Guarded from Treachery (Blade and Arrow Security Bravo Team #4)

Chapter 16

16

MATT

A s soon as I step inside my apartment, I can’t help but smile.

Leaving our team meeting, I felt the furthest thing from happy. Frustrated, angry, disgusted, worried? All of those, for sure.

While we’re making progress on Isla’s case, which I’m glad about, it’s incredibly hard to stay cool and unemotional when it’s my girlfriend’s life we’re discussing. The single-minded focus I used to rely on during our missions is much more difficult to maintain when the topic revolves around the people who tried to abduct her.

Then there’s the added weight of having to tell Isla what we found. She’s been so strong all through this, but every time I’ve given her another update, I can tell it’s wearing on her. That it’s causing mental and physical stress that her body doesn’t need.

As I trudged back to my apartment, my mind was twisted up with all the terrible things we talked about and how I could present it to Isla without upsetting her too much. Though I’d love to gloss over the worst of it, Isla deserves the truth. Not just deserves it, but demands it. Like she said to me after the first gloomy update, “I know you want to protect me, Matt. But I have to know. I’ve never stuck my head in the sand before, and I’m not starting now.”

I know she’s right. But I can’t help worrying. What if the stress becomes too much for her and she goes into premature labor? Or what if it sends her blood pressure dangerously high and she develops preeclampsia? If something happens to the baby, she’ll be devastated. And if something happens to either of them, so will I.

So it was with trepidation that I walked into my apartment, knowing Isla would be there waiting.

If it were any other morning, I’d be thrilled. Isla, finally sleeping over at my place instead of the client apartment, as she has the last three nights since our date in the barn. We just sort of fell into it the first night, when we came back here after dinner and four episodes of Hell’s Kitchen . Deciding to forgo the couch for the second round of lovemaking, Isla was the one who suggested coming to my apartment instead.

After a midnight snack of churros and sparkling apple juice, plus a second and third round, Isla fell asleep in my arms, and I didn’t have it in me to wake her.

I didn’t want to, either. Not when it felt so amazing to have her snuggled against me, her delicate features relaxed in sleep, one leg tossed over mine and her head tucked under my chin. And then waking up next to her, seeing her sleepy smile and drowsy eyes, making love again as the sun started peeking over the horizon.

When she tentatively asked about staying the second night, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. And last night, she fell asleep on my shoulder midway through episode seven of Hell’s Kitchen , so it just made more sense to carry her to my bed instead of the one in the client apartment.

Having Isla here is wonderful. Sharing news about the people responsible for the trauma she’s been through? Not as much.

But as I walk into my apartment to hear Isla singing in the kitchen, watching her do a little shimmy as she whisks some sort of batter in a bowl I didn’t realize I had, seeing her soft smile as she rubs her belly… it’s impossible not to smile.

She doesn’t see me standing by the door at first, so I take a moment to appreciate this incredible gift I’ve been given. I never imagined finding someone like Isla. Smart. Sweet. Funny. Loving. Beautiful. And the woman who’s captured my heart.

I don’t know when to tell her how I feel. That I’m so in love with her, she occupies my thoughts all the time. That I crave her touch. Her presence. Her laugh.

That I love her and little Eagle. Or Dove. I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl.

And I really don’t know when the right time is to tell her—is there a right time? I’m not sure—that I don’t just want to be a part of their lives. I want to be a family.

Maybe when all of this is over. Then I can bare my heart to her and pray she doesn’t reject it.

While I love watching Isla, and not in a creepy, stalkery way, I also don’t want to startle her. So I scuff my feet as I walk across the open living space and call out in a low tone, “Hey, Isles. I’m back.”

She only jumps a little, the whisk skittering against the mixing bowl, but she quickly covers it. Her smile brightens, and she sets the whisk down before crossing the room to meet me.

I wrap my arms around her, kissing her softly on the head. Her hair smells like flowers and feels like the softest silk against my lips. Holding Isla is the most perfect thing, like all my life I’ve been missing a critical part of myself, and now I’m finally complete.

