approached the pharmacy counter to pick up the pepper spray that Matt had paid for. Except now Matt wasn’t in sight. It served as another keen reminder that their ruse on the boat was all an act. After this, he probably wanted to stay as far away from her as possible, and she couldn’t blame him.
Her shoulders bore the brunt of the stress as she forced herself to walk to the front of the store. Matt stood at the cash register. He winked and held up two phones. “To hold us over.”
An hour ago she would’ve thought having a phone would’ve provided an added sense of security. Now it felt like she wasn’t safe no matter what she did. Matt handed her the flip phone. “Were you listening when the officer asked you to call Hank?”
She inhaled sharply. “No. Why? Do they have some reason to think he’s being targeted, too?”
“No, nothing like that.” Matt placed a hand on her shoulder. “They need to know what number he called to order us the cab.”
Her veins filled with icy liquid. “Are you implying—”
“If Sandra Parveen gave him a direct phone number, or he told someone else about it, then we might have a lead.”
Her lips parted. While she was relieved he wasn’t trying to insinuate her uncle was a suspect, it didn’t make sense even to consider the conference organizer a suspect. Sandra wasn’t an educated member in the field. She was an events coordinator, as evidenced by the way she hounded Matt for potential discounts. Uncle Hank, on the other hand, had already proved to have loose lips. “I’ll call him as soon as possible.”
The officer stood by the open back door of the police cruiser. If ever she’d wanted to feel like a criminal, now was her chance. And judging by the disapproving expression on the officer’s face as he scanned the dark shadows around them, she might as well have been.
“At least we don’t have handcuffs,” Matt whispered. “If the gunmen weren’t still out there somewhere, I’d ask him to drop us off a block from the hotel.” Like a teenager trying not to be seen with his parents. Only this was much worse. It hadn’t occurred to her until now that Matt’s employees and guests would see him leaving the back of a police car. How humiliating. There wouldn’t be any way around needing to explain that.
“Tell them everything, Matt. Don’t let anyone think less of you because I got you into this situation. In fact, maybe I should make an announcement in the lobby when we get there.”
“Stop.” He laughed softly. “It’s going to be okay, Isabelle. I appreciate the concern, though.” He leaned over and squeezed her hand. Only she’d gone numb. She didn’t want goals or dreams if they meant putting everyone she loved in jeopardy.
Isabelle flung herself back into the seat as if she’d been slapped.
Love. She loved Matt.
* * *
The cruiser pulled up in the semicircle drive underneath the hotel awning. Jake, Matt’s valet, frowned but approached the car. When he caught sight of who was inside, his eyes widened.
Matt cringed. Maybe he should’ve taken Isabelle’s offer a little more seriously.
The officer opened both of their doors for them. “Sir, is everything okay?” Jake asked. He looked over Matt’s shoulder at Isabelle but said nothing.
“We avoided a close call.”
Jake pursed his lips, his gaze on Matt’s forehead. “Should’ve seen the other guy, right?”
Matt smirked, searching for a witty comeback. Isabelle joined him at his side. “The other guy had a gun.”
Well, that took the humor out of the situation real fast. Jake paled. “Glad you’re okay.”
They walked through the glass front doors. Boisterous laughter to the right caught his attention. Mr. Frazer stood in the doorway of the small security office set off the entrance. He said something Matt couldn’t decipher, and the guards inside burst into guffaws.
Matt approached, and Frazer spun around. “Matt, good to see you. Just shooting the breeze with your guards. Thought I went to school with Lyle here, but turns out he’s just his funnier and smarter doppelgänger.”
Lyle chuckled but didn’t move from his spot in front of a screen with a plethora of hotel entrance angles on the monitors.
“You’re back again, Mr. Frazer,” Matt said.
Lyle jumped up and pointed to Matt’s head. “Need the first-aid kit?”
Matt waved him away. He was trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation. He’d dealt with many unusual situations and unique people over the years, but he didn’t like to act rashly. He needed to determine if the man really wanted to host an event or if he had other goals.
