“Being away from you hurts me, Diane whispered. “Not knowing
whats happening to you is driving me mad. Please. Give me a
number to cal , somewhere to meet you.
“Im using disposable phones. Il cal you. Valerie curled her hand behind
Dianes neck and pul ed her close. Her tongue slid possessively into
Dianes open mouth. She groaned, the sound mingling with Dianes
echoing moan. When she pul ed away, her ice blue eyes sparkled
with tears. “I love you. No mat er what happens, I want you to know
that.
Diane pressed her fi ngertips to Valeries mouth. “There wont be any
goodbyes. Whatever has happened, Cam can help you. You know how
to reach her. Cal her.
Valerie shook her head. “Not yet. Not until I know
more.
“You can trust her, Diane said insistently. “I know you can.
you can.
“Cam cant control everything, Diane, Valerie said wearily. “There are
powerful people involved. Dangerous people.
“And thats al the more reason for you to have help. You cant do this
alone. Diane kept both arms around Valeries waist, afraid that she
would bolt and disappear. “I dont want you to be alone.
“Ive always been alone, Valerie whispered, “until
you.
“And Im not going to let you go, Diane said urgently. “Il only be here
a few more days. Let me come to you.
“Are you going back to
Manhat an?
“I dont know. Im probably going Out of years of habit, Diane
hesitated mentioning anything about Blair.
Valerie stif ened. “Never mind. You dont have to
tel me. Diane shook her head. “Its not what you
think.
“You dont have any reason to trust me. Valerie gently disengaged
Dianes hold on her and backed away. “I should apologize for ever
involving you.
“Dont you say that, Diane shot back. “This isnt just about you, and what
you need and what youre afraid of. Im in this too, because I chose to be.
She closed the distance that Valerie had created. “I chose to be with
you.
“How can you choose when you dont even know whats
going on?
Dianes heart clenched at the uncertainty in Valeries voice and the
tormented look in her eyes. She sensed Valerie struggling not to pul
away and risked sliding her hand inside her jacket again. When she
rested her fi ngertips against Valeries side, Valerie trembled.
“Oh, dont, Diane breathed. “Dont hurt so much, my darling.
Help me understand. Tel me, so that when I say I love you, you can
trust me.
“I cant seem to think straight when youre near me, Valerie murmured
before kissing her again. When the door behind them opened, she spun
Diane to the wal , shielding Dianes body with her own, and pushed her
hand into her jacket pocket. “Keep your head down.
Diane held her breath, her heart jumping in her chest. Valeries face had
gone completely stil , her blue eyes intently focused, and her body
coiled as if it were poised to explode. Footsteps passed behind them and
started down the stairs, clat ering loudly in the enclosed space. Dianes
breath whooshed out. “God.
“Do you understand now. Valerie backed away until their bodies didnt
touch. “Thats what youre asking me to bring into your life. I cant.
Dianes gaze dropped to the bulge in Valeries jacket pocket, which she
now realized was a gun. Having been around Blair since they were
teenagers, shed seen men and women with guns before. But shed
never sensed the lethal menace of one as acutely as she did now. “Are
you saying that someone wants to kil you?
“I dont know. Valerie moved to the stairs leading down. “And until I
do, you cant be anywhere near me.
Diane fol owed her and grasped her jacket tightly. “Im not going to let
you walk away from me so easily again, Valerie.
“Il come back, Valerie said, her voice choked. “I have to. I cant get you
out of
my
head.
Diane kissed her, hard and long. Then, though it wrenched her heart so
badly she felt like she was bleeding inside, she let go of Valeries jacket.
“Come soon.
“Il
try.
I
promise.
Then Valerie turned and hurtled down the stairs until all
that remained was the distant echo of her footsteps.
* * * * *
“Hey! Blair said. “You missed the fashion show.
“Sorry, Diane said breathlessly. “I got lost in the
shoes.
“So what do you think. Blair held up a strapless black silk
chiffon dress.
“Nice, Diane said, running her fi ngers over the sheer fabric.
Blair frowned and cast a glance in Paulas direction.
Paula appeared not to be watching them, although Blair knew
she was. She lowered her voice. “Youre shaking. Whats wrong?
“Nothing.
“Of course, Blair said, loud enough for Paula to hear, “now I
have an excuse to buy more shoes. She moved closer to
Diane. “Bul shit. What happened?
“I just saw Valerie.
Blair slipped one arm around Dianes waist and draped the
dress
over her free arm as she guided Diane through the dress
department and out of hearing range of her security team.
“Here? When?
“Yes. Just a few minutes ago.
