All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,287

guy has better things to do than babysit me. “So…are you visiting from England? Or somewhere else?”

“I’ve just arrived from London and I’m hoping to make Tucson my home.” He smirks, but there’s a sadness in his eyes.

“Wow, you and Theo are that serious?” I know he mentioned a threesome—which I’m super excited to be a part of—but perhaps these two aren’t just a fling. I suddenly feel like a fifth wheel.

“That remains to be seen. I’ve heard good things about this area, and Theo and I go way back, so at a bare minimum, he might be able to help me get settled. As I mentioned, I am hoping to rekindle our relationship.”

“I’ll be honest, I don’t know Theo that well, but from what I do know of him, he deserves to be happy. He puts his job and the people he knows before himself. That’s one of the reasons I like him so much. And he doesn’t even know that’s the kind of person he is, which makes him more irresistible.” I smile. “I can see why you want to rekindle things, but his happiness is my priority.”

Alex laughs softly. “Sounds like you know Theo better than you might think. And I want the same thing for him…his happiness. Whatever that may entail.”

There’s a light rapping at the door, and Alex rises to answer. “Who is it?”

“Zoe,” is her muffled reply. “I’m here with Karina’s things.”

Alex turns the knob and steps aside. Zoe strides in with my overnight bag and a smile on her face. She even has my laptop case slung over her shoulder. She sets both of them in front of the nightstand.

“I’ll give you two some privacy.” Alex winks and closes the door behind him as he exits.

“God, I love the way he says priv-ah-see!”

“I know, right?” Zoe giggles. “I grabbed everything on your list, including your sexy unmentionables.” She waggles her eyebrows. “And I added a few more things I thought you might need, like your laptop, accessories, and power cord. Oh, and your phone charger.”

“Yes! I am so glad you did. Thank you!” I grab her face and give her a grateful kiss on the cheek. “Did you run into Phil?”

“No, thank goodness.” She frowns. “I know Armando can take care of himself and all, but Phil is still lugging around Big Tony. I’d hate to see Armando get jumped by both of them. Two against one just aren’t good odds.”

“Well, I heard Theo said he was going to try and help with this. Maybe they know people high enough up who can bring Phil down once and for all.”

“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to have to move again.”

I nod. “Me, too. I was really starting to like Tucson.”

“And Theo?” Zoe’s mouth tips into a sad smile.

“Yeah. And Theo.” I try to brighten my face with a smile. “Let’s just see what happens, okay?” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, wincing and grabbing my side, then reach for my overnight bag. “You stick with Armando, and I’ll stay here, and we’ll both have fun while we try to work things out. Ride or die, right?” I stand and put on my robe so I’m wearing something in the air-conditioned room.

She gives me one more tight hug. “Please call me if you need anything.”

I nod my head against her shoulder. “Okay.”

With a kiss to my cheek, she heads for the door.

“I love you,” I tell her.

She grins. “I love you, too.” Zoe flutters her fingers goodbye before exiting.

I peel back the bandage and wince at the long slash across my side. Angling my body to get more light from the nightstand, I examine the cut. Wow. So, now I know what it’s like to get stabbed…or whatever he did to me. I’m surprised I’m not in worse shape. I wrap my robe around me and go to the trash can. Holy shit. Based on the amount of dried blood on my cut-up clothes, I’m stupefied my wound isn’t worse.

Well, thank goodness, I guess. I’m sore, but the Advil must still be working. And I am exhausted. I decide to bury myself under the covers and try to get some sleep.

Chapter 4

Despite my resistance to Alex’s presence, he seems to be lending me a hand in other ways than just watching over Karina. Though he’s not trying to be discreet or secretive about his intentions at all, he is being gracious and not calling me out on my micromanaging in