Текст книги "Fade to Red"

Автор книги: Willow Aster

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

She was a wreck from missing Leo though. He’d visited once, but she hadn’t gotten to see her family or Leo in the last two days. It was taking its toll on her. Once Dion had a plan in place, their families and the Sterlings had gone to a safe house.

Tonight, after her release, they’d be able to see everyone, and Beckham loved how excited that made Roxie. She needed her family and normalcy more than ever.

He breathed much easier when they were safely out of the hospital. Their leaving was very covert, and they both sagged against the seats in relief when they got in the back of the car. Howie and Dion were in the front seat.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on Leo,” Roxie said, looking out the window. “I don’t want to go another day without him ever again. In that house … seeing his face kept me going…”

“You won’t have to, not if I can do anything about it,” Beckham promised. “I wish I’d known how miserable you were without him on tour.”

“I wanted to remain professional and provide for him—dancers don’t get to bring their families on tour. I knew that and still chose to do it.” She looked out the window. “We made the best of it, but … I don’t think I can do it anymore.” She bit her lip and wouldn’t look at him.

There was an awkward shift in the air. For the first time since she’d woken up in the hospital, he felt unsure about what to do. His hands ached to hold hers. He wanted to put his arm around her and to kiss her. It had seemed natural in the hospital to take care of her and do some of those things, but now that she was out, it seemed like it reminded them both of where their relationship had been before she was kidnapped.

He put his hand on hers anyway. She turned and looked at him, eyes serious.

“I know nothing is really resolved with us, Roxie. I haven’t forgotten that you were done with me. And I know I deserve it. But … I’ve never been more sure of what I feel for you. I-”

She touched his arm.

“Beckham … thank you for taking care of me in the hospital the last few days,” she interrupted. “You’ve been wonderful. And I know we need to talk. Can we just-” She leaned her head back. “We don’t even know…” She groaned. “I can’t make sense of my thoughts right now,” she admitted. “I … see Coco in my dreams and around every shadow. All I can think about is getting to Leo. I think the last few days are the longest you and I have ever gotten along and that might have something to do with the fact that I’m doped up.”

“Not true,” he protested.

She laughed and held onto her ribs. “You know it is.”

He stared at their hands. This talk wasn’t going how he’d hoped, but at least she wasn’t telling him no.

It was nearly an hour before they pulled into the parking lot of what appeared to be a small, outdated apartment complex. Howie pulled around the back and went through the open garage door.

Beckham helped Roxie inside. They walked through a hall and then it opened into a huge open space with vaulted ceilings, plush couches, and a big screen TV. The inside was much nicer than the outside.

“Mama!” Leo yelled and ran toward Roxie, coming to an abrupt stop before he reached her.

He leaned his head on her arm instead of hugging her, gazing up at her face. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer.

“I’m okay, little man. I’m sore, but I have to get a hug from my boy.” Her tears dripped on his head and she laughed. “I might cry for a few days. I’m just so happy to see you. All of you!”

Ian put his hand on Beckham’s shoulder and squeezed. “Glad you’re here.”

Everyone was there—Roxie’s parents, Chloe, Leo, Ian, Sparrow, Journey, Beckham’s mom and Sierra. They took turns hugging them, maneuvering around Leo since he wouldn’t leave his mom’s side. It was strange to see everyone acting like old friends.

“A lot has happened since I’ve been in the hospital,” Roxie said, smiling.

Chloe put her arm around Roxie and they put their heads together. “We’ve made the best of a horrible situation,” she said. “Good thing is that everyone gets along.”

Beckham’s mom laughed. “If we have to be locked up, this is the place to be.”

Beckham watched when Ian and Roxie hugged. She’d been so out of it when he visited her in the hospital. She put her forehead on his shoulder and sobbed. He patted her back and looked at Sparrow. She was crying too and put her hand on Roxie’s shoulder.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” Roxie said to Ian when she lifted her head.

