Chapter 19
Brayden was restless long after Roni was safely back home at the Hideaway. Those first hours had been the worst, despite the best possible outcome for Roni. He hadn’t known what to do with himself while her sisters tended to her and pampered her.
He didn’t want to let her out of his sight. Not ever again.
He’d spoken with Trent and Jess and even debriefed with his bosses back in Chicago. Nothing helped him wind down. He was edgy and angry and no longer had a viable outlet. The immediate, physical danger was over, but Brayden wasn’t sure he’d be content until Silas Vanbeck was behind bars.
Jess had understood, assigning a full protection detail of local cops and agency personnel at the Hideaway until they were sure Vanbeck was in custody. Her sisters had moved into the house to lend support and just be there for one another.
The correct plat maps had been recorded, again. Their house was safe, the property theirs until they chose to sell.
The silver lining was spending time with Roni and her sisters. Trent too, since he was a package deal with Natalie. It felt like the best part of being a family. Rallying together in the crisis, finding ways to smile and laugh and feel alive.
The five of them stayed close, cooking, watching movies, swimming down at the private beach and having s’mores around the fire pit. Food was delivered as folks stopped by to check on all three of the sisters.
It had taken three full days for the net to drop. And when Caldwell came by to tell them Vanbeck was in custody, Brayden felt as if he could finally breathe easy again. That night, he’d slept soundly.
Even dreamed.
Of little girls with white-blond hair and blue eyes running across the sand on the Hargrave beach. What he wouldn’t give for that to come true.
Waking early, he’d filled a mug with coffee and wandered out on the deck to enjoy the sunrise while Roni slept in. The bruises around her wrists were fading and she moved a little easier every day. It made his heart glad, though he still wanted an hour alone with that fixer.
He wanted it, but he wouldn’t get it.
He’d just have to be satisfied with his freedom.
With the glory of this private haven. The air was clear and clean.
He could hear the birds in the forest and out along the shore.
Next door, the Indigo Reef construction remained silenced.
The heavy machinery was parked in a neat, motionless row behind yellow police tape.
Since the arrest warrants had been issued and executed, he suspected the site would eventually be abandoned, the machinery moved or sold to cover the fines.
He hoped whoever bought the property would have the common sense and decency to discuss plans rather than try to force something that didn’t fit the island.
The tranquility out here was a treasure. Almost as wonderful as the woman he’d left in bed.
When his phone hummed in his pocket, Brayden set the coffee on the railing to check the email from Patrick Gamble:
Vanbeck’s bail motion was denied by the judge.
His fixer is cooperating with state prosecutors in exchange for leniency.
We expect the official paperwork showing Indigo Reef’s abandonment of the project to come through by the end of next week.
The land will go up for sale, unless a private proposal is approved by the court and local town council.
Thank you for your commitment and exemplary work on this assignment.
The tight knot that had taken up residence between his shoulder blades started to unwind. He slipped the phone back into his pocket and thought about how happy Roni would be when he shared the news.
“You’re up early.” Roni’s sleep-roughened voice murmured behind him.
He turned, his chest instantly expanding with a wave of fierce, possessive tenderness. “Come here.”
Wearing her tank and sleep shorts, she walked into his arms as if she never wanted to be anywhere else.
The light breeze tugged at her hair and she twisted it back over her shoulder.
Though a fading yellow-green bruise still touched the line of her collarbone from her ordeal, her eyes were clear and bright, her smile warm and sincere as she stole a sip of his coffee.
Resting her cheek against his chest, she sighed. “This is what Hideaway mornings are really about.”
Brayden wrapped his arms around her, bringing her back against his chest and nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck. “You smell so good.” He teased her skin, inhaling the intoxicating scent of lavender, sea salt, and the essence of Roni herself.
“Same,” she said, turning to burrow into his chest. “Was that a new assignment?”
The phone, he realized. “No, just an update from Gamble. All good news.”
“Yay.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard this beach so peaceful.”
“It’s the best,” Roni said. “Celeste is sorting out a slew of new bookings. Holly’s front-page story in the Bugle about the Indigo Reef fiasco, team cleanup, and the historical documents has turned the Hideaway into the most popular destination on the coast. We’ll be booked solid until Christmas. ” She sighed.
“You’re not happy about it?”
“I’m thrilled, actually. As much as I love it here when it’s all for us, we have a business to run.”
Which meant they needed to decide where they were going to live. “Did your dad call her last night as promised?” Brayden queried. David had done a video call with all of them together, then scheduled time individually with his daughters.
“He did.” Roni’s smile rivaled the rising sun, warming Brayden down to his soul. “She said they talked for over an hour. It’s not perfect, not the same, but it’s progress. He says he’s coming to Brookwell for the Fall Festival.”
“That’s a big step,” Brayden said, leaning down to press a soft, reverent kiss against her forehead.
“It is,” she whispered, her hands sliding up to frame his neck. “And none of it would have happened if you hadn’t come here. You saved our home, Brayden. You saved me.”
“See, that’s giving me too much credit,” Brayden corrected softly, his hands moving to rest on her hips, holding her steady.
“You saved yourself. The whole way. You stood up to Vanbeck, you opened your heart to those stranded workers, and you held your family together when everything was falling apart. I just made sure nobody got in your way.”
“Now who can’t take a compliment?” Roni chuckled, her blue eyes shining with unfiltered joy. “You were my shield, Brayden. You always have been.”
She shifted her posture, leaning up on her tiptoes, and brought her lips up to meet his.
The kiss wasn’t rushed. She took her time, slow and deep, she stole his breath.
He felt it like a sweet, lingering declaration of everything they’d built together over a lifetime of friendship and the new unbreakable love that would define their future.
Brayden held her close, feeling the steady, rhythmic beat of her heart against his own, tasting the warmth of her lips and the quiet promise of a thousand tomorrows.
When he finally pulled back, both of them were slightly breathless.
“Gamble and Swann sent me a new offer letter last night.” Brayden’s fingers sifted through her hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.
Veronica blinked at him. “They’re calling you back to Chicago?”
“No, actually.” He stole a kiss. She was irresistible. “Guardian wants me to head up a regional threat-assessment training branch. Here. In Brookwell. It means a salary bump and regular hours most of the time.”
Roni gasped, her hands tightening on his shoulders. “Brayden... that’s incredible!” She went still. “Is that what you want? You won’t miss the action of active assignments?”
“If it means being here with you, not for a second.”
Her eyes went wide, then she jumped into his arms. “Yes. You’re mine.” She peppered his face with kisses. “Mine. Mine. Mine.”
They were laughing so hard, together, he had to set her on her feet. “I take it that works for you.”
“Of course that works for me. I love you. You’re where my heart is safe and happy.” She pulled him into another passionate kiss. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Roni,” Brayden vowed against her lips, lifting her effortlessly into his arms as the warm ocean breeze swept through, rustling the ancient live oaks and carrying the sweet sounds of the surf. “Always have. Always will.”
He’d come to Brookwell—to the Hideaway—to protect her, the most important person in his world, and found the love he’d dreamed of. Giving her his heart had been the smartest move of his life and he couldn’t wait to celebrate all the future sunrises together.