When Dreams Come True (The Star Series Book 1) (17 page)

“That’s for sure.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

Lissa turned and narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you up to?” They stared each other down. “Oh, I get it.” She lightly punched him in the arm. “Sneaky, sneaky. But it worked, for about five minutes.” She stood up on her toes trying to look over his shoulder for Will. “And he’s noticed we aren’t there and has stopped, waiting for us.”

Beau laughed and turned, escorting her back toward Will. “I’ll just have to do better next time.” He bumped into her. “Admit it; you
did
want a pair of shoes, didn’t you?”

“Yes, damnit, and that’s all I’m going to say.”

Once they caught up with the rest of the group, Will shot Beau a look and then smiled at Lissa before turning back and continuing on.

“Well, I guess you were just told,” Lissa said.

“You should know by now he’s all bark and no bite.” Beau knew Will trusted him to keep her safe as if she were his own flesh and blood.

They continued through the Paris streets, Will stopping to take pictures and sign autographs along the way. Beau always scanned the crowds and kept an eye on the time and Will’s schedule. He knew Will would stay and make sure every fan was taken care of regardless of where they needed to be. It was Beau’s job to build in extra time for when he ran late and figure out ways to make up what was lost.

Since Lissa was added into the mix, it was lucky for him she was laid back and not demanding. In fact, she’d already helped him a great deal by making sure they stayed on course. She was a delight, and he enjoyed spending time with her. Honestly, in the beginning he’d been worried because like Will, he’d read her books. He was concerned about what Lissa would be like in real life since the books she wrote were so twisted, but she was actually quite mellow and sweet.

The damp chill had started to work into his bones and he wondered how Lissa was holding up. The Paris weather was so different from Tucson and it happened to be one of those strange weather days Paris was known for: hot and muggy one minute, cold and damp the next. He thought he felt a chill go through her when she stopped.

“Beau, can you wait here a moment? I want Will to be able to see one of us, and I’d like to go in there.” She pointed to a small bookstore and café. “Would you like a coffee?”

“Yes, please, but I can get it for us.”

“No, I’ll go. Maybe my feet will warm up while I’m in there for a few moments. This desert girl isn’t used to the cold, damp air. Luckily Hannah isn’t here, or she’d be in a full snowsuit.”

Beau watched as she walked in the door then turned back to where Will was. Moving back and forth between the two, he tried to keep an eye on both of them. When Will looked at him, he mimed drinking and pointed to the shop. Once Will nodded in understanding, Beau’s eyes swung back toward the café where he noticed people starting to run out. He searched the frantic crowd and headed toward the doors, trying to make his way in to find Lissa when police officers were suddenly in front of him, pushing him back. Beau couldn’t understand where they came from so quickly or what was going on.

As he was moved further back, he couldn’t see in through the windows. His gaze swung back to where Will had been, but he couldn’t see him either. His heart started racing; the two people he was supposed to keep track of were gone from his sight. He tried to force his way back up toward the officers. He had to find out what was going on.

Finally, he made it there and got the attention of one. “What is going on? My friend is in there.”

“We’re doing everything we can. Please, keep back.”

“You don’t understand—”

“Sir, please, the best thing you can do for your friend is to stay quiet so I don’t miss my orders.”

Since he was unable to get any answers, he started looking around for Will again. When the crowd began to separate, he could see Will and the security they’d hired come toward him. Beau let out a sigh of relief; at least one of them was accounted for. But he was going to have to talk Will into going on to their next appointment while he stayed and waited for Lissa.

Beau had never seen such anger on Will’s face in real life. They’d all seen it on the screen, of course, but in reality it was so much more.

“Where is she?” Will looked at Beau and before he could say anything, Will focused his attention to the officer. “Do you hear me? Where is my wi—” He stopped himself and attempted to sound calmer. “I have someone in that café, and I need to know what is going on.”

The officer looked up at Will and gulped a few times. “Ummm… sir? Well, we have everything under control.”

Will’s voice lowered. “How can it be under control when she is in
there
, and we are out
here
behind police barricades?”

Beau was shocked; Will never treated anyone like that, even if he was tired and inconvenienced. He knew things were serious between the two of them, but he thought for sure Will was going to say Lissa was his wife. Even with everything going on, Beau filed that in his memory for future reference. Right then, his main focus was getting Will calmed down and to a segregated area before too many more people figured out who he was.

“Excuse me, sir. Why don’t you get one of your superior officers over here. Things are going to get a bit more complicated soon, and it would be better if we had it all taken care of head of time.” When the officer stood still, looking up at Will with his mouth open, Beau leaned over and waved his hand in front of his face.

“What?” The officer blinked and looked over at Beau. “Oh, yes. Hold on.” He spoke into his walkie-talkie. Soon, they were joined by a couple of other officers, escorted past the line and stood behind one of the police vehicles, waiting for an update.

“We were chasing an armed robber on foot. He went in the back door of this café and was tripped up by one of its patrons. We were able to close in on him, but not arrest him before he took the people in the café hostage.”

“What’s being done to get them out?” Will said through gritted teeth. His fists were clenched at his side and his whole body vibrated in rage.

“Everything, Mr. Martinsson. I’m also going to have to ask you to stay out of the way. I must say, if they knew there was someone in there you cared for it could end up making things worse.”

“Come on, Will. Let them do their job.” Beau turned back toward the officers. “We’ll wait here, but please keep us updated.”

“Yes, of course.”

Beau turned to Will. “I’m so sorry.”

