“You’ve been through hell, Britt,” Lachlan said, raking his hand through his hair. “I think the best thing is for you to go through a thorough medical evaluation just to make sure …” hiswords faltered as anger raced along his skin. The unconscious fear surfaced with a vengeance as he clenched his hands into fists.
“Oh no,” Britt said, shifting closer to him. “I was never beaten or violated in any way. It was all psychological. Not physical.”
“Glad to hear that.” His words betrayed everything he felt for this woman. Lachlan’s shoulders slumped. If she’d been physically or sexually assaulted, there was no limit to how he’d burn the world down to kill the bastard who did it. “The attempts to make you remember Brittany Freeman’s life could have negative impacts you don’t realize.”
“Like stopping me from remembering who I am?” Britt asked.
But you are Brittany Freeman. You are the love of my life. You are back home. The words rattled in his brain, screaming to come out. But he wouldn’t let them. Britt had spent years with someone trying to force memories on her. She needed the right environment and conditions to remember who she was on her own. He couldn’t force that on her. He wouldn’t.
“We partner with a psychologist who can evaluate you. There could be ways to unlock your memories safely or help us get clues about who held you captive,” Lachlan said. “Once we identify who he is, we can devise an appropriate strategy to eliminate the threat to your life.”
“This all sounds ridiculously expensive. I’m not sure all of this should be done for me.”
“Will ye stop worrying about the cost?” Lachlan snapped. For as many ways as Britt hadn’t changed—her mannerisms, determination, fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds—he’d have to get used to this less confident version of the woman he loved.
Britt Freeman had demanded control and was a reckless spender, never denying herself or those she loved with whatevermoney could buy. More importantly, she was the last to turn down gifts of any kind. She was raised knowing her worth and ensuring others knew it, too.
This version of his love standing before him didn’t remember those things. Lachlan softened his voice. “I will help ye, Britt. That’s a promise. I will stop the man who is after ye.”
“Why?” Britt stood and stalked toward the door. She dragged a hand down her face, then pivoted to stare at him. “Why are you so willing to help me?”
Because I love you wasn’t an answer he could give. He wouldn’t lie to her, so he gave the only answer close enough to the truth. “Because ye tole me ye needed me. Ye can’t get out of this alone, Britt. You’ll have to trust someone. I want it to be us. To be me.”
“I trust you.” The words slipped from her lips. Her eyes grew wide as if her statement shocked her with the truth of it. She had no clue that the feeling was bred from their deep connection. One that permeated between them even though she didn’t remember who he was. How important he had been in her life. It gave him hope that she’d come back to him in her own time and on her own terms. He just had to be patient.
“That’s a good start,” he said, unable to stop himself from moving closer to her. Only inches separated them. “For now, you’ll stay here at the compound?—”
She reached for him, her hand landing on his arm. Her caress, so achingly familiar, yet now given without recognition, sent fireworks shooting through his body. The hand that used to trace patterns on his skin as they lay in bed now rested innocently on his arm—trusting him as a stranger when once she'd known every inch of his soul. Britt’s words were laced with concern as she asked, “Will you be here?”
“I won’t leave ye,” Lachlan said, choking the words out through the haze of love he felt for her. She had to know he’dprotect her with his life. She had to feel his devotion to her. How much she meant to him and how he wouldn’t fail her this time. He wouldn’t let anyone take her from him again. Lachlan allowed himself to place his hand on hers. The smile she gave him instantly filled the hole that had been in his heart for too long.
“And you’ll be my bodyguard? I mean, can you? Nothing against the other guys, but you’re just a lot easier to talk to,” Britt said with a nervous chuckle.
“The team will handle the investigation, surveillance, and intel.” Lachlan stifled a laugh. As if he’d ever let any of the guys protect his woman. “But I’ll be the one by your side, watching over ye. Day and night. As close as I need to be to make sure ye never feel afraid again.”
Chapter 16
The cold metal of the door handles grounded him as he tried to get his shit together before facing his friends. He had to fill them in on everything Britt had told him, but his brain was disintegrating into mush.
All he could think about was how she’d come back to him.
She’d been alive all this time, and he hadn’t known it. If he had, he would’ve searched the world to find her and bring her home. Even if she didn’t know who he was.
Turning slowly, he wasn’t surprised to see three sets of eyes locked on him from the massive conference table. The air felt charged with unspoken questions. Monitors glowed behind them, painting their faces in shifting blue light as they watched him, waiting for his reaction to the impossible. The miracle who had walked into the compound an hour ago.
His boots echoed against the polished concrete floor as he crossed the room and sank into the ergonomic chair. “It’s her. It’s Britt.” His voice cracked slightly. “She didn’t die. I don’t know how, but she wasn’t killed in that car bomb …” His words trailed off as he registered their skepticism.
Movement on the three massive monitors caught his eye. The live feed from the Oasis Room filled the screens, showing Brittalone, perched on the couch. She sat still, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the cushion, her gaze flicking around the room as if searching for something—or someone. A determined look rested on her face as she waited. The fear and uncertainty were gone, replaced with hope.
His breath caught. Jaw clenched. His gaze zeroed in on Bobby. “You were fucking eavesdropping on our conversation?” His voice was low, dangerous. “That’s why you sent us to the Oasis Room?”
“Obviously.” Bobby didn’t flinch. He leaned back in his chair, smirking, fingers tapping against the keyboard. “And before you ask, I recorded it, too.”
“You fucking arse!” Lachlan exploded, his fist connecting with the table. Water glasses rattled, the force reverberating through the room. “That was a private conversation between me and her. I told you I’d fill you in later.”
“You need to slow the fuck down,” Bobby said, leaning across the table, his eyes glinting with challenge.
Kane raised his hands in a placating gesture. “We all agreed it was for the best.” His voice softened. “It must have been hard for you to keep it together around her. I doubt you remember much of what she told you.”