“You were so brave—you would’ve gotten out of there. I’m really glad we were together, though.” His eyes were agonized as he looked at Beckham and then he put his hands on either side of Roxie’s shoulders. “I’ve talked to Sparrow and Beckham about the pictures. They understand what happened.”

Roxie looked at Sparrow in alarm and cried harder. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Sparrow.

“I know that was all Coco,” Sparrow said, touching Roxie’s cheek. “I’m just sorry you had to go through any of it.”

Dion interrupted. “Can I have your attention while we’re all here? I want to let you know I appreciate all the ways you’ve cooperated with us. None of you have complained—at least not to me—about having to give up your phones and Internet access. I know you must be having withdrawals, but I appreciate you not taking it out on me.” His shoulders shook as he chuckled. “The fact that Coco is still out there is heavy on all of our minds. Beckham and Ian are already aware of our next step. It won’t be easy, but I hope that it will draw Coco out and we can get you back to your homes safe and sound. I ask for your patience for a few more days. My team will be happy to get anything you need … within reason.” He chuckled again.

When it seemed like he was done, Daniel spoke up. “I’d like to hear how you plan to draw Coco out…”

Roxie’s eyes shifted to Beckham’s and he felt his pulse quicken. She wouldn’t like this. At all.

Dion nodded. “For now I’d like to fine-tune it, if that’s okay. If all of you can just continue to be patient. Roxie and Beckham, so you know, no one leaves this house or calls anyone. There’s an emergency phone here, but I want it only used for emergencies.” He motioned to Howie and Will. “They’ll be able to reach me or let someone on my team know if we need to re-stock any supplies.”

He looked around. “Any questions?” No one spoke. “Okay, Beckham and Ian? Word with you upstairs?”

Roxie tucked Leo in and sat on the edge of his bed.

“Are you going to sleep too?” he asked.

“Soon. That bed over there is looking really good, but I want to stay right here until you fall asleep.”

He smiled and nestled deeper into the covers.

The place was huge. They were in a room with two twin beds. Everyone had their own bedroom and there were still more rooms left. It was like their very own commune.

“I don’t want you to be away anymore, Mama,” he said quietly.

Her eyes filled. “I won’t be away from you anymore, baby,” she whispered. She wiped her tears before they fell on him.

“But what about Beckham?” His mouth trembled.

She wiped her nose. “I don’t know what will happen next, but I do know you and I will be together.”

He touched her cheek. “That girl is a very bad girl what did this to you.”

She couldn’t help but smile. Now and then he still mixed up a few words and she didn’t correct him. She wanted to hang onto those childish phrases just a little longer.

“Very bad,” she agreed. “But Ian gave her a few bruises like this too.”

“Good! I wish I could!” He sat up. “I’d make her ribs hurt too, since she hurt yours.”

“I don’t want to be anything like that girl, and I don’t want you to be either,” Roxie said. “But I do hope she goes to jail and never gets out.”

“Me too! I hope that too!” he said, his brows furrowed.

She kissed his cheeks. “Okay, lay back, little man. Time to stop our thoughts and start our dreams.”

He smiled and lay back. “I like that.”

“I like you.”

Chloe stuck her head in and smiled at the two of them. “Love you both. This place is awesome!” She came in and pushed Leo’s hair back, kissing him.

Roxie leaned into Chloe’s side. “Auntie makes everything fun, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah.” Leo smiled sleepily at both of them. “I want to live here. Grammie and Gramps and Beckham and Soph and Journey and Sierra and Sparrow and Ian and Will and Howie…” He took a breath. “If Uncle Joey was here it’d be perfect.”

Roxie was overwhelmed with gratitude for her people who kept her little boy so protected that he was excited about hiding from a kidnapper.

“Does this place have board games and cards?” Roxie asked him.

He inhaled an excited breath. “I don’t know! Tomorrow let’s play all day if they do!”

“We can pretend like we’re snowed in and make hot chocolate with huge marshmallows.” She leaned down and kissed him.

