“I’m not your fucking buddy. Wait until Serena King hears about this. She trusts me to handle this investigation.”
“Not anymore. Who do you think called the Prime Minister to ask us to take over?” The man and Detective Shannon walked around the corner, heading toward Sebastian and the nurse. The man wore the signature steel gray jacket emblazoned with PIIB in teal. The island feds were taking over the stalker case.
The special agent pointed toward the elevator. “After you, Detective.”
Shannon’s shoulders slumped as he glared at the special agent. The tense standoff only lasted seconds before he grudgingly entered the elevator. The special agent gave Sebastian and the nurse a polite nod, then followed Shannon inside.
“Her room is the first door on the left,” the nurse said. “You can go in.” She gently squeezed his hand, then headed to the nurses’ station across the hallway.
Twisting the knob, Sebastian pushed the door open, then stood in the doorway … frozen.
“Hey …” He managed to get the words out.
Tears welled in Gabrielle’s eyes. “Hi.”
Sebastian closed the door behind him, then slowly approached her bed. She looked delicate and fragile. The attack from last night had dulled the feisty, defiant woman he loved. He hated to see her like this. Defeated.
Gabrielle swiped at the tears sliding down her face, then held up her hand. “I can’t take it if you come any closer.”
“Why?” Sebastian frowned.
“Because we can’t see each other anymore.”
“Gabs.”
“No. Listen to me. The officer assigned to protect me is fighting for his life because Tony thought he was you.”
“Tony thought the officer was the bodyguard you wrote about in your journal,” Sebastian clarified as he crossed the room to stop at the foot of her bed. “The bodyguard you are in love with.”
“Do you know what a horrible person I am? No? Let me tell you. When I found out that’s why Tony attacked my guard, I was relieved that he’d stabbed the wrong man. I was happy that someone else suffered so that you wouldn’t. It would’ve killed me if you were the one fighting for your life in that operating room. All because of me.”
The pull to comfort her was too strong. Sebastian walked over to the side of the hospital bed and kneeled, grabbing her hands in his. Gabrielle tried to resist, but he held on tight.
“When I found you at the safe house.” His words were low and strained, choked with emotion. “There was blood everywhere, and you looked … ” He inhaled a sharp breath, then let it out. “You looked dead. But I could see your chest rising and falling. You were breathing, and I thanked God I wasn’t too late. I didn’t know what Tony had done to you. I still don’t. But what I do know without any doubt is how much I love you.” He leaned his head on her chest as her hand slipped from his and caressed his face.
“Seby, he didn’t rape me,” Gabrielle said.
Relief flooded through Sebastian.
“Gabs.” Sebastian leaned closer to her face. “I won’t let anyone keep us apart. Not even you.” He pressed his lips against her sweet mouth and was encouraged that she didn’t push him away. He deepened the kiss, hoping that he was getting through to her. Changing her mind about the foolish idea that they not be together. His tongue slid slowly against hers as she welcomed him.
Gabrielle pushed his shoulders and jerked her head away. “No. Stop. I’ve made up my mind.”
“Did you not hear the part when I said I love you?”
“I’ll be damned if you die because of me.”
“I’m not dying at the hands of some fucker trying to stalk you—”
“Is that right? Because I heard he almost blew your head off last night. Gunshots riddled the walls where you must have been. It’s a miracle that none of them hit you.”
“It’s not a fucking miracle. I’m a trained special operative. I know how to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the worst of the worst criminals in the world.”
“But have you ever had to fight someone where it was personal? Where you were the target because they wanted to eliminate you. You, Sebastian Luttrell. Not get rid of a PISCO operative. Not take down law enforcement in their way. But, someone who is hunting you specifically. Because that’s what we’re dealing with now,” Gabrielle said. “It’s just a matter of time before that psycho realizes he stabbed the wrong bodyguard and comes after you. Trust me. He won’t play fair. You might not even see him coming—“
“How can you say that to me?” Sebastian grew irate.
“Because I see it in your eyes, Seby. You can’t possibly do what you were trained to do in this situation because you’re distracted and blinded by your feelings for me.”
