Chapter 3 #2
“Losing the Hideaway isn’t an option.” She couldn’t imagine life without this.
Without her sisters cooperating to build a prosperous business.
“They’re doing everything wrong and we’re suffering.
Canceled bookings and bad reviews all add up against us and hurt our reputation.
” What if the comeback didn’t happen in time?
“It’s annoying and illegal,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Tampering with a water main? Why can’t they be happy with the land they have? We would’ve been good neighbors. They didn’t even ask about a potential beach access.”
“Would you have granted that?”
“Heck no. That private cove is our biggest perk,” she said.
“We’ll sort it out,” Brayden reminded her. “That’s why I’m here, remember?”
She nodded, blinking away the sheen of tears. “You can’t protect me and the house at the same time.”
“Jess will handle coverage here when you need to work.”
“No.” She shook her head, doing the math. “I’m not leaving anything to chance. Tomorrow, I’ll start rescheduling my clients.”
“Are you sure?” He reached out, his large calloused hand gently peeling her fingers away from the counter.
“They’re making mistakes, Roni. Taking wild swings.
There must be a time crunch on their side that we don’t know about.
Yet. I want to tell you it’ll be over soon, but I can’t make any promises. ”
Veronica looked up at him, amazed to call him her friend. The relief of having him here, of knowing she and her sisters had capable help in this fight, was overwhelming.
“I was scared, Brayden,” she admitted softly. “When I heard you shout... when you didn’t come back right away. I realized... if anything happened to you because of this place... because of me...”
“Hey,” he murmured.
Before she could finish the thought, Brayden moved closer, his hands framing her face. His thumb stroked a tear from her cheek. His touch, tender and patient, was a stark contrast to the physical strength she’d seen in action time and again.
“Nothing will happen to me,” he said, his dark eyes locked onto hers with a burning intensity that made her breath hitch. “I know how to handle myself. My focus is staying between you and any threat. I won’t let them hurt you. That means I won’t let them take this place.”
It was back, all the longing for him. The air in her lungs was charged with the lingering adrenaline of the chase and the heavy, undeniable pull of years of denying herself.
Standing in the quiet suite, away from the rest of the world, the boundaries she’d carefully constructed and nurtured began to crumble.
“Brayden...” she whispered, her hands rising to rest against his chest. She could feel the rapid, powerful beat of his heart beneath the damp cotton of his shirt.
“I meant what I was saying before the interruption, Veronica.” His voice dropped, the rough timbre vibrated through her core. “I’m done pretending. I’m done keeping my distance. I’m here as your protector, yes. But I’m also here because I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
He tilted his head, his gaze dropping to her lips.
Veronica’s heart leaped. She leaned into him, her fingers curling into his shirt, silently pleading for him to close the remaining distance.
The fear of the developers, the stress of the B&B, the uncertainty of the future—all of it faded into the background, eclipsed by the sheer, overwhelming reality of the man holding her.
Brayden’s lips brushed hers, the soft, warm whisper of contact sending a shiver of pure electricity straight to her toes. Instantly, she found herself caught in a slow dizzying spin of desire.
His cell phone buzzed against the countertop behind her.
Brayden froze. Drawing back on a low, frustrated groan, he rested his forehead against hers. Reaching around her, he checked the phone, holding it so she could also see the incoming message from the Guardian Agency.
“Back to work.” She slipped away from him and smoothed her hair, scrambling to get her head on straight.
Brayden swiped the screen open, his brow furrowing as he read the text. “It’s the research team. They picked up a compact car zipping out of the construction site. Followed it to the bridge and lost it in Charleston. They’re done for tonight.”
“So we can relax?” Or maybe talk about what that kiss signified.
He gave her a wry smile. “In a few minutes. First, I want to lock down this property. I’m going to run a full sweep of the perimeter with the thermal optics, and then I’ll set up the encrypted trail cameras within the trees.”
“In the dark?” At his nod, she made a decision. “I’ll help.”
“You don’t—”
“I’m helping, Bray. I need to take action.” So much easier to feel proactive with Brayden standing with her. And so much better to do something more than stand around wondering what that kiss meant.
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know you do.” His lips twisted.
“Let’s get it done, then. If anyone else dips a toe on Hargrave property, we’ll have evidence of who and when.
” The smile faded and a muscle at his jaw jumped, his expression a mix of fierce determination.
“We’re going to get through this, Veronica. Together.”
“Thank you.”
Together sounded like a wonderful concept. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel like a victim waiting for the next ugly encounter. With Brayden here, it felt as if the tide was turning. As if they might put a stop to the Indigo Reef harassment once and for all.