“Yeah,” he whispered. His eyes shut for a second then he opened them quickly. “Just seeing if you’re still here,” he said.

Her heart clinched. He’d been so worried about her.

“I’m not going anywhere, love,” she said. “Sleep now, Mama’s right here.”

She woke up the next morning and Leo was still in bed, stretching. She saw the clock on the nightstand and yelped.

“It’s after ten o’clock! I can’t believe you slept so late!”

Leo hopped out of bed and stared at the clock, eyes wide.

“Can we play games now?” he asked.

The others were in the main area of the house, except Beckham, Ian, and the guards. Her mom and dad were eating breakfast. Chloe and Sparrow were reading and Sierra and Sophia were chatting nearby.

Roxie greeted everyone and got a cup of coffee. “Where are the guys?”

“I’m right here,” her dad said.

Roxie smiled. “Sorry, Dad. Where are the other not-as-great-as-you guys?”

“Oh them. They’re talking with Dion upstairs.”

She hadn’t seen them upstairs, but didn’t argue the point. She looked for hot chocolate after she poured cream in her coffee. No marshmallows, but the can of whipped cream would be a treat. She started making it for Leo and told him to hunt for games.

“You’ll both wear bulletproof vests and no one will even be able to tell,” Dion told Beckham and Ian.

He held the vests up and handed one to both of them. Ian and Beckham started talking at the same time.

“Why would she shoot me if she wants to be with me?”

“What happens if she tries to shoot somewhere other than the vest?”

“What makes you think she’ll even come to the show?”

Dion lifted an eyebrow. “I think she’s desperate. I have no idea if she’ll try to hurt anyone, but I do think she’ll show up and possibly try … who knows what? It’s worth a try to draw her out. We’ll make sure the news covers that you are still performing tomorrow night in L.A., a special acoustic show, despite having to cancel the last several dates. Just hear me out, and hopefully she’ll come.”

Everything was still on hold with the tour. Dion and Ian knew what Beckham wanted, but they were the only ones.

Dion tossed beanie hats in their direction. “The outside of these have the same material as bulletproof glass, and the inside is like a wet suit. Wear it low enough on your forehead for more coverage. Oh, and don’t get shot anywhere else. That’s all I got.”

Beckham put his hat on first.

Ian sighed. “I’m not gonna look as good as you. I don’t look good in hats.”

“Oh please, you’re the Sexiest Man Alive. You look good in anything.”

Ian put his hat on and stared at Beckham, both eyebrows raised. Beckham choked and then laughed hard.

“How is that possible?” he asked, wiping his eyes.

“Told you.” Ian shrugged.

“Are you guys done playing dress-up?” Dion asked.

“Geez,” Ian mouthed to Beckham over Dion’s head.

“Saw that,” Dion muttered.

Ian and Beckham laughed. Dion shook his head, but his mouth twitched.

“Shall we walk through it again?”

They nodded, the gravity of the situation pulling them back to the moment, and he went through the plan from the top.

Once Dion had gone through everything and grilled Beckham and Ian backwards and forwards, they joined everyone else. The rest of the day felt like a vacation. Sophia and Rachel stayed busy in the kitchen, making tons of food: hoagies, queso and chips, brownies, lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and cheesecake.

Roxie and Leo kept the board games going. They were a good team. Beckham got a kick watching the two of them interact. They were both competitive and talked a fair amount of smack … with everyone but each other. They were both so partial with each other that several times they were called out for not being fair.

Leo shrugged. “If I can’t win, I want her to win.”

Roxie laughed. “And if he can’t win, I want to win.”

“Maybe Beckham could win sometime though, once or something,” Leo said a few beats later.

If life were always as sweet as this…

Beckham loved the way the little guy looked at him—like he was eleven feet tall.

Roxie noticed Beckham smiling at her and Leo and her eyes warmed. It might take time to prove to her how much he loved her but when he remembered how she’d responded during their night together, he knew it was worth it. He hoped he was right and that she loved him too. It’d make what he planned to do go so much smoother if she did.

