Page 17 of Guarded By the Yeti

“What your family did to you is horrible. Nothing excuses their actions. So what if they gave you everything you wanted? Material things can’t heal the emotional trauma they caused you. They weren’t good people, Ysella. I’m sorry about your mother.”

I nod, crying softly. I’m exhausted. After not speaking for three days, my voice is hoarse and my throat hurts.

“I will keep your secret,” he says. Then he tilts my chin up and looks me in the eye. “Who else knows you were your family’s undoing?”

I bite my lip. “Well, the Draganetti family.”

He nods and draws me back into his arms. He doesn’t say more than that, but I think I know why he asked.

“From now on, promise me you won’t worry about a thing,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “I want you to stop worrying, because I’ll take care of everything. I’ll take care of you. I want you to be yourself, Ysella. Be who you want to be and be sure that I love you just the way you are.”

My heart skips a beat. He just said he loves me. What do I do? I haven’t been in love since Victor, and now... Can I afford to open my heart again? Can I afford to feel?

My family is no more. They can’t dictate my life, my thoughts, my emotions. It’s time to start getting used to being free.

“I love you, Kaelthar.”

He squeezes me to his chest. “I love you, Ysella. More than anything in the world. You can count on me.”

I fall asleep in his arms, and for the first time in years, there are no nightmares.

Epilogue

Kaelthar

It’s Christmas Eve, and I have so much to do. This morning, I brought the tree inside, and Ysella is busy decorating it. I got the tree in Icefang, along with two boxes of decorations. Another thing I took care of in Icefang was to spread the word about my mate. The Yetis need to know that Ysella is my woman. That will keep the males away.

I wasn’t surprised when Bralgor was reluctant to speak to me. I’d beaten two of my kind to a pulp and left them at the edge of town. But then I explained why I had to do it, and we were friends again. Like all Yeti males, he understands it is my right to protect my mate no matter who might get a broken nose or limb. No one will step foot near the cabin ever again, and if they do, they will make sure to respect Ysella.

So, I’m not that worried when I have to leave her alone once more. I kiss her goodbye and make her promise she won’t wait up for me. I might get back home well after midnight, but I’ll be here in the morning to open the presents under the tree with her. I take the helicopter, and as soon as I’m in the air, my mind becomes fully focused on the job I need to do.

It’s time for karma to catch up with the Draganetti family, like it caught up with the Carvassis. Another name for karma is Ysella. I smile as I think about her. She’s gone through so much, suffered so much at the hands of the people who should’ve loved her unconditionally, but she refused to be their victim. She bid her time, learned all she could about her father’s business and routines, and when the time was right, she made a decision. It didn’t go quite as planned, but in the end, she won.

Today, I will make sure her past will never interfere with her future.

It only takes me a few hours. I don’t need much of a strategy, because I have physical strength on my side. I’m in and out. Their soldiers don’t impress me. It sucks I’m once again covered in blood and tiny bullet wounds that sting like a bitch, but it’s a small price to pay. Behind me, a blazing fire as I casually make my way back to the helicopter. I pull out my phone and call Lucia, my handler at Monster Security Agency.

“Merry Christmas,” I say.

“Merry... Christmas? Where are you, Kaelthar? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Artie Carvassi called me a few days ago and asked me about his sister’s location. I told him I had no idea where you took her. He sounded angry. Normally, I would’ve called you, but I held back and did some digging. Something wasn’t right. He called again and threatened me, told me to get in touch with you. I had a feeling he wanted to cause trouble, and that if I tried to contact you, he would trace the call. So, I stood my ground.”

“You did good. Your instincts are on point, Lucia.”

“What happened? Is Ysella okay?”

“She’s great. Decorating the Christmas tree, actually.”

“And her brother?”

“He won’t be a problem.”

“So, he was after her.”

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’m good at my job.”

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