Page 59 of Reclaiming Izabel

It was and always had been Drake.

Reporters linedthe front of the Stockman and Bose building.

“Oh my God, Viktor wasn’t kidding,” I mumbled. Marcus had called and given us a status report of what to expect when we got in. Luckily, the underground parking was closely monitored and only employees and clients were allowed through.

Marcus said their security department wasn’t happy, but Virginia Beach was a SEAL community and a back-from-the-dead story was sure to make big news.

“…a Navy SEAL who was thought to have died in the Syria JSOC massacre is alive. Details are still emerging, but rumor has it that he’s become a real-life James Bond and tracked down and destroyed the terrorist responsible for wiping out his team. We’re here in front of his wife’s workplace to get a statement on this reunion that can only be made for movies. Izabel Maddox has been in the news lately for her philanthropic work with the Solace Foundation…”

Drake switched off the radio as he drove the SUV into the underground parking. “Tired of hearing the same news over and over.”

As for me, I was apprehensive about facing my coworkers. Would they treat me any differently? Drake reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay.”

When the elevator doors opened,Marcus was already waiting for us. He was dressed in a suit instead of his usual cargo pants and tee. He had on an earpiece with the wire disappearing behind his neck.

“Very secret-service like,” Drake drawled.

“Fuck off, Maddox.”

They greeted each other with a man hug.

“Izabel, you okay?”

“Yes. I thought you were exaggerating when you said there were a couple of news vans out front.”

“Izabel!”

We turned to the blonde barreling toward us. Cindy plowed into me and hugged me tight. “We were so worried about you!”

She eyed Drake critically. Then, turning back to me, she mouthed,He’s hot.

Rolling my eyes, I made the introductions. “Drake, this is Cindy Lake. Cindy, my husband?—”

“Drake Maddox,” Cindy finished. “Can you be any more caveman by abducting Izabel and Marcus? You gave us quite a scare! Initial reports said it was the Fuego gang and they’d probably beheaded Marcus and sold Izabel to human traffickers.”

“Wow,” Izabel chuckled. “I didn’t know the news was that bad.”

Both Marcus and Drake were nodding.

I frowned. “It was that bad?”

“Yes.” Cindy linked our arms together and we walked toward my office.

“I want to talk to Marcus about building security…you gonna be okay?” Drake called after me.

“Yes…” I waved him off. “It seems our floor is covered.” I pointed to a man sitting near a planter who I recognized as one of Marcus’s crew.

Then I was mobbed by my coworkers, and I had to exercise patience as I answered their questions several times over.

Twenty minutes later, I finally made it behind my desk while Cindy returned to hers, so we could actually do some work. A ton of emails needed my attention because Drake had only returned my phone this morning. I made an appointment with Doc G for the next day. Drake and I were making progress, especially after visiting Angelise’s grave, but there was still that lingering fear on my part of losing him again.

My door opened, and I expected to see Drake telling me he was leaving.

It was Kyle.

He closed the door behind him as he entered.

“Kyle.”

---