That night after dinner, he stopped her before she went to tuck in Leo.

“Do you feel well enough to stay up a little longer? I won’t keep you up late,” he said quietly.

“Sure. I’ll come out after Leo falls asleep.”

Leo was doing his rounds, hugging everyone. When he got to Beckham, he barreled into him with a huge hug.

“This has been the best day ever,” Leo said.

“I hope to have lots more days just like this with you,” Beckham said.

Roxie walked out, her hair piled high on her head. She looked like she’d been in a bad fight and lost, but she was more beautiful and graceful to him than she’d ever been. It reminded him of the first time he saw her. He hated that even his thoughts would always be prefaced with the words, ‘that he could remember’ because for him, seeing her onstage that day in San Diego had changed his life.

She stopped in front of him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“About the same as the other thirty times you’ve asked me today.” She smiled.

He groaned. “I just don’t understand how you’re up and around like it’s no big deal that you were nearly killed. How are you not complaining all day with the pain?”

“I’m a woman,” she said and laughed.

He rolled his eyes. “You’ve got me there.”

“Seriously, I am feeling better. Yeah, I’m really sore, but I’m breathing so much better and I’m so happy…” She stopped and looked shy all of a sudden.

“Go on,” he said with a grin.

“I’ve enjoyed this day too. It’s been fun seeing our families get along so well.”

He let out a whoosh of breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “I meant what I said to Leo—I want to have more days like this … with you.”

Her lips parted and he had to kiss her. More tentative than he wanted, trying to make sure he didn’t hurt her, but it still felt like magic. He stopped before he got too carried away in the kiss, and her eyes were shining. He traced her lips with his thumb, unable to look away.

“I love you, Roxie.”

He felt her breath hitch and her eyes widened.

“I know I still have some things to prove to you, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life putting in the time it takes.”

She swallowed and he trailed his fingers down her neck, still looking in her eyes for any hope of a chance.

“You don’t have to promise me forever,” he said, his voice low and husky. “But do you think … one day … you could think about it?”

She took a deep, shaky breath and her eyes fell to his lips. “I already know what I’m too scared to hope for…”

He waited, but she didn’t say anything else. “What is that?”

“That you really do mean what you just said.” Her eyes shifted to the side.

A grin nearly split his face wide open, and he tried to tame it down before she looked at him again.

“That I love you? Because I really, really do mean that, Roxie Taylor!” He leaned down and put his face in her hair. “I really do love you,” he whispered in her ear.

She shivered and turned her face toward his. Her hands wove through his hair and she pulled him closer, kissing him the way he’d wanted to kiss her—complete abandon. He felt lightheaded and bereft when she put her hands on his cheeks and pulled away, breathing hard.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She smiled. “More than okay. Just … catching my breath.”

He rested his forehead on hers. “You’ve given me exactly the answer I hoped for tonight.”

The next morning, he had to leave before she woke up. He was still flying high on her kisses from the night before. By tomorrow, he hoped to have the fear of Coco far behind them.

Beckham and Ian were in the conference room at Dion’s office. Beckham wasn’t even sure who everyone was—he wondered for the hundredth time if he should even be putting his trust in all these people. He trusted Dion and Howie, but this was a little much. One of his friends from the LAPD walked in and his tension eased.

“Did you tell Sparrow what we’re doing?” he asked.

Ian frowned and swiped his hand across his jaw. “No. And she’s gonna have my head for it, too.”

“Might need to wear that hat around her too, then.” Beckham smirked.

“And lose my swagger status? Nuh-uh. I don’t think so,” Ian said, shaking his head.

“Swagger status? Do I even want to know?”

Ian smiled. “Just something Sparrow says…” He drifted off, lost in thought.

Beckham chuckled. “Right.”

Howie sat down beside him and Dion began the meeting.

