Dn hadn''t missed a single message from her. He was still at Ferguson
Corporation that night, fresh out of a shower in the lounge when he nced at his
phone—and stopped cold at thetest notification.
Aiden knocked on the door. "Sir, your wife''s old phone just got a bunch of
messages. They''re from the kidnappers. Ryan''s been taken. Someone''s
demanding money from your wife."
A deep frown creased Dn''s brow.
Aiden hesitated, his voice tight. "These people aren''t bluffing. If your wife doesn''t
show up in person, they''ll kill him. They know what they''re doing."
Dn swung open the lounge door, his expression dark. "Do we have a location?"
"We found them. But they insist on seeing Mrs. Ferguson herself. There are
thirteen of them, all hiding in that abandoned control tower. If she doesn''te,
they''re going to throw Ryan off the top."
Even the best team couldn''t handle thirteen armed men at once. And that tower—
it was a hundred meters high. Used to be a spot for bungee jumping, back in the
day. Just thinking about it made Dn''s chest tighten.
He took a steadying breath. Ryan couldn''t get hurt. If he did, she''d never forgive
him.
"Let''s head back."
By the time they got back to Palm Bay, rain was pouring down in sheets.
Dn shrugged off his jacket. As he looked up, he saw her standing in the foyer,
holding a ss of water. The second she saw him, her whole face lit up.
"You''re home!"
She set the ss down on the coffee table and practically flew across the room,
crashing into his arms like a bird finally finding its nest.
Dn almost winced at how hard his heart thudded at her touch. His arms went
around her waist, instinctively tightening, pulling her closer.
ra tipped her face up from his chest, her eyes sparkling. "I just dreamed about
you, and now you''re really here. I thought I wouldn''t see you for days."
He tried to keep his emotions in check, his handsing to rest on her shoulders.
"ra."
Every time he said her name, there was something soft and almost aching in his
voice—something that made her own heart skip.
"What''s wrong?" she asked, concern in her eyes.
"Come with me. I need you."
She nodded immediately, rising up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Let me just
change, okay?"
She dashed upstairs, swapped her
pajamas for real clothes, and hurried
back down. But when she saw him
waiting by the door, she finally
blurted out the question she''d been
carrying for ages.
"Honey, what''s going on with your leg?"
She crouched down, studying his steady stance, then looked up at him—he
seemed even taller from down here, almost mountain-like.
"Is your leg really better? Why don''t you need the wheelchair anymore?"
He pulled her up in one swift movement, wrapping her in his arms, holding her like
he never wanted to let go.
"I didn''t want to leave the country before," he said quietly. "Didn''t want that job...
Didn''t want to attract attention."
ra didn''t fully understand, but she gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Then
don''t take the job."
"But I owe the Ferguson family."
"Then take it."
He let out a lowugh, equal parts amused and exasperated. "You really go
whichever way the wind blows, huh?"
ra grinned, relieved to see him in
better spirits. Sheced her fingers
through his and tugged him toward
the door. "As long as you''re not mad,
I''m happy. I really didn''t mean what I
said that day. Can''t we just stay like
this? You don''t get mad at me, I
won''t get mad at you. Deal?"
His hand trembled just a little as she led him to the car.
Once they were inside, she took his hand and ced it firmly on her shoulder.
"As long as your mark is still here,
you''re not allowed to be mad at me.
If you are, I swear, I''ll stop talking to
you for real."
He swallowed, looking into her eyes—so serious, so sincere.
At least in this moment, she truly meant it.
"Alright," he said softly.