She nodded, and he ripped the duct tape off her mouth.
"Ow!"
"Sorry. Are you hurt?"
She rolled her lips in and out of her mouth, apparently determining they were still attached. "No. Not hurt. I'm all right."
"Anyone else around?"
"No. It was just Manny and Frank with Chester."
"Good." He glanced out the window and saw Jason, Knox, and Allie on the pier, weapons drawn.
He brushed the hair away from her eyes and held her face in his hands. Emotion in his throat threatened tochoke him. "You scared me to death. You sure you're okay? Cassidy said you hit your head."
"I'll live. But don't let Chester get away. Don't let—"
"He's not getting away. Jason, Knox, and Allie are here. They're taking care of all three of them. Trust me, those three can handle Chester, Manny, and Frank."
Kneeling next to her, he sat back on his heels. And stared at the duct tape. "Those guys must've thought you're the Incredible Hulk or something. How many rolls of duct tape did they use?"
She tried to shrug. "I ticked them off. I think they were embarrassed that Cassidy got away so easily. And they both tripped over the shelves I knocked over. I tried not to laugh. But they looked like imbeciles falling over each other and the water toys and ice chests. Honestly, my plan shouldn't have worked that well."
He kissed her forehead. "You're amazing." More emotions than he'd ever felt swelled in his chest. He'd have to sort those out later.
"Got a knife?" she asked.
He chuckled. "Of course I do." He pulled the pocketknife from his pocket and, starting with her legs, begancarefully slicing the duct tape. "I'll have you out of here in a second."
She watched out the window while he worked.
"How's it going out there? Can you see the boat?"
"It's so dark. I can't see much," she said, frustration nipping at her words.
Nash glanced out the window. "The boat didn't leave. And no one is shooting. Both good signs." The worry pulling her brows together pinched his heart. "Hey." He stroked his thumb across her cheek, still pink from the duct tape. "Trust my team. Everything's going to be fine."
She leaned into his hand. "I know. And I do. I'm just ready to get out of here."
He gave her what he hoped was an encouraging smile. "Working on it, ma'am."
Her muscles relaxed a fraction.
"Give me a few more seconds." He returned to his work, suppressing the temptation to rush. He'd never forgive himself if he cut her. Her legs and torso were finally free, and he started on her arms.
"Is Cassidy okay?"
"I didn't see her, but yes, Jason said she's fine. She's at The Mandeville. With Nutmeg."
"Oh, Nutmeg!"
The emotion in her voice for the little furball made him chuckle. "Who do you care about more?" He was kidding. Sarcastically insinuating she might care about Nutmeg more than Cassidy.
But when her eyes locked on his, she answered, "You."
Finally, her hands were free. She threw her arms around him, buried her face in his neck, and whispered against his skin, "I'm not afraid like I used to be. But I don't want to go through any of this again."
He held her tight against him. "I know. You won't."
