As the yacht came to a stop, Gabrielle rushed toward the stairs.
“Gabs …” Sebastian called to her, but she didn’t turn around. She didn’t want him to see the fear and anger coursing through her body. A part of her worried about how far he would go to protect her. She’d stopped being a job to him. Everything between them was deeply personal, even if they hadn’t talked about it yet.
Gabrielle double-checked that she had her cell phone, then turned to one of the staff members smiling at her from the dock. “Can you grab my purse and the shopping bags and have them taken to Sebastian’s house? We won’t be coming back to the boat after our meeting.”
“Of course, Ms. King,” the young woman responded with a brighter smile.
As she took a step off the boat, Sebastian was by her side, his hand outstretched to help her down. Slipping her hand in his, she felt an instant sense of calm spread over her. How did he do this every time? He was there when her chaotic thoughts and emotions were about to drown her. The rock she clung to when everything else was in disarray.
They walked side-by-side in silence toward the golf cart.
“I’ll take her up,” Sebastian said to the driver. “Can you get a ride back with one of the others?”
The man nodded, then jumped out of the cart.
Gabrielle sat on the cushioned seat and waited for Sebastian to get inside. He steered the golf cart up the wide dirt path, then said, “Don’t tell the cops what we found out about Quattro or Tony Brooks. Listen to what they say, but keep our information a secret.”
“Why shouldn’t we tell them?” Gabrielle turned toward Sebastian. His handsome face had turned to stone. “I trust Brad. He was the one who found me and dragged me out of that fucking hole in the dirt Damian had trapped me in. He kept looking when everyone was giving up hope. He’s on my side. If Tony Brooks is my new stalker, isn’t it better that we all work together to stop him?”
“And how the fuck are you going to explain how we learned about Tony?” Sebastian gave her a look laced with frustration. “Bobby’s methods aren’t exactly legal. You want to get him in trouble for helping us?”
“Of course not, but can’t we say we have an anonymous source or something?”
“We’re not fucking journalists. It’ll take Shannon about half a second to link me to Bobby and put Bobby in hot fucking water. I can’t let that happen,” Sebastian insisted.
“Is that the only reason you don’t want to tell Brad what we know about Tony Brooks?”
Sebastian sucked in a deep breath. The golf cart slowed to a stop along the curving path. When he turned to look at her, the frustration had been replaced with concern.
“I told you I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you.”
His words sent a chill through her body.
“The cops can find Tony Brooks and arrest him.”
“Why? So you can live with that ticking clock again. Counting down the fucking days until he’s released from prison and comes after you for revenge?” Sebastian said, stroking a hand down her face. “It ripped my heart out hearing that Damian made you feel like that for the past decade. I’m not going to let Tony Brooks start a new clock. If he is stalking you, I will end him.”
“End him?” Gabrielle could barely get the words out. “Sebastian—”
“Stop fucking arguing with me.” The golf cart jerked forward. Sebastian steered it up the hill at maximum speed. “We’re doing this my way. Don’t mention Brooks.”
Gabrielle swallowed her protest as she stared at this perfect man willing to do anything to keep her safe. For most of her life, she’d lamented not having someone by her side to support and help her through the horrible things she’d endured. She’d had to face them all alone. Overcame them all by herself. Emerge anew from the tragedy without the people who claimed to love her in this world.
But that wasn’t her life now. Not anymore.
Gabrielle leaned her head onto Sebastian’s shoulder. He shifted to pull her into him. “Fine. We’ll do it your way,” she whispered in his ear, then kissed his cheek, even though her acceptance scared the shit out of her.
As they turned into the circular driveway in front of King Estate, Serena stood outside waiting for them.
“Where’s Brad?” Gabrielle asked as she climbed out of the golf cart.
“On the back porch,” Serena said. “He wouldn’t tell me anything until you got here.” Her sister wore a brave face, but she could see the worry in her eyes. “I have a meeting with one of our distributors, or I’d stay with you.”
“It’s okay. Take care of business, and I’ll fill you in once you’re done,” Gabrielle said, then led Sebastian to the back porch.
Detective Brad Shannon sat alone at a teak wood table for six that overlooked the groves and tennis courts. A pitcher of mango lemonade sat in the center, along with a plate overflowing with cheese, crackers, fruit, and a bowl of goat paté.
Brad stood and embraced her in a warm hug. “How are you doing?”