Before they went onstage that night, Beckham stopped Ian.

“I just want to give you another chance to get out of this. I’m already so grateful that you got Roxie out of that house. You don’t have to go out there tonight.”

Ian’s brows creased. “I’m not letting you do this alone, man. I want to see her locked up as much as you do.” He put his fist out for Beckham to bump. Beckham came in for a hug. “All right. That’s cool too.” Ian laughed. “Come on. Let’s do this. Maybe we’ll even have some fun out there.”

Beckham gave him a weak smile and they went out together. The crowd went wild.

The night went without a hitch. As in, nothing happened.

Musically, it was one of the most fulfilling shows they’d done together. There were thousands of people there, but it still felt intimate. Between songs, they talked with each other the same as they did offstage—like best friends with the same quirky sense of humor—and the audience ate it up.

When they walked offstage, Beckham looked at Ian.

“Is it crazy that tonight was my favorite?”

Ian pounded Beckham on the back.

“I think it’s fitting. Honored to be out there with you, Beck.”

Beckham glanced up at the ceiling and swallowed his emotion.

“Thank you,” he said. He looked at Ian and nodded, knowing Ian got all that he wasn’t saying too.

Howie and Will flanked Beckham and Ian as they walked through the back halls of the stadium. Two guards in front and back joined them before they reached the doors. When Dion stepped out to walk with them, he looked apologetic.

Beckham nodded in greeting. “I don’t regret a thing about tonight,” he said.

The doors opened and there wasn’t the usual huge burst of flashes and people cheering, but a small crowd had been given access. Beckham and Ian waved and smiled, stopping to sign a few autographs, but moving quickly toward the limo.

Beckham sensed it before it happened. He lowered his head and kept walking. A loud shot rang out.

PING.

He felt like he’d been hit with a baseball bat.

He heard screams in the distance and his eyes blurred as he looked over his shoulder at Ian.

The second shot gutted him and he went down.

Concrete.

Ambulance.

Syringe.

Black.

“We’ve just received word that pop star Beckham Woods was pronounced dead on arrival tonight by hospital officials, after suffering two fatal gunshot wounds outside a downtown Los Angeles venue where he was performing earlier this evening. Ian Sterling was with Woods at the time but appeared to be unharmed.

The two stars have been through a lot in their short time as friends, with Beckham’s girlfriend, Roxie Taylor, and Sterling being kidnapped by Colette Williams earlier this month. Williams’ location has still not been identified, and at this time we have no evidence suggesting she was part of the shooting.

Police are requesting anyone with information regarding this case call the hotline. The number will be shown at the bottom of the screen for the remainder of this broadcast.

We will greatly miss the performer who has entertained us for nearly two decades with his award-winning songs and playful personality. The world has lost a star whose light will never go out.”

 “This news just in: The home of Colette Williams, the alleged kidnapper of Roxie Taylor and Ian Sterling, burned to the ground last night. Neighbors from the nearby house heard a loud explosion and called 911 at 11:59 p.m., but the house was leveled by the time the fire department arrived. The remains of three bodies were found, but at this time, they have not been identified.

Colette Williams allegedly stalked the newly deceased Beckham Woods for many years. It is still unknown whether or not she was responsible for his death.”

The emergency phone line rang, and Daniel moved to pick it up.

“Don’t answer that!” Will shouted.

Roxie and Sparrow stared at the guard. Daniel paused by the table and frowned. Mild-mannered and quiet, it was the loudest they’d heard Will speak.

Will answered the phone and said very little. He agreed with whatever was being said and hung up.

It was late. Leo and Journey had been in bed for hours, and everyone else was tired but concerned about Beckham and Ian.

“Okay, what’s going on?” Roxie asked. “Beckham and Ian have been gone all day. We’re really getting worried.”

Will seemed nervous. “Pack your things. We’re leaving in an hour.”

“Tonight?” Sierra asked.

“I don’t want to leave without Beckham,” Roxie said, folding her arms.

