“You sure?”
“Yeah.” He offered a dry smile. “Screaming kids. There’s no hit man alive who would brave that in the name of cover.”
The humor was lost on Lily. Her imagination had already gone into overdrive. “What if those men followed us? What if they find—”
“No one followed us,” he interjected. “I promise.” He glanced toward the door. “Look, I’m going to go pick up the food. Why don’t you lie down and relax for a while.”
Lily didn’t want to admit she was frightened to stay here alone. She’d always prided herself on her independence. But the past several hours had proved to her she was light-years out of her element. This was the one time when she welcomed his protection.
As if reading her thoughts, he stepped forward and set his hand against her cheek. “You’ll be fine for a few minutes,” he said gently. “I promise. I’ll be right back.” He grinned. “Think strawberry shake.”
Lily managed to smile back. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said, and slipped out the door.
After watching him pull away, Lily didn’t waste any time and headed directly for the bathroom where an antique claw-foot tub beckoned. She turned on the faucets and stripped. On the vanity, she found a sample-size bottle of scented bath crystals, shampoo and a fancy little soap made in Paris. The small, everyday items seemed ridiculously luxurious in light of the past hours, and she took full advantage.
After lighting the candles, she found a fluffy white robe hanging at the back of the door and draped it over the towel rack near the tub. Steam rose from the water as she stuck her toes into the bubbles to test the temperature. Sighing with pleasure, she stepped into the tub and sank into bubbles until they tickled the bottom of her chin.
Outside, rain had begun to fall. She could hear fat drops pinging on the roof and window. Distant thunder rumbled. Inside, the scents of lavender and vanilla floated lazily in the air. Slowly, the warm water lulled her into the state of relaxation she sought.
She tried not to think about Chase. There was no way she could sort through all of her conflicting feelings for him. Just because he was the father of her child didn’t mean she would fall for him again. It didn’t mean they were going to have any kind of relationship. Lily had made that decision months ago and she intended to stick with it.
But when she closed her eyes, it was Chase she saw, his topaz eyes looking at her as if she were the only woman in the world. His hands, smooth as silk, running through her hair, skimming down her body. His hard mouth finding hers, trailing kisses to places that caused her to shiver with delight…
“Cut it out,” she murmured. “He is so wrong for you.”
Wiping the unwanted and totally inappropriate thoughts of him from her mind, she leaned back and closed her eyes. Just for a few minutes, she promised herself, and let herself drift.
PARKED AT THE REAR of Beefy’s Burger Palace, Chase pulled the cell phone from his pocket, thankful for some battery life, and quickly dialed Ben Parker.
The other man picked up on the first ring. “Where are you?”
“New Hampshire.” Chase got right to the point. “Any news on Shea?”
“We’ve got every available agent on it. It’s been tough because of the blackout. We’re looking hard, but so far we have nada.”
Chase muttered a curse. “I need to talk to Ty and Ethan Matalon. I haven’t been able to reach them on their cells. I also need Shane, but he’s not picking up.” Static sounded and he tapped the cell phone. “My damn phone is about to die.”
“I’ll keep trying them for you and have them contact you.” A thoughtful pause ensued. “Are you and Lily all right?”
“For now. I lost them, but these bastards are relentless.”
Ben paused. “Did you know Liam Shea has three sons?”
“Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing that in the years I worked with him.” Something pinged in the back of Chase’s brain. “You think the sons picked up where their old man left off?”
“Loyalty can be a powerful motivator.”
“Especially if they think their father was somehow wronged.”
“I’ll get on the horn. See what else I can dig up on them.” Ben Parker fell silent for a moment. “Look, the offer still stands if you want me to get you set up in a safe house.”
“I’m taking her to Shane Peters’s house.”
“Your half brother? I thought you two were on the outs?”
“We are, but I know he’ll come through on this.”