Frazer smiled amiably. “I was actually looking for you. I’ve been all over town today, and it seems you run the tightest ship. I think this might just be
the place to have my daughter’s wedding.” Frazer held both hands up, but his gaze had moved to the monitor, which featured the police cruiser waiting in the driveway. “I’m not one to rush into things. I like to take my time and make sure of my investments.” He sighed dramatically. “How about we start with a personal tour? I wanted to get my own impression before I received—no offense—your sales pitch. Now I’m ready for you to show me all the bells and whistles of this place.”
An electric prickling sensation started at the back of Matt’s neck. Usually he dealt with the wedding coordinator, the bride or the mother of the bride. Working with the father of the bride would be new territory. “Well, thank you. If you’d like to book an appointment to discuss possible—”
Isabelle’s soft sigh eased his stress only a little. He’d forgotten she was behind him. She stepped back into the lobby, likely soothed that the situation didn’t have anything to do with her. Matt leaned his aching back onto the side of the doorway. He crossed his arms and tilted his head. The man probably was old money and was used to doing things his way. Since the guy always showed up in the evenings, he was probably coming after business was done. He mentally ran through his own schedule. His family was due to arrive tomorrow night, but he should be able to squeeze in a mentor session of sorts. And if David happened to tag along so he could watch Matt at work, that’d be even better. “Why don’t you stop by tomorrow evening? Same time?”
Frazer laughed. “Deal.”
Matt tensed. Why, he couldn’t quite pinpoint. “Well, it was nice to see you again.” He stepped back onto the marbled lobby floor and saw Struther and Allen had flanked Isabelle. Were they staying here? He made a mental note to check the hotel roster before calling it a night. He wanted them both as far as possible from Isabelle. He didn’t trust either one of them.
Concern flashed in her eyes at the sight of Matt. “They were across the street when they saw the police car pull out. They wanted to make sure I was okay.”
“Will you still be able to present the keynote if they succeed in getting your laptop?” Struther asked.
“You don’t think it could be someone from the conference, do you?” Allen raised both eyebrows.
Isabelle looked flustered by the questions delivered right on top of the other. Her right hand pressed into the area underneath her collarbone, just underneath the jeweled heart. “To be honest, the laptop isn’t the biggest concern. I keep the research...elsewhere.” She dropped her hand to her side.
Struther raised his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on her neck. “Smart,” he commented.
She folded her arms across her chest. “And while I can’t help but be cautious, I don’t really think the danger is coming from within the conference. You both know that research like ours is often targeted by international organizations—”
“So true,” Struther commented before she could finish. “You heard about West Coast Ocean Institute?”
“Of course,” Isabelle said.
“Comes with the territory in our industry.” Struther waved at Matt. “Well, glad to know you are okay. See you tomorrow, Isabelle.”
Matt stared hard at both of them, unable to offer the slightest of smiles. Why would Struther—seemingly innocent of the Tower incident—not want to hear any more about the investment opportunity Isabelle could offer yet still be worried about her ability to present? They referenced West Coast Ocean Institute... He vaguely recalled Isabelle mentioning that they’d been hacked a month prior. And the two men seemed more like buddies now. Odd.
“Well, I’ll see you around,” Frazer said.
Matt spun around. “Uh, yes. Goodbye.”
He led Isabelle back to his apartment so she could call Hank on his landline while their new phones charged. Every few steps, he took a glance over his shoulder to make sure no one was following them.
She cringed. “I’m sorry. After this week, I’ve likely turned you paranoid.”
“Or more observant.”
She grinned. “That’s the positive way of looking at it.”
He shrugged. “Now, that is your fault. Whereas I’ve likely made you take a more pessimistic view.”
She stepped inside his place and dropped onto the couch. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “What a week.”
The sight took him off guard—Isabelle comfortable in his home. His shoulders relaxed. It was as if she belonged here. And if danger and uncertainty weren’t part of their lives, this week could’ve gone much differently. She’d changed, much as he had. But her essence, her gentle, caring heart, remained the same. She still loved the Lord, and her contagious smile still lit up a room.
Yet, even if the Lord answered his prayer in a heartbeat and made the danger nonexistent, there still wasn’t hope for them to be anything more than friends. He sighed and turned away to open the phone packages on the counter in the kitchen. Ever since he’d known Isabelle, she’d wanted a place where she could grow roots.
Traveling had sounded fun to him, so he hadn’t understood at first. Everywhere she went she could start over, get a new reputation and become whoever she wanted to be. Now that he’d moved a couple of times, he could see how it would get old fast.
