“I’ll be fine,” I reiterated. “And please tell Dad thank you for filling in for me. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
I could hear the smile in her voice. “I will, sweetheart. He’s always happy to help you.”
We said our goodbyes and before I could set my phone back on the patio table, it rang again. This time it was Kat. I had several missed calls from her last night, but with everything going on, I never called her back.
“Hey, Kat,” I answered sheepishly.
“Girl, do you not know how to answer your phone?”
I couldn’t exactly tell her I was a little busy getting abducted. “I’m sorry,” I ended up saying. “I was really sick, but I’m feeling much better now.”
“Good. Because I have some news.” Her voice was so excited that I could feel it through the phone. There was only one thing I knew would get her that fired up.
“What?”
She squealed so loud I had to hold thephone away from my ear. “I’m getting married! Jonah proposed to me last night. You have to be my maid of honor. Say you will!”
My whole body thrummed with excitement. “Of course, I will! Oh, Kat, I’m so happy for you.” I looked at Declan. “They’re getting married.”
He chuckled. “I heard. Tell her I said congratulations.”
“Declan said congratulations,” I told her. “When are you guys thinking of tying the knot?”
Kat giggled. “That’s the other thing. We want to elope. I’m thinking an oceanside wedding in Aruba. I can wear a beachy white dress with tropical flowers in my hair. And you’ll be right there with me.”
I could envision it all in my head and it was beautiful.
“I think that sounds fantastic. Count me and Declan in.”
She squealed again. “I’ll tell you all the plans as soon as I figure them out. Talk to you soon, okay?”
“Okay. I love you,” I said, feeling as if my heart would burst. She’d been waiting on Jonah to propose for a long time now.
“Love you, too,” she replied.
We hung up and I put my phone away, turning my full attention back to Declan. “I swear, so muchhappened yesterday. I got kidnapped, Kat got engaged, and Linda almost got herself killed but ended up killing someone instead. I think we’re in a twilight zone.”
Declan chuckled. “It sure does feel like that. I’m just glad you and Linda are okay.” He averted his gaze to the lake and silence filled the air. He hadn’t said it verbally, but I knew he wanted to be the one to take care of Vincent. It made me wonder if he still felt there was unfinished business.
“I know you wanted to be the one to kill Vincent,” I said, my voice low.
He let out a sigh and turned back to me. “I did. I wish you knew how much rage I felt when I found out he had you.” His eyes closed and he blew out a breath. “If Linda hadn’t done the job, it would’ve been really messy.” He opened his eyes and stared right into mine. “I was going to tear him apart, but my fear was you. I didn’t want you to see what I’m capable of.”
I shook my head and sat up, looking down at him and hoping he could see the truth in my eyes. “I will never be afraid of you, Declan.” A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “But if it makes you feel any better, if Vincent had hurtyou, you wouldn’t want to see what I’m capable of.”
“Oh yeah?” He smirked. “What would you have done to him?”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “For starters, I would’ve chopped off his dick and made him choke on it. Then, I would’ve ripped off one of his arms and shoved it up his ass.”
Declan’s mouth dropped. “Now you’re scaring me. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
I bit my lip and held out a hand for him to take it. “I don’t know. My bad side can be kind of exciting. Why don’t we head inside and get out of this heat?”
He took my hand and sat up, his eyes darkening with need. “What do you want to do when we get in the house?”
I winked. “I think you know. But first, I want you to kiss me. And don’t hold back.”
Declan grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap. “I don’t plan on it.”
