Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(35)

Obviously, I’m not giving in.

Hell no.

I look down, squeezing her hand tighter, trying to reassure her with touch where words won’t do. “You’re quiet. Is more coming back to you?”

“No, not yet, just trying to hash things.” She rubs her forehead. “Process what I know.”

I grasp her hand, pulling it off her face. “How about don’t? I know how weird that sounds, but hell, is it really so wrong? Don’t try to remember. Don’t try to process. Don’t grieve over shit you can’t control, honey.” Holding both her hands, I pull her closer, folding my arms around her trembling frame. “You’re safe here with me, that’s all you need to think about.”

Honestly, that’s all I can think about, because she might not be safe forever. That’s what got me into the thick of it with Cash, him jumping down my throat for taking the girl out for a short hop across the island.

Fuck. Who knows, maybe he’s right.

Can I just brush it off as hyper-paranoid after I saw that guy at the shrimp truck? Thankfully, there was a crowd of tourists to keep anything from getting out of hand. Cornaro men, whether they were looking for Val or not, work in the shadows. They’re not gonna get in anybody’s face in broad daylight, mingling with a crowd.

Still...

Son of a bitch.

I need boots on the ground in order to get to the bottom of this. I can’t be with her twenty-four seven and go out searching for clues about why her brother wants her out of the picture.

I’d pissed Cash off even more when I mentioned my plans to come clean, tell her the truth, as soon as he left.

Then Valerie had to go and say it—how she knew I’d never lie to her.

Goddamn, this is complicated.

I can’t keep her in the dark, but I can’t shatter that trust. Simply remembering little tidbits sends her into a downward spiral. Finding out I lied to her could throw her into a total tailspin, make her so upset she’ll try to leave.

I can’t chance it. Cornaro’s men are looking for her, that’s a given.

Luckily, this place has all the security possible, safeguards for anyone trying to get in or out. I designed it with the latest state-of-the-art tech, even had a virtual consultation with Enguard Security, one of the best agencies on the West Coast.

Too bad all the fancy bells and whistles in the world can’t undo my moral dilemma.

This universe has a sick sense of humor. My choices are feed a chick lies to hold her hostage or tell her the truth and risk her getting killed.

Damn. I need to bring in backup. Get more guys to help, both for watching my house and investigating what’s going on with King Heron Fishing.

Her shaking has eased up, at least, so I relax my hold and wait until she lifts her head. “Doing better?”

She nods.

“Getting hungry?”

She shakes her head. “No. I don’t know about dinner.”

“Then how about relaxing in the hot tub? I’ll go fire it up and fetch your bathing suit.”

For a second, she just keeps the same glum look on her face, staring at her feet. But I see her features soften, just a crack that says she wants to.

“Come on, Val. You’ll feel like a new woman again. Heat does a body good.”

“Does it work on the mind, too?” She grins slightly. “I guess that sounds nice...”

Unable to resist, I kiss her forehead. Her smile grows.

“Come on.” I lead her to the bedroom and nod toward the bathroom. “I’ll bring your suit to you.”

“Have you always taken care of me like this?” she wonders.

I smile, glad I don’t have to lie for once. “Damn right. Ever since the day we met.”

She blushes slightly but heads for the bathroom. I grab the swimsuit Cash included with the other clothes he’d bought and carry it across the room. I knock, then barely open the bathroom door, and set the suit on the counter. “I’ll go get the tub ready.”

“Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”

I’m relieved by the tone of her voice and head outside, where I switch on the hot tub and its Jacuzzi, and then go to the kitchen. A glass of wine might help her relax more, but that wouldn’t be a good idea in her condition, so I refill her tea and put a bottle of pain relievers on a tray.

She’s already outside when I arrive.

Holy shit.

My dick throbs at the sight of her. If the perfect woman fell down from the sky to sink her siren claws into me like some Greek tragedy, she’d look like Valerie Gerard.

Fuck you, Cash. I’ve got a whole new reason to have words with him.

A one-piece suit, one like my mother wears, would’ve been far more appropriate. Not the hot yellow two-piece she’s wearing. It leaves nothing to the imagination except taking it off her with my teeth.

I’d seen the suit when I’d washed it, yeah, but hadn’t expected it to look so damnably sexy once she’d filled in the top and bottoms.

She’s like a mermaid, all sun-kissed golden-brown skin with her long, dark hair flowing down her back.

I forget to fucking breathe. So I just watch her climb up the steps and into the water, and then swallow a groan as she slips her sweet ass in the water.

If she kills me, I want death by blue balls on my epitaph.

She twists and smiles at me. “Perfect temperature! It’s wonderful in here.”