“Tell me about it,” Sebastian said, a hint of worry in his voice. “We’re leaving now. Get here quick. I want all of us safe and back in St. Felipe within the hour.”
“Will do,” Lachlan said. After a quick assessment of their surroundings, he motioned for Rocco to lead the way to the grotto.
In minutes, Rocco ducked low and entered the grotto. Lachlan opened the hatch and lowered himself halfway into the SPSS, then helped Rocco maneuver Jemma inside.
She fought them briefly in her confusion on where they were taking her, but settled down as she succumbed to the fog of the drugs once again.
Settled within the cramped confines of the sub, Rocco maneuvered into a space furthest away from the command panelwhere Lachlan took the spot to navigate the vessel out of the grotto. Securing the blanket around Jemma’s half-naked body, Rocco wrapped her in his arms as relief flooded through him.
They were safe.
Chapter 60
The haze lifted from her consciousness.
Jemma was vaguely aware of someone supporting her.
Strong arms serving as her lifeline in the tumultuous sea of her thoughts.
Was it Rocco?
She struggled to open her eyes.
Her mind had played tricks on her too many times tonight. The drugs lulled her into a warm, numbing bliss. Waking to find she was still in the clutches of Nomar’s thugs was a reality she’d rather not face.
Still, something tugged at her to try to see the one who had ignited a small glimmer of hope within her.
She leaned into the man, her consciousness wavering toward the promise of light.
Had she imagined being free of Nomar’s men?
Was she free of the captivity or were the drugs constructing a world she desperately wanted to be in?
Jemma fought through the muddled thoughts.
She needed to know the truth.
She had to keep fighting and the only way to do that was to push to find out what was happening around her.
As if emerging from a cocoon, her eyes fluttered open and rested on the most handsome face in the world. Rocco gazed down at her with overwhelming emotion in his espresso eyes.
“Hey,” Rocco said, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Stay with me. Fight, okay? I promise I’m going to help you get through this. We’ll get through it together, just stay with me. Don’t close your eyes.”
“Rocco …” Jemma pushed the words out like heavy weights she could barely lift. “Where … how …”
“Don’t worry about that right now,” Rocco said, a smile spreading across his face. “You are safe. You hear me? I got you off that damn island and I’m taking you someplace safe where you can get better.”
Jemma nodded and felt like her head was about to float away. She gripped Rocco tighter, reveling in the knowledge that he was … real. He was here with her.
“You … found … me,” Jemma said.
“I wasn’t going to stop until I did. I would’ve searched forever if that’s what it took.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jemma said, a sob catching in her throat as tears flooded her eyes. “I should have told you the truth.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t you dare beat yourself up. I get why you felt like you had to do this on your own,” Rocco said, then tilted her head to look at him. “But you never have to face anything on your own ever again. I will always be there with you, whether you like it or not.”
“Rocco … “
