Dove stands under Wolf’s arm, close against his side, holding him steady as the argument spirals out of control.
When the security team hauled me to the yacht, she pulled on warmer clothes and followed.Certainly not because she wanted to give me a proper goodbye.
She’s here for Wolf.
“No!”he shouts again, voice cracking across the water.“You’re not listening.I can’t let him leave without telling us what the hell is going on!”
“He’s not staying on the island.”Monty jabs a finger in Frankie’s direction.“I won’t risk the life of my pregnant wife.”
“Keep me out of this.”Frankie huffs.
Security shifts.The night shifts.My pulse remains calm.
Wolf wants answers I can’t give.
He thinks if he twirls his blade, curves his sexy lips, and lays on the full force of his charm, I’ll fold.He doesn’t know that the part of me capable of folding already surrendered to the Restrepo cartel.
I didn’t come here to offer explanations and build relationships.
I came to sever bonds and rest my eyes on Dove one last time.
And I did.
I saw her with Wolf.Curled against him in his bed, tucked tightly to his chest, his arm slung possessively around her.I saw them fitted together the way she used to fit with me.
I stood in their doorway long enough to memorize her quiet breathing and his protective grip.When I slipped the rock into her palm, he shifted and tensed, alerted by his feral sixth sense.
He didn’t wake fully, but he reacted.
Because she’s his.
I saw what I came to see.Saw enough to know she’ll be worshiped and loved and safe.That’s the only ending I ever wanted for her.
Now I must go.
My ending is already sealed, my fate signed in blood.The cartel gave me twenty-four hours to say goodbye.
I’m returning to Colombia tomorrow, whether Wolf wins this fight or not.
Dove breaks from the arguing cluster, steps to the edge of the dock, and glares at me.
“Fix this, Jag.”She lifts her chin.“It’s not a secret that you have enemies.Which one are you running from?How bad is it?If you don’t want me in the cross-hairs, tell us what we’re up against!”
Wolf turns, watching us, waiting for my response.
I hold Dove’s stare from the yacht’s railing.The moon glances off the water, illuminating the moat between us.
No matter how this night ends, she can’t find out about House of Crowe or what waits for me in Colombia.
“I want the truth.”She bares her teeth.“You owe me answers.”
I owe her a happy life, so I give her the only thing I can.
Silence.
In that silence lies blissful ignorance.It may not be blissful for her now, but it will be.After I’m gone.
Wolf continues to study me, his expression morphing from concern to calculation.
