Page 125 of Rescued by the Single Dad

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ve been an absolute mess. But that doesn’t matter now. You’re alive!”

Brooke chuckled, but even Clint, who’d only known her a week, could tell it was forced.

“I’m here to bring you home,” Inez said, finally releasing Brooke. “I’ve arranged for everything. I have a car coming over on the first ferry to take us to the airport. The charter plane I booked will take us home whenever we get to SeaTac. We can leave now. Rocco can follow when he’s ready.” She glanced at Brooke’s brother. “Or not. Whatever.”

Rocco looked incredibly put out and was about to say something, then decided against it.

“I ...” Brooke started, seeking help from Clint with a quick look at him.

“The killer is still out there,” Clint said, stepping in. “She’s safest here until they’ve been brought to justice.”

Inez’s light brown brows spiked up her forehead, and her muddy eyes went wide. “You can’t be serious?” She faced Brooke again. “Brooke?”

Brooke nibbled on her bottom lip.

“I’ve spoken with Seattle PD, and they agree that the best course of action is to tread carefully and keep Brooke out of the public eye for as long as possible. Give the killer less of an opportunity to get to her again. I’m here, my brothers are here. We’ve upped security. She’s safe.” Clint informed her.

Inez released Brooke and plunked a hand on her hip. “She’s safe with me, too. We have bodyguards and surveillance all set up at her home. I would never let anything happen to her.”

“You let her get pushed off a boat,” Rocco murmured, which earned him a dark glare from Brooke’s assistant.

“I wasn’t even on the boat,” Inez argued, shooting Rocco an intense, fevered glower.

Brooke left Inez’s side and joined Clint. “I’m going to stay here. I’ve been safe here so far.”

“Because the world thought you were dead,” Inez said, throwing her hands in the air. “Now, the world is questioning again if you’re not. So whoever tried to kill you might come here and double check their dirty work.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Clint said matter-of-factly. “We have incredible security here, and the entire island is being made aware and on high alert. Not much happens without the locals knowing about it. We’re a tight-knit community.”

“Maybe it was someone from this tight-knit community that tried to hurt Brooke the first time,” Inez challenged.

“They tried to kill her,” Rocco corrected. “And that doesn’t make any sense. Nobody from the island was on the boat.”

“How do you know?” Inez snapped at him, anger in her glare.

“As her brother, I was provided with a list of all those on the boat, and Clint and I have cross-referenced it with all people who live on the island and adjacent islands.” His smug smile had Clint’s lip twitching and wanting to curl up, too, but he refrained.

He needed to get the history of Rocco and Inez. There was clearly bad blood here. But why?

Inez tried to appeal to Brooke again. “Brooke, come on. It’s me. I’d never let anything happen to you. Wouldn’t you rather be home in Monterey?”

“I’m actually quite happy here right now,” Brooke said, looking up at Clint. He looped an arm around her waist and gazed down at her, hoping his brain kept his feelings and that he was absolutely falling in love with this woman, quiet. He could feel those things, he just sure as shit couldn’t say them. Not right now. Maybe never.

Fire ignited in Inez’s eyes.

“I will return home, Inez. Just ... not yet. Maybe once things quiet down a bit and we find the person who tried to kill me.” Brooke swallowed and trembled a little beside Clint. He tightened his hold on her.

Inez sucked in a breath through her nose, let her shoulders relax, and plastered on a huge smile. “Very well. I will take your lead on this. Just ... don’t go no-contact again, okay? Keep in touch, and just know that I can have a car here and a plane ready in three hours.” She stepped forward and embraced Brooke again. But Clint didn’t release Brooke from his own possessive hold, so it was awkward for Inez—and a little awkward for Brooke.

He didn’t care.

Inez met his eyes. “Thank you for taking care of our girl. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”

“I’ll see you out,” Clint said, reluctantly releasing Brooke and walking Inez to the door. Rocco swooped in and held onto his sister with a protective arm around her.

Inez’s eyes were on Brooke, though. “Call me, okay?”

“Of course,” Brooke said, nodding.

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