always see Flint in a special way nobody else does. I’ve had a chance to peek into his heart, and it’s so gold, it’s blinding.
It’s not just his muscles or his good looks or his whip-smart words and freaky ability to pivot instantaneously. No way.
This man is my rock, my shield, and my hero.
I’m grateful I’m hiding behind my shades on the frantic drive around the island. Even after we let Mother off at the airport and watched her flight take off, I’m tearing up every time my eyes catch the light from that black pearl still on my finger.
If a miracle happens, if we find our way out of this, I have to tell him.
If Flint leaves the door to his life cracked even a teensy little bit, I’m his, and no one else’s.
It’s night by the time we’re almost back at his house.
It’s been a whirlwind of a day and this is the first time I’m able to catch my breath.
It hits me then. We still need Ray’s fingerprints.
Crap.
“We can go to my mother’s house,” I suggest as soon as I tell him what I’m thinking. “The maid knows me and so does Webster. They’ll let me in.”
“No,” he says. “They’re watching every Gerard property like hawks, babe. That’s why we booked a resort for your ma on Kauai instead of her own place, remember? I’ll grab them off something in his office.”
I blink a couple times. “You’re going back there?”
He nods, his azure eyes a shade darker, yet full of so much energy.
“But if the houses are being watched...same goes for the office, too.”
“You’re not wrong,” he growls.
“Then—”
“Val, there’s no choice. I have to figure out if Ray’s missing by choice or because somebody made him disappear. The office is the best place to look.”
My stomach twists up at the thought of him going alone. “I’ll come with you.”
“No way. I’ll have backup. Need you to stay put right here.”
“With you or watching out for you? There’s a difference,” I say, trying not to sound too frustrated.
It’s dark, so I can’t tell if he’s thinking or not, but he knows what I’m talking about.
Having Davis or Cash hanging around isn’t the same as being with him, front and center. They may not know if someone was inside until it’s too late.
“Why’d you get out of the security business, anyway? You’re good at what you do.”
“Bryce, first and foremost.” I believe him, but I also sense some odd hesitation in his voice.
“So you can be a full-time father and he won’t be in danger?” My stomach sinks. “Like he is now.”
Ugh. Here comes the self-imposed guilt trip.
“Stop it, Val. You aren’t to blame for this shit.”
I stare out the window, not seeing much of anything.
He’s obviously right.
I stay quiet as he pulls through the gate and into the garage. Icy silence remains as we walk into the house.
I’ve managed to keep the tears back all day—mostly—but I’m not sure how I’ll keep it up as soon as the lights are on.
So I move to the staircase as he flips the switch and adjusts the brightness of the recessed lights.
“You hungry?” he asks. “It’s been a while since lunch. I can whip up a quick supper.”
Sigh. If only food were the cure to everything like this outrageous man seems to think it is.
I keep walking. “No, not right now. Maybe later.”
I need a breather in my room. No, not my room. It’s Flint’s. The entire house is his.
I’m just a guest here causing turmoil. I don’t belong tangled up in his beautiful life or anywhere. But especially not here, not now, when I’m putting everyone at risk.
Shaking my head, I chastise myself quietly.
This needs to stop.
Still, it pisses me off. I don’t want to be the person I used to be—but how do I even start rebuilding an identity, a new life, when the old one is breathing down my neck like a hungry dragon?
I want to be someone else.
Someone who lives for others without the whole freaking world bending on its axis for her issues.
Spinning around, I leave the room, and force myself to walk down to the kitchen again.
“Change your mind?” he asks, looking up from the counter. “I was just starting a seafood stew. It’s this stuff my ma used to make, bouillabaisse.”
I smile at the way he butchers the French word. He beams back a grin that could melt every dress in a hundred-mile radius.
“I know, I know. Can’t pronounce it worth shit but trust