Page 63 of Guarding The Phoenix: Vol. 2

“And you, sir, are a disgrace to the office you hold.” I pulled the triggers before he could take aim.

One bullet went through the director’s skull, the other through his neck in a spray of blood, and a third hit his chest. The director stumbled and fell face in the sand. Through the walkie, Axel shouted, “Take that you treasonous motherfucker. How’s our girl?”

It was done. We won. I glanced at Kylie huddled on the sand. Then raced to her side. I grabbed her face. “Babe, are you okay?”

Tears streamed from her eyes. The bruises and cut lip would heal. She collapsed into my arms on a sob. I sighed, gathered her into my arms. “Hush, love, I’ve got you.”

“What about Chase and Mateo and Axel?”

“We’re all here and so fucking proud of you for surviving.”

In minutes the beach flooded with Navy seamen. The destroyer sat out beyond the harbor. It had been stationed on the other side of the island, to bring support if we needed it.

There would be plenty of paperwork, most likely a congressional hearing and scandal over the CIA director being in on this, but our girl was safe.

And Luka Santos would never harm another person ever again.

Chapter twenty-two

By Land, Sea, or Sky

Kylie

Theywerealive.Reliefpoured through me. A part of me didn’t want to believe it after so much bad had happened.

Gideon’s solid presence was proof though. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Luka Santos was dead. The nightmare I’d lived through these past few years was done. I didn’t know how to even process the fact that it was over. That I was finally free to live my life without having to look over my shoulder at every turn.

“Why don’t we get these off you?” he undid the cuffs and collar. The thick leather and chains fell away. I inhaled deeply. It was the first deep breath I’d taken in days. The crisp ocean air would forever remind me of freedom. My wrists and neck were raw, but the gentle breeze felt wonderful as did the man holding me.

I had so many questions. Like how did they survive? How did they make it to the island so fast? What happened next? But I couldn’t seem to voice them through my tears. I’d been in a constant state of hyper vigilance the past few days in between bouts of drug induced stupor.

Gideon hefted me into his arms. “Let’s get you off the island.”

I shook my head.

“No,” I whispered, my throat raw.

Gideon glanced down at me with a frown. “Babe, you don’t have to do anymore.”

I nodded. “Yes, I do. I need to get the key for the safe deposit box in Nassau.”

“Kylie—”

I placed my finger over his lips. “I wasn’t asking for permission. It’s something I need to do for me. I need it done, Gideon. This is the last bit. Besides, you need my fingerprints anyway to access it.” Luka had let that little gem slip last night. It was likely why he hadn’t touched me yet. Likely out of fear that he would injure me beyond repair.

Gideon studied me, like he expected me to back down. But I was done with that. I’d experienced the worst of humanity. I had lived my life by other people’s constraints. And from this moment forward, I would live my life the way I wanted, not the way other people deemed was acceptable. They didn’t have to understand my choices or why I chose to live a certain way. It was my life, and I was going to live it my way.

“Are you certain? We can collect it for you. Mateo can scan your prints. You’ll still be needed in Nassau.”

“I am. Put me down, Gideon. And then let’s go get that key.” Because I would never again be deemed the inferior partner.

He grimaced, but he recognized it wasn’t a fight he would win. “Very well. If at any time you need to stop and rest, tell me and I will get you to the ship. We can always come back for the key.”

He lowered me until my feet touched the ground. “I will.”

“Where is she? Why aren’t you on the ship? Are you hurt? We should get a medic to take a look—” Axel came in at a run stopping in front of me. He searched my body for any injury.

“Why haven’t you gotten her aboard the destroyer?” He accused Gideon.

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