Anonymous, page 6
She wasn’t going to be able to reason with him. He moved toward her.
“What do you want from me?” She backed away from him, her teeth chattering. The balcony door she’d left open to the afternoon sun, was now allowing the evening chill into the room. The line of sweat running down her back told her the chill had little to do with the temperature, and everything to do with fear.
“Didn’t you get my notes?” He grinned and her heart stuttered.
“What good is killing me going to do?” She cursed the tremor in her voice, the vulnerability that threatened to suffocate her. Think, think, think. There had to be something she could do.
“None.” He shrugged. “But it’s going to make me feel better.” He pulled a small, black handgun from his belt.
* * *
Mark lifted his hand to knock but was stopped by a man’s voice. He stilled, pressing an ear to the door in an effort to determine if it was coming from inside.
“Paulie, stop. Please. Put the gun away.”
Paulie? Gun? The words cut through him.
He turned to the door next to hers and knocked softly. It was opened almost immediately, and he pushed his way in, relieved to find Brad and Jimmy, two cops he knew fairly well.
“What’s wrong?”
“Paul Cardone’s in my wife’s room.” He strode through the room toward the balcony door.
“What? He can’t be! We’ve been keeping an eye on her door all night.” One of the men reached down to an ankle holster and tossed him a weapon.
“You two take the door, I’ll try the balcony.” The two men left as he slid the balcony door open. The wind whipped at him. He took his jacket off, threw it back into the room and shoved the gun into his waistband. Leaning around the privacy wall as far as he could, he tried to see into her room. There was no use. He couldn’t see anything. The roar of the wind drowned out any sound.
Climbing onto the railing, he worked his way around the privacy wall and dropped as quietly as he could onto her adjoining balcony. He crouched beside the open door Cardone had probably used. The man stood face to face with Ali, gesturing wildly with the weapon.
The other men would be waiting on either side of the door for his signal. He took a deep breath and launched himself through the door. “Freeze.”
He held the gun steady and aimed directly at the suspect’s head. “Don’t move.”
There was a flicker of indecision in the other man’s eyes.
Mark prayed he wouldn’t act on it.
There was a crash as the two cops kicked the door in. “Freeze. Drop your weapon.”
Paulie’s gaze darted quickly between the three cops.
Mark held his breath.
Knowing there was no way out of the cabin, Paulie seemed to realize he couldn’t win this fight and slowly lowered the gun to the floor. Brad approached him, kicked his gun away, yanked his arms behind his back and cuffed him. Cardone glared at Ali but remained silent as the two officers led him from the room.
“Are you all right?” Mark went to her and pulled her into his arms, needing to feel her close to him. She was shaking as she sobbed.
Chapter Eleven
Unable to control the shaking long enough to answer, Ali simply nodded against his chest.
“It’s all right, Ali. I’m here. It’s all over.” He stroked her hair, rubbed her back and seemed to be reassuring himself she was really all right. Maybe he needed the comfort of caring for her as much as she needed to be cared for.
She clung to him as the trembling subsided. Mark. The love of her life. He’d been there for her when it mattered most, like he always had. Whatever bad had happened between them was over now.
When the sobs lessened, Mark moved her gently back from him. He pushed his fingers through both sides of her hair, cradling her face between his hands. “Ali. I’m so sorry, for everything.”
His gaze held hers, searching for something…acceptance maybe?
She looked down. “It’s okay.”
He lifted her chin with his finger, bringing her eyes back up to his. “No, it’s not.” His eyes locked onto hers. “It’s not all right. I’m sorry. I have no excuse for hurting you. I was a fool to ever risk losing you. You’re everything, my whole life. Please forgive me.”
He seemed to hold his breath as he waited for Ali to acknowledge her forgiveness. He didn’t push her, simply waited for her to make a decision. She searched his eyes. Eyes that glistened with unshed tears that had pooled there.
“Of course, I forgive you. I’m sorry too, Mark. I should have handled things better. I love you with all of my heart. I always have.”
His smile warmed her heart. One tear escaped to track down her cheek, and she reached up to catch it as he lifted her into his arms. He cradled her against his chest and carried her out the door, and everything that had been careening out of control suddenly seemed right again.
* * *
They stood together on the balcony of his room as the ship moved toward the dock. The ocean breeze pressed the thin fabric of the nightgown to her body, left it hugging her every curve.
“I love you, Ali.” He pulled her closer, turning her to face him. Looking deep into her eyes, he told her again. “I love you with all of my heart, and I don’t ever want to be without you. Will you stay married to me?” he added.
Love shone in his eyes. Tears fell unchecked down her cheeks. He leaned in and kissed them, and she knew they’d always been destined for each other. “I love you, too, Mark. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He pulled her closer, ever so gently lowering his lips to hers, and love swelled through her.
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Dani-Lyn Alexander, Anonymous
