“Are you sure you don’t mind taking Roci for a while?”
Olivia’s voice pulled him from his recollections and he scrubbed the dog’s head. “Are you kidding? Roci and I are buds. We’ll have a blast together, won’t we boy?” Roci rewarded him with a sloppy swipe of his tongue. Alex laughed. “Plus, many of the other agents have dogs so he’ll have friends to play with.” He opened the door to Roci’s carrier. Ernie had trained him to use it, so he climbed in easily. The carrier had wheels, which was good because Alex didn’t think he could carry the dog and his bags. He wanted to ask Olivia what her plans were, but they’d studiously avoided the topic the past week. Besides, he was afraid of the answer. At least if he had her dog, he’d get to see her one more time when she picked him up.
He loaded his bags in the SUV and hefted Roci onto the back seat. Once Olivia was inside and belted in, he rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and navigated to the airport to return the rental. “I hate leaving you without wheels.”
“I’ve never had a car in the City,” she said. “I get around easily without one.”
After they returned the vehicle, they headed to the counter to check Roci in. Alex had already made a reservation and they’d visited a vet for a check-up. The vet provided them with “Live Animal” stickers to place on the carrier and Olivia had added labels on all sides with Alex’s contact information in case something happened. They’d stopped by a pet store and had a tag engraved with Alex’s phone number for his collar as well.
Alex handed over the vet information and the ticket agent went over a checklist. Once Roci was cleared, both Alex and Olivia spoke reassuringly to him, hugging and kissing him. Olivia had tears in her eyes.
Another attendant arrived to transport Roci to the plane. Alex’s heart hitched. He hated to have to send the dog to the belly of the plane, but they didn’t have any other choice. The ticket agent asked him a question, compelling him to focus on checking in. He disclosed that his weapon was unloaded and secured in his checked baggage. Once he was all set, he forced a smile at Olivia, grabbed her hand, picked up his bag and headed to security. The closer they got, the more he dragged his feet. His body would be walking through the scanning machine, but he’d be leaving his heart right here. With Olivia.
He stopped and pulled her out of the flow of passengers and into his arms. He could tell she was crying and damn if his eyes weren’t welling, too.
“I love you, Alex.”
That caused one of the tears to leak over the edge. Damn. Some badass ninja cop-turned-security specialist he was, standing in the middle of LaGuardia weeping like a baby. “I love you too, babe.” There wasn’t anything he could do for the gravelly voice. It was hard to talk over the boulder-sized lump in his throat.
“Call me every night.”
“I will.”
“Text me, too.”
“I promise.”
If it wasn’t for the fact that Roci was already on the plane, Alex would’ve said forget it and hauled Olivia back to her apartment. But he couldn’t do that. He had commitments, a job he loved. He slid his hands to her cheeks and wiped her tears with his thumbs. “I’ll miss you, babe. So much.”
She nodded, more tears flowing. He bent down and pressed his lips to hers. She whimpered and it took a Herculean effort to step back. Offer a smile. Move into line. As soon as he cleared security, he turned and lifted a hand. Olivia’s smile wobbled as she waved back. Inhaling deeply, he turned and headed for the plane. He was surprised to see that his body still worked without his heart.
#
Two weeks after Alex had left New York, Olivia taped up the boxes she hadn’t even bothered unpacking. She’d gone straight from seeing Alex off at the airport to Pierce Prescott’s office and tendered her resignation. The studio was rebuilding and though they’d co-opted the evening news to a sister station in Trenton, they were itching to get back on the air. Jonah was healing and anxious to return. It seemed everyone was looking forward to getting back except her. Pierce had tried everything to cajole her to stay. Her story on the Vigilante was still getting major exposure and she was guaranteed to win awards. Pierce tried doubling her salary, taking his own son off the co-host duties, anything to entice her but she was unmoved. She still enjoyed her job, but it wasn’t enough anymore. She wanted a house and babies and a life. She wanted it with Alex.
