Javier
Soft fingers trace my arms and chest. My nostrils flare with the scent of Gabriella. Her warm breath is on my neck before her lips brush my flesh.
Please don’t let this be a dream.
I slowly open my eyes, and relief consumes me. It’s real. She’s here, in my arms.
“I was praying you weren’t a dream,” I tell her.
“That’s what I thought when I opened my eyes and saw you.”
I pull her closer. “How do you feel?”
She traces the band of ink on my biceps and doesn’t answer right away. “I’m happy and grateful I’m waking up in your arms.”
There’s more. Things on her mind she isn’t telling me. I can see it in her face and hesitation. She tries to hide it, but it’s there.
She’s still working through feelings for Triker.
Ask her about it.
No, don’t. Let it be.
“I’m not going to push you, but if there is something you want to talk about, nothing you say will change how much I love you.”
Her mouth opens slightly then snaps shut. Guilt fills her eyes before she concentrates on my chest and slides her fingers across my Semper Fi tattoo. Hot tears fall on it.
I sit up and cradle her head against me.
“I didn’t think I would see you again,” she whispers and trembles in my arms.
I kiss her head and blink hard.
“I...I made a choice. He didn’t force me. He told me the first day that I would give myself to him, and I did.” She breaks down and sobs.
I hold her tighter as my own tears flow. The thought of Triker touching her still makes my stomach flip, but I know from years of working Twisted Hearts cases what a declaration means and how they work. Declarations break women of any loyalty they have to anyone except the Twisted Hearts and men who claim them as their own. And I knew the entire time Gabriella wasn’t with me, that she would be no different from any other woman declared. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You survived. That’s all the matters. Anything you did with him was to survive.”
“But I didn’t have to. I had a choice.”
“Did he tell you he would kill everyone you love?”
She nods in my chest.
I kiss the top of her head. “Did he tell you that you would be locked in a room and never come out?”
She sobs harder. “How do you know this?”
Both my hands fly to her cheeks. “Listen to me, Gabriella. I’m aware of the code, law, and rules the Twisted Hearts live by. I know their practices. Nothing that happened, whether you think it was your choice or not, is your fault.”
Her blue eyes, full of pain, create a burning desire within me to kill Triker all over again.
“I should have rescued you sooner. I’m sorry, baby.”
“No. You couldn’t have.”
“You were on Casey Key the entire time. Less than an hour away.”
She puts her finger to my lips. “Shh. Don’t blame yourself. I can’t bear it.”
I’m always going to blame myself.
I don’t reply.
“Tell me you won’t blame yourself. I need to hear you say it.”
I look away. I can’t. I won’t lie to her, and I can’t give her this.
“Javier.”
“I can’t.”
She closes her eyes, and I clutch her body to mine, not sure what to say or do other than hold her.
Several moments pass, and she pulls out of my embrace. “I better check on Lena.”
I peck her on the lips. “Okay.”
We put on our pajamas. When we pass Lena’s room, the door is open, and she isn’t there.
“She must be downstairs,” Gabriella says.
I hope she didn’t run off.
We need to question her today, if possible.
I’m relieved when we get into the kitchen and see Hudson and Lena sitting outside on the deck steps. The sun is shining, and the turquoise water sparkles beyond the white sand.
I open the door to the deck.
“Morning,” Gabriella says, and Hudson and Lena turn. Lena has tear-stained cheeks, and Hudson has an expression on his face I can’t figure out.
“Morning,” Hudson replies.
“Hi,” Lena quietly says.
“Do you want to walk the beach, Lena?” Gabriella asks.
“We just did.”
Gabriella smiles. “Okay.”
“Are you hungry? I’m going to make breakfast,” I tell them. “Assuming you have food, Hudson?”
“Yep. I’ll help you.”
“I’ll join you in a minute,” Gabriella pecks me on the lips.
“Sure.”
Hudson and I go inside, and Gabriella sits on the step next to Lena.
When the door shuts, I ask Hudson, “How’s Lena doing today?”
He sighs. “I don’t think she’s entirely out of shock yet. It’s not as bad as last night, but she keeps worrying about protection and not having money to pay me. She’s very confused.”
“That’s not from shock. It’s part of how they broke her.”
“What do you mean?”
“When the Twisted Hearts declare a woman, part of the daily reinforcement is that the woman needs to be protected or something horrible will happen. Violence is almost an everyday occurrence in some ways, so over time, the comfort of having whoever declared you keep you safe from harm is embedded in your head. After so many years, it’s likely she is petrified right now that someone is going to hurt her without the protection of the Twisted Hearts.”
Hudson throws me a package of bacon and takes eggs out of the fridge. “Did that happen to Gabriella?”