Should Hank not be able to keep Isabelle on in her current position, she would likely need to move. Matt had no intention of staying put in San Antonio. He’d learned and worked his way to the top, but he could never implement all his ideas in a place where his boss worked from a city high-rise. It was all about the stocks and quarterly reports. His hope remained with his brother and sister-in-law, David and Aria. If they asked him to take over the conference center, then maybe he would have something to offer Isabelle, and he could consider pursuing her. Until then, he needed to control his thoughts...and feelings.
“Uncle Hank? Yes, we’re fine. It’s been quite a week.” Isabelle’s voice sounded strained from the other room. “I need to ask you a question. Did someone give you the number to call a cab service for us?”
It wasn’t lost on him that Isabelle didn’t divulge the details of their night.
“She said what? Okay, one second.”
Matt stepped into the room. Isabelle nodded at him, wide-eyed. “He said Mrs. Parveen mentioned that a lot of attendees claimed Grande Cab Service was the cheapest, but she didn’t give him a phone number.”
Matt nodded and went back to his phone, plugged in the outlet. It had enough battery power to make a phone call as long as it was plugged in. He pulled out the business card the officer at the pharmacy had given him before they’d left.
“Officer Taylor speaking.”
Matt introduced himself and briefed him on what Hank had admitted.
The officer sighed. “I’m afraid that doesn’t help us much. Grande really is the cheapest service in town. They’re not known for the best service, though. Some reports have alleged organized crime has stemmed from the business, but we have no solid proof.”
Matt raked a hand through his hair. “Wouldn’t this constitute a lead?” He fought to keep emotion from entering his question. “I don’t see any reason they would have an interest in Isabelle or her work.”
“We’ll look into it. Right now, the best thing you can do is stay in safe areas. Maybe use a different taxi service. We’ll keep you updated.”
He stared at the flip phone. Sometimes he missed being able to hang up by slamming the phone onto the cradle.
“Nothing?”
Matt spun around to Isabelle’s soft voice. She still sat on the couch but leaned forward, her elbows on her knees and her face cradled in her hands. “They’re looking into it,” he said. He’d share what else the officer said as soon as he sat down. “How about I make some of my famous hot cocoa?”
“That’d be nice,” she murmured.
The mugs with panoramic views of the River Walk seemed like the perfect choic
e since Isabelle wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the sights leisurely. A few moments later, he stepped toward the coffee table to find Isabelle asleep...and snoring softly. One hand was tucked underneath a throw pillow while the other was curled up beside her cheek.
If he woke her now, she might never go back to sleep. He’d certainly rest better in his room than in a wingback chair in the hallway. Especially since the gunmen seemed keen on killing him. He draped a blanket over her and made his way to his own room. If she tried to sleepwalk, he’d hear her. He was the lightest sleeper of his family.
He was too exhausted to change, so he kicked off his shoes, lay down on top of the covers and closed his eyes. Images of the gunmen and the car almost hitting Isabelle replayed in his mind on a loop. It seemed hard to believe that an organized crime ring would want anything to do with Isabelle’s research.
His family would arrive tomorrow, and one thing was for certain—there was no way he could tell his mother. Because if she found out another one of her sons was a target of the mafia, there was no telling what she’d do.
ELEVEN
A stream of sunlight brushed against her face. Isabelle sighed and tried to roll, only to find her back against something firm. She bolted into a sitting position. Had she been sleepwalking again? The curtains looked familiar. A mug full of cold cocoa sat on the coffee table in front of her. Her ears strained and picked up Matt’s deep breathing from the other room.
It meant that hours had passed without someone trying to kill them. She started breathing again, matching Matt’s pattern of inhaling and exhaling, while her eyes and mind battled through the fog of heavy slumber. Surprisingly, she’d slept better than any other night she’d been in San Antonio, despite the hard couch.
Even though she never remembered dozing off, there must’ve been a part of her that trusted she could relax if Matt was there. Just like he’d been there the previous night, though he didn’t realize she knew about his sacrifice. She had been getting ready to go back to bed when she’d heard a noise in the hallway. Through the peephole she’d spotted him, trying to get comfortable in a stiff wingback chair right outside her door.
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