Page 93 of Guarded from Treachery

“It wouldn’t have to look like this,” he continues, his words still coming in a rush. “This is just an idea. It could be however you want it to look. If you decide to stay. But I know you’ve just been handed a shi—crap-ton of stuff, and you might not feel up to making a decision right now. And whatever you decide is okay. I meant it when I said I’ll do whatever it takes to make things work. I just… I love you, Isla. And I desperately want you to stay.”

The tears I’ve been fighting against since Dante arrived burst free with a vengeance.

“Oh, Isles. Please don’t cry.” Panic is all over his face. “I’m sorry. I knew this was bad timing. What can I do? A massage? A nap? Should we call your counselor? Please, just tell me what I can do.”

Aww. My sweet Matt. He can deal with the most frightening of situations—things he’s barely touched on from his past but still make me shudder to think about—but a woman crying? Forget it.

I press my mouth to his, tasting the salt on my lips. “You didn’t do anything wrong. At all.”

“Then what?—”

“I want all of it. Staying here. In your apartment. And the nursery is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Our apartment,” he adds fiercely. “Not mine. It would be ours.” A pause. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” More tears leak down my cheeks. “I’m so sure, Matt. I’ve been thinking about the same thing, but I was too scared to ask.”

“Oh, gorgeous.” He turns me on his lap and frames my face with his hands. “Don’t be scared to ask me anything. Okay?”

I give him a sniffly nod. “Okay.”

We stare at each other before the corner of his mouth lifts. “So you’re moving in? And I have the go-ahead to work on the nursery?”

“Yes.” I kiss him again. “Yes. I would love to move in. And I love you.”

“Isla.” Matt’s expression melts. “I love you, too. And I swear, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. Anything. You’re the most important person in the world to me. And when little Eagle or Dove comes, they will be, too.”

Oh.

Out of the storm comes the treasure I’ve dreamed of my entire life.

Sarah was right.

I would go through it all again if it meant ending up here.

20

MATT

“Why did I agree to see her again?”

Isla glances over at me from the passenger seat, her anxiety clear in the tight set of her features. Her teeth worry her lower lip before she continues, “It seemed like a good idea when she called. But now that it’s actually happening, I’m not as sure.”

Honestly, I wasn’t too sure about it either. When Isla’s mother called last week asking if she could see her, my protective instincts went into overdrive. After everything Isla’s been through over the last few months, the last thing I want for her is more stress. More worry. And the potential of being upset all over again.

But it’s Isla’s choice, and if she thinks talking to her mother face-to-face is a good idea, I’m going to support her regardless of my concerns.

It doesn’t mean I won’t worry, though.

“You know I don’t mind going in with you,” I remind her. Letting go of the steering wheel with one hand, I rub the knotted muscles in Isla’s neck. “If you don’t want to introduce me right away, I could sit at another table. If you want.”

It’s not that I’m afraid to leave her alone—well, no more than usual, at least. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel completely comfortable being separated from Isla after nearly losing her more times than I want to think about. It’s something I asked Dante about before my first weekend away from Blade and Arrow, wondering how he handled leaving Sarah after she was abducted.

“It was incredibly hard,” he confided. “I almost backed out of the job half a dozen times, at least. But I kept reminding myself, we have security measures in place. The entire team has my six, and by extension, Sarah’s. And despite my reservations, I knew it was important to give Sarah her space. To let her feel normal again.”

I knew he was right. I still do. But that doesn’t make the separation any easier. Not during the first three-day trip to Houston for a security job, or the weekend in Fort Worth a week after that. It’s hard just leaving Isla to head into San Antonio for a few hours, my mind wandering to frightening places instead of staying on the task at hand.

Logically, I know Isla’s safe. In the month since everything went down at the store, thanks to the work of the FBI and our own investigation, all the players in the black market adoption ring have been arrested and brought up on charges. Day, Oaks, Williams, McMaster and Whitley, and another dozen accessories including nurses, doctors, attorneys, and the hired muscle in charge of guarding the women at Day’s guest house.

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