His mom and sister agreed.

Will mumbled and then looked at them. “Dion will explain it all when he gets here. Get whatever you want to take with you, otherwise it will be left if it’s not packed within the hour.”

Sparrow’s eyes were wide. “Wow,” she said, glaring at Will. “I don’t know why we’ve been kept in the dark all day about … whatever’s going on … but there’s no need for you to be rude.” She immediately went splotchy, her signature embarrassed face, and Roxie walked over and put her arm around her.

“What she said,” Roxie said, squeezing Sparrow.

They split up, each hurrying to their rooms. Chloe decided to take a quick shower since she didn’t have much to pack. It took Roxie a while to get everything together because Leo had spread out his toys in their room. She was waiting until the very last minute to wake him up.

She’d had a bad feeling in her gut since that morning. After the sweetness of the night before, it had been a blow to not see Beckham all day. And for there to be no word about him or Ian—it just did not sit well with her.

Dion was all business when he came to the safe house. It was past midnight and he didn’t want to answer any questions about anything. It was infuriating.

“We’ll be taking two vehicles and we ask you to remain patient for a little while longer.”

“Ian and Beckham aren’t going with us?” Daniel asked.

“The guys asked me to see you safely to the next location,” was all he would say.

All the warm feelings about Beckham that Roxie had been soaking in throughout the day turned. She wanted to kill him. Wring his neck for making her worry like this.

The vehicles pulled into an airplane hangar out in the middle of nowhere. The plane sat at the other end.

“This is all very cryptic,” Roxie whispered to her dad.

He was carrying Leo and nodded, shifting Leo to his other hip.

Ian walked down the steps of the plane. Everyone breathed easier seeing him. Sparrow rushed to him and they hugged before he took Journey from her.

“Come on, it’s a nice plane,” he said to the rest of them with a smile.

Roxie walked as quickly as she could and went up the steps after Ian and Sparrow. When she got on, she looked around but didn’t see Beckham.

“Where is he?” she asked.

Ian motioned for her to follow him and took her to the back of the plane. He rapped on the door twice and opened it. Beckham was lying on the bed, asleep.

“Is he okay?” she asked, moving toward the bed.

She sat down and took his hand, looking at Ian when Beckham didn’t move.

“He’s fine. He was given a sedative—poor guy couldn’t handle getting shot twice with a-”

Roxie gasped.

“Bulletproof vest on underneath…” he finished.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” she said.

Ian nodded. “It went a lot differently than we expected, but I think it still worked. Hopefully he’ll wake up soon and tell you everything, but if he doesn’t, I’ve got strict instructions on what to say.”

Roxie frowned and motioned for him to keep going.

“I’m gonna cut out the flowery crap even though I love it,” Ian laughed, “but I know you’d rather hear that from him.” He looked at Beckham. “Sure wish he was awake. That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Out with it, Ian.”

“Okay. Bottom line: will you go on a little trip with him? Maybe a long trip, depending on how long the rest of the pieces fall into place?”

“You’re talking in riddles.”

“Sorry. I know. So … we thought we’d draw Coco to the show tonight, but went with plan B when she didn’t show. We’ll have to straighten it out, but right now the world thinks Beckham is dead, and we just got news that Coco blew her house up. Good lord, that sounds crazy. And I wish I felt sad about Coco, but I don’t.” He tugged his hair and bit his lip, waiting for her to say something.

“What?” Roxie’s mouth dropped and she looked at Beckham. He didn’t stir. “Are you sure he’s really okay?”

“Positive. I heard him griping on the fake ambulance.”

“I’m gonna need to hear all of this again, but for now, you should check on Sparrow. She’s been worried about you all day.”

“You should come out here too. If you agree to go with Beckham, you’ll want to say goodbye to the rest of us.” He put his hand on the door and opened it a crack.

“You’re not coming with us?”

“Originally yes, but with Coco gone … that changes things. As much as I’d like to pretend I’m dead for a little while, I’m not quite at that level financially.” He raised his eyebrow and grinned.

