Page 24 of Vision of Truth

“It’s the coast guard. They’ll stop the ship and do a full search.”

“What if it’s Greco? He’s the one who took us. I have to warn Easton,” she yelled over the storm.

He anchored his arms more tightly around her. “Vesey contacted us. It’s how we found you. He made it to Sabrina and Agent Dawson.”

“I thought he … that maybe it was too late for him.”

“He’s in bad shape, but the critical care unit sounds hopeful. Sabrina was unharmed aside from the drugs in her system. You kept her safe.”

“I killed a man.” She shivered.

“Who would’ve harmed you and Sabrina without hesitation.”

“You know?”

“Gus and Easton were there when the FBI raided Greco’s hideout. As soon as he was taken into custody, he started spilling his guts, including how he got the bite marks on his neck and why one of his men was still in those dank cells below the mansion. I know it’s not easy, but you did what you had to. You survived long enough for me to get to you. That is the single, greatest gift I’ve ever received in addition to your love.” Her shoulders began to shake violently, and he held her steady as her noiseless sobs were carried away with the rising squalls.

Chapter Eighteen

A breeze fluttered in through the patio door, gently rippling the crisp linen shades. Coffee beans and the sweet floral perfume of golden trumpet flowers surrounding the resort spiced the air. Then there was the masculine scent that belonged to Isaac alone. One that had her burying her face into the pillow beside her and inhaling. For three nights, he’d held her as they slept and not just an arm thrown over her shoulder. He’d intertwined their bodies and tucked her so close she felt untouchable, which was a miracle given that she’d been abducted, held against her will, and sold to another freaking person across seas. She shuddered and sat up in bed, searching for Isaac. Just having him in her line of sight soothed her.

“Morning, beautiful.” He was standing by the coffee machine, his dark hair damp around his shoulders. There was a smile on his face, one of those rare, open expressions that was meant only for her.

“Hi.” She stretched her arms above her head ignoring the slight twinge of pain in her ribs and turned her body, laying on her side so she could take in the view of Isaac making coffee. The tenderness and love in his expression made her breath catch. She’d always known he felt those things, but he’d blocked those emotions from everyone, especially her. Now he was holding nothing back. Giving her everything she needed and more as he moved toward the bed with two mugs of coffee. He set down both on the nightstand and reached over her to grab the pillows on his side of the bed.

“Gonna help you sit up.” He fluffed out the pillows. stacking them above her head. She sighed as he gently scooped her, moving her up toward the headboard, propped up by a mountain of pillows.

“You know I can move around myself, right?” There was no heat in her words, but for three days, Isaac had insisted that she focus on healing. Their mornings started this way. Isaac making coffee and waking her with his quiet stirrings. He’d order room service, and have it set outside by their private pool, before helping her out to the patio. They’d sit and eat breakfast together under a canopy of lush palm trees and the showy fuchsia blooms of hibiscus flowers. For the first two days they’d been here after her initial overnight at the hospital, Isaac insisted she take it easy. The furthest she got from the bed was floating weightlessly in the pool cradled in Isaac’s arms. Yesterday, she’d insisted on leaving, and they went for a short walk around the resort. It was hard to believe she’d gone from a steel container bobbing in the ocean to a view of white sand leading to the calm turquoise water of the island.

A soft chuff whispered over her forehead as he leaned in and kissed the top of her head, breathing her in deep. “It’s only been a couple days since you got out of the hospital. I don’t want anything causing you more pain.”

“This is the fourth day since I was released from the hospital. That’s nearly a week.”

“Not quite, baby,” he chuckled as he slid his arms beneath her legs and the other behind her back. “Up we go.”

There was no doubt that Isaac’s care made her feel precious, but he was holding back. His kisses were sweet. Touches reverent. He was afraid of hurting her—logically she got that. “I healed fast because I have the best nurse around.”

“Uh huh.” He raised a brow then turned to the nightstand and picked up one of the mugs. “Be careful, it’s hot.”

She breathed it in and took a sip. Even in a hotel, Isaac made the best coffee. He’d somehow procured her favorite coconut vanilla creamer and made it extra sweet. The rest of her family ribbed her about her ridiculous morning sugar consumption, but Isaac simply indulged her. She took a sip and looked at him over the rim of her cup. “You always make it just right.”

“I know my girl’s not a morning person and needs a little extra jolt of sweet.” The mattress dipped when he sat on the side of the bed. He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her skin, and she closed her eyes, absorbing his touch.

“This all feels so surreal.” When she opened her eyes, his were locked on hers.

“I never thought this was possible. Me and you. Being together like this. Now that we are, it feels so right. I never apologized for leaving you and Sabrina in the safe house. My gut was telling me to stay and protect you, but my mind was analyzing the logistics. The number of men outside. The distance and obstacles in our path to eliminate them.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You did what you thought was best in the moment. If you didn’t leave the safe house, Rowan could’ve been killed and there would’ve been more men storming the house. If we hadn’t been taken by Greco’s men, Agent Dawson might be dead right now because Vesey wouldn’t have gone to Greco’s compound to save Sabrina, which also saved Dawson. Don’t think of the what-ifs. We’re here. Alive and together.”

Isaac shook his head. “I should’ve known better than to ignore that instinct telling me to stay behind and let Rowan neutralize the threat. I’ll never ignore a gut reaction again. You know what else I’ll never overlook?”

Her heart picked up speed, and she put her coffee to the side, taking his hand. The way he was looking at her suggested he was about to share something important. “What?”

“My heart.”

Her breath hitched. That wasn’t what she had expected, but the relief inside her was palpable. She’d been waiting for the moment when Isaac told her he was called back out on a mission. That his commander had reached out and needed him back on base. She was still fully aware that it was only a matter of time before that happened, and when it did, she’d be strong. Right now, though, all she wanted was Isaac and the protective bubble of bliss they’d found on this beautiful island.

“I was outside tossing a football with Easton when the social worker’s car pulled up to the foster home. You got out of the backseat, and I couldn’t fucking breathe. You looked at me, and what I felt for you, even in that moment scared the hell out of me. The power you held in those beautiful hazel eyes had me dropping the ball to the grass and following you inside. Gus was guarding you like a sentry, but you slipped by him and hugged Easton and me.”

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