Maggie Collins
The Place for Romantic Suspense...
From One Step Closer
Ridge watched as Brockton walked a short distance away, pulled out his cell phone, dialed and began complaining to whoever picked up at the other end.
"You ok?" Ridge asked when he was out of earshot. Last time he had seen her was in Chicago and Carl was still alive. She looked up towards the sky and nodded as she blinked back the tears that were ready to brim over. He reached over to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Who would have done this?”
“I don’t know but we’re going to find out. I talked to Jess earlier.”
“How is she?”
“In shock. Look when your settled tonight, you can give her call.”
Liv nodded and brushed a stray tear from her cheek. After a moment she composed herself and released his hand as though embarrassed by the contact.
"They won't let me help with the investigation."
"I know. It's not safe Liv." He replied.
"So I've been told." She answered sarcastically.
As they were talking Ridge was on full alert looking around as well as up and down the street. Brockton was still talking on the phone. And as the moments ticked by, his face was getting redder and his arms started gesturing around in exaggerated circles as he spoke. This was insane Ridge thought to himself. Liv shouldn't be standing out where anyone could see her, get to her. As he kept watch on the activity around them, she was complaining about Nick's involvement in her life.
"I know he doesn't like me living up here by myself and I get he worries. But this is going too far. I'm not a child, I'm…"
Ridge was half concentrating on what she was saying as he was keeping an eye out. Up ahead a car with tinted windows was driving slowly towards them.
Suddenly he was on full alert.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Brockton was still in conversation mode. Ridge's eyes narrowed following the line of the car. He needed to act fast.
"Get on the bike Liv." Ridge said interrupting her rant about Nick.
"What? Get on the bike? Are you crazy?" She had just about enough of being told what to do today. Who the hell did Ridge Harrington think he was anyway?
"Liv, get on the bike."
"Absolutely not. I hate motorcycles and look at me I'm wearing a skirt. This is unbelievable. It's like I've lost complete control over my own life. First Bruce is ordering me to take a week off and then you show up and start bossing me around."
"Liv." Ridge tried to interject but she just wasn't having it.
"Nick is behind the scenes setting up a body guard. I've had just about enough of all you controlling men. And one more thing…"
But before Liv could get in another word, Ridge scooped her up and placed her in front of him on the bike. Gunning the engine he sped down the street with Liv riding side saddle and clutching on to him for dear life. Behind them over the rumbling of the
motorcycle engine Ridge could make out two sounds…
Screeching tires and gun shots.
