He made a small sound of exasperation-and took the bag of jelly beans away from her. "Why don't you tell me exactly what you're worried about?"

"It's just..." She needed to get it said, and fast. "You can't use deadly force- even if you really want to." Even if ma ybe she really wanted him to. "It would crush me if I was the cause of Reese being drawn into... things that go against his morals. As an officer of the law, he has to answer to others. He can't be put in the position of having to lie, not for me. Not ever."

"I understand."

Relief turned Alice's knees into noodles. "You do?"

He gave her a sage nod. "I'm pretty sure Reese does, too."

From behind her, Reese said, "I do."

Eyes flaring, Alice spun around.

"Reese." How did a man his size go sneaking around without her noticing? "I thought you were talking to Logan."

Vaguely, Alice was aware of Trace handing her jelly beans to Reese before walking away to give them some privacy.

"I was." Reese smoothed back her hair. "But, Alice, always, at any given moment, I'm aware of you and what you're doing. You might as well understand that right now."

"Oh." She was usually aware of him, too, but she'd been so intent on having her say with Trace. "I... Good." For her, the awareness covered more than sexual attraction, more than mere caring.

Did Reese feel the same?

He pressed his mouth to hers in a brief but firm kiss, ending it by saying, "Trace isn't going to kill anyone that doesn't need killing." His gaze stayed caught in hers. "Isn't that so, Trace?"

From the other side of the room, Trace said, "Works for me."

Alice's eyes widened. They were like ninjas, skulking around so silently, hearing every whispered word.

Reese brushed his thumb over her jaw.

"He understands that I do things by the law, and that I'll be held accountable for everything that goes down today."

"I do," Trace confirmed.

Cupping her face in both hands, Reese nodded. "Okay?"

Alice let out the breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. "Okay." But that wasn't quite enough, so she threw herself against him and squeezed tight.

It felt very protective, safe, the way that Reese folded his strong arms around her. Laying her cheek against his chest, hooking her hands over the unyielding steel of his biceps, Alice told herself not to worry. She would play her part to a T, and Reese would see that nothing bad happened.

Trace said, "Everyone is in place.

Time to move."

After a brief, tight hug and a kiss to the top of her head, Reese handed her back the bag of candy and went to talk quietly with Trace.

And, of course, she couldn't hear a single thing they said.

She knew that Reese had arranged for specific officers to be with Rowdy at the bar, with others on notice nearby for backup as needed. Lieutenant Peterson remained at the station, a central contact for everyone involved. She knew that Reese had covered every possibility, so that her safety was assured.

All other particulars were kept from her.

She watched in awe as Trace slipped silently out the sliding doors, dropped over the balcony and disappeared from sight.

In the kitchen, Logan kissed Pepper so passionately that Alice felt like a voyeur. She was about to avert her gaze when Logan ended the embrace.

Abruptly, he turned and strode out of the kitchen, across to the front door and straight out of the apartment. Alice was pretty sure he hadn't even seen her as he passed.

She knew he would go to the laundry room on the ground floor and climb out through a window there. Reese would be leaving through the front door. He'd head to his car and drive out of the lot, giving the illusion that he was leaving Alice alone. And then he'd circle around and return from a different angle.

At that point, Alice would leave the dubious security of the apartment building, straight out the front doors, down the walkway and out to the parking lot.

Where men undoubtedly waited for an opportunity to grab her.

Reese would tail her, never far behind, as would Trace and Logan. They knew what they were doing. She wouldn't be out of their sight.

Eating more jelly beans, she turned her attention to Pepper, watching as she joined Dash on the couch. Dash was so sweet, teasing Pepper, trying to reassure her so she wouldn't worry.

Pepper was such a strong woman-the perfect woman for Logan. Their happiness glowed like an afternoon sun.

Alice was glad for them, and she envied them what they'd found together.

God, how she wanted that with Reese.

Sitting near Alice's feet, Cash whined.

She wanted to reassure him but didn't want to distract Reese, so she only stroked his head until he quieted.

Reese was in serious cop mode, focused on the task at hand.

Trace, Logan and Reese had all dressed in black. In contrast, her Capri jeans, flat-heeled sandals and rose- colored cowl-neck top looked...frivolous. Far too bright for what would happen tonight.

