Page 27 of You've Got The Love
I hold her, stroking her hair, my cock throbbing in my jeans while I force myself to calm down. I can feel her warmth seeping through my clothes, and it’s a special kind of torture knowing I could have her right now if I let myself. But she deserves more than a man who can’t see past his own need and demons.
Her trembling slows as her breathing evens out against my chest. Eventually, her body softens, the weight of hersleep settling into me. I keep my eyes on the small window above the sofa, my own heartbeat still too fast.
The canal outside glints in the moonlight, dark and glassy. Amsterdam nights usually hum with bikes and laughter, but here, tucked in this narrow waterway, it’s silent.
Too silent.
A faint ripple moves across the water. My spine stiffens, every nerve strung tight. Could be a duck. Could be the wind. But my gut twists, whisperingdanger.
I shift carefully, easing Amber onto the sofa. She whimpers softly, and I brush my knuckles over her hair. “Shh,liefje. I’ve got you,” I whisper, my voice low. She sighs and doesn’t wake.
Crossing the barge silently, I crouch by the window near the door. The moonlight spills across the water, and there it is—a boat, gliding too close. No lights. Too smooth. My jaw clenches. That boat wasn’t there before.
A soft, deliberate knock breaks the stillness.
My muscles lock.
Amber jerks awake with a tiny gasp. “Bas?”
I drop to her side immediately, finger to her lips. “Stay quiet. Stay low. Don’t move until I say.”
Her eyes are wide and scared, but she nods.
Another knock—louder this time. Whoever it is, they’re not here by accident.
I grab the duffel and pull out my pistol. I told Jack I didn’t have one, I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea about thekind of guy I am. But at home, out in the countryside, miles from anyone else, I’ve always kept one close. No idea why I keep it, as I’ve never fired it.
My hand is steady anyway.
Three sharp raps this time, followed by a muffled voice. Dutch. Male. Calm.
I can’t make out the words, but the tone. The tone tells me everything.
Not friendly. Not casual.
Amber crawls closer, her hand brushing my leg. “Who is it?” she whispers.
“I don’t know. But it’s not good,” I murmur.
The boat rocks slightly outside, water lapping against the hull. I stay to the side of the door, gun ready, heart pounding a cold, steady rhythm. Whoever they are, they found us faster than I expected.
And I’ll put a bullet in someone before I let them take her.
Chapter 15
Amber
The knock feels like it echoes inside my chest.
I freeze on the sofa, every nerve in my body buzzing with terror. My fingers dig into the leather cushion beneath me as if it can anchor me to safety. The leather creaks softly under my weight, and even that tiny sound feels like it might give us away.
Bastiaan crouches by the door, a gun in his hand. I’ve never seen him like this—hard, focused, every line of his body sharp with tension. He glances back at me, and even in the dim light, I can see the warning in his eyes:Don’t move.
I nod, though my entire body trembles. My throat is dry, and every inhale feels loud. Too loud. I curl in on myself on the sofa, hugging my knees to my chest, trying to make myself small. Invisible.
Anotherknock. Louder.
I jump, a squeak escaping before I can stop it. Bastiaan’s head snaps toward me, and he shakes his head slowly, silently. My stomach twists into knots.
