“Poor Dani,” Theo said with a shake of his head.
Stuart grinned, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t feel sorry for her. She fought back. By the time she got done with him,Zayan’s little business in that port was finished. By the time I got done with him, he couldn’t seduce a chicken. His handlers weren’t happy with his performance. After a few encounters with their fists, let’s just say he wasn’t looking so pretty anymore. Unable to make a living using his looks, he had to start actually working to make a living. Three years ago, he disappeared off the radar.”
“Until last night,” Alexandros said.
Stuart nodded. “Until last night. As far as my security guys can tell, he must have recognized Dani. If anything, she is more beautiful than she was before. He saw her with you and decided to have his revenge and make some money off of the deal.”
“He wasn’t going to let her go,” Theo said, looking down at the cold, black liquid in his cup before he looked up. “Markos found a room—” He breathed deeply and shook his head, looking down again. “He wasn’t going to let her go.”
“Thank you both—for saving Dani. I owe you a life debt that I’ll never be able to repay,” Stuart said, his voice not quite steady.
Emotion swept through him, and he suddenly knew what he needed—no had—to do. This world was too cruel for someone as beautiful as Dani. She needed to be protected, and he would do whatever he had to do to make that happen.
“You can,” Alexandros said. “By giving me her hand in marriage.”
Theo sputtered. “What?!” He gaped at his brother. “Alexandros?—”
“I’ll protect her,” Alexandros said, eyes locked on Stuart’s. “With everything I am. I swear it.”
Stuart raised an eyebrow, watching him closely. “You realize Dani’s not a porcelain doll. She won’t let you lock her in a gilded cage. She’d fight you tooth and nail if you tried.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” His voice turned to steel. “But I’ll be damned if anyone ever lays a hand on her again.”
Twelve
A low, familiar voice tugged Dani from the depths of sleep.
It was gravelly and deep, laced with warmth and quiet strength—the voice that had read her bedtime stories, taught her to tie knots, and always made her feel safe.
Her lips curved into a weak smile.
Gramps.
She shifted—and pain lanced through her arm, shoulder, and side.
The voice stopped mid-sentence.
“Dani?” Stuart’s voice now carried a distinct note—concern, sharp and immediate.
She forced her eyes open, blinking against the dull light. Her grandfather was already by her side, sliding his phone into his pocket. Relief flooded his features when their eyes met.
“There she is. There’s my beautiful girl,” he said softly, his crooked smile creasing his weathered face.
Tears welled in her eyes and blurred her vision as she reached out her good arm toward him.
He didn’t hesitate. Stuart leaned over and wrapped his arms gently around her, mindful of her injuries. His embrace was warm andfamiliar, enveloping her like a shield against the nightmare that had almost swallowed her whole.
She inhaled deeply, letting the scent of his aftershave—woodsy and clean—settle over her. He pulled back after a minute, his hand brushing her tangled hair from her face.
“You’re here,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion.
“Of course I am. Where else would I be?” he murmured, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
A watery smile tugged at her lips. “And still a fashion icon, I see. Is that your favorite moth-eaten sweater from the ‘90s? And a wrinkled shirt you probably yanked from the laundry basket?”
Stuart huffed a laugh and rubbed his nose. “Don’t sass your elders when you’re busted up in a hospital bed.”
Her smile wobbled. “I love you.”
