"Then trust me right now." The confident strength in his voice held her attention. "You're a valuable member of this team. End of story. I think you wallowed in your mistakes for three months, and your perspective is off. So just trust what I'm saying. You're good at what you do. You're here because you're supposed to be here. Stop letting misplaced doubt mess with your head."
He pressed his forehead to hers, his deep voice barely above a whisper. "Trust me. Don't believe those lies."
She wasn't the force of self-assurance she wanted to be, but maybe that was the wrong goal. Maybe she was just supposed to trust. Trust God. Trust Knox. And put one foot in front of the other.
The night Knox kissed her scar, she was positive God was saying she could trust the godly man cradling her face right now. If that was true—and she knew in her soul that it was—then she needed to trust Knox's confidence and his discernment. Even about her own abilities.
He lifted his head.
She nodded. "Okay."
He searched her face. "Really?"
She nodded again and sucked in a full breath. "Yeah. Really. Thank you." She took another deep breath. "I'm ready."
His gaze continued to assess her eyes, and everything behind them. He slid his thumbs across her cheeks one more time, like he was afraid to let go.
His expression hinted at a smile. He gave a slow nod and slipped his hands from her face. "Okay, then. But hey, when you're looking through the rest of the footage, just point out anyone suspicious. Jason and I will check out whatever youfind. Don't worry about being one hundred percent sure it's the bomber. We'll work with what we have." He squeezed her hands.
"Okay."
Something strong and confident flashed in his gaze. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers—a two-second kiss full of undeniable promise. Words not needed. She heard him loud and clear. His speech had been more than a pep-talk to get her through the next ninety minutes. He'd meant every word. And he'd be there—with that devoted look in his eyes—no matter what happened today.
Fresh confidence and determination surged through her. She placed a hand on his chest with a smile. "Let's go find this guy."
Less than a minute later, she sat in front of one of Rowan's monitors, staring at tourists going about their business, blissfully unaware three bombs ticked nearby.
The voice of lies in her head had fallen silent. The panicked trembling gone. She plowed through the weeds of seemingly endless security footage, thankful for her refreshed assurance. She felt like herself again, doing what she was designed to do.
Knox spoke the words, but she knew where the truth came from.
Thank you, God, for reminding me that you're in control. Not me. And that I just need to trust you.
A verse drifted into her thoughts.Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Knowing she could trust God to direct her steps removed an unwanted weight from her mind. Which was good—because she needed every bit of brain space to search for the bomber.
She studied throngs of resort guests—people entering and exiting elevators, passing through hallways—until a sickening boom sounded in the distance. She locked eyes with Knox for a microsecond before a second blast—this one much closer— shook the walls and the floor. Jolted her desk. Rocked her monitor. And the lights went out.
Chapter 18
The violent rumble subsided, and an unsettling silence filled the room. Knox met Allie's startled gaze. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, but—" She checked her watch. "We still have over an hour. It's only 3:55."
He rushed to the balcony door and threw it open. Leaning over the railing, he scanned the property—and the scene made his gut clench. He ran back into the room and looked at Jason. "Smoke. Near the fitness center, and in the distance, near the ferry."
"The ferry? Are you sure?" Jason asked as he darted through the balcony door.
Allie looked at Rowan. "You okay?"
"Yeah, but what happened?"
Jason raced back into the room. "Knox is right. There's heavy smoke near the ferry."
Knox lifted his phone. "Henrik gave me his cell number. I'm going to ask him what he can see. His shop is less than a hundred yards from the ferry bridge."
"Good idea," Jason said.