Tipping her head back to look at me, she says brightly, “I’m making pancakes. With fresh fruit compote. And turkey sausage, since it’s healthier. If you want some eggs, I can scramble some up pretty quickly. I figured after your workout, you must be hungry.”

“Yeah, I could definitely eat.” Though in truth, my stomach has been unsettled since our meeting. But I’m not telling Isla that. “It sounds amazing. But you didn’t have to cook all that.”

“Well, my boss is on vacation, so my hours are reduced this week. So I have the time. And I like cooking for you. I’m not as good as Sarah, I know, but?—”

“You’re a great cook,” I assure her. “And I love your cooking. It’s way better than mine.”

“You’re not a bad cook, Matt.” Isla stretches up to press a quick kiss on my lips. Then she takes my hand and tugs me back towards the kitchen. “I happen to like your Matt’s Special sandwiches.”

Back at the counter, she picks up the whisk and continues stirring. She stares down at the bowl for a second and takes a deep breath. When she looks back at me, her expression has sobered. “I can tell you found out something and don’t want to tell me.”

Damn. I was hoping to get at least a few more minutes before I have to ruin her mood. “Do you want to know now?”

Her gaze is steady. “Yes. I can handle it, Matt. The worst already happened. Now I’m safe, I have you and your team watching out for me, plus Jade and Sarah and Lucy… And Rambo.” She smiles at the mention of Dante and Sarah’s rescue dog, who’s won the hearts of everyone at B and A. “So whatever it is, I know it’ll be okay.”

Oh .

I can’t let her down.

Whatever it takes, I have to protect her.

After a deep breath, I catch her free hand and give it a little squeeze. “Alright. So the good news is, we’ve made some significant progress on your case.”

“Okay?”

“First, we found the woman who shared your medical files. Well. We knew her name, but yesterday, Xavier and Niall found her. And they convinced her to talk.”

Isla’s forehead creases. “And what did she say?”

“Well, we already knew she works for an EHR software company based out of Denver. So that gives her access to medical files all over the country. But what we really wanted to know was why? And who was she working for? Since Niall and Xav were already in Pueblo for a case, it made sense for them to head to Denver to confront her.”

Rubbing my thumb across the back of her hand, I continue, “So they went to this woman—Amy Williams—and explained that we could help her with reduced charges down the line if she helps us. She was hesitant at first, but finally she talked.”

Isla turns to face me. “Okay?”

“She was approached by a man asking her to provide medical records for specific patients. He claimed it was for research purposes and wouldn’t harm anyone. And he offered her a lot of money. A hundred grand to start.”

“Were they just my records? Or…”

“Some of the other missing women, too.” My molars grind painfully as I grit out, “Obviously, the man lied. And this Williams woman didn’t care about anything but the money.”

After a pause, she says, “Okay. Where do we go from there?”

“Well, I found some more information. Williams mentioned where she used to meet this guy. And I was able to find a security camera in the vicinity. After studying the footage, I got a partial shot of his face. Enough to run it through facial recognition. So we have a name.”

“Do you think it’s the man behind all this?” There’s a little quiver in Isla’s voice. “Could this be the end of it?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “We need to talk to him. His name is Milton Oaks, and he works for a fertility clinic in Austin. Dante and I are going to go there this afternoon to confront him.”

Now that Oaks has been identified, the lab results that came back after we ran all of Isla’s medications make more sense. When we had her birth control tested, it turned out to be Clomid instead. Someone must have broken into Isla’s house and swapped her birth control for a fertility drug, which explains how they were able to get her pregnant.

“Matt.” Pancake batter forgotten, Isla grabs both my hands. “I don’t want you doing anything dangerous. What if this guy?—”

“Isles. Remember who I am. I know I talk about computers all the time, but I’m trained. This Oaks guy isn’t going to hurt me.”

Pink touches her cheeks. “I know you are. I saw you do that crazy martial arts stuff in the parking lot. And I’ve watched you spar with your teammates. It’s not that I don’t think you’re capable. It’s just… I worry.”