Something had shifted inside her during the ordeal. Part of it—a large part—was seeing Alex again, being with him. She didn’t think she could say goodbye to him again. He’d become as important to her as breathing. He had a great job working with wonderful people, but she had no doubt he’d give it up to move to New York to be with her. She didn’t want him to do that.
How could she go on as before, leading a life but not really living it? Alex had shown her what true happiness was. Imagining a life without him was bleak and endless.
Another part of the shift was Ernie’s letter. He lived his life thinking he would spend his golden years with his love and travel the world. Because of one cruel twist of fate, he didn’t get that opportunity. If there was anything she learned from the ordeal, it was that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed. She didn’t want to waste another moment without her love.
She was part owner of a production company along with her best friend Kendall Demarchis, and Taylor Costa. TKO Productions. She didn’t know Taylor but Kendall adored her so she couldn’t wait to get to know the other woman. She would still be working in the television industry and she’d have more control over her career. She was looking forward to it.
It’d been hard to say goodbye to the friends she’d made during her time in the City. Her first stop had been to Carl, Mary and CJ. Tears had been shed. Now that Carl knew how to text, he promised to keep in touch.
Susannah Kramer was the only one excited for Olivia. She joked that Olivia could be her in with COBRA Securities. Susannah really wanted a chance to work for the company, as did her partner Derek Benson. They were both excellent cops so she hoped they got the opportunity. Plus, it would be nice to have her friend close by since she didn’t know many people there.
She would miss Queenie and her off-beat British humor. Chuck and Kip she would miss not at all. The hardest goodbye had been with Jonah. He’d been an awesome producer and she would always treasure his guidance and support. He promised to keep in touch as well.
The movers arrived to carry her possessions to the U-Haul parked at the curb. Faye assigned her manager to be in charge of the gym for a few days and she was driving with Olivia to Indiana. She would return the van and then fly home. Olivia was grateful for the company.
She texted constantly with Alex and they talked for hours each night but he didn’t know she was coming. She wanted to surprise him so she was driving to Kendall’s house first. Once all of her boxes and furniture pieces were secured inside, she climbed inside the cab and buckled up. Faye was driving the first leg of the journey.
As New York City disappeared in the rear view mirror, Olivia smiled, excited to start the next chapter of her life.
Epilogue
Alex picked up the slobber-covered stick and chucked it in the air. Roci and Midas took off after it, bumping into each other as they charged forward.
“Mine, mine,” Kai Costa yelled, chasing after the dogs. Roci and Midas reached the stick at the same time and a game of tug-of-war ensued. Roci was a younger version of Kai’s dog. Both were golden retrievers and they bonded almost instantly, so much so, that Alex felt guilty every time he had to separate them. A U-Haul stopped at the security gate and then motored down the road that led to employee’s homes. He wondered if someone had ordered new furniture or something.
The dogs raced back, each carrying one end of the stick. They dropped it at his feet.
“Good doggy,” he praised. “You too, Roci. Midas.”
“Har har,” Kai said, breath bellowing out as he bent over to rest his hands on his knees. “You think they’d let me win ju
st once.” As if understanding what his young master said, Midas picked up the stick, loped over and dropped it at Kai’s feet.
Kai dropped to the ground and threw his arms around his dog. Roci, thinking this was a new game, pounced, and soon two dogs and one boy were rolling around on the ground with laughter and barks filling the air.
Smiling, Alex snapped a picture and sent it to Olivia. He’d been sending her snaps of Roci for the last two weeks. She usually texted back instantly so he was a little concerned when his note went unanswered.
He checked the time. Dorian and Kendall were having a party tonight and he needed to shower and change. He didn’t feel like being social. He’d rather curl up on the sofa in his apartment and talk into the wee hours of the night with Olivia as he did most nights, but he promised his best friend he’d be there. “Hey, Kai, it’s time to go.” He didn’t want to mention the party since kids weren’t invited.