Will didn’t take his eyes off the door to the café. “It’s not your fault, Beau.”

They stood there in silence as what seemed like hours went by. But it was less than an hour before people started coming out of the front door. As soon as Will noticed Lissa he was running toward her, his legs eating up the space between them with Beau right on his heels.

Will placed both of his hands on either side of Lissa’s face and bent down so they were looking eye to eye. Beau felt out of place; it seemed like such an intimate moment between the two of them.

“Are you okay, darling?” Will’s voice was smooth and calm compared to how it was at the beginning of the ordeal.

Lissa nodded as she tried to blink back tears.

Gathering Lissa in his arms, Will closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again and drawing slightly back from her. “Please, don’t lie.” He brushed her hair back from her face. “Truly, you aren’t hurt, are you?”

“I’m fine, Will.”

“Oh, thank God.” Will brought his lips down on hers and kissed her fiercely.

Beau had grown up with his friend, and he knew him almost as well as he knew himself. He’d suspected for months that Will was completely in love with Lissa, but watching his best friend submit to his feelings for Lissa and lose his heart wasn’t as scary as he thought it would be. He’d worried for years that some fame-hungry tramp would get her claws into Will, but he knew he had nothing of the sort to worry about with Lissa.

Looking around, he saw camera flashes pointed their way and knew it was going to be all over the press any minute. Beau looked at his watch. He needed to get Will to his next event and make sure Lissa was taken care of, and the press, as well.

“Will… Will… we’ve got to go.”

“Yes, of course. Come on, Lissa.” Will ended the kiss but didn’t stop looking at her.

A police officer came over to them. “Excuse me, ma’am, but we are going to have to take your statement.”

“Does she have to do that now?” Will asked.

“I’m afraid so.”

Beau cleared this throat. “Will, you need to go to your next appearance.”

“Cancel it,” Will barked.

“No,” Lissa said. “Will, you have to go. Think of the people putting on the event, the wonderful cause it supports, and your fans who have waited all this time to see you. You can’t back out now.”

“But—”

“No buts. You have to go. I’ll be fine. Let Beau make sure you get to the event and as soon as it’s over, we’ll meet up at the hotel.”

“I hate leaving you here alone.”

“I won’t be alone. I’m certain you can make sure one of the officers gets me where I need to be. Please. I’m fine, and I’d hate to be the one who made it so you missed your event.”

“You play dirty.” Will hugged her close.

“Whatever works.” She leaned her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

Beau was happy Lissa pushed Will into going, but he was torn as to what he should do. Go with Will, or stay with Lissa?

“Beau,” Lissa called. “Please go with Will; keep him on track. Don’t worry about me. I’ll go down to the station, give my statement and someone will make sure one of the nice officers gives me a ride back to the hotel.” She looked over at the policeman standing by them who nodded. “I’ll probably beat you there. Now go.”

Once again, Will placed both of his hands on either side of her face and made sure she was looking him in the eye. “I love you, and I hate the fact I have to leave you.”

“I love you, too. You go do what you do so well and then we’ll be together again. Please.”

“I’ll send Beau back for you.”

“He doesn’t need to be crisscrossing the city over and over. I’ll be fine.”

“You keep saying that, but I don’t buy it.”

She gave him a small smile. “You only have to buy it for a few hours, and then we’ll be together again at the hotel.”

“Will…” Beau said.

“Yes, I know we need to get going. I love you, darling.”

They were escorted away but before the crowd filled in behind them, Beau turned around and saw Lissa standing there looking so alone. He didn’t know how Will could handle leaving her there.

As they sped through the city, Beau watched as Will sat there and tossed back a glass of whiskey. Tension filled the air as Beau let him process everything that had happened.

“Beau,” Will started. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to go through the line as fast as I can, and once I’m inside, you go back to Lissa and stay with her. I’m sure you know when the event is supposed to end, so make sure you’re back to pick me up and we’ll get her. We’re going to be quick about this.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“Good. Now keep me updated all the time. It’s the only way I’m going to be able to get through the night without having her by my side to make sure she’s safe.”

Beau knew Lissa was going to be pissed, but between his male instincts to protect and Will’s request he go to her, there was no way he was going to stay away. He found out which station everyone involved was taken to. Since they’d hired a car Beau didn’t have to worry about parking, so he got out of the vehicle at the front and walked up the steps.

They had Lissa alone in an office, and Beau stood there for a moment looking at her. She had her head resting against the wall and her eyes were closed. He couldn’t be sure if it was the lighting or if she was getting a bruise on the side of her cheek. His heart went out to her, and he wanted to know exactly what happened so he could prepare Will.

When he opened the door, her eyes flew open and she gave him a small smile. “Hey, I thought you were going to stay with Will.”

“And you were supposed to bring me coffee.” He smiled and sat down next to her.

“Ha… it kind of ended up spilled on the floor.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

Lissa frowned. “It’s so weird. Part of it is like slow motion, and other parts happened so quickly.” Lissa snapped her fingers. “I had just paid for the coffees and pastries and was walking back toward the door when I started to lose my grip on the bag. As I tried to not drop it the coffee slipped and, well, I tried to save that, too. In the process, the bag and both coffees along with an armed robber and myself went down.”

“I knew I should have gone in.”

“Then you would have been in there and I would have been worried about you. Besides, if I didn’t end up spilling the coffee he might have gone right through the café and out the door in the street, where something worse might have happened.”

“You have a point.”

“I always do. Anyway, we were held at gunpoint for a while and then he let us go.”

“Just like that?” He frowned at her.