Page 46 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

“You’re coming with me, Aylin,” Beau said in a menacing voice, while digging what felt like a gun into her back. Once he’d grabbed her outside of the Inn, he’d dragged her through the woods and into the driveway of the private home next door.

The home that happened to belong to the Loughlins.

Aylin had a feeling that Beau didn’t even realize that there was more advanced security here at the Loughlin’s house than there was at the Inn. According to Ben, his dad was always trying out everything new.

So any types of sensory devices were all connected to apps that were on Jake’s phone—which was a good thing since Aylin had realized about an hour ago that Ben probably still had her phone.

So no one would be able to track her.

“Why are you doing this, Beau? You’re not like Ash,” she said softly, suddenly feeling depressed as she considered Mom, who’d never given up hope despite Aylin’s doubts that Beau was as innocent as he claimed. Supposedly, he’d been coerced, but Ash couldn’t have gotten away with all the devastation he had without Beau being deeply involved in the cause.

Although Aylin had a feeling that what Beau was doing now was completely independent from his Uncle’s plan.

“If I do this, I’ll have a place beside my uncle. I’m going to replace Ash, although Ash is still working for him.”

She heaved a sigh. “But why would you want to operate with terrorists?”

“They’re not terrorists. They’re my people—my heritage. None of you cared about me. Not once did anyone except Mom come to visit when I was locked up in that nuthouse. At least Uncle was able to make arrangements to get me out.”

How, she wondered?

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To the cabin I rented. No one even thought twice about someone like me. I’m the only one of our team who was brave enough to stay and try to grab you once the law showed up.” He snorted, heading along the road and then pointing. “Walk down that driveway and get into the car.”

“Why are you taking me?”

“Uncle still wants you, although I’m sure it’s not for marriage,” he said, a definite sneer in his voice. “He paid for you, after all.”

But when she reached to open the passenger door of the pickup he was using, she was able to duck quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck and ramming Beau’s head into the door instead. He must not have had any physical training at that institution or even since he’d been released, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to muscle in on him so easily. He’d never been much of an athlete as a teenager.

It was exactly why she’d taken multiple self-defense courses while keeping in shape during the past ten years, even though she’d pretended it was because of her modeling. Although working out had definitely kept her in shape for modeling, it also gave her the energy to tackle all the work she’d taken on as a business owner and designer, since she never slowed down.

When the pistol went off, she grimaced. She’d been hoping that it really wasn’t loaded.

“Well, that was easy,” she muttered, realizing that Beau was knocked out cold. She picked up the Glock.

“Aylin?” Ben screamed, approaching from the road. “I heard the shot. Tell me you’re okay.”

“Surprisingly, I am,” she called back to him, expertly pulling out the magazine before handing over the Glock to Jake, who grinned wryly before she ran straight into Ben’s waiting arms.

Epilogue

Four months later

“When do you want to get married?” Ben asked gruffly.

“As soon as you manage to come up with a more romantic proposal,” Aylin replied, grinning.

“I was afraid of that.” Ben laughed.

Aylin had finally found some comfortable outdoor furniture that she loved, so they sat on the deck of their house, each on their own cushioned chair, having a few drinks before dinner while they gazed across the lake.

There was a lot they needed to talk about since he’d gotten a call today from Dad, who’d just been contacted by one of his contacts at Quantico.

“There’s sure a lot of fishing boats down near the shore today. I know that you’re into speedboats and snowmobiles, but I think I’d like to have a sailboat,” Aylin said.

“That might be fun,” Ben agreed.

---