“Okay,” Kai said pushing to his feet as he wiped doggie drool from his face.
“Hop in.” Roci leaped onto the passenger seat of the golf cart. He loved tooling around the compound. Kai and Midas jumped in the back and he drove them home. The U-Haul was parked in Dorian and Kendall’s driveway. They must’ve rented equipment for the party.
He returned to his apartment in the COBRA Securities housing complex. A few months ago, he’d purchased a parcel of land close to Dorian and Kendall and he’d made an appointment with their builder to construct his house. He and Olivia talked about it and he committed to memory every detail that she said she wanted in her home. When he met with the architect in a few days, he planned on having a home that Olivia might want to live in one day.
As soon as he stepped out of the shower, he checked his cell. Still no message from her. He dialed her number and it went instantly to voice mail. His worry ratcheted up a notch. Then he remembered her telling him she would be attending a surprise party tonight. They laughed about both having parties on the same night.
He made sure Roci’s food and water bowl were filled before he returned to the golf cart and motored to Dorian’s house. Everyone drove golf carts around the compound, but there weren’t any others around. He checked his watch. He might be a tad early, but he expected someone to be here. The U-Haul was gone, he noted absently. The party was being held in the back yard so he parked his cart and headed in that direction. Lights shimmered off the surface of the pool and music was playing, but no one was milling around. “Hello? Anyone here?”
“Surprise!”
Alex spun around, stunned to see Olivia standing on the patio.
“Olivia?” He moved so fast, he was surprised he didn’t leave skid marks. He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her.
A hand slapped him on the back. “As a wise friend once said, get a room.”
He ignored Dorian and kept on kissing.
Finally, he ended the kiss and buried his hands in her hair, grasping her head. Her hands covered his. “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did. I told you I was going to a surprise party. You just didn’t know it was yours.”
He couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off his face. “I love you.”
Tears swam in her eyes. “I love you, too.”
Something dawned on him. “The U-Haul…” His eyes widened. “Are you…” At her nod, he whooped and crushed her to him again, filled with so much hope, he thought he’d burst. He pulled back again. “What about your job?”
“I quit.”
“Oh, babe, your report on the Vigilante was award-winning. You could write your ticket anywhere.”
“Well, Pierce did offer to double my salary and kick his own son off of co-hosting duties.”
“He offered to fire Dipshit? And you turned it down?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“Because of you.”
He groaned and hugged her tight, dropping his chin to her head. “I don’t want you to give up your career for me. I can find a job in New York. Luke and Logan have connections, Detective Benson, too.”
“I wish you’d told me that before I quit my job and gave up my apartment.”
He jerked back and looked into her eyes. She was grinning. “I’m kidding. It wouldn’t have made a difference. I loved my job but that wasn’t the life I wanted anymore. I’m part owner with Kendall and Taylor’s production company. I’ll still be in the business. I can live without my job. I can’t live without you.”
Damn it all to hell, he was going to cry like a big baby. He grabbed her hand and towed her to his golf cart.
“Hey, where are you going?” Kendall called out. “She just got here. We haven’t had a chance to catch up. I made margaritas!”
“I’ll bring her back in a day…or three.”
He ignored the knowing laughter from his best friend and grasped Olivia’s hips to boost her into the cart. He pushed the petal to the metal in his haste to get home and make love to the woman he loved.
Dan Bradley was waiting outside the apartment when they arrived. Judging by the shit-eating grin on his face, he either knew about the “surprise party” or Dorian had called him.
“Out of my way, Bradley,” he cautioned as he clasped Olivia’s hand and headed for his unit.
“Now, now, don’t be rude, Alex.” Dan blocked their path. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to this lovely woman?”
He placed his palm against Dan’s chest and pushed. Hard. Dan stumbled back and crashed to the ground.
“Alex!”
“Don’t worry, honey, he can take it.”
“Ms. Larrson!”
