He raised the knife to slit Bea’s throat and Hunter gave his signal. Within moments, chaos ensued. Fights broke out amongst the patrons while Hunter dropped Alex’s leash and charged directly for the sex boss. He wanted revenge, a concept Alex was all too familiar with.
During the pandemonium, shots rang out and the four women still chained together huddled on the floor for survival. Alex rushed over to them, shoving through a crowd of flailing people to reach Bea, who was staring wide-eyed as Hunter bashed the sex boss’s face in with his fists.
“Bea!” Alex dropped to her knees and pulled her best friend in for a tight hug. At first, Bea resisted and it took a minute for Alex to remember her disguise. “It’s me. It’s Alex!” She pulled off the wig. “I’m so sorry about what happened. If I’d had any idea you’d get taken I never would’ve let you come here that night alone.”
“Lex?” Bea blinked several times before collapsing against her, head on Alex’s shoulder. “Oh my God. I was afraid I’d never see you again.”
“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Alex pulled back slightly to cup Bea’s cheeks. “Did they—” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word rape. Bea shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No. They wanted to save me for the Asian guy. If you hadn’t brought in the cavalry when you did, I don’t… I don’t…”
She dissolved into sobs and Alex held her while she cried. Around them the action began to die down as Hunter and his team got control of the situation. The few patrons involved in the sex boss’s scheme were arrested as was the Asian dude. The sex boss was down for the count, his face bruised and battered as he sprawled on the sticky club floor. Hunter straightened and looked around, his expression desperate. “Alex! Alex, where are you?”
“Here,” she said. “Right here beside you.”
The emotion on Hunter’s face quickly morphed from concern to relief as his gaze flicked from Bea to Alex then back again. He slipped his arms around both of them and squeezed. “Is she okay?”
“As well as can be expected under the circumstances.” Alex rested her head on his chest, taking comfort in his heat and scent. “She should probably still be checked at the ER to be sure.”
“Yep.” Hunter gave Alex a quick kiss then released her. Pushing to his feet as the sound of sirens wailing filtered in from outside, Hunter began commanding his team like the true leader he was. Alex couldn’t have been prouder. He was going to get that promotion he wanted so badly. No doubt in her mind. And even if it meant he’d leave her behind and head back to the east coast, she was happy for him. Sure, her heart would be broken. She loved Hunter. But she also loved him enough to let him go, if that was truly what he wanted.
Alex struggled to her feet then helped Bea up. They stood off to the side while the cops came in and took over the scene. One of the officers took Bea’s statement and offered her a blanket. Alex stayed by her side, watching Hunter expertly work the room. After Bea had answered all the police’s questions, they loaded her in an ambulance, along with the other women to take them to the hospital for treatment. Alex told her friend she’d meet her there.
First, she had to say goodbye.
Alone at last, she and Hunter walked to the door of the club together.
“Well, I, uh. I guess this is it then, huh?” Alex tucked a stray lank of her blond hair behind her ear. “Case closed. Mission complete. Sayonara, sweetheart. Hasta la—”
Hunter put a finger to her lips, silencing her. “I don’t want to leave you, Alex. I know it sounds crazy and I know things could never work out between us, but I care for you more than I ever thought possible in just these few short days. I wish there was a way we could stay together, get to know each other even more.”
Alex’s pulse raced at his words. “You care for me?”
Hunter nodded. “So much I ache.”
“Oh, my.” Laughter bubbled up within her before she could stop it.
“What’s so funny?” He frowned.
“Not funny.” She bit back her giggles. “Joy. I care for you too, Hunter. In fact, I love you. I don’t want to leave you either.” Alex flung herself into his arms and held on tight. “And if you really want to be with me, we’ll find a way. I promise.”
“We will?” He picked her up and kissed her hard. “Yes. I want to be with you. I want to give this thing between us a shot. But how can we if I’m working in Virginia and you’re starring in movies out here? I won’t have you give up your career for me. You’re too talented.”
“Who said anything about giving up my career?” Alex squeezed him tighter. “More like branching out, trying new things.”
“Branching out how?”
She pulled back and grinned. “You’ll see.”
“That sounds like trouble to me.” Hunter kissed her again. “And in case you were wondering, I love you too, Alexandra Valentine.”
“I thought you said you only cared for me.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Have a sudden revelation of the heart, did you?”
“I’ve had nothing but since I started working with you. You’re funny, smart, kind, generous, loving—”
This time it was Alex cutting him off. “You think I’m smart?”
“Brilliant.”
“Whelp, now I love you even more.” She kissed him again deeply then slid down to her feet once more. “Now, let’s get to the hospital and check on Bea. Afterward, we’ve got a future to plan.”