My stomach flips. “I don’t know the extent, but yes. She doesn’t need to say it. I can tell by the feelings she developed for him or when she says he was good to her.”
Hudson sets a bowl on the counter. “How are you doing with all this?”
“I’m just glad she’s back alive,” I tell him.
“Javier.”
I close my eyes for several moments and just breathe. When I open them I admit, “I hate she developed feelings for him. She mourned his death. She still is. She didn’t say it, but I see it. Part of her doesn’t like the fact I put the bullet in his head. Guilt is eating her alive about what he made her do, and she thinks it was her choice. I know it wasn’t. I’m aware of what they do. But I still hate it.”
Hudson crosses his arms. “I—”
The door opens. Gabriella and Lena step inside.
“Don’t stop talking because we’re here,” Gabriella teases.
God, I’ve missed her personality.
“We were debating if you’re going to eat three pieces of bacon or four,” I tease her.
“Ha, ha.” She retrieves orange juice from the fridge then four glasses out of the cabinet.
“Can I help?” Lena quietly asks.
“You don’t—” Hudson starts.
“Toast. Make the toast, Lena,” Gabriella encourages her.
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Give her the bread.” Gabriella motions to Hudson, and he picks up the plastic-wrapped loaf and hands it to Lena.
“The toaster is over there.” He points to the counter where the toaster is.
“Hudson,” Beckett’s voice bellows out.
“Kitchen,” Hudson yells.
Beckett and Mia come in and hug Gabriella.
“Just in time for breakfast. You’re on fruit,” I tell Beckett.
“Nope. Connor’s coming. Make him do the fruit. I’ll make the pancakes.”
“All right.”
“This is my friend Lena,” Gabriella says. “This is my brother Beckett and his wife, Mia.”
They exchange hellos, and Lena turns back to the toast.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Ryland and Chloe, Gracie and Connor, and Gabriella’s parents show up.
Gabriella stays close to Lena.
Chloe motions for me to leave the room, and I put the last slice of bacon on the plate, turn off the burner, wipe my hands on a dishtowel, and follow her out of the room.
She shuts the door to Hudson’s office. “Carter called.”
“And?”
“They confirmed Max Crello was Lena’s husband, but, just like Gabriella’s wedding, it wasn’t legal. There was a missing report on her filed by her employer, but since she has no family, no one pursued it to the extent they should have.”
“The authorities just sat back and forgot about her?” I angrily ask.
“Appears that way.”
“Was Max Crello on the yacht with Skates when it went down?”
Chloe fidgets with her fingers.
“Chloe, tell me. It’s between us, but I need to know,” I sternly say.
“I showed Ryland his picture. He was on it.”
“Good. Glad that bastard is dead, too.”
“Max is on tape with Lena. Based on what the reports say he told her, Carter thinks she knows a lot more about other top members who weren’t present at the club last night. We need to question her.”
“I don’t think she’s stable enough right now. The Twisted Hearts did a number on her. And she has a lot of anxiety about protection and not having money to pay Hudson.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. How’s Gabriella?”
“Not as bad as Lena.”
Chloe tilts her head. “And you?”
“Dealing with it.”
She pats my arm. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you think Hudson will let Lena stay a bit longer?”
“I’m pretty sure, but let’s ask him.” I open the door. “Hudson,” I call out.
He comes in and shuts the door. “What’s going on?”
Chloe clears her throat. “I don’t want to put you in an awkward position, but—”
“She can stay as long as she needs to.”
“We can try to find a shelter for her—”
“No. That’s not necessary. I don’t think she’ll do well there. She’s used to living on the beach and having her own room. Let her stay.”
“Are you sure?” Chloe asks.
“Yes. But I think she needs a therapist. So does Gabriella.”
“I agree,” I tell him.
“Carter is sending one who is highly specialized for these types of situations. She travels the country, and he’s sending her here. Carter is going to use funds from the foundation he set up in Peter’s name to pay for both Lena and Gabriella’s therapy. She will come to the house and work with them together at first until Lena is comfortable on her own. It’s intense, and it will be a lot of hours. Carter said it’s best if she stays wherever Gabriella and Lena are until she feels they have made adequate progress. I know you have room, but you can say no if you want,” Chloe says.
“It’s not a problem. She can stay here in the other guest room. Whatever is best for Gabriella and Lena.”
“I think it’s best if Gabriella stays here until the therapist says Lena is okay without her. Are you okay staying here for a while, Javier?”
“No problem.”
“Great. Her flight arrives today in Tampa. I’m picking her up at five o’clock. Her name is Kate Contro.”
“Kate Contro?” The color drains from Hudson’s face.
“Yes, do you know her?” Chloe asks.
His face hardens. Through clenched teeth, he says, “I thought I was going to marry her.”