Free In Plain Sight (Stolen Hearts) by Kate Kelly

need a back way out of here.”
    The guy scratched his head. “The back door leads to the alley.” He looked past them into the street. “If you guys are really in trouble, I guess I could take you across to the receiving door of Mango’s. I know the manager. She’ll open the back door for me.”
    “Thanks.” She handed the young man the box of croissants. “Here. Real croissants. Enjoy. Lead the way.”
    As they followed the man into the alley, Bridget wondered how the guy could walk with the waistline of his pants drooping close to his knees. Obviously, he’d never had to run from the police.
    The guy rang the bell at the back door of a store across the alley, then gave it three more short rings. “We got a code,” he explained as he leaned against the brick wall.
    Bridget glanced around the alley, looking for escape routes in case the police found them before the door opened. Rafe stood so close to her, she could feel the heat from his body, and she resisted the urge to lean against him for comfort. No doubt he’d throw himself between her and the cops if it came down to that. She doubted very much that it would.
    She should be sorry she’d involved him in her messy life. She wasn’t. Not yet. She hadn’t realized how alone she’d felt until Rafe had shown up.
    When a young woman, with three nose piercings and a detailed tattoo around her neck, opened the door, their guy from the coffee shop briefly explained the situation. The woman checked her man-sized watch, glanced around the alley, then nodded as she stepped back to let them in. Bridget stopped long enough to shake the young man’s hand before following Rafe and the woman into the back of the store.
    “Think either of them will tell the police anything?” Rafe whispered in her ear as they followed the woman through the store and to the front door.
    “I’m not planning on hanging around to find out.”
    They stopped by the front door as the woman unlocked it. Bridget couldn’t see any cops outside, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t drive by at any minute. Too bad the store they were in sold only young women’s clothing. With his good looks and designer shirt, Rafe would be noticeable on the street.
    When the door was unlocked, the woman glanced shyly at Rafe. “You’re someone famous, aren’t you?”
    Bridget watched as his frown was replaced by a stunning smile. “You’re not going to tell on me, are you?”
    The woman giggled. “Of course not.”
    “Thank you, sweetheart.” He kissed her on the cheek, then put his hand on Bridget’s back and propelled her out the door.
    “You laid it on a little thick, didn’t you, sweetheart ?” Bridget stared at the pavement as she made her way through the increasing number of people rushing to work, Rafe’s hand still on her back.
    “You wouldn’t be jealous, would you, Irish?”
    She jerked away. “Yeah, that’s it. Because I have nothing else to worry about at the moment. Step it up, will you?”
    “Okay, but maybe you want to tell me what the hell you did this time to bring the cops running?”
    He bumped into her when she skidded to a stop. “If you think I’m guilty, why are you here?”
    She felt as if he’d stomped on her heart, but she was damned if she was going to let him see how much he’d hurt her. She straightened her shoulders and started walking again. Since when did what Rafe Pascotto think of her matter, anyway?
    “Every time I’m around you, the cops turn up. What am I supposed to think?”
    “That someone’s doing a very good job of ruining my life.” She increased her pace. “Doesn’t matter. We have to get out of this neighborhood. There’s a subway station just over there.” She pointed to the east.
    “Depending on how badly they want to pick you up, they’ll be watching it.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, then twined his long fingers with hers. Was he holding on to her in order to keep up with her or to hold her back?
    Bridget grabbed his