“Novak kidnapped me. You had to know he was a bad person,” Holly added.
John sighed. He still had the gun in his hand, but it was pointing toward the floor. Alicia still felt nervous and just wanted him to leave. “I planned to make some quick cash, sell the bar, and disappear all along. That mess with Janice was unexpected.”
“Were you going to let Novak kill me, John?” Alicia had that thought running through her head. She wanted an honest answer.
“No, I told him he better not harm you. I saw you leave through the window and I let you. I was behind you, but I wasn’t chasing you, Alicia. I was making sure you were heading to the road. I knew cars would pass and stop,” he answered. He sounded sincere or maybe she just wanted to believe he was. Maybe it was easier for her to accept. “Novak has gotten power-hungry and overconfident in the last few months. I did not sign up for murder. I was mad when he killed Janice, but I couldn’t stop him. He is crazy,” John told them. “He has lots of money under different names. He might get a good lawyer and get out. I don’t want to be around. I wanted to warn you, Alicia. He is determined to kill you.”
She felt a shiver of fear go through her. She felt Holly scoot closer to her in an unconscious movement. Holly was terrified of Novak.
Alicia did not know what to say to him. She’d once thought she was in love with this man holding a gun in his hand. He had a backpack on his shoulder. She felt sad that they had reached this point. She had felt such anger when her eyes had been opened about him. She just never suspected that he was also involved with illegal things. If someone had told her, she would have argued against it.
“He was going to kill you so I let you escape. I am no murderer, Alicia,” he swore. “He killed Janice before I could stop him. I was arguing with him about it.”
“You have to know Tony and the guys are on their way.” She felt the tears, but she blinked them back. It seemed as if all she had done was cry lately. Her chest felt heavy with emotions. Drugs had caused so much pain for the people of Red Hook. They had dealt with kidnapping, drug overdoses, and death in the last year. She wanted her boring old town back. She wanted her normal life back.
“I know. I just wanted to talk to you. I didn’t want you thinking I meant to kill you.” He pleaded.
Alicia just looked at him with remorse. Such a good-looking man, but with no substance or morals inside. She felt sorry for him. “You never cared about me before, John.”
“I did care for you Alicia,” he said, sounding regretful. “I was foolish and conceited. I wanted you, but I didn’t want to settle down, either. I am sorry I hurt you. This is good-bye for good.”
They heard the sirens in the distant.
“Turn yourself in, John. Get a lawyer,” Holly suggested.
“I am in too deep for that.” He snorted. “I am not spending my life in a jail cell. I am out of this country. I won’t ever come back. Tell your brother-in-law that for me. I will never set foot in this small, crappy town again.”
Those were the last words she heard before he took off running out the open front door.
Alicia and Holly stood in place, stunned at the whole weird scene. For a second, she thought he had come to silence her forever. She was tempted to sink to the floor with relief.
She looked at Holly, who had her hand over her heart. “That wa
s totally unexpected.”
“I know,” Holly agreed. “Do you really think Novak can get off?”
“No lawyer can do that, Holly.” Alicia rubbed Holly’s arms. She looked pale at the thought. “Noah has way too much proof of the things he did. Murder alone will put him away for life.”
She saw Tony’s truck pulling into the driveway. He was driving so fast dirt was flying in the air, making a gray cloud. He parked and jumped out. Matt jumped out of the passenger side with his gun drawn.
Alicia waited for Tony to reach her. Her legs felt too shaky to run to him. She knew John was gone. She didn’t know if he would ever be found, but she believed him when he said he was not coming back. She felt sorrow for the whole situation and some anger that he might get away with his part. At least Novak was in jail, she consoled herself.
Her name being roared out brought her out of her thoughts just in time to feel her lover’s arms go around her. Her legs were lifted of the floor as he swung her around in relief. Alicia felt his big body tremble and she knew he had been scared. She rubbed his back with her hands and assured him she was unharmed.
“He’s gone. He just wanted to tell me he allowed me to escape so Novak wouldn’t kill me,” she whispered, leaning against him.
She heard him curse under his breath, calling John a few names that were not flattering.
“Selfish bastard,” Matt muttered, holding Holly against him. Holly had her arms wrapped around her husband’s waist. “He just wanted to absolve himself of any guilt.”
“He will get whatever is coming to him one day,” Alicia remarked, unconcerned. John was in the past and she wanted to concentrate on today. She had all she needed in Tony Smith.
Tony immediately pulled her close and she knew whatever happened, she would be okay. She had the best man in the world who loved her and who would always be her lover, her best friend, and her protector. What more could a girl want?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alicia took a bow as her family and friends cheered and lifted their glasses. Music played in the background of her family’s restaurant. Food and drink were spread out on the white-covered tables. She and Tony had gotten married this morning at the courthouse like he wanted, but her parents insisted they be allowed to throw them a party. Tony had been touched that they accepted him, and agreed. He refused to wear a suit. He was wearing one to Jasmine’s wedding and that was enough for him.