Alex groaned as footsteps pounded behind them. He narrowed his gaze at Dan, who was rolling on the ground, chortling like a damn hyena. “What did I ever do to you?” Dan held up his hands in mock surrender.
#
“Ms. Larrson, do you remember me?”
Olivia twisted around and her face lit with happiness. She opened her arms and hugged Kai Costa. She’d interviewed the young boy after he saved his now-stepsister from a serial killer. “Of course I remember you, Kai. You don’t forget heroes. And you can call me Olivia.”
“I can?” When she nodded in confirmation, he added, “Dan said you were moving here. Is that true?”
She glanced at the man rolling on the ground with glee. “Dan, I take it?” He wiggled his fingers. She faced Kai. “Yes, I am.”
“Yeah!” He punched a hand in the air. “You know, you’re almost as pretty as my girlfriend, Lauren.”
“Hey Kai,” Dan called out. “I bet Alex and Olivia would love to take you for some ice cream.”
“Really?” Kai jumped up and down.
“Are you kidding me?” Alex sputtered, narrowing his gaze at Dan. “Kai, I love you kid, and we’ll take you for ice cream tomorrow, but right now Olivia and I have some things to talk about.” He grabbed her hand and practically yanked her forward.
“Aw, man,” Kai complained. “I wanted a chocolate malt.”
“Have Bradley take you after he finds the ass he’s currently laughing off,” Alex suggested.
“You said ass!” Kai repeated.
“See you later, Kai. Nice to meet you, Dan,” she said over her shoulder, noting that Dan was laughing even harder.
Alex guided her up a flight of stairs and he opened a door, not even using a key. After going through the security to get in to the COBRA Securities compound, she supposed keys were optional. As soon as the door closed, he had her pushed up against it, kissing the daylights out of her.
“Ruff, ruff!”
Alex broke the kiss as two big paws landed against them.
“Roci!” She dropped down and hugged the golden retriever. She’d missed him. He bathed her face with his tongue.
“Dog’s honing in on my job,” Alex grumbled and she laughed, happier than she could ever remember being.
A knock sounded on the door and Alex threw his hands in the air. “What now?” She chuckled at the look of exasperat
ion on his face.
He whipped open the door. Kai stood in the hall looking a little sheepish. “Uh, hi, Alex.” He waved. “Olivia. Dan said that I should ask to take—” He stopped and glanced down the hall and she heard whispering. Kai slapped his forehead. “Oh, right. Dan said that I need to apologize first for interrupting your French lessons. I didn’t know you spoke French?”
Olivia burst out laughing, causing Roci to bark and jump around in happiness. Alex was laughing, too. He stuck his head into the hall. “Good one, Bradley.”
“Hey, I just got that,” Kai told them. “I’m nine, not stupid. And ew!”
Roci noticed the visitor and he abandoned her to run to Kai. Kai rubbed his face with both hands. “The other reason I’m here is that Dan said I should ask if Roci can have a sleep-over with Midas. Can he? Can he?”
Alex glanced over at her, the smile lighting his whole face. She loved this man so much. “Kai has a golden, too and he and Roci have bonded. They’re almost inseparable. Do you care if he spends the night?”
That he bothered to ask made her heart clench. “Sure.” She gave Roci a good-bye kiss, brushed one against Kai’s cheek and waved at Dan.
“Later,” Alex called out and then slammed the door and locked it for good measure. He spun around to face her and the look on his face could only be called predatory. She squealed when he charged at her and lifted her in his arms. Then his mouth was on hers and she forgot about everything but the man. Somehow, he managed to get them both naked on the walk to the bedroom. He tossed her to the mattress, followed her down and then he was sliding into her. The sensations were intense but it ended all too soon as they both shattered together. He pulled her close and tucked her against his side. She latched onto the arm around her stomach.
“Alex?”
“Hum?”
“I want you to know I’m not presuming anything by coming here. Kendall’s going to help me find an apartment in town so there’s no pressure—”
Vigilante Page 22