Page 93 of Guarded from Havoc

Then she hugs him. When she comes back to my side, her eyes shine with tears. “Cruz. I’m so happy to meet you in person, too. And I just want to say… thank you. For everything.”

The usually unflappable Cruz blinks at her. Emotion darkens his gaze. After a brief pause, he says, “I didn’t do that much. Not really. Not compared to what everyone here did. But anything I could do…” He smiles. “I’m just glad everything worked out.”

Tate leans her head on my shoulder. “Yeah.” Her arm slides around my waist. “So am I.”

My heart stumbles. Squeezes. Expands so quickly it’s hard to speak.

Was it a rough road to get here? Undoubtedly.

But the road led me to the most incredible person. To a future I never even dreamed of.

Swallowing hard, I press my lips to Tate’s silky hair as I take a moment to compose myself. “Me too.”

And then more softly, so only Tate can hear, “I love you so much.”

CHAPTER 18

TATUM

“Are you still holding up okay?”

Erik slows his pace as he glances over at me, his gaze quickly assessing. Tiny wrinkles of worry are etched into his forehead, and though he’s trying to hide it, I don’t miss the concern in his eyes.

It would be hardnotto know he’s worried, considering he’s asked me some variation of the same question at least ten times since we started our hike.

“I’m fine,” I reply with a reassuring smile. “Really. I promise. This isn’t even that tough of a hike.”

“Still. It’s been a while since you’ve been hiking. At least…” He pauses to think. “A month and a half. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to push yourself just to prove you can do it.”

“I don’t.” Much, at least.

Besides, this wasmyidea, coming to Enchanted Rock to go hiking. So I’d feel a little foolish turning back just because my legs are burning a little. Or because I know my muscles will be angry with me tomorrow after pushing them more than I have since I got to Texas.

When I first broached the idea of taking our first official hike outside the property together, Erik wanted to wait.

Even though it’s safe for us to leave Blade and Arrow now, nearly three weeks after everything in Idaho went down. Even though Jacob Demetrius is in jail, awaiting trial, and we’ve been assured by the federal prosecutor that there’s no way he won’t be found guilty. Even though the FBI, in collaboration with B and A, have tracked down all the other players in the game—the people hired on the dark web and all the bidders who took part.

It’s not that he’s worried about Daniel, either. Slimy Daniel who’s awaiting his own trial in Albany and can't move a muscle without someone in Blade and Arrow knowing about it, thanks to the watchful eye of Nolan and the twenty-four-seven surveillance Matt coordinated.

No. I know why Erik’s really worried. He’s afraid being back in the wilderness might trigger me. That I might be reminded of the island and have another flashback. That this trip might undo some of the progress I’ve made with my new counselor.

I’m not irritated by his concern. Or that he’s treating me like spun glass, constantly touching me, supporting me, and hovering behind me whenever we go up the slightest incline, ready to catch me just in case I fall.

Which I won’t. Because, though I may not have been hiking the last month and a half, all that yogareallyhelped my balance.

“I’m fine,” I continue. Tugging Erik’s hand, I urge him to pick up his pace. “First, if I feel like I need to stop, I will. But I won’t, because this is only an intermediate hike. Also, we’re making plenty of stops. And if my muscles are sore after this, I’m sure you can help with that. Right?”

Erik’s expression lights with interest. “I could help with a massage. Absolutely.” His gaze drifts to my butt, lingering for a moment. “And if your legs are sore… I can give them extra attention.”

His big hand curves around my hip, then slides to my butt, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And if this is sore… Idefinitelywouldn’t mind massaging it.”

Heat throbs at my core. Desire coils deep inside me; desperate and aching. “That sounds like a plan.”

As we approach a cluster of large boulders, Erik stops. Reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. He steps away from me and lifts it to take a photo. “Smile,” he says. “I want to get a picture. We can add it to our collection.”

He has the cutest look on his face as he snaps away, enthusiasm peeking through his fierce concentration. When he finishes, he states with a hint of pride, “I took twenty pictures. So you have lots to choose from.”

Aww.

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