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How hard was it for me to believe those words—even now?
Despite the heat and my thirst, I marched on with renewed determination. I’d survived far worse than a hot day in Malta, and I wasn’t about to let Alex Falcone—or any man—impact my actions or emotions.
“Never,” I vowed. “From now on, I’m taking back control. No more feeling miserable. No more thinking about the past.”
The road stretched out before me, shimmering in the heat, and for the first time since leaving the hotel, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. I didn’t know what lay ahead, but I knew one thing for certain: Whatever challenges I faced, I would meet them head-on, without fear or hesitation.
Fuck what happened back in Italy. And most importantly, fuck sexy, dominant Italian men whose dark, menacing eyes followed me into my dreams—even if they looked like Alex Falcone.
CHAPTER FOUR
The phone’s shrill ring pierced the silence in the room and pulled me right out of my thoughts of replaying the latest altercation with Fiona Donnelly—which kept me from going over the mildly disturbing report I got.
Damn woman. How could anyone be so stubborn…and not even the least bit intimidated by me?
Gabe’s name and face stared at me before I picked up.
“Hey, bro.”
“Hey, do you know where Fee is? She’s not in her room, and her phone isn’t reachable.”
Not reachable? We’ve got perfect reception all over the resort. My stomach twisted into knots. Damn woman again. She was nothing but defiance and trouble.
I should’ve remembered when Gabe asked me to keep an eye on her. I should’ve more adamantly refused. “No, but I’m sure she’s around somewhere. I told her she can’t leave the hotel without an escort.”
“You talked to her and told her she can’t leave?” Gabe’s voice sounded strange.
I leaned back. “Yeah, why?”
Gabe sighed. “And she agreed?” He sounded as if he was biting his lip or something.
“Yes, are you trying to hide a laugh?”
Gabe chuckled. “Remember when Sophie tried to climb off the deck?”
“After you kidnapped her and locked her in your room?” I hesitated. What was he getting at? “Yes, Cristo told me.”
“Well, Fee has Sophie’s rebellious streak, times ten. If you told her she can’t leave, I bet she left the minute you took your eyes off her.”
He chuckled again. “Should’ve warned you, sorry, bro. She’s a handful. And probably even more so now that we dragged her here. Can you handle her?”
I narrowed my eyes.
Handle her?
If she dared to leave, I would much more than handle her. “Sure thing.”
“Thanks, bro,” Gabe said before hanging up.
I lowered my phone, then turned back to my computer and pulled up the hotel’s security footage. A foreboding feeling settled over me like a dark cloud.
Damn brat.
If she hadn’t listened to my warning and had gone off on her own, I would…
No clue what I would do with her. Lock her up? No wonder Gabe resorted to that with Sophie, if that was the only way to keep those Donnelly girls in check.
I flipped through the screens until I had the one surveilling the driveway, then scrolled back in time until I found the moment when Fee had left the complex—clearly disobeying my orders.
