When You Dare
Page 114

He spotted Trace and Alani, already inside and seated at a back, more private, table. With just a look from Dare, Trace understood that he’d set this up for a reason well beyond socializing.
Dare and Molly headed toward them.
As usual, Dare made note of how Molly was different from other women. At five feet six inches, Alani was close to the same height as Molly, but Alani had a more willowy build. With her long pale hair and golden eyes, she always looked a little ethereal to Dare. Like a whimsical creature of the night. Those who knew Alani always treated her gently, which was one reason the kidnapping had devastated Trace so badly.
Dare knew that Alani was beautiful, but for him, he saw her as a little sister, without a single ounce of sexual magnetism.
Molly, on the other hand, was so intrinsically sexy that Dare didn’t understand how she’d stayed single so long. There was real substance to her, not in weight or height, but in attitude, in her bearing and her determination.
Trace stayed behind his sister as they rose to greet Dare and Molly.
After a nod at Trace, Dare said, “Alani.” He pulled her into an affectionate, one-arm embrace while keeping a hold on Molly. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too, Dare.” Distracted with curiosity, she peeked past him to Molly.
Dare put a hand to the small of Molly’s back. “Molly, I don’t know if you remember Alani or not, but—”
“Of course I do.”
With her bottom lip caught in her teeth, her eyelashes fluttering, Alani showed her nervousness.
Molly was just the opposite. She stepped right up to Alani and took her hands. “How are you, Alani?”
Alani nodded. “I’m fine.”
Laughing, Molly looked over her shoulder at Dare. “Don’t let him hear you say that. He has an objection to sugarcoating things.” After giving her a long, sympathetic perusal, Molly drew her into her arms. “You were so brave, Alani. I had hoped that we’d get to meet again. I’m so glad to see you looking so well.”
Alani put her face in Molly’s shoulder and clung to her.
Trace lifted a brow.
So softly that no one else could hear, Molly spoke to Alani, which earned her a tighter hug and a shuddering nod.
Dare drew his friend aside. “Let’s let them talk a moment in private.”
Reaching back with one hand, Molly shooed them away, then urged Alani to sit down while still staying close to her, holding her hands, talking to her.
They both heard Alani give a short, watery laugh, and then saw her nod at whatever Molly had said.
“Damn. I didn’t expect that.” Trace watched his sister with growing concern. “She was fine a few minutes ago.”
Alani was only twenty-two, and she’d always been very protected. Not that Molly had led a worldly lifestyle herself, but again, there was that difference in backbone. Molly’s home life had made her tough, whereas Alani’s had done just the opposite. “If you say so.”
Trace rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s bullshit. She’s holding it together, but she’s still shaken.”
“Who wouldn’t be?” While watching Molly with Alani, Dare pulled Trace back a few steps more, toward an empty corner. “I’m being followed. Black Charger, newer model. I don’t want you to risk Alani, but—”
“No problem.” Trace folded his arms. “How many in the car?”
“Molly only saw one, but I’ve picked up three.”
Trace gave him a blank look. “You told her about the tail?”
Shaking his head, Dare explained, “She spotted it herself.” And damned if it didn’t make him proud to admit that.
“No shit?” Looking back toward Molly with new appreciation, Trace whistled low. “That’s bound to make things more difficult for you.”
“I don’t know. She’s pretty levelheaded about it all.” Then Dare grinned. “But she did ask that I try to refrain from killing anyone.”
Shaking his head, Trace said with a laugh, “Women.”
Even now, Dare couldn’t keep his eyes off her. “Actually, I think for me it’s just this one particular woman.”
“You’re serious?”
Definitely serious. “I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m not about to let her go.”
They shared a look over that, and Trace gave Dare a commiserating pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about your tail. I’ll keep an eye on things. If anything goes down, I’ll be on it.”
“Appreciate it.”
“No.” Trace drew in a deep, emotional breath. “The appreciation is all mine. Alani might be struggling, but thanks to you, she is going to be okay.”
“I’m glad.” Seeing that the women were ready for them now, Dare asked Trace, “What will you tell her? About following me home, I mean.”
“The truth.”
That shocked Dare. Trace had protected Alani from the edgier aspects of his career for most of her life. “She’s ready for that?”
“I think so. She says she wants to know everything, all of it, because being sheltered left her ill-prepared for what…” He stopped, tightened his fists. After a second he cleared his throat, and still the words came out raspy with emotion. “For what happened.”
Dare felt for him. It seemed Trace was having as hard a time as Alani.
“You’ve done right by her, Trace.” As they headed back to the table, Dare added, “Beating yourself up is only going to add to her guilt.”