“Tony wants to tell my parents right away. I’m nervous,” she admitted to Holly as they loaded the dishwasher.
“It will be okay. It is obvious Tony loves you very much. Your parents will see that,” Holly replied. “You have all of us and Alana on your side, too. I am so happy things worked out for you two. I felt like slapping him upside the head a few times.”
“Me too.” Alicia laughed. She was so happy she found it easy to let go of the past. It was over and her future looked bright. That was all that mattered.
“Hate to break up the fun, but we have your parents to see.” Tony stuck his head in the doorway.
Alicia nodded when Tony’s cell buzzed. He answered and his facial expression went from relaxed to angry in three seconds flat. “What the hell? When did this happen?”
“Okay, we’ll be right down.” He hung up and grabbed Alicia by the arms. That scared her.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“Someone threw a rock through your family’s restaurant window. The alarm sent Noah and Drake down there,” he explained, looking furious. He didn’t have to say who they thought it was. John was still on everyone’s mind.
She looked at the clock on the kitchen wall and breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s only nine-thirty, so no one was there yet.”
His lips thinned in anger. “Noah wants us to go down there, but he wants you to stay here until we know for sure it’s not a trap to get you out in the open. By now, John knows you remembered and that we are all looking for him.”
“But I should be there, Tony. My dad—”
“Ray and Drake have already told your dad and he took the news well. He told Noah to find John and throw him in the lake.” Tony smiled as if relishing that thought. “Your dad agreed you should stay here where you are safe. He thinks it is a trap.”
Alicia sighed. She didn’t like the idea, but she didn’t want to upset her dad. She looked at Holly. “Do you have to work today?”
Holly immediately hugged her. She gave her a reassuring look. “No. We have a great alarm, or so I am told. I will stay with you, Alicia. Once the alarm is set, we will be safe inside.”
“If anything even comes close, my phone will beep. Holly knows the code to the panic room, too, just in case,” Tony assured both of them.
Matt looked grim and agreed with his brother. “Not that I think anything will happen. John must be in town.”
Each man kissed his woman and left.
Alicia put a hand on her stomach. She felt like her breakfast might come back up. Just moments ago, she had felt like she was floating on air. Now she felt like she came to earth with a thump. What was John thinking sticking around Red Hook? She was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he was dangerous. She didn’t want to see him.
She felt Holly touch her arm to get her attention. “Don’t worry, Alicia. With all the men looking for John, he will be caught. I know it.”
Alicia nodded, looking out the window and seeing nothing but green trees and sunshine. “I know, Holly. I just want this to be all over once and for all. Knowing he is lurking around out there makes me nervous.”
They walked into the living room.
“I understand completely.” Holly sat on the couch. “I can’t believe he was involved in all of this. He belongs in jail with Novak.”
Alicia chose the loveseat and leaned back against the cushions. “Text Alana or Jaz
z and see if we can get an update. I really need to replace my phone.”
Holly pulled her phone out and started texting. “Your sister says everything is under control. Your parents are angry but glad no one was there at the time. She says John will be found. Even Adam and Liam are joining the search and the whole town knows what is going on.”
“Great. Now the gossip will go on and on for weeks.” Alicia groaned. She felt slightly better. Wherever John was, he would be found. She had faith in the men of Red Hook. They were too stubborn to give up.
Holly set her phone down on the coffee table. She leaned back against the cushions and put her feet up on the couch.
“Are you nervous about telling your family the news of your courthouse marriage?” Holly wanted to know.
“Somewhat. Alana knows how I feel about Tony so she won’t be surprised. Ray will be suspicious. My parents will approve of Tony, but not the quick wedding. They are going to think I am pregnant.” She sighed. “I want John out of the way. I am still so shocked by my memories. I would never have believed in a million years he would be involved in this. That is why I must have blocked his image from my mind. I did not want to accept his guilt. I never thought of him as a criminal. A jerk, sure, but …”
“I know. I worked for the man while I was in nursing school. He was a jerk when it came to women, but a drug-dealing killer? That blows my mind,” Holly agreed, looking bewildered. “I never saw him do anything illegal like that. I am so glad I quit that job.”