“What are you talking about—blowing up Moreno’s?” She demanded as she stood.

He stood with her and hushed her, leaning in and reaching for her hand. “Now, now I’m a reasonable man, Valerie. I’d say I’ve been very patient. Nothing is going to happen to Moreno’s if you just do as I say.” She pulled her hand away. Bruce tapped his pocket again. “It’s up to you, Valerie. Take my hand and come with me, or we’ll be hearing about the tragedy at Moreno’s on the news very shortly. But first,” He leaned in close enough so that she could smell the liquor on his breath, “kiss me.”

“Go to hell,” she hissed, backing away.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “You’re trying my patience,” he hissed back, then kissed her brusquely. Valerie closed her lips tightly, her thoughts going wild with worry. Would Bruce really do something to Alex? She concentrated on staying calm but at this point, she was close to screaming.

“Let’s go.”

Valerie grabbed her purse off the table and walked alongside Bruce.

“Good girl. You’ll see, everything’s going to be just fine.”

There was a commotion near the entrance of the hotel and Valerie turned to see what was happening. Bruce didn’t seem at all interested. Instead, he tugged her along, picking up his pace. A security guard rushed past them in the opposite direction. Bodies began to hurry in either direction and voices started to buzz all around them.

“What’s happening, Bruce?” She tugged at his hand but he held it tightly. “Where are you taking me?”

“Oh, you’ll see in just a few minutes. Don’t worry about what’s happening, Val. It’s all part of my plan.”

She stared at his evil smile. Alex had told her many times if she ever got caught in a scenario like this to fight her way out no matter what she had to do. Never get in a vehicle with anyone attempting to kidnap her. But Bruce wasn’t headed outside. He was headed for the elevators.

CHAPTER 30

The energy drink Alex had did nothing to energize him. The past few nights without Valerie, he’d hardly got any sleep, and it was really starting to weigh heavy on him. He could hardly wait to have her back in his bed.

Everything was set for the wedding, and they were ahead of schedule. Even the food was coming along very nicely. It wasn’t until he was on his way down from checking on the banquet room, and heard Sal paging him over the sound system, that he realized he’d left his phone in the office.

Alex you’ve got a call on line one.

Alex rushed to the phone. Sal wouldn’t page him unless it was urgent. The adrenaline immediately kicked in as he picked up the phone.

“This is, Alex.”

“Hey, Hank’s been trying to call you.” Romero’s voice was troubled.

“Why what’s wrong?” Alex asked his chest already constricting.

“Something’s going on at the resort. They’re evacuating everyone. Steve saw Valerie leave, holding hands with a man, but it wasn’t Luke.”

Fear and other unknown emotions bolted through him. “Leave where? In a car?” Sal walked out of the office, and Alex motioned for him to bring him his cell.

“No, they walked out of the dining area where she’d been sitting having coffee by herself. But listen to me, Alex. He’s on to us. He’s been on to us for a while. That’s why he hadn’t changed the emails. The calendar Mr. X found was a ploy. He mocked up a calendar to throw us off. Mr. X picked up his real trail just a few minutes ago. He’s been planning this for a while.”

Sal handed Alex his cell, watching him, aware of Alex’s altered demeanor. “Planning what?” He hit the speed dial on his cell for Valerie.

“Getting to Valerie at this seminar.”

Alex felt the heat in his veins just as the line clicked on the other end of his cell. “Hello, Alex.” Bruce’s self-satisfied voice purred.

Alex shoved the restaurant phone in Sal’s chest. He gripped his cell phone, barely able to contain himself. “Where’s Valerie?” His voice was so loud Angel rushed out of the office.

“Oh, don’t you worry about her. She’s in very good hands, Alex. As a matter of fact these hands are getting ready to enjoy every inch-”

The line went dead. He let out a loud roar from deep down inside as he hit redial. His vision blurred for a moment. He was going to kill Bruce. Sal was trying to tell him something, but the roar thrumming in his own ears was too loud. The call went to voicemail. Sal grabbed his arm jerking him momentarily back to sanity.

“Romero needs to talk to you, man.” He held the phone in front of him. “Calm down and breathe. The cops are already there.”

“Tell him to call me on my cell.” Alex nearly collided with Angel as he ran into the office to grab his keys from the desk and pulled the gun out of the bottom desk drawer.

His phone started ringing as he rushed out.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Sal stepped in front of him. Angel backed him up. “You can’t just walk out of here toting a gun like that. What are you insane?”

“Get out of my way, Sal,” Alex growled, the thought of Bruce man-handling Valerie nearly blinding him again.

“No, Alex.” Sal pushed him hard in the chest. “Calm your ass, already. We’re not letting you walk out like this. You’re crazy.”

Alex’s phone was still ringing. In the moment he took to consider answering it, Sal snatched the gun out of his hand. Some of the employees gathered around as if to assist Sal and Angel in taking Alex down if they had to. Alex gave up the gun without a fight and answered his phone.