“Interesting.” Ryker watched the taillights of the SUV in front of them. “So you wouldn’t know of any numbers they might be looking for?”
“No idea. Hey, I thought we were heading toward Milwaukee?”
The Peoria sign had caught her attention. “We will, but I think it’s better to stop for what’s left of the night.”
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?” Her voice was a bit shaky, and he again wished she hadn’t had to witness so much violence. “I’ll be fine if we need to drive longer.”
He flashed a reassuring smile. “It’s no problem. I need to discuss our strategy with Mike and Duncan anyway.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Positive.” Ryker kept his eye on the taillights of Duncan’s SUV. Olivia didn’t say anything as they drove through the darkness. When he caught sight of a motel that offered suites, he flashed his lights.
Duncan tapped the breaks, signaling he understood, and slowed down so they could pull into the parking lot.
“Connecting suites?” Duncan asked from the driver’s-side window.
“Yes.” He stayed where he was, letting Duncan get the rooms this time. He thought about the dead man they’d left behind. Ryker figured the police would be on his tail thanks to the credit card information he’d had to provide in order to get the room. A wave of frustration washed over him. Having the police and the Blake-Moore Group after him would only complicate things. Good thing he had a couple of cops with him, to help corroborate his side of the story.
There was nothing he could do about it now. Olivia and Aaron needed to be safe. He could only hope that the guy Mike had knocked out would stay tied up and unconscious until the authorities arrived.
When Duncan emerged five minutes later, Ryker waited for his friends to open the rooms before sliding out from behind the wheel. He fetched the diaper bag and carefully lifted a sleeping Aaron from the car seat. Olivia went first, and he placed a hand on the lower part of her back, steering her toward the room on the left.
Inside, she turned the lamp on low.
“Where do you want him?” His voice was a low whisper.
“This way.” She crossed over and pulled the covers down so that he could gently place Aaron on the bed. She stared at her son for a long moment and he wondered what was going through her mind.
Guilt stabbed him deep. Security was his specialty, he should have been more careful. He should have been able to figure out they were being followed.
He’d nearly gotten Olivia and Aaron killed.
Backing out of the bedroom, he returned to the living room of the suite. He double-checked the dead bolt on the door, then hooked the chain as an added measure. He dropped the diaper bag onto a chair. The connecting door between the suites was open, but he didn’t hear Mike or Duncan.
“What kind of strategy?”
Olivia’s soft voice had him spinning toward her. He’d assumed she would have crawled in beside Aaron, to get the sleep she badly needed.
He shrugged, striving for a casual tone. “Just a plan for where to go from here. Nothing to worry about.” He hated knowing she was chin deep in this mess as it was. The last thing he wanted to do was cause additional stress.
She rubbed her hands on her arms as if she were chilled. “I keep thinking about the guy saying numbers.”
He moved closer, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. “You think you know what numbers he’s talking about?”
She grimaced and shook her head. “I wish. If I had them, I’d gladly give them away.”
No way was he going to allow her to do anything of the kind. If the Blake-Moore Group was willing to kill for the numbers, then Ryker knew they had to do with something illegal.
Money laundering? Or money socked away from their scheme of selling guns to the enemy?
“I’m scared.” Olivia’s soft admission was like a punch to his gut. “Oh!” She put a hand on her belly. “Sure, now the baby wakes up.”
His fingers itched to feel the baby’s movements, but he kept his hands at his sides. He wondered if his longing had shown on his face, because she unexpectedly grabbed his hand and put it on her belly.
“Can you feel it?”
“Yes.” Feeling the baby move filled him with awe. The intimacy of the moment was humbling, and he was honored she’d shared this with him. “Amazing.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She smiled. “Thank you, Ryker. For everything you’re doing for me. For us.”
His throat swelled with emotion. Her gratitude was misplaced, but he also knew that if he hadn’t tracked her down when he did, the outcome would have been much worse.
“You’re welcome.” He forced the words through his tight throat. “Get some sleep. I’m going to talk to Mike and Duncan to figure out how we can drop off the Blake-Moore Group’s radar.”
She nodded, but didn’t move away. She continued covering his hand on her belly with hers, as if she didn’t want to let go.
Unable to help himself, he reached up and tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear with his other hand. “I’m going to do everything possible to keep you and Aaron safe.” The baby kicked again, making him smile. “Him, too.”
“Her.” Olivia’s lips curved in a smile. “This pregnancy is very different, so I’m thinking the baby is a girl.”
Since he knew nothing about it, he didn’t argue. “Her, then. I’m going to keep all three of you safe.”
“I know you will.” Her trust leveled him. “I know God sent you to help us, Ryker, guiding us on His chosen path.”
He stilled, her simple faith washing over him. Was she right about God? Was He really watching over them, guiding them to safety? The Callahans
