Free Everything He Risks by Thalia Frost Page A

matters to other people. ”
    “ I see. ”
    “ I'll be home tomorrow some time. Wait for me there. For now, you'll find your bodyguard, George, waiting outside for you. Luigi will take you back to the villa. Please stay put there for tonight. I need to be sure you're safe. ” His gaze burned into mine. “ Oh, and Lacey? ”
    “ Yeah? ” I hovered near his bed.
    “ Sorry I didn't get to see how you liked the vibrating panties. ”
    I flushed to my feet and squirmed. “ Did you lose the remote? ”
    “ The nurse has it. She had no idea what it was. It's with my personal effects. I'll hang on to it and test it out later. ” He gave me a wicked wink.
    I swallowed hard, wanting to touch him. The door creaked open.
    “ Um, okay. Bye. ” I don't know if I kept the tremor from my voice. Instead of crying, I pivoted away in what I hoped was a professional move.
    The polizzia strode in, two hard - faced men. They threw a question toward Rock.
    “ She's leaving. Ms. Pate is my bookkeeper and assistant. ” I froze and turned around slowly to face them. They stood over Rock, but he wasn't diminished at all by them. He still looked fierce, even with a gunshot wound.
    One of the men cast a derisive glance in my direction and rattled off more questions.
    “ Not tonight. ” Rock's voice left no room for argument, not even from the law of the city. “ Lacey. ”
    My name on his lips stopped me. “ Yes, Mr. Weldon? ” I went for a neutral tone.
    “ These gentlemen will be by to question you in the morning at the villa. ” He pursed his lips, and I knew what was expected of me.
    “ I'll be there. ” I gave him a slow nod.
    Your secret is safe with me. I just hope it doesn't get us killed.
    * * * *
    I made it back to the villa without incident. My bodyguard George was a huge hulk of an Italian man. He sat in the front seat with Luigi. I sighed and worried the whole way there, despite the lights and beauty of Venice by night. The canal shimmered under the moon, and the thought of the ride I was supposed to take with Rock on it made my heart ache.
    “ There will be time. Please God. Let there be. ” I let tears flow now that Rock wasn't there to see. I felt I had to be strong with him, but for a few moments after he'd been shot, I wasn't sure if he would live or die. I'd never been in such a black place mentally.
    “ Because I'm in love with him, ” I whispered as I climbed the stairs to my bedroom. All was quiet in the house, and trays waited for me on a bedside table.
    In spite of my worry and fear, I dove into the steaming pasta with clams, tart salad, and warm buttered garlic bread. When had I last felt so cared for?
    My thoughts turned to the caller who had warned me about Rock. Who was it? Could the person have been the same who had shot Rock?
    I shivered as I undressed in the warmth of the evening and slid between silken sheets. Exhaustion claimed me despite my head spinning with longing for Rock.
    Please come back to me tomorrow...
    * * * *
    I awoke in the dead of night, unsure about why. Everything flooded back to me. George slept downstairs, and the house was alarmed.
    “ Rock, ” I whispered, his name like a prayer.
    Then I realized what had woken me. A shadow shifted from the corner, and I started to scream.
    “ I wouldn't do that if I were you, ” a distorted voice said. A lithe figure came toward me, and I pushed back a yelp at the hideous Satan mask he wore.
    “ Get out now. ” I pulled the sheet around me.
    “ I don't think so. ”
    “ How did you get in here? ”
    The man laughed, and the sound sent a chill through me. “ You don't need to know that, Ms. Pate. All you need to remember is that if you go through with whatever plan your beloved Rock has for you, you're going to die. ”
    “ I'm not afraid of you. ” I forced courage into my words.
    “ You should be. ” The masked figure tipped his head and walked a step closer. Fear sizzled through my veins as I spotted a knife in his