Roxie laughed. “Come here. Let me hug you first.”

He put his arms around her and tried not to squeeze too tight.

“You guys are right for each other,” he said. “Don’t be too stubborn to see it.”

“I’ll try,” she said. “And we’ll see you soon, right?”

“I promise.”

There were hugs and tears as everyone told each other goodbye. No one was shy about saying exactly how they really felt.

“You need this time together,” her mom said. “Give him a chance. Okay? That man loves you.”

“You won’t be able to keep me away for long,” Chloe said. “Call me when you need a maid of honor.” She winked.

“Are you sure you can’t all come?” Roxie cried. “You guys are sounding like it’s forever!”

“You’ll see us soon,” Sierra said.

Sophia nodded, patting Roxie’s shoulder. Just then, Beckham stumbled out of the door, looking groggy.

Ian was the closest and tried to steady him.

“She said yes?” he slurred, looking at Ian.

“She said yes to the trip,” Ian said, giving Beckham a look.

Beckham smiled. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had,” he said, leaning his head against Ian’s.

Ian’s eyes crinkled when he grinned. “I love you too, man. Best friend ever.”

Beckham lurched forward. “Take me to Roxie,” he said, turning to Ian.

Roxie giggled and walked toward Beckham. “I’ll come to you. You’ve been through a lot tonight,” she said, pressing her lips together. “It’s hard getting fake shot.”

Beckham looked wounded. “I wasn’t fake shot! I’ll have you know the bulletproof vest doesn’t make it not hurt. It feels like being repeatedly hit with a mallet.”

She nodded. “I’ll take care of you,” she said.

“You will?” He gave her a sleepy smile.

She kissed his cheek and said softly: “Wanna go on a trip?”

“Very much.” He nodded.

His mom and sister came forward and hugged him.

“I love having new material to tease you about,” Sierra said.

“Shut up,” he groaned.

Everyone took their turns saying goodbye, and before they knew it, it was just Dion, Howie, the pilot, a flight attendant and the three of them on the plane.

“I’ve had my men check your location thoroughly. Call me if anything doesn’t feel quite right—whether it’s security, house, decor, you name it—and I can send someone from over there to help,” Dion said.

“Thank you for everything, Dion,” Beckham said, sounding more like himself.

Dion pounded his back and Beckham looked like he wanted to hit him. Roxie choked back a laugh. Dion must have hit a sore spot. She knew how that was, having extreme huggers for family and friends.

When Dion got off the plane, they made sure Leo was still okay buckled up in the bed.

“This plane is better than Elvis’s,” Roxie said.

Beckham reared back to look at her in shock. “There’s no gold-plated anything.”

“But Leo has his own room and so do we!”

He nuzzled into her hair. “You are making me so happy right now.”

“And did you see the little kitchen?” She was giddy. “Where are we going anyway?”

Italy was even more beautiful with Roxie and Leo by his side. He’d thought they were coming to test out Italy for the future when they flew away that night, but they’d gotten there and never wanted to leave. Beckham woke up every morning excited about what adventures the day held, and went to bed excited to make love to the woman who had him by the heart.

After Dion reassured him that Colette had died in the fire, he’d given a private interview explaining why he’d gone into hiding. He didn’t give any hints about his location or that Roxie and Leo lived with him, but he knew that people occasionally recognized him. Word would eventually get out everywhere.

He couldn’t respond to the questions about the crowd who saw the shooting, the ambulance, and the reporter who had announced his death on the news team, but as he’d told Roxie, they were either employees of Dion or part of the FBI. It felt good to know they both had his back.

Roxie was finally beginning to shed the fear. He’d taken her to see a psychologist, who’d diagnosed her with PTSD, but their sessions were helping. She wasn’t as jumpy and didn’t seem to be looking over her shoulder every moment. It had given them such peace to know that they didn’t have to worry about Coco anymore.