But she was supposed to be heading out to see Cheryl, a newfound friend now in desperate need. Please, God, let her be okay.

Pausing before her, Reese asked, "Ready?"

"Yes."

He searched her face, then gently took in the half-empty bag of candy. "You can still change your mind-"

"No." They needed to gather up all the players, and this was the best way. With the help of Reese's officer friends, Rowdy had things covered at the bar.

She had Trace, Logan and Reese watching out for her. She would be fine.

She would be fine. She would be fine.

"Alice?"

She forced her stiff lips into a smile.

"I'm ready."

He didn't touch her, didn't soften or relax one iota. Confident, comforting, he said, "I'm not about to let anything happen to you."

Her heart expanded so much it hurt her chest. She swallowed back the emotion and nodded. "I know." Reese was that type of man; he'd protect with the best of his ability and, if necessary, trade his own life in the bargain. "Will you promise me that nothing will happen to you either?"

"You have my word." He dragged the back of his fingers over her throat-and then he was gone, striding away, out the door and out of her reach.

CHAPTER TWENTY-.

EIGHT.

DASH SAID, "THREE minutes, Alice,"

cuing her on the time she needed to wait before heading out.

She didn't look at Pepper or Dash, not wanting them to see her nervousness.

Around men so brave, so sure of their own ability, her cowardice seemed horribly amplified.

Abruptly, she went to the kitchen to put away the candy.

"Two minutes," Dash told her.

Oh, God. Hands shaking, she opened the treat jar and got out two chews for Cash. "Come here, boy."

Dragging, his head down and his tail tucked, Cash came to her.

"Oh, now, none of that." She held his furry face and nuzzled against him.

"Everything will be fine."

But Cash didn't look convinced, and even after she offered him the chews, he wanted only to lean on her.

That broke her heart. The dog was picking up on her mood, and that was so grossly unfair of her. He needed her to be strong.

He needed her to show Reese's confidence-and, by God, she would.

She straightened and said to Pepper and Dash, her voice no longer uncertain, "One more minute, right?"

Dash gave her a grave nod.

"Great. Then I have time to dig out Cash's toys." She smiled at the dog.

"What do you say, buddy? Wanna play?"

He tipped his head, studying her with his big brown eyes, his tail giving a tentative thump.

"You do!" she said with enthusiasm.

"Well, come on. Let's find the toys."

Cash hunkered back on his haunches, his tongue out, his expression excited.

When Alice headed into the small living area, Cash beat her to it, sticking his head under the couch and coming out with a squeak toy.

Laughing, Alice took it from him and tossed it down the hall. While Cash raced after it, she found two more toys under the couch, then another under the chair.

Pepper caught on, and, on hands and knees, she helped Alice locate the dog's many toys.

Dash tossed the squeak toy again and said, "Thirty seconds."

Her heart squeezed into her throat, but Alice hid it, piling up the toys and calling Cash over. He dove into it, scattering things everywhere.

Laughing, Pepper grabbed up a stuffed cat and played tug of war with the dog.

Dash took Alice's elbow and helped her to her feet. "Time to go, sweetheart."

"Okay." A deep breath helped only marginally. "Please keep him occupied and...and happy."

Pepper's eyes were serious, but her tone lighthearted.

"Will do. Don't worry, Alice." She let Cash have the cat and reached for a knotted rope. Cash immediately lunged to get it, growling playfully.

"Thank you," Alice whispered. As quietly and unobtrusively as possible, she snatched up her purse and keys and walked out, easing the door shut so that Cash wouldn't hear.

Unwilling to risk throwing off the plans, she went down the steps and out the front door without hesitation.

As her feet hit the pavement of the parking lot, it occurred to her: If her mood had upset Cash, what had it done to Reese? Never did she want to be a distraction for him.

She put up her chin and headed for her car. With every step her pulse rushed until she almost felt light-headed. When would they try to grab her? Would they run her car off the road? Wait until she parked near the bar? Try to grab her on the way in, or after she was already in the bar?

Imagining any of those scenarios scared her half to death. But she didn't falter, she didn't slow down or- "Hey, Alice. How've you been?"

She froze. Oh, no. No, no, no. Slowly, feeling like the victim of a bad joke, Alice turned, and found Nikki and Pam bearing down on her.