My chest warms. “Is it bad that I like you worrying about me?”

“No.” A sweet smile lifts her lips. “But I still want you to be careful. People can be unpredictable when they feel cornered.”

I’m not worried in the least, but I humor Isla as I reply, “I’ll be really careful. And Dante will be there, too. Besides, we’re not going to hurt the guy. We’re just going to convince him that it would be in his best interests to talk.”

And if I happen to trip and punch him in the face accidentally, can I really be blamed for that?

Isla draws in a breath. “Is that everything?”

“It is. For now.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I was expecting more of a reaction. Tears, maybe. Anger. Disappointment that this isn’t solved already.

“Okay,” she confirms. “Does it feel icky to hear about the people who were involved in this? Yes. Am I mad about it? Also, yes. But like you said, this is progress.”

Tugging her around the other side of the kitchen island, I lift Isla onto a stool and step between her legs. “So you’re really okay with this?”

“It’s like I said, Matt. I could be upset about everything. Spend all my time thinking about how screwed up it is. And it’s not that I’m not upset or mad about it. But I need to keep perspective. Focus on being strong for the baby.”

Blinking, Isla’s eyes glisten with moisture. “Some people might think I’m crazy. Falling in love with this baby under these circumstances. But they can’t understand how it feels having this little life inside me. Relying on me. At the end of this, it’ll be me and little Dove or Eagle. And… you.”

My throat goes thick. “Definitely me. I’m not going anywhere.”

Emotion tightens her features. “And I’m not going any—” She stops. Heat floods her cheeks. “Well. We’ll figure things out, I guess.”

Shit. Part of me wants to boldly invite her to move in with me. Turn the guest room into a nursery. But I’m terrified of moving too quickly. Of messing things up.

But what I can safely say is, “Whatever it takes to make this work between us, I’ll do it. If you want to move closer; to San Antonio or Seguin, I’ll help you. Or if you want to stay in Dallas, that’s okay. I just want to be with you.”

“I just want to be with you, too.” Pausing, her teeth dig into her lip. “I… I don’t know if I should say this. If it’ll make things weird.”

My heart leaps. “Just say it.”

Squeezing my hands hard, her words come out in a rush. “I love you, Matt. I know it hasn’t been that long, and this whole thing is complicated, and maybe you don’t feel the same way, but I do. I’ve never felt like this before. I never knew love could feel like this.”

“Oh, Isles.”

“I tried to love my parents, but they squashed it. And the few people I dated, I never felt a fraction of this. There was affection, but nothing like love. The only person I think I actually love aside from you is Rory, and that’s not the same. But… it’s okay if you don’t?—”

“I do.” It’s fierce. Rough with emotion.

Hope tinges her voice. “You do?”

“I do.” Framing Isla’s face with my hands, I hold her gaze as I say, “I love you. I’ve been wanting to tell you, but… I was afraid of rushing you. Of screwing things up. But I love you so much. I don’t care how long it’s been.” I lean in to kiss her. “I remember hearing someone say, ‘ Time is only one measure of how well you know a person .’ And I know you in all the ways that count. I know your heart. Your strength. Your courage.”

Her chin wobbles. “Oh, Matt.”

“And I know you make me happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’ve experienced love with Levi and my teammates, but the way I feel about you is different. It’s deeper. More intense. All-encompassing. And I would do anything— anything —to make you happy. To protect you. And whatever it takes to be with you, I’ll do it.”

By the time I finish speaking, my ears are hot and my face feels warm. My heart is pounding like I’ve just spent three hours on the treadmill instead of just standing here.

Isla stares at me, emotion working in her eyes. Then she kisses me. “I feel the same, Matt. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.”

Oh.

This joy.

Our words finally match what’s in our hearts.

“I was thinking,” she starts. “Maybe we could put everything in the fridge and we could eat a little later. What do you think?”

“What do you want to do instead?”

Her gaze shifts in the direction of the bedroom. “Maybe we could celebrate being in love?”

Yes. That sounds perfect.

I scoop Isla off the stool and into my arms. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”