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In the back of his head, he wondered if there was a possibility, even a re she and Tyler weren’t lovers Luc understood his wife now in a way he hadn’t until tonight Alyssa wasn’t a liar What if his "virtual impossibility" had indeed become possible?

He couldn’t know the answer to that question unless he visited his doctor and subain For her and their e, he would But this miracle he didn’t dare hope for He wanted to--desperately But likely, it would lead only to disappointnancy Maybe Peter had actually raped her when he’d attacked, and Alyssa had blocked out the trauma? Perhaps her memory of the event had been muddled by her concussion

But until Luc had answers, he erous chasm of a topic He’d tell her the truth soon, when they were a bit stronger When he could say that he didn’t mind that another man had planted his seed inside her and not want to rip the bastard’s head off

Today wasn’t that day

"We’ve had a big life change, sugar Neither of us foresaw gettinghere The ne and Bonheur are added stress The baby and your health are always huge concernsIf I’ve been distracted, I’ave hio "If there’s more, and you want to tell htened his ar as you need me"

AS Monday becaht at Sexy Sirens The holidays were often insane, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, the weather had turned too brisk for outdoor activity--so all the rowdies had crowded under her roof Lucky her

"Everyone’s gone Doors are locked," Tyler said, peeking his head in her office

"Thank God we ht without a full-out brawl"

"Copy that Do you need me anymore? I’m beat"

"Go ahead Hunter is so every door and , ot you soht relaxed compared to Hunter He’s a mean motherfucker"

She winced "Sorry if he’s interfered with your routine I justWith Luc back in LA taping, I know he’ll feel better if I cooperate Probably better forto take care of you I’d do the same in his shoes"

Alyssa softened Tyler had feelings for her, and he didn’t go to uilty that she couldn’t have reciprocated He was a good guy who deserved a woman who loved him madly

"See you tomorrow," Tyler called, then closed the door behind him

A moment later, Hunter seemed to materialize out of thin air fro a hand to her chest

"Oh,have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to assure you that I’ve already obsessively checked the doors and ice" Hunter never wore eht she saw a hint of a smile "I’m touched by your buddy Tyler’s opinion ‘Mean motherfucker’ is actually kinder than most peoples’ descriptions"

Alyssa had no trouble believing that "I probably need to be here another hour or so Books are a ed "I’ as you are"

Yes, he’d become one of her three shadows Between Deke, Jack, and Hunter, someone had eyes on her twenty-four/seven, at least until Luc returned on Friday night

He hadn’t wanted to leave her and resu his show, but she’d insisted This shoas too ireed to his security detail

"Thanks for understanding"

Hunter drilled her with a flat stare "I don’t, actually If I was in Luc’s place, you’d be in a secure facility with at least double the guards I’d never let you out of ht"

She raised a brow "A tad paranoid"

"Cautious," he corrected

"I think I can e a trip to the bathroonancy

"I’ll follow you" His matter-of-fact expression told her that wasn’t up for discussion

Alyssa sighed and sed a quip about his deuess, but Hunter would enjoy the verbal sparring Or he ht just look at her with that dead stare She wasn’t in the mood for either

The click of her heels on the concrete floors backstage echoed in the eerily silent club She was so used to the walls thu here alone--or ave her a shiver

"You could step across the hall so I’ain, that ghost of a smile appeared "I could"

But he wouldn’t She pitied the poor wo his teeth into her and never let go

Rolling her eyes, she shut and locked the squeaky door, then set about her business

Her head was filled nu noise As she washed her hands, sounds outside the little room were muffled She shut off the water, and heard Hunter’s voice clearly

"Tyler, what the" Another thuunshot Startling, deafening, heart-jolting

Complete silence

Shit! Soun And he must have shot Hunter or she was sure the Navy SEAL would be busting here even now and getting her out

Most likely, she was on her own

Ta down her fear, she looked around for escape The bathroom had no s, and if the shooter didn’t knohere she was already, it wouldn’t take hiure it out And she’d left her cell phone at her desk

Stupid!

"Where are you, my temptress of sin?"

That fa behind disquieting fear Priun?

"You may as well come out Both of yourto your rescue I haven’t killed your bouncer Yet I ht spare him if you face me like the Jezebel you are and pay for your sins"

He hadn’t killed Tyler but would? Did that mean Hunter was dead? Likely so, or he would have taken Primpton down Oh, God